Sarah Geronimo and her mother, Divine | Images: Instagram/@billboardphofficial, @sarahgeronimoshots
Sarah Geronimo made history as she became the first homegrown Filipina to receive the Global Force Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in Inglewood, California, on March 6.
During the red-carpet interview, Geronimo extolled her fellow women and went on to mention the most important woman in her life, her mother, whom she credited for her noteworthy achievement.
“Women are beautiful, women are strong… Women, especially mothers out there, shout-out to my mother, mommy Divine Geronimo, you are the best. You are my hero. I love you very much. I mean, I cannot imagine myself being a mother. All the sacrifices a mother has to do for their child, it’s mind-blowing,” she said.
The popstar royalty underscored that receiving a huge recognition as a Global Force awardee comes with a big responsibility to work as an artist.
“It’s very unexpected to be considered a Global Force. And for me a Global Force means having the power to influence, and it also comes with a big responsibility. You have to be mindful of the materials you put out there. You have to create change and positivity towards other people,” she explained.
“It means having that power to influence people, and it also comes with a big responsibility.” @JustSarahG speaks about being a GLOBAL FORCE honoree at #BBWomenInMusic. 🌍
Watch the full show tomorrow, March 7 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT at https://t.co/qimuyznLsQ pic.twitter.com/CKeLUBBujk
— billboard (@billboard) March 7, 2024
As Geronimo went on stage to accept her award, she made a point in her speech that the Billboard recognition symbolizes hope and courage for her.
“For me, this recognition signifies courage and hope. Courage to accept and embrace oneself. Courage to break boundaries and define standards. Courage to rise above all the setbacks and challenges that one artist or one person has to face,” remarked the OPM superstar.
“And the hope that one day this recognition will bridge the Philippines and other nations to create change and positivity through the world to the power of music. Muli ako po si Sarah Geronimo, isang Filipina. Maraming salamat. Mabuhay ang OPM,” added the Filipina pop icon.
The “Tala” singer was accompanied by her husband, Matteo Guidicelli, on the red carpet and at the award ceremony.
The event was graced by the presence of Katy Perry, JoJo, Pink Pantheress, Ice Spice and K-pop girl group New Jeans, among many others.