Women are…
They say that behind every good man stands a great woman. But more often these days, women are standing out front, taking charge and celebrating what makes their kind so great.
This is a welcome development, so this week I thought I’d ask a number of strong, active women to describe, in their own words, what makes a woman a woman. (Besides the obvious differences, of course.)
CLAIRE SEELIN DIOKNO, Shu Uemura makeup artist: Women are stronger than they realize.
MARIEL RODRIGUEZ, TV personality: Women are beautiful creatures, and we should be loved.
PATRICIA FERNANDEZ, B. Pilipinas International 2008: Women are empowered these days. They are given more opportunities to achieve success in their respective fields.
EVELYN L. KILAYKO, president, Kagabay (Kababaihang Gabay Ng Bayan); chairperson, Mahal Ko Bayna Ko, Inc.: Women are an inspiration for men: nurturers of children, comforters of those in distress and the oppressed; bearers of things beautiful: upholders of great ideas and good moral values; models of good manners and right conduct; promoters, maintainers and sustainers of peace and harmony in the family, in the community and in the nation; and the epitome of integrity.
That is, when women are true to their being!
ASTRUD CRISOLOGO, entrepreneur: Women are fascinating creatures, multi-faceted, each one unique. Without us, men would feel truly
incomplete.
Women will always be little girls who love to play dress up, sisters to whisper the latest gossip to when we’re upset.
We have the need to shop!
We are moms who read bedtime stories, listen to the kids’ misadventures in school.
Women are warm and soft, smooth to touch… but never takes us for fools!
Some women dance, paint, draw, run, write silly poetry — even climb mountains. We can do everything, pretty much, as long as our hearts are in it!
So never cross a woman; get rid of your bad habits, because in each and everyone of us there hides… an angry Lorena Bobbitt!!
TOOTSY ANGARA, head of sales, ABS-CBN Cable and Print Group; wife of Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara: Women are magicians. They are full of surprises. they have secrets that make them more wonderful. They can make extraordinary things happen and keep the men wondering how they did it.
BEBET NOGRALES, president and chairperson, Congressional Spouse Foundation: An empowered woman is one who uses her strength and overcomes her weaknesses in doing what she has set out for herself to do. Women empowerment is not about excelling without men; it’s about working hand in hand with men to achieve excellence. Women empowerment is not about female perfection; it’s about doing all that is needed and necessary with utmost effectiveness.
CHRISTINE S. DAYRIT, owner, Miladay Jewels; chairwoman, Cinema Evaluation Board: Women are dreamers and achievers. They set their goals knowing fully how they can achieve them — without a single molecule of hesitation, without counting the cost. The very existence of women is proof enough that they are precious jewels from God and that their nature is to nurture their loved ones — giving all their might and mind to see them grow, to see them prosper, to see them shine!
CHIT U. JUAN, CEO, Figaro Coffee Company: Women are wired differently from men and as such are blessed with multi-tasking abilities that are so useful in this fast-paced, frenzied world of today. This is the time for women to use these gifts to do great things, move people and change the world for the better!
WEENA LIM, Badminton Olympic champion: Women are unpredictable; that is why they are full of mysteries and surprises.
