Start Up Meetups: Resilience by Design, celebrating female founders in Women’s Month
Last March 14, 2026, in celebration of Women’s Month, Start Up Meetups: Resilience by Design gathered an inspiring community of founders, leaders, and innovators at YSPACES. Organized by Start Up Podcast PH, the event became a powerful platform for meaningful conversations on resilience, leadership, and sustainable growth. Spotlight: The Vision Behind Start Up Podcast PH At the heart of this initiative is Janni Boydon, founder and host of Start Up Podcast PH. As a Senior Lecturer at University of the Philippines, Janni has dedicated his platform to amplifying the voices of Filipino startup founders. Through Start Up Podcast PH, he creates meaningful conversations that showcase the stories, innovations, and visions of local entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the country. More importantly, the platform serves as a bridge connecting aspiring founders with real-world insights and inspiring them to contribute to nation-building through startups. With the mission to “Start Up the Philippines,” the podcast continues to highlight the growing ecosystem of Filipino innovation. For those who want to explore more, you can reach out via hello@phstartup.online More importantly, the meetup highlighted the strength of collaboration among women founders across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Rather than focusing solely on individual success, the event emphasized how resilience is built collectively through shared experiences, support systems, and intentional design in both business and culture. A Gathering of Visionary Women Leaders The event featured a dynamic lineup of speakers who brought real-world insights and actionable strategies. Among them were: Through the open mic format, speakers and attendees contributed to a vibrant exchange of ideas. As a result, the session moved beyond theory and into practical frameworks that founders can immediately apply. Fireside Chat: Women Redefining Resilience In addition, one of the highlights of the event was the Fireside Chat session, which spotlighted exceptional female founders and CEOs. In honor of International Women’s Month, this intimate conversation focused on building, scaling, and leading through change. Meet the inspiring lineup: These women shared candid stories about navigating uncertainty, embracing innovation, and leading with purpose. Furthermore, their experiences reinforced the idea that resilience is not just about endurance—but about evolving with intention. Designing Resilience, Not Just Surviving While many discussions around entrepreneurship focus on survival, this event took a different direction. Instead, it explored how resilience can be intentionally designed. From building strong internal systems to cultivating adaptive company cultures, the speakers emphasized proactive strategies rather than reactive solutions. Moreover, the event underscored that resilience is not a solo act. Founders shared how mentorship, partnerships, and community engagement play a crucial role in overcoming challenges. Consequently, attendees left with a renewed sense of clarity and confidence in navigating uncertainty. Premium Event Experience at YSPACES BGC Equally important was the venue itself. Known for its modern and flexible setup, YSPACES provided the perfect environment for meaningful engagement. Located in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, the space is designed to host premium corporate events, networking sessions, and community meetups. With its professional ambiance, seamless facilities, and collaborative atmosphere, YSPACES elevated the overall experience. Not only did it support productive discussions, but it also encouraged authentic connections among attendees. Recognizing Our Partners and Sponsors This impactful event would not have been possible without the support of our partners and sponsors. Special thanks to: Their commitment to empowering founders and fostering innovation played a vital role in the success of the meetup. Building the Future Together Ultimately, Resilience by Design was more than just an event—it was a movement. By bringing together diverse voices from across the Philippines, it reinforced the idea that strong communities build stronger businesses. As we continue to celebrate Women’s Month, initiatives like this remind us that resilience is not just about enduring challenges but about designing systems, relationships, and environments that thrive despite them. Host your future events at YSPACES. Contact Us.
