Women who stand out

Being a woman in a world where conformity is rewarded and standing by your beliefs is frowned upon requires a quiet courage—because choosing to stay true to yourself isn't just about being different; it is an intentional act of taking up space on your own terms.

In these trying times, I've seen women who carry the torch to make the world a better, more just place for everyone. 

Risa Hontiveros comes to my mind.  She was elected to the Senate in 2016, at a time when the presidency reeked of misogyny and political opposition was constantly under fire. She fought her adversaries not with noise, but with undeniable facts, moral clarity, and sheer persistence. Despite being in the minority for so long, she still passed landmark laws focused heavily on public health, women's rights, social protection, human rights, and good governance. A quick Google search will show her major legislative victories, including the Philippine Mental Health Act (RA 11036), the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law (RA 11210), and the Safe Spaces Act or "Bastos Law" (RA 11313). Her pending legislative measures include the Anti-Dynasty Bill and reforms to the Party-List System Act. 

Roo Powell is the founder of SOSA (Safe from Online Sex Abuse), a nonprofit organization that works to combat online child sexual exploitation in collaboration with law enforcement. I first noticed her when I was watching Undercover Underage. She is a prime example of a woman who stands out by stepping into the shadows. Instead of turning away from an agonizing reality, she confronts it head-on, proving that true strength often means absorbing the world's ugliness so that the most vulnerable don't have to. Learning that she is Filipino made me even prouder, and I truly hope to see a counterpart to her work established here in the Philippines.

Gang Badoy was my role model when I was in college. I knew her through Rock Ed Radio and the concerts she produced. Rock Ed was a volunteer-driven initiative designed to foster civic engagement and provide alternative education to the youth. It used music, arts, poetry, sports, and photography as tools to educate young people on critical social issues and human rights. By partnering with artists, writers, and prominent local musicians, she bridged the gap between youth culture and social activism.
I thought I wanted to be like her—doing things she liked, such as listening to music, meeting musicians, and having a drink or two with them. 

But as I dug deeper, I learned that she also taught inside maximum-security facilities, including the New Bilibid Prison, bringing alternative education, books, and art therapy to inmates.

When there were typhoons and other disasters, she turned the Jam 88.3 radio booth into a live emergency response coordination center to connect stranded victims with rescue efforts and relief distribution. I still remember listening to her broadcast during those moments.

What makes women like Gang Badoy, Risa Hontiveros and Roo Powell stand out isn't just their extraordinary bravery; it is the path they clear for everyone coming after them. They show us that standing by your principles—even when it is frowned upon, even when it is dangerous—is the only way progress actually happens. They carry the torch so that the rest of us don't have to walk in the dark