A perfect 10
Stories of women who transform ideals—for individuals and communities—-into realities.
There are women in this world who exude elegance and charm from every angle, who are applauded by an adoring public for their beauty, charisma and talent. There are also women who are of indomitable character and purpose, whose endeavors challenge thought, inspire action, move the spirit and save lives.
Then there are women who are both; those who transform ideals--for individuals and communities--into realities. HealthToday salutes 10 such women.
Jackielou Blanco
Total commitment
Jackielou is passionate about many things--her children, her craft, and fitness. As testament to her amazing focus and devotion, she possesses an award in each of those fields: An Ulirang Ina Award, a Best Actress Award, and a Great Bodies Award.
Realizing the many benefits of health and fitness, Jackielou is on a mission to share her unique journey to developing a "great body" naturally. Amid the "get-thin-quick-and-easy" testimonials and lifestyles of many in the world of Philippine celebrities, Jackielou's mantra of healthy eating and exercise is most welcome fare.
A true poster child of healthy living with real-world views, Jackielou says:
- "There is no such thing as a bad food, only bad portions."
- "Sensible eating doesn't mean giving up pizza. It means eating a slice instead of the whole pie."
- "Exercise doesn't just mean going to the gym. Find something you enjoy, such as dancing. Just get moving and everything will follow."
- "Being healthy means maintaining a positive outlook in life and making the best of what you have."
For Jackielou, staying fit means not just taking care of your body but also taking care of your soul.
-Quincy D. Austriaco
Chin-Chin Gutierrez
Earth child
Chin-Chin's appreciation and respect for the relationship between man and Mother Earth is almost spiritual. Her stance on health blends seamlessly with her acknowledged passion for the environment--exhibiting the depth of her convictions.
Although she recognizes the role that conventional medical interventions play in addressing the symptoms of illness, Chin-Chin believes in complementary approaches to healing.
- True healing involves addressing physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional and mental factors. There is no one modality that can heal our bodies completely therefore the need for a holistic approach to healing.
- She calls on all to eat organic vegetables, cattle and poultry and use chemical-free products--not only for health but for the environment as well. Patronize products produced by companies who take extra effort to keep the environment clean and healthy.
- To achieve homeostasis (perfect balance), it is important to get to know the healer within, i.e., we should learn to listen to our bodies.
- Our lifestyles are the outer expression of our inner being. A deep spirituality will balance all aspects of our lives to make our souls fulfilled and illumine our lifestyles.
True to form, Chin-Chin sums it all up beautifully: "Heal Mother Earth. Heal me."
-QDA
Carlene Aguilar
Ambassador of good health
She walked in wearing a pink t-shirt and jeans with nary a trace of makeup, looking more like a beautiful schoolgirl than a woman about to represent the country at the Miss World pageant in London in November.
Carlene credits neither genes nor special diets for her to-die-for body. Fully aware that she is a role model for the youth, she advocates a healthy and disciplined lifestyle:
- It is important to maintain a healthy diet consisting of lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Get enough sleep.
- Drink lots of water.
- Exercise or take up a sport (she engages in badminton, swimming and volleyball).
- More importantly, be happy and positive because there is nothing like the glow that comes from within.
In the sweet spot where youth and womanhood come together, Carlene stands tall. Sure to influence many a young woman's ideals, it's refreshing to know that this sensible girl believes in always "doing the right stuff."
-QDA
Rebecca Singson, M.D.
Renaissance woman
A woman of many talents (sings in a schooled classical voice, dances a mean boogie, paints portraits and writes), obstetrician-gynecologist Rebecca Singson is on a quest to empower women not only by sharing her knowledge through the popular media but more convincingly, by living the lifestyle she preaches.
She aims to demystify myths and correct misconceptions related to reproductive health--fertility, infertility, sex, abortion and cancers affecting women. You can almost see her warm smile as you listen to her voice on the radio preaching her advocacy. And in between a C-section here and golf tourney there, she finds the time to write--to enlighten and inform even more women of their choices.
She calls on every woman, those who nurture their children, husbands and parents, to start taking care of themselves, too:
- "Find time to exercise."
