Iza Calzado On Why Women Should Have Power To Make Own Money

Women advocates and mothers Iza Calzado and Bianca Gonzalez were described by netizens as "spitting facts" in the latest podcast episode of Paano Ba 'To?, released in time for International Women's month. As co-founders of She Talks Asia, a women empowerment community, they talked about perspectives on women that should shift or evolve—including the traditional role of women as homemakers.

@askpaanobato Hats off to all our full-time moms and homemarkers ????? @izadoracalzado @Bianca Gonzalez  . . #PaanoBaTo #reels  #IzaCalzado ? original sound  - Paano Ba 'To?!

Breaking the Notion that Men Should Provide For Women

In Bianca's podcast, Iza shared that society has long conditioned women to believe that they should stay home and be provided for by men. Even when women build careers, they are not seen as providers but only as earning supplemental income. 

As an actress, she recalled a moment when she received comments suggesting she was getting an allowance from her husband, Ben Wintle. Ben is the chief executive officer and co-founder of Booky.

"My husband works very hard but we need to have both our incomes for us to provide for our family. And ako, I have my family—hindi ko naman hihingin sa asawa ko yun—the people I take care of as a breadwinner. 'Yung assumption na because, siguro, foreigner pa yung asawa ko, yun yung inisip nila. Sabi sa akin ng isang katrabaho ko, 'I'm sure naman, mahina ang 25 mil na allowance sa'yo.'"

"Give a woman the power to make her own money, manginginig ka talaga kasi kayang-kaya." —Iza Calzado 

Iza denied this, saying that if a woman receives money from their husband, it should not be considered an allowance, but rather a gift or something that shows their gratitude. She emphasized that the mindset that men should always provide for women needs to change. Furthermore, she believes that when women—especially homemakers—are given the power to make their own money, they can rise.

"Give a woman the power to make her own money, manginginig ka talaga kasi kayang-kaya," Iza stressed. "I know of people, families, scenarios, and  circumstances where a woman is never given the power to make her own money because it is a way for the man to control."

She pointed out how homemakers are often denied the ability to earn or are given an allowance as compensation for what they do for the family. "Hindi porket ikaw yung babae, wala kang power to make that money, or you are just given an allowance for whatever it is you do for the family. 

"If that is your scenario, embrace it. Don't treat it as an allowance because homemakers deserve way more. I think it should be paid. It's priceless," Iza said.

Bianca added, in the case where women stay home for their family, they should be compensated and not just given allowances, "Yan po yung tinatawag na unpaid care work. If you make me choose to run a house full-time, magtatrabaho na lang ako kahit 18 hours a day kasi mas mahirap."

Unpaid care work is defined by the International Labor Organization as household and community services that includes cooking, cleaning, and caregiving, disproportionately carried by women and girls, limiting their access to paid employment and better jobs.

A 2017 study found that women who wished to work but couldn't because of child care issues were generally unhappy and experienced mental health challenges. When women's needs are not met, it can cause anxiety or rage, ultimately affecting their parenting and their children. 

In a Smart Parenting post, mothers shared what they sacrificed for their children—their careers. While some say they are grateful because they can witness their children's milestones firsthand, others admit that it's challenging.

As one mom puts it, "Yung mula nag-aaral at nag-work lumaki kang hindi umaasa sa iba, pero noong nagka-anak, wala na. Asa nalang sa asawa. Pero thankful and grateful sa kung anong ibinigay sa akin."

Iza recognized the burden that full-time moms carry, "Hats off to all our full-time moms and homemakers because kayo ang rason bakit buo ang pamilya ninyo. Buo, in the sense na, napapatakbo ang bahay," Iza said. Both of them agreed that managing a household is not an easy job.

Iza also recognized the importance of having a support system, including helpers at home. "I also have no shame in saying that I have yayas, ates, angels, whatever you want to call them kasi sila ang rason kung bakit ko naja-juggle lahat ito. Kasi nga I'm given the power to create that wealth for all the people that I need to take care of," Iza said. She stressed, "Without them, I will not be able to do what I'm doing."

Women Can Do It All—But Not at the Same Time

Another perspective they raised was that women can do it all. For mothers, this means balancing career, motherhood, marriage, and personal growth. While women can do all these things, they cannot do everything simultaneously without consequences.

For Iza, who wears multiple hats—women's advocate, actress, wife, and mother—her health suffered. She learned to pace herself and choose her battles the hard way.

"Minsan talaga naiisip ko, 'Ano ba ang kailangan kong patunayan?' Ang hirap sa akin ang mag-say no. You have to pace yourself. I want to do it all. I want to be there for all. But I think, first, I have to show up for myself. And then my family."

She clarifies, "Pace lang yourself, not all at the same time. It doesn't mean you have to clearly stop. It's just how much effort and time will you give."

Bianca added, "Ang hirap talaga na, empowered women, yun ang technically battle cry, 'Kaya natin.' Gusto niyo ng pamilya, gusto niyo ng career, gusto niyo ng mga side passions. Pero, and I think this also at this stage and age in our life, we are both in our 40s, your body will really pace you kung ayaw mo i-pace yung sarili mo."

Iza Calzado's message to daughter Deia on Women's Day

On March 8, as the world celebrated Women's Day, Iza posted an Instagram letter to her 2-year-old daughter, Deia Amihan.

"My wish for you is that you grow up in a world where gender equality is the standard and not something we have to fight for. It says that at the current progress rate, full gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158. I hope we can both be part of the force that accelerates the progress to ensure the future is better for every girl, every woman and every human," Iza wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Iza Calzado Wintle (@missizacalzado)

She reminds Deia that change starts with her and that as a girl, she must believe in her own strength and power. After all, true equality isn't about proving oneself—it's about recognizing that women's worth is inherent, regardless of the roles they choose to take on.

Women don't have to do it all, be it all, or prove anything to anyone. Whether working, staying home, juggling both, or choosing not to procreate, a woman's worth is priceless—and they deserve to take up space.

Watch the full video on Paano Ba 'To The Podcast on YouTube.

Read this article by a mom who receives a salary for doing household chores here.