By Anthony Bruce Cabuenas
In the vast empty space of our deep universe, an amplified voice of change echoes. A sudden surge of power far greater than any asteroid damage or comet impact, and an intergalactic force unbeknownst to man, even bigger than he. The first footsteps of change, a tremor of a legacy throughout our history, a mark made by women.
Flipping through the pages of our past, women have been an integral aspect of our society. They have been figures of power, a collective movement towards a more inclusive society. Amidst dirty feet kept aground from discrimination, it took one voice, then a symphony of collective testaments, to row their way to where they are at the present, slowly being heard loudly, seen more visibly and better represented.
These women continue to defy the standard rules of the once male-dominated society, seeking opportunities in fields that involve will power in both mental and physical aspects. In the field of robotics engineering, where mechas and heavy metals situate, we see women building not only amazing pieces but also crafting a path for those who dare dream of this passion.
CIT University is luckily graced with a woman whose likes can topple down the thick barriers of stereotypical statements with her unwavering dedication, charismatic presence, and her most trusted toolbox.
Jayco Belle Punay, a fourth-year computer engineering student and the president of the CIT-U Robotics Society, is best known for her noble craftsmanship and brilliant ideas in robotics. She is the perfect narrative of how a small spark of passion, despite life’s redirection, may result in a life-long commitment, a continued conquest of learning and, ultimately, an adventure of a lifetime.
Growing up in a very supportive household, Jayco was already immersed in the concept and beauty of space. However, becoming a person practicing in the field of engineering wasn’t established in her system yet, employing her to choose the HUMSS strand to become a teacher.
Fate took a sudden twist when, on one random day with her sister in the cinema, an astounding interest towards aerospace and robotics sparked within her after watching the movie Avengers: Infinity War. From then onwards, she began to immerse more in the world of mechas and built a future on them, programming her system into becoming an ace in her chosen vocation.
“I learned from scratch. Like most of the things that I do now, it wasn’t necessarily taught within school. Everything or most of it was purely self-taught. I did it on my own, where you just have to have the drive for it. It all started there and everything just became a chain reaction.”
It wasn’t all a perfect experience, aside from the tedious efforts that her degree program warrants, being a woman in a male-dominated industry was a hard weight to carry on her shoulders. Being the only woman in a robotics class was no longer a peculiar sight for her, and also happened to become a struggle for someone of her likes. At many occasions, many of the men in her class, despite her teaching them, would disregard her presence and the lush ideas she brings to the table.
“It is hard to socialize because I am afraid my ideas might be disregarded just because I am a woman. But overall, engineering is really tough. I’m just trying my best to keep up with all the emerging technologies and educate myself. That really is the key. Don’t let peer pressure affect you.”
Thanks to her stubborn nature paired with an impaired goal in mind, she was able to break these barriers and revolutionize a path towards success in such a career, despite being the few women present in the field. Her greatest dream is to become a Head Space Cadet, leading her troops on a conquest towards the moon!
“If I’m set on this particular goal, that’s exactly where I’m heading. No matter how hard you try to push me away.”
As the current president of the Robotics Society, who also spearheads its Research and Development (R&D) projects, she briefly described her integral role in the organization.
“Actually, it is not easy because it is a pioneering society. I actually built the organization from the ground up. There was a Robotics Society before, but this one is different because it covers the entire university.”
She, along with her members, have crafted many robots that ranged from rovers, sumobots and miniature rockets, some bagging awards and winning interscholastic competitions. The organization has hosted educational workshops and opened doors to people who share the same interests, regardless of the degree program they are enrolled in. With this, they are able to expand their field of study as they introduce the fifth branch of the Robotics Society which is Rocketry.
“We’re doing rocketry now. We are in this competition hosted by Indiana Aerospace University which is a Can Satellite Rocket Competition. It’s basically making your own can satellite that will be launched using rockets. So, we’re the ones creating it from the rocket, manufacturing, and entire production.”
It is indeed a tedious process to undertake. Building these pieces is time consuming and a challenge especially for someone juggling their academics. This, however, is not the case for Jayco. She has mentioned multiple times that balancing her responsibilities as an organization leader and CpE student, as well as her role in her household, has been surprisingly easy. Her secret? Set the priorities. It is important that one intends to do the things that need to be done at that time of need then the rest would ultimately follow.
“One thing that I always take with me is to be consistent. Be consistent in a manner that, for example, you might not feel like doing it today but tomorrow you’re highly motivated. What’s important is that you keep making progress.”
Talk about a woman of wonder! Jayco has not only been able to establish a legacy within our school but a platform for students to see themselves in the light that she once thought would be dull for her to stand on.
“It only takes courage,” she repeatedly said. In the eyes of Jayco, women are deprived of a voice and a role in the society, most especially in those male-dominated communities, yet, slowly, they are able to represent themselves in the same caliber as men, making a difference in their own ways and bringing pride to the field.
When asked what it means for her to be a woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated field, she says, “To inspire other women to do the same. Because we are in a third world country and opportunities for women in a male-dominated field are really really rare.”
She added that the Philippines, as seen in an academic context, is collectively making significant progress in terms of gender inclusivity most especially in the STEM strand.
“It is gaining momentum. I am happy with the Philippines’ R&D and hopefully it will flourish because the country has so much potential, not to mention the talented individuals we have.”
Jayco is only one of the many capable women in our society. She is a testimony that nothing is bigger than a woman who dreams big and does bigger things. She has continuously represented women who dared to reach for the stars and in return, have gotten everything they wanted and deserved.
“Don’t be afraid. Technically, there are a lot of opportunities so don’t shy away from them because you never know what’s in store for you.”
Jayco is a reminder to all of the women across the world, women of color, shape, and culture, that the world is theirs to make the most out of. In the same way she did, it is a challenge to everyone to find the courage within themselves to start with those little steps. To defy the norms dictated by the society, is to fear not the dangers but the perils of staying silent. Women can challenge these stereotypes by becoming fearless. With each little step we take is progress towards a more inclusive society. No one has to be left behind in the process of engineering different vehicles for everyone to board towards a future where we are and feel included. No woman is too small to carry the responsibilities that men do in shaping our world and no man is too big to stop them from trying. Together, let us all reach for the stars!