Pink Play Day at YSPACES: A Celebration of Softness, Joy, and Women’s Community
Last February 28, 2026, something quietly powerful unfolded at YSPACES. It wasn’t a loud conference or a high-pressure networking event. Nor was it another “girlboss” seminar urging women to do more, achieve more, and hustle harder. Instead, it was something softer and perhaps far more radical. Pink Play Day was a heartfelt invitation for breadwinners, careerwomen, business leaders, and mothers — women who carry households, teams, and dreams on their shoulders every single day. At its core was a beautifully simple message: Be happy again.Be free again.And don’t feel guilty for feeling joy again. Because joy, after all, is not something women have to earn. Meet the Founder: Erin Everly Albonian Behind Pink Play Day is a woman whose story is just as heartfelt as the gathering itself — Erin Everly Albonian. A young mother to her 11-year-old son, Erin has long been passionate about building spaces where women feel safe, supported, and inspired. After years of founding businesses and leading communities, she realized that her true mission was simple yet powerful: to help women — especially mothers — reconnect with their inner child and rediscover joy. Known for her love of all things pink, Erin once dreamed of creating a community where women, moms, and kindred spirits could gather freely and celebrate softness without judgment. Today, that dream has taken shape through Pink Play Club, a growing community rooted in creativity, healing, and connection. More than a founder, Erin is a host, community builder, events curator, and leadership coach — a woman dedicated to creating spaces where others can feel seen, supported, and empowered to be fully themselves. 💗 A Gentle Space for Women to Exhale Pink Play Day was intentionally designed as a gathering where women could play, pause, and create together. In a world that constantly celebrates productivity, many women are conditioned to believe that rest is laziness and joy is indulgence. Even during moments meant for relaxation, invisible mental checklists often linger in the background. However, Pink Play Day gently disrupted that narrative. There were no KPIs to chase.No expectations to perform.No pressure to impress. Instead, the gathering offered something far more meaningful: a carefully curated space where women could reconnect with themselves — not as professionals, providers, or mothers, but simply as individuals. The focus was softness.The rhythm was slower.And joy was welcomed without apology. The Energy in the Room From the moment guests stepped into YSPACES, the atmosphere felt different. Soft pink hues, playful details, and cozy corners filled the venue, creating a warm and welcoming environment. The energy was light, relaxed, and sincere. Most noticeably, the laughter that filled the room was genuine — the kind that comes from feeling safe and seen. Women arrived carrying many roles. Some came straight from work. Others came after preparing dinner at home. Some arrived with friends, while others walked in alone and left with new connections. Yet what made the gathering truly special was the absence of expectation. There was no pressure to be perfectly polished or socially “on.” Guests were simply invited to show up exactly as they were. More Than an Event — A Growing Movement Pink Play Day was never meant to be just another community event. Instead, it served as a gentle reminder that women-centered spaces built on care and connection are not luxuries — they are necessities. When women are given permission to rest, play, and create freely, something powerful happens. They return to their homes, businesses, and communities feeling lighter, more present, and more fulfilled. That ripple effect matters. For this reason, our partners didn’t simply sponsor an event — they supported a growing movement that believes: Softness is strength.Play has its own kind of productivity.And rest is not something women must earn — it is something they deserve. A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Partners Pink Play Day would not have been possible without the generous brands who believed in this vision from the beginning. We are deeply grateful to: YSPACESMama Bee Cleaning (@mamabee.cleaning)Mascots UniversityKangkong Chips Original by Josh Mojica (@kangkongchipsoriginal)Llantino Printing Press From the venue and treats to the printables and thoughtful details, every contribution helped transform an idea into a meaningful experience. More importantly, these partners stood behind a gathering centered on softness, community, and care — values that deserve to be celebrated and supported. Play. Pause. Create. At the heart of Pink Play Day were three simple words: Play. Pause. Create. Play — because adulthood should never erase joy.Pause — because rest is powerful in a culture of burnout.Create — because expression has the power to heal. Throughout the afternoon, women embraced these rhythms in their own ways. Some shared deep conversations. Others quietly soaked in the calm atmosphere. Some took photos, while others simply sat back and enjoyed the moment. And that was exactly the point. There was no “right” way to participate. The only requirement was presence. The Ripple Effect of Joy Many women are so accustomed to being the strong one that they forget what it feels like to be supported. Pink Play Day served as a gentle reminder that strength and softness can coexist. When women are given the space to return to themselves, the ripple extends far beyond one afternoon. They show up differently — at home, at work, and within their communities. And in a culture that glorifies hustle, choosing softness becomes a quietly revolutionary act. Until the Next Gathering To every woman who showed up, thank you for trusting the space. To every partner who believed in the vision, thank you for helping bring it to life. And to every woman reading this who feels stretched thin, tired, or overdue for joy — consider this your invitation. Pink Play Day may have happened on February 28, 2026, but the spirit of #PinkPlayClub continues. Because this was never just about one afternoon. It was about building a community where women can gather freely — and leave feeling more like themselves again. See you at the next one, pink girlies. 💗 Looking to host your next event? Book