MANILA, Philippines — Women in the Philippines have long broken barriers and reshaped society, even when their work went largely unrecognized. Many of these Filipina “firsts” rarely appear in textbooks, but their contributions helped change the course of history and widened opportunities for women. RELATED STORY: #HerStory: Women Transforming Society From pioneers in religious life to early voices in literature, these women carved paths that later generations would follow. Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo was the first Filipina to establish a religious congregation for women in the Philippines — the Beaterio de la Compañia de […]... Keep on reading: From convent to cinema: Filipina ‘firsts’ who made history