Future leaders in a sea of green

It was an invitation that I couldn’t pass up. The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) invited me to be guest speaker at the Chief Medal awarding ceremonies last Monday at the Philippine International Convention Center. I did start my career reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Law for my very first theater audition; the least I could do was to express my thanks.

I haven’t done anything as a girl scout to merit any sort of commendation, but the 505 awardees on Monday absolutely have. Coming from across the country—Eastern and Western Mindanao, northern, Central and Southern Luzon, and the Visayas—they received medals for good work in their communities.

A video presentation showed these young women (high school and early college students) in the field, distributing food, helping with medical care, playing games with children—with a cheerful expression on their faces. All in all, they helped over 20,000 families and some 2,000 children.

One by one, the ladies went onstage, executed the GSP salute, and received their medals with the left-handed handshake (the left hand is closer to the heart, Dr. Salud Bacalso, GSP national president, explained).

I tried to look at each one in the eye. There was not one vacuous stare. In each young woman was someone who had gained confidence in achieving something for herself and doing something special for others.

It took a while to give each scout her medals (one was given to that scout’s mother as a symbol of thanks), but it was worth it to shake the hand of a future doctor, lawyer, or public servant … who could change the world someday.

Company for women

I only barely touched on “Avon Voices” in my last New York article. I feel a need to revisit it here.

Avon celebrated its 125th anniversary in style, with “Avon Voices,” a singing competition. The judges were ladies from the worldwide music scene—Diane Warren (songwriter), Fergie (Black Eyed Peas), Delta Goodrem (Australian singer-songwriter), Ivete Sangalo (first Brazilian singer to have a sold-out gig at Madison Square Garden), Valeriya (one of the most respected singers from Russia), Maia (singer-songwriter from Colombia, who looks like a cross between Eva Longoria and Sofia Vergara), Natasha Bedingfield (UK singer-songwriter), Sheila E (singer and percussionist), and yours truly. It was an honor to serve alongside them.

Competition night was extremely emotional, especially for Delta and Maia, who coached all 10 finalists. After every singer had finished, they would both be in tears, having invested so much of themselves in each performer.

The winner was announced the next night, when Avon held its big gala, celebrating more than just the singing contest. The awards were given to those who had contributed to alleviating domestic violence, and pushed for the advancement of breast cancer care. Delta and I presented an award to Theresa Balayon, head of the Women’s Crisis Center in the Philippines.

So amidst the wonderful meals served, and the fun numbers performed, Avon celebrated 125 years of empowering women, whether by providing financial independence through the ladies selling cosmetics, contributing to a more advanced hospital in Latin America to care for women with breast cancer, or helping a center that keeps women safe. I am proud to be aligned with such a wonderful company!

Theater time

Congratulations to the cast of Repertory Philippines’ production of “Seussical”! My family and I went to a matinee performance and had a ton of fun. Particular kudos to James Stacey as the Cat in the Hat, Noah Ramos as Jojo, Oliver Usison as Horton and Charity Grace Walthrop as Gertrude McFuzz for such a great afternoon. “Seussical” runs until Dec. 11 at OnStage, Greenbelt 1.

On Nov. 18, Atlantis Productions’ “The Little Mermaid” opens at the Meralco Theater, starring Rachelle Ann Go as Ariel, Erik Santos as Prince Eric, and Jinky Llamanzares as Ursula. For tickets, call Atlantis at 8927078 or 8401187, or call Ticketworld at 8919999.