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How Rodrigo Duterte Helped Maria Ressa Rise To Fame?

The battle for the truth began a long time ago when a narrative of injustice and slavery took place. The fight for equality and justice among people of color and minority groups continued for decades. This time, however, would be a new era of struggle as all people had to fight for their freedom. And Maria Ressa, the co-founder and CEO of Rappler, started facing the consequences of her action as she dared stand to hold the line.

Maria Ressa’s battle for the truth continued to create a force to shine the light among journalists around the world. She inspired many activists and journalists locally and globally as she kept on saying and encouraging others to draw a line and decide to stand for the truth. Her struggles to fight for justice grew as Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, helped Maria Ressa accomplish and reach her fame. The moment when Duterte put Ressa under pressure was the moment when Ressa walked toward her fame. For example, Ressa’s ten arrest warrants in the Philippines strengthened her commitment and dedication to confront her adversaries. Though she had to post bail for her investigative cases, she did not stop reporting the truth and telling stories from various organizations around the world.

As well, Ressa’s fight in the Philippines could emanate hope and truth for justice. Ressa vowed to protect democracy and press freedom. Even if she risked her life, she continued to be the beacon of hope to fight for the truth and stand up to a dictator. She became the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Russian editor Dmitry Muratov. She joined the World Movement for Democracy at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). In her combat for democracy, she imperiled her life. She jeopardized her peace and decided to take a stand and hold the line. Even if Duterte put her under various lawsuits, she vowed to fight for all activists and journalists like her around the world.

Besides, Duterte succeeded in putting Ressa on the pedestal. His action to maltreat some journalists through his verbal slurs made a few international communities and governments respond. Duterte thrived in silencing a few journalists and a media giant like ABS-CBS using his allies and connections. And yes, Duterte was so commanding and powerful that many activists and journalists around the world should consider that force. However, his action to put Ressa under fire failed him to silence her. Instead, she made Ressa and other journalists continue to fight. What Duterte did was make Ressa a global superstar.

Indeed, Ressa had to ask for a few court approvals to give her permission to travel across countries. She made international tours as global communities needed her to deliver her speech. Moreover, Ressa received various awards from various global organizations and made media and public appearances to acknowledge her courage and presence to inspire others to hold the line and fight for the truth. She needed to speak the truth, preserve democracy, and defend press freedom because of these reasons: “Without facts, there would be no trusts; without trusts, there would be no truths; without truths, there would be no shared realities.” Such compelling assertions made Ressa prominent across nations. With Ressa’s media and public appearances on a global scale, Duterte failed to silence Ressa. Instead, he helped her rise to fame.

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5 Greatest Women in the Philippines Today

Imagine a world of autocracy, a domain of despotism, and a realm of total power. Now, imagine a world with balance and a world where forces of strong and weak see eye to eye. Then, imagine the existence of groups of influential women who vow to bring change in society and the country as well.

Well, influential women can initiate actions, fulfill their plans, and enforce support to help people in need despite the perils of risking themselves. They listen to the people’s problems, feel their grievances, and take action to fight back against any force that harms people in the country. Among these powerful women are Angel Locsin, Leila Delima, Leni Robredo, Maria Ressa, and Risa Hontiveros who stand against those forces that put the wellbeing of the people at risk. Whether celebrities or politicians, these great women learn to articulate their opinions, communicate their views, and express their objections in politically charged discussions. Confronted with criticisms and threats and challenged by their adversaries, these greatest women carry on to perform their campaigns to advocate change.

ANGEL LOCSIN

She is intelligent, quick, and sharp. As well, she is a matter-of-fact woman. She bravely speaks through her mind. Despite the polemics, she strives to make things right. She thrives in her career. Her risk-taking character to do things notwithstanding the risks allows her to enjoy helping others. Her compassion for humanity is obvious in that she makes things happen. She acts right away and strives to help those in need. Through her unyielding dedication, Angel Locsin continues to facilitate support – a true hero and a Darna in the midst. When Angel Locsin collaborates with other people to help distribute those goods, she embodies the true spirit of heroism whom she is willing to sacrifice the pain to exert much effort for the sake of other people. Instead of finding mistakes, those groups of people, who keep on censuring her and her work, must learn to appreciate her actions and her ways of helping others because she only takes a single step toward helping others in which others fail to do.

LEILA DELIMA

She is keen and sharp. As well, she is a woman of courage who fights the present administration despite her limitations. She knows she never gives up to fight for the truth. Faced with restraints, she still performs her role as a senator. She may have faced some controversies; however, she learns to hold her ground and stands firm to continue to fight. She expresses her disparities, dares other politicians to do the jobs, and seeks to create a change. With her experiences as the CHR Director, Justice Secretary, and many others, she knows she can bring justice.

LENI ROBREDO

She is clever and sharp. Her political career gives her the ability to show her prowess. Her wit keeps her on top of the challenges. Every time she speaks, people know she talks with sense. She can do better for all the challenges. Even Leni Robredo faces criticisms every day, she just smiles at those censures and moves forward to help citizens of the Philippines. She beats the odds as she rises to the top. As she is the Vice-President of the Philippines, she holds the power to enforce laws and sanctions on those who encroach on them.

MARIA RESSA

She is intelligent. Fearless yet calm, Maria Ressa learns to fight through her commanding and piercing words. She stands out as she keeps an eye on any element of injustice that annihilates press freedom. As she bravely faces multiple trials, she remains composed and quiet to beat the odds. Her strong reproaches against the present administration are genuine. As she criticizes the government, she tends to liberate herself and the media as well. Maria Ressa succeeds in all her endeavors and fights against those who harm her. As she faces the cyber libel in the country, she stands firm in fighting for justice. Despite the power of the government, Maria Ressa holds her ground and stands firm to fight against injustice, especially press freedom. 

RISA HONTIVEROS

She is smart. Her acumen is outstanding. Her advocacies for justice and peace continue to grow as she learns to defend those who need help. As she works hard to keep peace and justice in marginalized communities, Risa Hontiveros participates in the top-five women who exhibit power and supremacy. Whatever happens in the political arena, Risa Hontiveros stays in the defense group to defend the people in the country.

In the end, Angel Locsin, Leila Delima, Leni Robredo, Maria Ressa, and Risa Hontiveros, and other great women exist to fight. They know when to fight for the sake of the people. They never care about themselves. What they care about is their goal and mission to create change in the dismal status quo. And yes, these powerful women, such as Angel Locsin, Leila Delima, Leni Robredo, Maria Ressa, and Riza Hontiveros are FIGHTERS. They fight for the freedom of all people no matter how hard they experience criticism and no matter how difficult it is to keep on fighting for others regardless of their trials. What is more, people can see their hardship and advocacy. As these powerful women know how to dust themselves off, they are ready to fight even harder to serve the people in the country in their ways.

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