Where Cell Sites Rise, So Does A Woman’s Courage
- Carol Jane Buctuan
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
In a field where hard hats and network diagrams are still mostly associated with men, what does courage and doing it differently really look like? For female network engineer Carol Jane Buctuan, it’s leading quietly but consistently and proving that engineering is not “just for boys.” This is her story of courage.
Left photo: COW Validation and optimization; Right photo: Fieldwork at Siargao
I’ll let you in on my journey.
This is how courage shaped my journey in a field where women are still the exception.
I currently work as the lead of Territory 7 Mobile Service Optimization team and am based in Davao. This coming April 2026 marks a special milestone in my journey as I celebrate 10 years with Globe. My path didn’t start in meeting rooms or cell sites—it started at home, surrounded by women who had no choice but to be strong.
My story is deeply rooted in the strength of the women in my family. I grew up in an all-girls household (3 sisters and my mother) after my father passed away when I was only four years old. Since then, it has always been the women in my family who brought joy, resilience, and a strong foundation that shaped who I am today.
I was born in Iligan City, pursued my studies in Cagayan de Oro, and eventually began my professional journey with Globe in Davao.
Even early on, I refused to accept that some dreams were “for boys only.” I never believed that engineering is only for boys.
From the start, I’ve believed that anyone, regardless of gender, can achieve their dreams if they are determined and committed to making them happen. Looking back, my journey has been guided by courage, perseverance, and the inspiration I drew from the women around me. Their strength taught me to keep moving forward despite challenges and to embrace every opportunity for growth. That courage to keep going and to choose a different story for myself became my way of “daring to do it differently.”
Sometimes I attend conferences, festivals, and network tests. I wear many hats.
That belief carried me into telco and into the field.
My journey with Globe started in 2010 as an On-the-Job Trainee (OJT), where I was part of the Operations and RF Access Engineering Team. This experience gave me both the exposure and the inspiration to pursue my dreams of joining Globe and becoming a Network Engineer.
My OJT days on the field
After that first taste of life in telco, I knew I wanted to come back—not just to work, but to grow, experiment, and do more. I didn’t just want to follow existing processes; I wanted to understand them deeply so I could challenge and improve them.
In 2016, I officially joined Globe Telecom as a Radio Planning and Optimization Engineer. My role later expanded in 2018 when I handled 4G capacity optimization, focusing on improving cell performance to enhance customer experience. In 2020, I was entrusted to lead the execution of 2G swap-out initiatives across VisMin areas. With this I was exposed to Planning, Build, optimization and Performance monitoring.
Each step gave me more room to question old ways of doing things, to suggest improvements, and to dare to try different approaches in planning, optimization, and project execution.
For me, courage to go meant raising my hand, offering new ideas, and being accountable for the outcomes—even when it felt safer to just agree and stay quiet.
Today, I lead the Territory 7 Mobile Service Optimization team, handling end-to-end customer and optimization concerns including complaint management, events assurance, performance optimization, Cluster Optimization, SSV, vendor RF management, and other related optimization in Mobile to improve customer experience. In this role, I’m constantly asking, “How can we do this better, simpler, or smarter for our customers and our team?”
Along the way, there were moments of recognition that reminded me why it mattered to keep showing up, especially as a woman in the field.
Along my journey, I was awarded with the following major recognitions which helped me strive harder proving that women can stand out: Mindanao RF Engineer of the Year (2015), RgPM Engineer of the Year (2018) and The Soulful Leader (2025).
Awarded as RgPM Engineer of the Year (2018)
I chose this field because it continuously challenges me to grow. I gained not only professional knowledge but also valuable life lessons that helped me pursue my personal dreams. I also had the opportunity to work with a supportive team while achieving the goals I have set for myself. Every challenge became a chance to practice courage—to learn something new, to lead differently, and to show that women can thrive in this space.
Working in telco, surrounded mostly by men, courage became something I had to practice every day, not just during big projects.
To me, courage means showing up with confidence, readiness to learn, and the determination to contribute to the team. Courage is about trusting my knowledge and experiences, speaking up when needed, and taking responsibility for decisions that help improve our network and customer experience.
Courage is not about competing with others but about continuously improving myself, supporting my teammates.
With dedication, collaboration, and confidence, women can make a meaningful impact in any industry. Sometimes, “doing it differently” simply means choosing collaboration over competition, and empathy over ego.
One of the most challenging tasks I handled was Project 5110 – the 2G VisMin swap activity. I was responsible for the project end-to-end—from planning and swap-build, up to optimization and performance monitoring. It was an extra‑mile task for me, and I was part of the task force leading it.
What made it even tougher was the timing. It happened during the pandemic, and it was the first time our team had to rely on Zoom to coordinate across so many different groups, from internal Globe teams to external vendor partners. Suddenly, everything depended on clear communication and trust.
Through this project, I learned to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, and I had to step out of my comfort zone to make critical decisions while still protecting service quality and customer experience. Some even called me the “Iron Lady” during that time for maintaining high standards and making sure work was done strictly, precisely, and with full accountability from start to finish.
This wasn’t just about technology; it was about people, coordination, and accountability in a very uncertain time.
This experience taught me that courage isn’t just about technical challenges, it’s about embracing new ways of working, leading with confidence, and ensuring communities stay connected, even in different circumstances.
It was a real “courage to go” moment—pushing through fear, adapting fast, and proving that a woman can successfully lead high-stakes work in a crisis. That’s what connects my daily tasks to Globe’s bigger purpose.
As a female Network Engineer, I help ensure seamless mobile experiences by optimizing the network daily and addressing issues before they arise. Knowing that my work keeps communities connected, supports businesses, and improves customer experience gives me pride and motivates me to continue contributing to Globe’s mission. Every resolved issue, every optimized cell site, is a small but real way of uplifting lives—quiet acts of courage that most people never see.
For me, courage is also about how I choose to lead—from planning and problem-solving to how I support my team.
As a woman, courage also means trusting my own instincts while leading with empathy. I strive to understand each team member’s strengths and areas for growth, helping them thrive in the field while addressing challenges collaboratively.
I plan meticulously and think of different solutions before problems arise so I’m prepared to act when needed. When unexpected issues do come up, I focus on understanding the root cause before deciding on a solution, ensuring that every action is aligned with our goals.
Courage, in my work, is not just about solving technical problems, but also about guiding, supporting, and empowering others. It’s about showing that you can be firm and compassionate at the same time—and that this kind of leadership works, even in a male-dominated, technical environment.
And to every young woman or girl who looks at network engineering or field work and hesitates because it feels “not for women,” let me tell you this:
You can do it, girl! Chase your dreams and always keep moving forward. We live in a world where gender equity is increasingly recognized, so don’t let being a woman hold you back.
Work hard, stay determined, and let no one stop you.
I’ll be waiting for you to share your inspiring story in the future.
Carol’s story shows that courage in a male-dominated field isn’t always loud or dramatic. When women dare to do things differently, they don’t just optimize networks; they help transform teams, mindsets, and culture for those who come after them.
How are you daring to “do it differently” in your role today, no matter your title or field?
Follow our LinkedIn page for more stories of women at Globe who are redefining what courage looks like in tech and beyond.
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