Let’s #embraceequity

SHOM INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY GATHERING

Honorary Guest: FIRST LADY LOUISE ARANETA-MARCOS

Makati, Manila (March 8, 2023) – On the occasion of International Women’s Day that falls every March, members of SHOM Manila (Spouses of Heads of Mission) got together with the presence of its guests of honor, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Mme Pamela Manalo, spouse of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. The gathering that took place in Raffles Hotel Makati, included an intimate lunch and a mini talk show presenting Filipino influential figure, Mrs. Margie Moran, President of Cultural Center of the Philippines, who among of her many achievements, she prefers to be named a devoted Cultural Worker.

Opening the gathering, SHOM’s President, Riitta Laakso explained the activities of SHOM Manila in the Philippines, mainly to run charity events whereby the profit collected is used to fund education and health programs for Filipino babies, children and women. The funds are given to selected SHOM’s beneficiaries in the Philippines. “Tomorrow some of us will be flying to Bacolod to visit Kalipay Negrense Foundation, an abused children’s home for which we fundraised over ₱600,000 last January. We are also in the process of distributing around ₱1,4million that we raised together with the International Bazaar Foundation last November. Finally, we are preparing for a charity concert in May,” she explained.

Riitta Laakso added, “to follow this year’s International Women’s Day theme – Embrace Equity, we encourage members, partners and associates to embrace equity, through which we will also embrace diversity, and inclusion. It is important to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all.”

Mme Pamela Manalo shared that, “in the Philippines, this year’s theme is WE for gender equality and inclusive society. The “WE” in the theme stands for women and everyone, and for women’s empowerment. It acknowledges that all of us, women and men alike, have a role to play in ushering economic and social progress.”

Meanwhile Mrs. Margie Moran who shared her view on ‘how empowered women through arts can build a progressive society’, explained that “I’ve always believed that the empowering nature of arts and culture can foster innovation for socio-economic growth.” She also showed the importance of “when empowered women channel her skills, talents, creativity and artistry into anything, she can be everything she wants to be.”

The gathering was attended by 18 spouses of Ambassadors of foreign nations and an international institution. During the lunch, participating SHOM members engaged in a friendly conversation with the First Lady, Mme Pamela Manalo and Mrs. Margie Moran. The gathering was concluded by SHOM Manila presenting appreciation gifts to the guests of honor and a photo session.