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SPOT.ph's 10 Women We Love

Jansen Musico | Published: Mar 8, 2010 - 3:50pm

In honor of International Women's Day, SPOT.ph pays tribute to 10 Filipino women we love. Whether in politics, entertainment, or other fields of expertise, these women have shown that females can take the lead and succeed.

  

Hon. Esperanza Icasas-Cabral
DOH Secretary

espiecabralWho is she? Sex is not taboo for Dr. Espie, as her patients call her. Being one of the country's top-ranked physicians and cardiologists, it was only natural that she'd be appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), a position she takes seriously as evidenced by her campaign to promote reproductive health. Although some of her initiatives have raised controversy, she hasn't let that stop her from doing her job.

Why we love her: Whether as DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) or DOH secretary, Dr. Cabral has shown that she is no pushover. She gets things done despite adversity, criticism, and scandal.

She says: "Of course, I am afraid of the Church. They are very powerful and they can sometimes be very vicious. I'm not exactly one who likes to live dangerously, but I'd rather live dangerously than do nothing."

  

  

Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel
Akbayan Partylist Representative

risahontiverosWho is she? She's the fearless Representative for the Akbayan Partylist who authored and co-authored several resolutions during her two-term run. Some of these include the Cheaper Medicines Law and an amendment to the Tax Code which increases tax exemptions for minimum wage owners. She was also an award-winning journalist, nabbing the KBP Golden Dove Award for Best Female Newscaster in 1994.

Why we love her: She never beats around the bush when it comes to the issues. She's not afraid to speak her mind whether it's about LGBTI Empowerment or the controversial Reproductive Health Bill.

She says: "We should all break free from the closet of discrimination, stigma, and hatred that makes it possible for abuse against LGBTs to take place. One doesn't have to be gay or lesbian to realize that love is the most human of all feelings."

  

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  • angel Jan 19 2011 @ 12:11pm Report Abuse
    angel locsin? really? what is her contribution to our country?
  • yang Jan 13 2011 @ 04:39pm Report Abuse
    angel locsin?
  • PD Apr 06 2010 @ 12:18am Report Abuse
    Totoong tao si Risa. Walang arte, mag-MRT kung kailangang pumunta sa Makati from QC. Maayos pang makitungo sa mga nagvovolunteer at nagtatrabaho para sa kanya.

    Teacher pala siya sa Ateneo? WOW! Ang talino! Ang galing! Idol! :)
  • mharvz Apr 05 2010 @ 10:10am Report Abuse
    i love angel locsin !
  • dose12 Apr 03 2010 @ 11:50pm Report Abuse
    Gusto ku din iboto si Risa Hontiveros. Para may magandang mukha sa senado.
  • claudzpoint Apr 02 2010 @ 06:54pm Report Abuse
    charice? boo... r u kidding?
    is she a stardom after she's 20+ something?
    st*p*d girl...
    sana madaling sumawa ang mga tao kay charice...
  • keno Apr 02 2010 @ 05:29pm Report Abuse
    true! you are so correct batoush! kung gusto mo ipagtanggol mga anak mo do it the proper way. not making such palengkera statements which are most of the time so out of topic!
  • rm Mar 30 2010 @ 06:04am Report Abuse
    One of the most prominent celebrities lending a helping hand during the Ondoy tragedy? It's because she made it that way! She made sure that the public got to know about it.
  • John Chan Mar 29 2010 @ 11:27pm Report Abuse
    “We should all break free from the closet of discrimination, stigma, and hatred that makes it possible for abuse against LGBTs to take place. One doesn’t have to be gay or lesbian to realize that love is the most human of all feelings.â€Â

