LIST: Filipina celebrities reflect on motherhood and achievements on International Women’s Day
Happy International Women’s Day!
Empowering ladies from all over the world, several local celebrities took the time to pay tribute to the strength and achievements of women in their own ways through social media.
And as some of them are mothers, they also reflected on their journey as parents and highlighted the beauty of motherhood.
Below, check out how stars and public figures celebrated March 8.
Iza Calzado
Iza Calzado bared it all for Women’s Day as she shared some powerful nude photos from her maternity shoot to celebrate her body.
“When I look at these images, I am reminded of how powerful I felt when I was giving life to Deia inside me. It was the first time in my life that I fully embraced my body and the divine power inside me,” the actress wrote.
Looking back on her pregnancy, the first-time mom said that she remembered feeling “great privilege and power” at being able to carry her child Deia Amihan.
“May every woman be able to tap into their power, in whatever way, shape or form. It may be by revolutionizing change in their own communities,” she wrote.
“Being a career woman or homemaker, being a creative or having a corporate job. Whether it is by nurturing yourself, a child, pets, plants or other people we have chosen as our family. You are giving life to another, yes, even art — and that is power,” she continued.
Iza ended her message by wishing for every woman to “feel worthy to take up space and be seen and heard.”
Pauleen Luna-Sotto
Pauleen Luna-Sotto also penned a heartwarming message that highlights her love for her two children, six-year-old Tali and her newborn daughter Thia Marceline.
“May these girls live their dreams as they become women one day. Dream big my children. Be strong yet kind, succeed but be humble, be loving, giving, forgiving, [and] compassionate. Be wild and authentic! Be real,” the actress wrote.
“Redefine success with what truly matters in life and make our future a better place. Mom will always ALWAYS be here to guide and support you and correct you if I must. I love you both!” she continued.
Pauleen recently introduced Thia, or baby Mochi, to the Christian world as she has now been baptized.
Mariel Padilla
Mariel Padilla similarly marked Women’s Month by recalling the words of wisdom that she taught her daughter.
“As I was giving my daughter a bath, I told her ‘take care of yourself, remember that you are sacred because God made girls extra special,’” Mariel captioned her post, which showed her wearing an all-white ensemble that elevated her elegance.
“Happy International Women’s Day!” she added.
Mariel has two daughters with her husband Robin: Maria Isabella, who was born in 2016, and Maria Gabriela, who they welcomed in 2019.
Dimples Romana
Dimples Romana blessed everyone’s Instagram feed with a series of pictures showing some sweet moments between her and her eldest daughter Christiana Amanda, or Callie.
“Meet my SHE-ro,” Dimples wrote. “Happy International Women’s Day to all!”
The actress recently gushed about how proud she is of Callie after she achieved her dream of becoming a licensed commercial pilot.
"I have not stopped crying buckets from thinking about all the struggles and sacrifices you have had to overcome to achieve your ultimate dream, ate," Dimples said.
She continued, "May your beautiful story of dreaming big, staying true to yourself, leaving the comforts of home, living alone, creating a path of your own with a heart determined to soar high inspire many other young people."
Alaiza Malinao
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 finalist Alaiza Malinao praised the power of women as she looked back on her time on the pageant stage.
“Reminiscing about the time when I got to represent the probinsyanas and women in farming on the MUPh stage. It was an ultimate dream come true,” she wrote.
“Salute to all the women who chose to be mothers, to women who chose careers, to women who chose to provide income for their families through farming, weaving, and many more, to women who stood up for other women, and to women who continued to strive to make this world a better place,” she continued.
Apart from being a beauty queen, Alaiza is also known for representing the Philippines in the fourth cycle of Asia's Next Top Model.