Women are opting to work and have careers is a normal phenomenon in the modern world. I believe the strength of the Filipina is not isolated to the lower and middle income groups alone. I believe Filipinas in the lower and middle income groups, just like in any other countries, have the least strength as compared to their more affluent and educated upper-income counterparts. And here another factor comes into play, namely, maids. And there is no social onus on women professionals.
Maids are themselves women.
I don't see how having maids contribute to the general upliftment of the status of women. That women in the Philippines have relatively high status compared with Middle Eastern countries is true. This is due, in large part, to religion.