    Risa Hontiveros made a good point here, at this point of time, we should include recognizing gay and lesbians right in every way. Not because they exudes vast population but because they are humans like everybody else.
  • John Chan Mar 29 2010 @ 11:24pm Report Abuse
    I love what Pia Cayetano said. That Governing is based on life experiences, not to emphasize competition from both sexes but equal chances on both sexes to show that empowering one-selves( either your a male or female ) will make a difference on everybody's lives.
  • MyPetChannel Mar 29 2010 @ 05:57pm Report Abuse
    In celebration of the International Women’s Month this March, MyPetChannel salutes the Filipino female force behind animal welfare and responsible pet ownership advocacy in the country. Check out our list of celebrities, veterinarians, and animal welfare crusaders who have raised awareness for responsible pet ownership in the Philippines.http://www.mypetchannel.tv/pet-101/top-10-pinay-in-pet-welfare/
  • mj Mar 28 2010 @ 12:03pm Report Abuse
    why sarah geronimo is not part of it? she is one of the most admiring lady personality is philippines coz of her being nice youth..just asking ahh!
  • Fly N Dance Mar 27 2010 @ 11:41pm Report Abuse
    Charice indeed deserves the slot!

    she's making noise abroad and being recognized as a multi-talented artist.
  • bridget Mar 26 2010 @ 11:55pm Report Abuse
    very well said, Marj..i pity those Filipinos who do not appreciate Charice..at a very young age she's supporting her family..she's reaching for her dreams and thank God her talent is being recognized abroad and that should make each and every Filipino proud!!
  • Marjie Reyes Mar 25 2010 @ 09:18am Report Abuse
    "Kapayapaan ng Mindanao, Kapayapaan sa buong Pilipinas." To support Peace in Mindanao, it is but appropriate for all of us to acknowledge outstanding and hard-working Muslims within our midst. One of which is Yasmin Busran-Lao,a Peace Advocate, Women's Rights Activist, Community Worker, Cancer Survivor at Kaisa-isang Muslim (Maranaw) na babaeng tumatakbo sa Senado. Siya po ay Anak ni Justice Mama Busran, ang kauna-unahang Muslim na husgado na naluklok sa Court of Appeals. Nagtapos ng Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude sa Far Eastern University; Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Fellowship for Professional Development awardee (2005) and Nagturo ng Psychology sa Mindanao State University (MSU), Marawi.
    Para sa kabutihan ng Sambayanan, siya po ay Tagasulong ng kapayapaan sa Mindanaw at karapatan ng kababaihan; nagtatag at namumuno ng Al Mujadillah (babaeng sumasamo sa Kor’an) Development Foundation; Namahala ng programa para sa mga biktima ng labanan sa Mindanao (bakwit); Naninindigan para sa tapat na pamahalaan; Regional Coordinator ng Change Politics Movement (CPM) sa Muslim Mindanaw.
    Dahil sa kawalan ng representasyon sa Senado, kailangan natin si Yasmin Busran-Lao para sa boses ng Kapayapaan sa Senado. Magtatrabaho upang tapusin ang tunggalian/digmaan ng mga armadong grupo tungo sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa mga komunidad; ipagpapawalang-bisa ang R.A. 9372 o Human Security Act; Isusulong ang reporma sa militar at kapulisan upang sila ay mas tunay na makapagsilbi sa taong-bayan; Babantayan ang Pambansang Badyet, lalong-lalo na ang nakalaan para sa Mindanaw at Gender and Development (GAD);
    Itutulak ang pagtuturo ng madrasah sa mga batang estudyanteng Muslim; Palalawigin ang kaalaman ng mga kababaihan at kabataang Muslim ukol sa Code of Muslim Personal Laws (CMPL); Magpapasa ng batas ukol sa kalusugan ng kababaihan at pagpapaplano ng pamilya.
    Ang populasyon ng Muslim Mindanao ay 4.5 milyon lamang. Kung ang sambayanang pilipino ay hindi magmalasakit at sumuporta sa mga kababayan nating Muslim at tulungan silang mapa-igting and kapayapaan sa Mindanao, hindi rin natin makakamit ang kapayapaan sa buong Pilipinas!!
  • Bunny Mar 11 2010 @ 07:55am Report Abuse
    I was so ready to bulldoze this list if I saw the name of this fake environmentalist, VP-wanna-be among the top 10. But, NO, NO, No, I so agree with your choice of women!
  • ellejayne Mar 11 2010 @ 06:41am Report Abuse
    I admire all the ladies mentioned except for angel locsin.. sorry
  • neg Mar 10 2010 @ 08:01pm Report Abuse
    eugene? i don't think so soz she has not yet proven anyting.. kung ganun na lang din ang level, ai-ai is more deserving..
  • akcej Mar 10 2010 @ 04:50pm Report Abuse
    perfect choice :) i'm just not too sure about the ones in the last page :(
  • alice Mar 09 2010 @ 10:57pm Report Abuse
    love risa! pia c not so much.
  • Marj Mar 09 2010 @ 02:10pm Report Abuse
    My unsolicited advice to Charice: Stay in America or Europe and soar, soar, soar until you reach the top.

