iACADEMY

This Women’s Month, iACADEMY’s iCON 2026 proves that crowns are only part of the story. The real victory lies in the women behind them, women who continue to challenge stereotypes, carry their industries forward, and inspire the next generation of Game Changers. From arts to technology to business, this year’s Top 3 are more than titleholders. They are living proof that women belong in every room, every boardroom, every studio, every lab, and every stage where change begins.

“AKO ANG BOSES NG KABABAIHAN SA SINING”

For Mikaela Rozel Bayani, winner of iCON 2026 from the Filmmakers Society of iACADEMY under the School of Design and the Arts, the crown is deeply rooted in advocacy. Long before winning iCON, Mikaela had already been a visible voice for the arts, joining campaigns, championing creative causes, and using her platform to push for stronger recognition of women in artistic spaces. Her journey has always been bigger than performance; it has always been about purpose.

Mikaela’s stance is a reminder that sining still matters because it keeps humanity alive. In a time when many young people are losing touch with the value of creativity, she continues to rally women artists to lead, create, and inspire. As she shared, “I think being a woman in the creative industry is really important to me. It is one thing to be in a room where you can express yourself and collaborate with other people. It is also another thing to be at the table where your decisions matter, your voice is heard, and you can redefine what the industry is.” Her story reminds future creatives that women do not just belong in the arts, they can lead the stories that shape culture itself.

“THERE SHOULD NEVER BE LABELS ON WHERE WOMEN CAN BELONG.” 

In technology, Jana Quisha Salamatin, iCON 2026 1st Runner-Up from COMPILE and the School of Computing, stands as a bold response to the misconception that tech is only for men. As a leader in her organization, one of the school’s top student achievers, and a future data scientist in a male-dominated discipline, Jana’s presence alone challenges outdated thinking.

Her message is clear: it should never be acceptable to limit women’s potential through labels. Women in technology can win, lead, and become the inspiration for those who follow. In her own words, “The essence of being a woman in the technology industry is courage and purpose. It is about stepping into a space where women are often underrepresented and transforming it through innovation, empathy, and vision.” Jana’s story is a lasting legacy for future women in tech, that they, too, can rise, innovate, and own their place in the digital future.

“AS THE FIRST WOMAN IN DIGITAL MEDIA PROGRAM, I CARRY HISTORY FORWARD.”

For Roanne Qimbo, iCON 2026 2nd Runner-Up from the School of Business and Liberal Arts, her story is nothing short of historic. As the first-ever woman in the Philippines to take up Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Management, Roanne is already written into the history of the program. In a classroom where all her peers are men, she stands alone, but never small.

As a scholar, student achiever, and pioneer, Roanne breaks the long-standing belief that business, leadership, and emerging industries are spaces reserved for men. Her very presence in the country’s first DMM program proves otherwise. As she shared, “I want to ensure that my voice and our efforts stay human, empathetic, and focused on real connection.” That perspective becomes even more powerful knowing she is building her own legacy as the first woman in a pioneering field. Her story tells future women that being first is never about being alone, it is about opening the door wider for everyone after you.

HINDI LANG KORONA, TATLONG BABAENG MAGSISILBING INSPIRASYON

More than crowns, these three women now carry something far greater: representation, legacy, and inspiration. Mikaela, Jana, and Roanne are not simply winners of iCON 2026, they are women making history in industries where they were once underestimated. Through arts, technology, and business, they prove that women can lead, break barriers, and redefine what is possible.

This is the true spirit of iCON and Women’s Month at iACADEMY: not just celebrating women for being seen, but honoring them for the doors they open for every future Game Changer who dares to follow Beyond Better.