- "I am a great believer of nutrition as an instrument of health. I try to eliminate chemicals in my food, I don't eat or drink canned or bottled products, and I consume organic vegetables and squeeze fresh fruit for my juices."
- "Every year, on your birthday, get a medical checkup. It's the best gift you can give yourself."
True to her healing profession but going well beyond just doing her duty--this doctor's quest is to empower her Filipino sisters to take control of their lives.
-QDA
Ina Quiogue
Taking charge
Ina Quiogue joined Avon Philippines armed with a single, unwavering principle: Live with passion. Seventeen years later, she has this to say:
Being Avon Philippines' GM is only the tip of the iceberg. The most fulfilling part of my job is hearing success stories of our employees.
My biggest passion is my family. I am first and foremost a mom and wife. My son is my biggest obsession, and my marriage makes me a fuller, better person.
I play tennis, run on a treadmill, and hit the gym occasionally. I eat more vegetables now and take more vitamins and calcium supplements. Church on Sundays is a nonnegotiable.
At Avon, we want to educate women about breast cancer and give them access to care and facilities. Through the launch of the global Breast Cancer Crusade, Avon remains the biggest corporate supporter of this cause, raising US$ 350 million in support of awareness, care and research programs. We started the Breast Cancer Crusade in the Philippines in 2000 and funds were used for the construction of a breast care center at the Philippine General Hospital, purchase of mammography and ultrasound machines, and awareness programs regarding the deadly disease.
To make our service more personal, we encourage our staff to get hands-on experience in assisting breast cancer patients in PGH by counseling or visiting them, and joining in our awareness programs. Famous last words: Give your best in everything you do, but never, ever at the expense of another.
- Mayla A. Sanchez
Ces Drilon
A balancing act
"I realize that sometimes, it's not enough to be a medium for information and education and to help our audience crystallize their views on issues. I feel compelled to adopt certain advocacies, which will improve the lives of the Filipino people, especially women. I am after all a Filipino first.
"My advocacy is advancing women's reproductive rights and supporting the use of modern contraceptives to avert more suffering of children from poverty, starvation and lack of education. I speak to fellow journalists outside Manila, train advocates in responding to media, and talk to multi-sectoral groups on the issue. I realize that [speaking my mind] will [tick off] people with different views, but such is the natural consequence of my advocacy. Imagine the shock I felt when I saw this woman in an urban poor community. She was in her early 30s and had lost all her teeth after giving birth to six kids, one after the other!"
Famous last words: "Career women who are also mothers like me must always remember that with the multiple tasks we have, we need to be whole. Pamper yourself and find time to be alone when you can reflect and shut out the rest of the world for a while."
-MAS
Gillian Akiko Thomson
Master strokes
Akiko Thomson began swimming at age 6. At 12, she became a member of the Philippine National Swimming Team, and at 13 represented the country at the Southeast Asian Games in 1988. Akiko is a bemedaled athlete and veteran of five Olympic competitions: in Seoul, Barcelona, and Atlanta; and as a coach in Sydney and Athens.
Highly disciplined, down-to-earth and passionate, Akiko graduated with a degree in Anthropology from the University of California-Berkeley, and is taking her masters in business administration at the Ateneo. She is the Secretary General for the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA), and hosts the weekly television program "Gameplan." Her current passion is getting the youth to join the volunteer pool at the SEA Games, which the country is hosting in late November.
"Hosting the SEA Games in the Philippines is an opportunity for the youth to get involved in sports," says Akiko. "We need volunteers; it's a big part of the success."
Akiko underscores the importance of youth involvement in sports. "Sports prepares a person for life, and it keeps him or her healthy and away from bad influences. It helps in character formation, setting goals, and handling success or defeat."
Beauty and health basics: "I always use sunblock, eat well-balanced meals, get enough sleep, and drink lots of water. To de-stress, I like to spend time in solitude, go for a swim, run or get a massage."
Parting shot: "God has given me a platform to speak and I use it in the best way I can."
