In celebration of International Women’s Day, UpLyfted Magazine would like to highlight Filipinas who stood out in their chosen professional paths and etched her story for the world to notice.
These women had been a source of inspiration for other women, to be good at their own chosen path and that being a woman should not be a hindrance in creating their own story to share with the rest of the world.
We’ve heard stories on how most Filipina women have been downplayed by some, either because of their skin colour, for what they do, or simply because they are Filipina.
Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018
Filipinas winning in international beauty pageants is not new, but the way Catriona Gray represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe competition in 2018 is way above and beyond. She did not fail to showcase what the Philippines has to offer from the pageant events, down to the last moments of her reign in the most beautiful way that she can ever imagine.
More than her advocacies and how she delivered her answers during the pageant finals, it is how consistent Catriona was in showing her love for the Philippines by incorporating everything Filipino in the clothes that she wears, highlighting Filipino designers, and promoting the Filipino culture wherever part of the world she went.
Hidilyn Diaz, Tokyo 2020 Gold Medalist
Coming to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz only has her eyes on the prize – to give the Philippines its first Olympic Gold Medal. She has always been keen on that goal, especially when she was able to snatch the Silver Medal in the Rio 2016 Olympics. Many thought that she was aiming for the stars and the sun by believing that she’ll go for gold in Tokyo, but she stayed firm. Not even the cancellation of the original schedule of the Tokyo Olympics due to the pandemic became a hindrance to Hidilyn’s goal. She kept her focus and sacrificed not being with her family as she’s in training in Malaysia.
Then the Olympics finally happened, and Hidilyn was able to turn her dream into a reality, by bringing home the gold medal for the Philippines in the weightlifting category. For a brief moment in the middle of a global pandemic, she was able to uplift the spirits of the whole nation as the country beamed with pride for her feat. Perhaps, the whole Philippines even cried with her the moment our flag was raised and our National Anthem played during the awarding ceremony.
Maria Ressa, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner
To be a journalist, especially in the Philippines, as they say, is a tough job. Over the years, there have been a lot of journalists who sacrificed their lives, in the effort of speaking what is true and exposing what is bad. Maria Ressa knows it all, she knows the price that she would pay, just by being a journalist. She faced case after case, was arrested, even faced the threat of closure of the Multimedia firm that she spearheaded but still managed to, as she always says, hold the line.
Maria’s battle in eliminating misinformation and fake news amidst the many condemnation and harassment that she receives along the way did not go unnoticed, the international community was watching all along, and rewarded her effort with a Nobel Peace Prize – a first for a Filipina.
These are just three names out of the many that broke stereotypes that women are just merely women and can’t make a difference in society. These Filipina women are the epitome of strength, empowerment and motivation that we can all emulate.
To all women, we’re celebrating you today and always!
