The world has no shortage of female leaders, innovators, and role models. Every day, there is a woman breaking glass ceilings and climbing ladders to achieve her goals. And this woman is a person the world must celebrate.
SM Supermalls tapped celebrity photographer Niccolo Cosme of Project Headshot Clinic to stage the SM World of Women Exhibit. The show, held recently at SM Mega Fashion Hall, showcased the diversity of feminine beauty and brains by featuring 31 inspiring and beautiful ladies who have made a difference in the lives of Filipinos through their chosen advocacies.
“We honor women’s power, strength, and countless achievements. Women are the doers and dreamers. They are strong, accomplished, and wise beyond years,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing.
Among the women whose portraits were displayed were Miss World 2013 Megan Young, HIV awareness and safe sex education advocate Angel Jones, Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines’ 2017 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, “Warrior Princess for Peace” Honey Sumndad-Usman, and mother-daughter celebrity beauty experts Vicki and Cristalle Belo.
“I am very fortunate to have been able to photograph these empowered women with stories that speak of resilience, joy, and endless dreams. We can always learn a thing or two from women. Mabuhay ang kababaihan,” enthused Cosme.
Other women features at the SM World of Women exhibit included Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, Maria Lourdes Bernadette Zaragosa-Banson, Kassy Pajarillo, Jing Castañeda, Katrina Gumabao, Dinah Salonga, Bambina Olivares, Sheena Vera Cruz, Lyn Pinugu, Kai Lim, Jessica Kienle, Gang Badoy Capati, Roxanne Ang-Farillas, Angel Guerrero, Pinky Yee, Bea Ledesma, Milka and Shiella Romero, Raizelle So, and Gelli Victor.
The portraits of the five winners of the #WorldofWomenAtSM digital promo were also part of the exhibit. These women gave the best answers on what it means to be an empowered and independent woman. Maria Corazon Lacambacal, full-time mother and cancer survivor, emphasized the importance of living a fuller life with confidence, while Mica Flor Catanghal, a pharmacist, believed empowered women exude strength of character. Stephanie Justine Espallardo, a medical doctor, Carla Cabral, a social media strategist, and April Joyce Zaide, an engineer, also won prizes for their answers.