One does not need superpowers to be able to help others. These four women utilize their strengths and capabilities to advocate for the betterment of those in need, particularly children.
The nongovernment organization Save the Children Philippines trains the spotlight on superwomen who have made it their mission to save the young ones.
Bianca Araneta-Elizalde
The former commercial model and breastfeeding advocate keeps a list of “thank you” letters from mothers whose babies benefited from her breastmilk.
As a breastfeeding advocate, she has been donating breastmilk to the Philippine General Hospital for more than 10 years, thus, saving the lives of about a hundred babies.
As a mother of four girls, she empathizes with mothers who can’t breastfeed. “To be able to do something about it is heartwarming.”
The organization advocates for the full implementation of laws promoting breastfeeding such as the Milk Code or Executive Order 51, Republic Act 7600 or the Rooming-in for infant and mothers, and Republic Act 11148 known as the Kalusugan ng Mag Nanay Act. These laws mandate exclusive breastfeeding for babies from the first hour after birth and up to six months, and encourages continuous breastfeeding up to two years.
Marcie Linao
The lucrative world of public relations has taught this PR director to be tough.
“You can’t be a weakling,” said Linao. When appropriate, she uses her charisma to relate easily with clients, but shows toughness when it comes to the male-dominated industries.
Her advice to girls who want to prosper in the industry: “Make sure that your tank is full and you are contented of who you are.”
“Women need to know that they are enough and that they are in no competition with anyone.”
As a Changemaker of Save the Children Philippines, Linao vows to use her expertise and influence to help the organization advocate for the rights of children to grow up as productive members of the society.
Katarina Rodriguez
The Miss World Philippines 2018 sees the life of a beauty queen as a struggle to fit into a world full of rules and to break boundaries and barriers. “I am always expected to act in a certain way. They constantly criticize me for my appearance,” she lamented.
Save the Children opened Rodriguez’ eyes to the situation of the most deprived and marginalized children.
A year after she was named ambassador of Save the Children Philippines, she has traveled to Mindanao as part of the team providing humanitarian support to children who were displaced by the Marawi conflict and the series of earthquakes in 2019.
“Every activity that I do for Save the Children, I always learn something new about the organization, the world, children and more importantly myself,” said Rodriguez. “Save The Children, above all, gives me purpose.”
Lara Maigue
Exposure to music from early childhood onwards is critical to a child’s development, according to the Nurturing Care Framework of the World Health Organization. The report says early childhood exposure to music help them speak more clearly, develop a larger vocabulary, and strengthen social and emotional skills.
As a classical singer, Maigue is willing to give a part of herself to encourage girls and boys to develop their craft in music. Her dream is to inspire girls to dream big and take on challenges as stepping stones to success. She also wants to be an inspiration to women with different singing styles to get into the industry.
She said teaching classical music including kundiman to children is a powerful tool to instill a love for the country. Save the Children Philippines provides a platform for children to speak for themselves and be listened to by the government, schools, and parents.
"We have to do our part in providing an enabling environment for women. We have to learn to listen and value their voice."
“Sometimes it’s easier for everyone to just tell women and girls to speak up but we have to do our part in providing an enabling environment for women. We have to learn to listen and value their voice.”