Who’s one famous woman you admire and why?

This year’s Women’s Month theme, “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong!” honors women who have inspired and brought about changes in our country and the world. More and more women are showing their strength, resiliency and courage in leading successful endeavors that have brought about great changes not only to their communities but to our country as well. As we end our celebration of Women’s Month, some personalities share with us who among the long list of accomplished women they admire and why.

Carla Abellana, actress

My lola Delia Razon. Aside from raising her family well, she carved her own niche in the local showbiz industry to become one of the most respected and enduring actresses of her time. All this while keeping her personal life private and maintaining an untarnished reputation. That’s a legacy that I wish to uphold.

Denise Laurel, actress

I admire Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago for her wit, tenacity and panache. She has this unpretentious charm that instantly draws people to her. And despite her encyclopedic knowledge, her easygoing demeanor and sense of humor never fail to endear her to people from all walks of life

Former Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas

I admire my mother Baby Arenas, who was able to raise a family and still make a monumental difference in other people’s lives, with grace and dedication. I admire her courage in the face of great odds, wisdom in the complexities of life, her generosity, magnanimity, her undying optimism and self-discipline, her empathy for those in need and in pain and her boundless energy. It is an added bonus that she is also charming and beautiful. I would be extremely fortunate if I could be half the great lady she is. Given all that, she lives by the maxim that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Kuh Ledesma, singer/actress/artist

To this day, Oprah Winfrey continues her legacy as one of the most influential and powerful women in the world. Despite her wealth and stature, what’s admirable about her is her big heart. She doesn’t just help people; she empowers them to be bigger than what they believe, and turn their dreams to reality.

Carissa O. Coscolluela, governor, Philippine Red Cross

I suppose prominence is relative, depending maybe on where one lives or in which field one is involved. In the context of my own life, I would say that my grandmother, Liding Oledan, has been a prominent influence. I admire her for what I believe is her greatest personal trait — loyalty. She is loyal and devoted foremost to God, she tries to bring glory and honor to Him in the ways she knows best, whether it is by creating beautiful altar pieces for churches or helping the causes of the Church that promote and spread our faith or uplift the lives of others. She is loyal to her family, living every day, up to today, with our well-being in mind, doing everything she can to ensure that we live good and happy lives, and fighting fearlessly for us when she sees a need. She is an all-weather friend, staunchly loyal to those closest to her.  She is never afraid to publicly show friendship to those who are persecuted, shunned, rejected or deemed irrelevant by others. She lives to be true to God, to others, and to herself.

Megan Young,Miss World 2014

Julia Morley. I admire Julia for all the hard work she’s done in helping people all over the world throughout the years. Through Beauty With A Purpose alongside with Miss World, they have raised over a billion dollars that has been used 100 percent towards those with special needs or to the less privileged. By being around her, I have seen the world and been able to appreciate what I have. 

Also Charo Santos. Charo had humble beginnings and worked her way to the top. I admire her because she is a woman of good influence and has steered the company from when she was in production and now at the top  as president of ABS-CBN. Hard work really does take you places. She is an inspiration to me to always strive harder.

Patty Betita, beauty queen, coach at Thousand Oaks Personality Dev’t. and Talent Management

I’ve always been vocal about my admiration for two women who are also my friends, Tina Maristela Ocampo and Tweetie de Leon. Since I have to choose one only, I will choose Tweetie because we did a lot of shows together when we were modeling, and still do hang out a lot, so I know her more. I admire Tweetie, she is the total package — beautiful, smart, stylish. She has managed to really take good care of herself over the years, and at 46, she definitely is hot! Apart from being blessed with such good skin and a fit physique, she also has a very good heart. Napaka humble and she’s a real person, also very prayerful. Her husband, Mon, adores her. She’s a model, friend, wife and mom in the truest sense of the word.

Nikki Gil, VJ/actress/host

I think it’s remarkable how Ellen DeGeneres streamlined her career from being an actress to one of the most influential, powerful and well-loved talk show hosts of our time. It’s admirable how she keeps her ears and eyes glued to what’s going on around the world and how she turns the spotlight on deserving talents, especially our very own unsung Pinoy singers brimming with world-class artistry.