    In the pasosyal culture of Manila, there is no room at the inn. Live and breathe in America where the culture of meritocracy exists. Sing in America where you are loved more because of your talent and not because of your social background. Think Jennifer Hudson and Monique.

    When you are in New York or Hollywood, I am sorry to say that the small voices in Manila do not count whether they love you are not. They have no weight at all.

    With international fame and huge savings, that is the time to come home where your moolah will come a long long way. Let those locals who dislike you continue to dislike you while you sing all the way to the bank.
  • monocle Mar 09 2010 @ 01:08pm Report Abuse
    Why not Charice? She's making Pinoys proud all over the world. She got there through hard work and focus. She's still down-to-earth and is supporting her family. You may not respect her as an artist but you have to respect her as a person. She's just like Lea but not as sosyal.
  • breezefairy Mar 09 2010 @ 06:43am Report Abuse
    Charice?? seriously??
  • igeramos Mar 09 2010 @ 12:47am Report Abuse
    Spot on! I love the selection. Perfect mix of generations and persuasions from politics to pop culture. This is what a Filipina is all about.
  • dell Mar 09 2010 @ 12:17am Report Abuse
    i love angel! :) go pinays! they deserve it!
  • cecile Mar 08 2010 @ 11:58pm Report Abuse
    My respect for risa grows by the day. She has clear vision as she is focused. She doesnt mince her words.... a great communicator whose message comes from the heart. Having her in government rekindles our hope for this nation.
  • Babae Mar 08 2010 @ 11:16pm Report Abuse
    Espie, yes. Solita, yes. Risa, YES! Pia, NO! The Cayetanos are opportunists. The cat is out of the bag. Halatang halata.
  • nyak Mar 08 2010 @ 10:17pm Report Abuse
    charise? nope.
  • Roxanne Mar 08 2010 @ 06:54pm Report Abuse
    I am very happy to read that Risa made it to this list because she was a hardworking congresswoman and I'm sure, a very loving mother.

    I could love to meet my inspiration in person.
  • mary_ann_lei Mar 08 2010 @ 06:48pm Report Abuse
    Uy! Risa Hontiveros Baraquel! Iboboto ko yan 4 senator!
  • manoling Mar 08 2010 @ 06:36pm Report Abuse
    Risa Hontiveros definitely deserves to be in the Senate! The country could do with more politicians like her (and less of politicians like.....)

    She's my number one senadora! (ang kaisa-isang babaeng kandidato sa listahan ko) :-)
  • jill Mar 08 2010 @ 06:27pm Report Abuse
    I love Risa Hontiveros! She pushed for those important bills mentioned while doing double duty as mother and father for her four children after her husband died. I hear she's active in the PTA pa.
  • justme Mar 08 2010 @ 06:07pm Report Abuse
    love charice,lea and Pia cayetano
  • David Foster Mar 08 2010 @ 06:03pm Report Abuse
    Yes Rhap, why not!?
  • David Archuleta Mar 08 2010 @ 05:25pm Report Abuse
    Rhap, why not?
  • Rhap Mar 08 2010 @ 05:22pm Report Abuse
    Charice, really?
  • Mary Ann Mar 08 2010 @ 05:21pm Report Abuse
    They really make me proud to be a woman. Go girls!
  • batoush Mar 08 2010 @ 04:08pm Report Abuse
    annabelle rama and daughter ruffa could learn a lesson or two from these notable women. hindi puro palengke, annabelle!
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