Women are strong not because they fight, or bear pain more gracefully than many men, or successfully assume masculine roles.
Women are strong because they balance brain and heart, logic and intuition. Women are strong because they get the work done, love with passion and leave their mark. Often, they also leave a place much better than when they arrived.
To cap Women’s Month, Inquirer Lifestyle has chosen five women who are in the thick of the action. They not only think and inspire; they acknowledge the problem, pose questions and eventually find solutions.
Miriam Coronel-Ferrer has endured scathing brickbats following the Mamasapano tragedy, but will not let the much-maligned Bangsamoro Basic Law go dead in the water.
Sen. Grace Poe and Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares have shown true grit in their jobs.
Sylvia Lichauco has stared down a mayor and his minions as she defends heritage structures in Sta. Ana, while Ana Abad Santos champions theater against all odds.
The good thing about strong women is that they also have much to say—which means we also have much to learn from them.
Ana Abad Santos
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Sand, sea, surf. Family. Cold beer, fresh fish, trees. A cool breeze. And a jet, just in case.
What is your greatest fear?
To fade.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My craft.
What is your current state of mind?
Volatile.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I don’t want to hurt someone.
When and where were you happiest?
When I was studying theater in London. Whenever I’m with my son. When I travel. When I catch a good wave. Acting on stage.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Stubbornness.
Which talent would you like to have?
Music.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would like to be taller.
What do you regard as the depth of misery?
To be without love.
What do you value most in your friends?
Integrity.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Madonna. She represented female power in the ’80s, up to this day—sexy, powerful, unapologetic.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Beatrix Kiddo, aka the Bride in “Kill Bill.”
Who are your favorite writers?
Shakespeare, Chekhov, Tennessee Williams, Jane Austen, David Mamet, Donald Margulies, Sam Shepard, David Henry Hwang, Patrick Marber, Arthur Golden, Floy Quintos, Stan Lee, Stephen King, E.L. James.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My mom Wanda Louwallien and my sister Cris Albert. They both live inspiring and unconventional lives. They taught me to dream big, to love, to fight and to not be afraid. Most of all, they taught me that being a woman just plain rocks.
What is your greatest regret?
Letting somebody waste my time.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
No idea—but I would hope to come back as a rock star or a world champion surfer.
Kim Henares
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I do not think there is such a thing as perfect happiness in this world. I believe we will only have perfect happiness when we die and live with our Lord and Savior in heaven.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is dying before completing whatever mission the Lord has for me in this world. Or regretting why I did not give my best when I had the opportunity to do so.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Traveling abroad for a vacation.
What is your current state of mind?
I am really at peace with myself, and my only concern is how to perform my task as Commissioner of Internal Revenue well and provide the necessary funding the government needs, what the country needs.
On what occasion do you lie?
I find myself lying in a situation when you know that if you tell the truth, you will hurt someone. So you tend to soften what you have to say.
When and where were you happiest?
I was happiest when I was in school. It was a time when you had no care in the world, all you had to do was go to school, study and go home. Life was simple.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I am a very logical and rational person who tends to make decisions based on facts and what is right, and not based on emotions and what is popular.
Which talent would you like to have?
I would like to be able to say the right thing at the right time, convince people to do things and provide comfort and encouragement to people I cross paths with.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would probably have entered medical school rather than taking up accounting and law.
What do you regard as the depth of misery?
Losing someone you love.
What do you value most in your friends?
I appreciate friends who are principled, who have a very strong sense of right and wrong, and who will be able to tell you things the way they are in a very nice and caring way.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Our Lord, Jesus Christ. I think if all of us try to live our lives the way He taught us, the world will be a lot better than it is now. I believe Christ is the epitome of how we should live our lives and how we should deal with the world and the people in it.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Ironman.
Who are your favorite writers?
Tom Clancy and Daniel Silva.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents. Who I am today is largely because of the way they brought me up.
What is your greatest regret?
Not going to medical school.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I would like to come back as me, born to the same parents, with the same siblings, married to the same person and studying in the same school with the same set of friends.
Grace Poe
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
It is all about an abiding inner bliss, coming from knowing that you’ve given your best, you’ve fulfilled your duties and, in your heart and mind, you know that you’ve pursued what is right and what is just.
What is your greatest fear?
I’d rather not say.
What is your greatest extravagance?
To travel and spend time with my family once in a while.
What is your current state of mind?
Hopeful.
On what occasion do you lie?
White lies… Hmmm… When my children ask for reassurances. Or when my husband asks me if he has lost some weight. (Laughs)
When and where were you happiest?
Whenever and wherever I’m with my family. It’s always the small things that matter. Family time is always cherished.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Candor.
Which talent would you like to have?
To play any song on the piano just by listening to it.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d rather accept myself as I am. But it would be better if I worry less.
What do you regard as the depth of misery?
A life wasted. Passed chances to make a difference.
What do you value most in your friends?
Knowing that they have your back. That they are honest, forthright, and for real.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
A number…
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? I’m a bit biased, so… Panday.
Who are your favorite writers?
David Baldacci is one of my favorites. I like novels which delve into mystery or conspiracy theories.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My dad. FPJ left me enough fond memories to inspire and guide me. My mom as well—she is the strongest woman I know.
What is your greatest regret?
What’s past is past. It is much better to learn from mistakes and move on rather than look back and keep asking what if.
If you were to come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Still me—a better version.
Sylvia Lichauco
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
None on earth. Perfect happiness is only in heaven—but a good massage, movie and wine are enough to make me happy on earth. Also watching an excellent ballet production. And swimming in a pool overlooking the sea…
What is your greatest fear?
Probably a plane crash or earthquake.
What is your greatest extravagance?
A luxurious facial, which to me is a luxury of time as well as money. I consider it an extravagance for me to just lie there and relax!
What is your current state of mind?
I am looking forward to our 4th annual summer arts workshop for children of Santa Ana, Manila. At the same time I am disappointed with local government and disheartened with cultural agencies for not doing enough to prevent high-rise developments in our Santa Ana heritage district! It is obvious developers have an inside track, and our Heritage Law is being ignored. This is a sad state, and sets a dangerous precedent for other heritage areas.
On what occasion do you lie?
I used to tell little lies as a little girl and got punished for it. I tend to tell the truth now despite getting flak for being brutally honest. I don’t know which is worse. As I would tell my children, one lie has to be covered up by another, and the truth will always catch up.
When and where were you happiest?
Probably in my early marriage, later with my best friends who were swinging singles and now seeing my ballet protégées blossom.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Multifocus and love for the challenge of doing difficult and different things.
Which talent would you like to have?
I would give anything to be able to play classical piano, sing beautifully or dance classical ballet! I love horses and would have loved to be a jumper! I also wish I had studied law.
What do you regard as the depth of misery?
Alone, misunderstood, punished for something you did not do, abject poverty, illness, hunger…
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Haha, many things! Starting with keeping my mouth shut and listening more. Probably also focusing on one thing at a time. But then I would not be me!
What do you value most in your friends?
Loyalty, sense of humor, open mindedness.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
My father, Marcial P. Lichauco. He was a teacher, lawyer, writer, sportsman, statesman, adventurer, in government service and later a diplomat. He helped, through his speeches and writings and participation in the Philippine Independence Missions, for us to gain our independence.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
“Can you read my mind?” Superman, of course!
Who are your favorite writers?
Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, many others.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Those people who advocate for truth and justice and don’t waver. Those people not afraid to take a stand on issues they believe in, even if they are unpopular.
What is your greatest regret?
That my marriage did not work out.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A racehorse!