- Mary Rose Abad Jimenez
Iza Calzado
Enchanting in every way
Amihan, the lead character on the hit fantasy series "Encantadia" is much like the woman who portrays her: Iza Calzado is strong. Beautiful. Humble. Compassionate. Named after dance-icon Isadora Duncan, Iza doesn't have a mean bone in her body. "No dancing bone either," she says and laughs.
The lovely 23-year-old has had her fair share of heartaches and losses, among them her struggle with adolescent obesity. "I was once voted Teddy Bear of my high school class at Miriam College," she shares. "It's very difficult to be chubby."
At 15 her weight reached a daunting 220 pounds. By the time Iza turned 19, she had lost 100 pounds, a remarkable change, but was still unsure of herself. Three days after her mother's burial, Iza tried out for a shampoo commercial. "I didn't want to go but I took it as a sign from my mom. She had always wanted to become an actress." The rest, as they say, is history.
The reluctant actress fulfills another dream this month as she joins the cast of "Sigaw" at Screamfest L.A. International Horror Film Festival. "I can't believe I actually have a film showing in Hollywood! I know it's not Cannes but still," she says and smiles.
Iza has a soft spot for children and for breast cancer survivors. On special occasions, she joins breast cancer patients in fellowship at the Avon Breast Cancer Center at the Philippine General Hospital. "It's a blessing to be among them; I've learned so much," she says humbly.
"You have to love and respect yourself first and everything else follows," says Iza. "I've always believed that real beauty must come from within."
-Cathy S. Babao
Cyndy Tan-Jarabata
A treasure in the young
Cyndy Tan-Jarabata is the founder and president of Advocates for Youth, a not-for-profit organization that encourages the youth to meet and exceed their potential by developing leadership. She is an optimist who leaves no stone unturned; a woman with a touch of gold who makes her visions come alive. And with youth empowerment, a dream she has had since her teens, it will be no different.
In 2002, the sharp rise in the incidence of teen pregnancy in the country prompted Cyndy to form the Advocates for Youth Foundation, whose thrust is to raise awareness on teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS prevention; and to encourage the youth to make healthy and responsible decisions. To help the foundation, Cyndy rallied private corporations, schools, local governments, and local and international not-for-profit organizations for support in addressing social and sexual issues affecting Filipino youth. She also established a membership-based national youth organization called Club K (kabataan, kalusugan, karapatan).
Cyndy stays fit by swimming regularly and taking vitamins. A believer in holistic health, she eats a balanced diet, including heaping servings of salad and fruit. To maintain her youthful glow, she observes good hygiene, moisturizes, drinks a lot of water, and uses sunblock.
Cyndy is the president and CEO of Leisure Hotels Management Group, which develops and manages hotels, luxury resorts and spas, and engages tourism investors to capitalize on one of the country's greatest resources: Filipino hospitality. Married and blessed with two children (19 and 10), she says it's time to give back.
"Everything worth doing is difficult. Regardless of any adversity, I see opportunities," she says.
-MRAJ
Minguita Padilla, M.D.
Uncommon foresight
"You're not here to do just the ordinary."
"My mentor, the very wise Dr. Salvador Salceda, and I would have many conversations while I was in training at UP-PGH, and among the things he told me this one really made an impression," says Dr. Minguita Padilla.
Prophetic words. Today, Padilla spearheads the highly successful Eye Bank of the Philippines Foundation. A pipe dream, her peers once said, you should put your energies somewhere else. A decade later, she returns to set up the Eye and Tissue Bank at the new Centro Ophthalmologico at the PGH compound.
"Never ever listen to people who say that something cannot be done," she says.
 Padilla decided to become an eye doctor because the late Supreme Court Justice Teodoro Padilla, "had very bad eyes." "But being a doctor of medicine and heading the eye bank is just one of my missions in life," she says. "I'm at that point where I am ready to move on to others." One of them is the crusade for good governance. "We have the power to transform the situation we find ourselves in."
And therein lies her secrets. "Try to find what truly makes you happy," she says. Pursue your dreams and everything will follow. The Eye Bank keeps me young. Altruism is good."
From the way Padilla looks and the life she leads, there must be really something about giving back.
-CSB
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