Pinay Pride: 5 More Filipina Heroines to Remember

There are many Filipina heroines whose legacies are overlooked. So let us celebrate five of them here!

Nanay Fedelina Tawagon

Nanay Fedelina, a domestic worker, was trafficked to Malaysia in 2009 and subjected to emotionally abusive and exploitative conditions for six years. She eventually escaped from her employers and sought refuge at the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia. Her experience made clear the difficulties faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the requirement for more robust legislation to safeguard them. 

Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman

Bai Rohaniza founded the “Teach Peace Build Peace” Movement in 2013, which aims to promote peace education and foster a peaceful culture among Filipino youth. She has been working specifically on conflict and violence in Mindanao through the organization’s education and community engagement programs.

Gina Batuhan

Gina is an environmentalist and conservationist who has worked to protect the marine biodiversity of Palawan’s Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. She campaigned against illegal fishing and coral reef destruction, bolstering her support for marine conservation and sustainable fishing methods.  

Marie N. Barcelo

Marie is an activist and community organizer who has dedicated her career to empowering marginalized groups, especially farmers and indigenous people in the Cordillera region. Additionally, she has advocated for their rights to land, resources, and self-determination.  

Hazel Valencia

The last but certainly not least on our list of Filipina heroines is Hazel, a journalist and human rights advocate. She has been covering social issues in the Philippines, such as impunity, prejudice, and extrajudicial killings. Furthermore, she does not allow ongoing intimidation and threats to stop her from raising awareness of these abuses across the country. 

READ: https://flyingketchup.ph/juana-be-like-them-3-filipina-heroines-you-should-know/ 

These Filipina heroines are living examples of the bravery, tenacity, and devotion that have shaped Philippine society over the years. Let their stories inspire us to make changes for the betterment of our community.