The women’s movement may have come to our shores later than it did western countries but we’re the only Asian country who can claim to have two women presidents. And political watchers are predicting that in the 2004 elections, more women will be elected into office.
To join in the celebration of Women’s Month, I interviewed some of our country’s most remarkable women to tell us who‘s the one woman they admire the most – that is, except for their mothers. And we all know how remarkable these women are.
Virgie Ramos, Gift Gate president: Cory Aquino. I have always said that Cory has had a major positive impact on all our lives. On a personal level, there are so many things to admire about her. She has a great sense of humor and a great memory. She’s extremely generous and I have never met anyone with such unwavering faith. A portion of a prayer she wrote after Ninoy’s death reads:
In pain and sorrow
I have never been alone
Many thanks, dear Lord!
Now that’s really cool!
Bea Zobel, civic-minded lady: I would have answered Corazon Aquino but that’s a given. Aside from her, I would say the woman I most admire is Lily Orense. She’s 67 years old, a widow, with no means of support and has always struggled through life. She’s been a laundry woman and vendor and I met her long ago in Tala. She took this special four-year course in La Salle Green Hills. During the day she would be working and at night she’d go to school. Last Thursday, she went with her grandchild to my house to invite me to her graduation as she happily told me that she, too, was receiving the Hotshot award which is given to students who not only excel academically but who show the determination to study and finish the course in spite of the odds. I think that achievement is great. She went through high school with the help of some people and through sheer hard work.
Former First Lady Amelita M. Ramos: I admire Barbara Bush. She was able to help her husband and she remained her simple self. She had no airs about her and she was not involved in any shady deal or scandal.
Doris Magsaysay-Ho, chairperson, Magsaysay Maritime Corp.: Women have the most amazing privilege to experience so many roles that life offers: as a mother, nurturer and an achiever. I admire women who are able to balance all these roles with a spiritual, humane and enthusiastic manner without ever fearing success.
I find it difficult to single out one person but I feel that the Filipino woman is in a wonderful and unique position to be all this because she is not ruled by hangups.
Vivian Yuchengco, chairperson, Philippine Stock Exchange: Mother Teresa, because she gave her total self to the poor and to her good works.
Carolina "Bobbie" Malay, Professor: There are quite a few persons who have made me want to "grow up just like" them. Right now I’m thinking of Nini Quezon Avanceña – vibrantly alive, a principled woman with guts, consistency and lots of heart. (Doesn’t dye her beautiful hair!) She’s a fantastic person.
Tina Monzon-Palma, program director, Bantay Bata 163: Gina Lopez! She inspires me. All of us can make this world a better place. I strive in my own little way.
Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas: The one that comes to mind is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She’s bright, a hard worker and is so focused that I fear for her health and safety. But since she is my boss, such a choice can be misconstrued as being sipsip.
I would have to say Corazon C. Aquino. Even under the most difficult circumstances, her faith on good being triumphant over evil never wavered. Then, as now, she is quite unassuming. After her presidential term was over, she left and devoted her time to the things that really interested her. And yet, during her watch, we saw landmark legislation like the Local Government Code of 1991, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the Generics Act and the Organic Act for Cordillera Autonomous Region, among others, all of which would probably be difficult to pass if they were proposed today. In 1988, she appointed me as chair of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) without knowing me personally and without my applying for it. To me, she typifies all that is good and admirable about Filipino women.
Evelyn Kilayko, chairperson, Social Concerns Committee, Concerned Women of the Philippines: The woman I admire the most is Cory Aquino for her humility and simplicity, her integrity, her spirituality and strong faith in God as a person. And as a leader, for her courage and her being a champion of peace and democracy.
Rep. Liza Largoza Maza, Bayan Muna Partylist Representative: Gabriela. She is one woman that immediately comes to mind. Josefa Gabriela Silang is one woman that has, in both personal and political aspects of her life, surpassed the conventions of her time.
Few know that Diego Silang was already Gabriela’s second husband. Gabriela did not bind herself to social structures. It was the 1700s. It was a time when women were valued and sought for the virtues of meekness, domestication, servility or virginity. These may not be the widowed Gabriela’s strongest traits, but it was for her exceptional character, courage and strength that Diego came to admire and love her.
Likewise at a time when politics and armed revolution were generally recognized as the men’s domain, Josefa Gabriela Silang had no qualms about leading the people of Ilocos in a revolt against the Spanish colonizers after Diego died. She proved her mettle battle after battle and was recognized even by male revolutionaries as their henerala. She withstood the torture of being made to witness the massacre of her trusted fighters, yet she stood her ground and never betrayed the people of Ilocos.
Her politics was beyond her time. And it is because of her contributions – her struggle against social conventions and, more importantly, against foreign domination – that Gabriela’s name and legacy survived.