They walk the talk and put their hearts where their mouth is. As we celebrate International women’s Day, we bring you some of the women we admire — and the words of wisdom they have shared on the pages of PeopleAsia and on the world stage.
Maine Mendoza on being beautiful:“I am grateful for the compliment but I still do not think I am beautiful. I am just thankful that a beautiful blessing has been given to me. I pray that I get to stay and enjoy it. I pray that this popularity continues to be the bridge that makes my family and me close to each other. I pray that I continue to inspire others with what I can offer them — fun, laughter and all. But I still do not think I am beautiful. I do not have the confidence to say that.”
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray on ‘silver linings’:“I have always taught myself to look for the beauty in in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I will bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining. And to assess where I could give something; where I could provide something as a spokesperson. And if I can teach people to be grateful, we can have an amazing world where negativity cannot grow and prosper, and children will have smiles on their faces.”
Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat on nation building: “What I love about my job is that I’ve come to gain a deeper appreciation of my own country – its beauty, bounty, diversity. The time is ripe and we’re ready to make more connections and bigger opportunities.”
Construction magnate Alice Eduardo on God: “If you give me trillions and the right equipment I can build Paris or Rome. But only God could have created the alps.”
Dr. Vicki Belo on turning challenges into opportunities: “If there’s anything that defines my life, it’s that when you’re given lemons, make lemonades. All the negatives in my live, such as finding out I was adopted, being fat, pimply and not so pretty – I translated them all to ‘What can I do about it? What can I do to make everything better?’”
Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo on self-improvement:“Beauty is about enhancing oneself but not changing who you are. It should bring out the best in you.”
Bea Alonzo on her art:“I am hungry to learn more about life and acting in the deepest sense. There are many things I can resent about showbiz but these will never overshadow my love for it.”
Human rights advocate Laurence Ligier on second chances:“When they (underage victims) arrive at Cameleon, they have scars, are malnourished and are sick. We provide medical assistance, clothes, everything. We teach them to have respect for themselves and their own bodies, because they have been used and abused.”
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach on using your voice: “I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you.”
Happy International Women’s Day!
