Kimberly Arevalo has found a way to grow her career from home through Elevate AIDA, working with Connected Women on a project while continuing to support her family
Kimberly Arevalo never imagined she could build a career in the digital economy while staying home in Siargao and helping care for her younger brother.
That possibility became more real after she completed Elevate AIDA, Aboitiz Foundation’s flagship digital livelihoods program with Connected Women. Through the program, Arevalo learned the fundamentals of artificial intelligence data annotation and practical digital tools such as Google Sheets—skills that can open pathways to remote work.
For Arevalo, the training has already led to her next opportunity: joining an upcoming LiDAR project with Connected Women.
“I never imagined I could build a career while helping my mom care for my younger brother at home. From being an Elevate AIDA trainee, I am now part of an upcoming LiDAR project with Connected Women,” she said. “I’m grateful for how one opportunity opened more doors for me to earn and learn.”
Arevalo was one of 20 women in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, who recently graduated from Elevate AIDA. On an island known for riding waves, these women are learning to ride a different one—the growing wave of opportunity in artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
More women in Siargao will soon have the same opportunity, with another batch of Elevate AIDA participants set to begin training in October.
Aboitiz Foundation President Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar said Elevate AIDA is helping bring these opportunities closer to women who may face barriers to traditional employment because of geography, caregiving responsibilities, or limited work experience.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always equally accessible. Elevate AIDA helps bridge that gap by giving women the skills and confidence to participate in the digital economy wherever they are,” Hontiveros-Malvar said. “And when one woman finds work, supports her family, or comes back to help the next batch, that opportunity begins to multiply.”
That multiplier effect is already taking shape in Siargao.
At the graduation, Paulyn Navia, herself an Elevate AIDA graduate, returned not as a student but as a trainer. Now an assistant trainer for Connected Women, Navia led an upskilling session for the 20 graduates on self-discovery, personal branding, and preparing for remote work.
“As an Elevate AIDA graduate, I’m happy to be able to share what I learned and help other women gain skills they can use for remote work and other opportunities,” Navia said.
Her journey from learner to trainer shows how the impact can extend beyond one participant or one batch. Women gain skills, pursue new opportunities, and, in turn, help others do the same.
Elevate AIDA focuses on Artificial Intelligence Data Annotation, a process used in developing AI systems, while equipping participants with practical skills for online work. To date, more than 3,000 women have graduated from the program nationwide.
Building on the experience of Elevate AIDA, Aboitiz Foundation developed AIDA Plus, expanding the digital livelihoods model to reach more Filipinos and provide a broader range of skills, including virtual assistance, cloud accounting, and data analytics.
Together, Elevate AIDA and AIDA Plus have produced nearly 4,750 graduates, with participants gaining access to employment opportunities through partnerships with Connected Women, TESDA, Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs), Innodata, local governments, and private-sector employers.
From Kimberly’s journey in Siargao to thousands of learners across the country, the goal is to turn digital skills into real economic opportunities.
Building on this momentum, Aboitiz Foundation aims to upskill 300,000 Filipinos nationwide—helping more people gain the skills to earn, support their families, and build sustainable livelihoods in the digital economy.
