Stilletos and Women
These women are special not only for the positions they inherited, the authority they wielded or the accolades they amassed but also for being who they really are..... and what they stand for. Tough, resilient, focused women with an unwavering commitment to excellence, they influence the world around them and make a difference to the lives of others. Be it in the boardroom, public arena or on the marquee, these are women that made the journey to the top with their own unique blend of compassion and strength, and are determined to turn their big dream into a tangible reality.
The axis of power often lies in the hands of celebrities and the rich and famous.....but sometimes it is found in the most usual places.... politics.
Power is an intoxicating, sexy and an infinitely variable subject –power and women even more so. It is also a subject that has been discussed ad infinitum from the beginning of time as we know it. Think the unfortunate Eve.The axis of power often lies in the hands of celebrities and the rich and powerful.....but sometimes it is found in the most usual places. Or, much before that, our primordial goddesses with lots up the sleeves of their multiple arms: pulverising demons and bewitching the gods, not to speak of coming to the help of mortals in distress, was all in a day’s work.
Closer home and in our times women have been flexing their political muscles even more purposefully. The media just went into overdrive projecting women power that dazzle from north to south, east to west and at the center. Women prove their mettle.. almost invincible and superwomen, catapulting them to taller pedestals.
Now, reams have been written on female political power. This millennium has also seen a deluge of newsprint about women shattering glass ceilings and making their way into the inner sanctums of the political world. There’s been a lot about stiletto toughies exuding power from every pore – showing muscle in both boardrooms and bedrooms, even triumphing along the way over dominant male bastion politics. Beauty has always been power.
But is all this real power? Most of our female politicos got there through the sides or backdoors: opened wide for them by fathers, mothers,husbands, mentors. Few made it to the top on their own steam. Fortunately, a sizeable number of women have begun to make it to the top of political ladders by pulling their own weight. They also have to work twice as hard as men to get there, and stay there. Perhaps, better times are round the corner. Some of the traditional politicians have now said that the future belongs to women with the right mix of beauty,money and power.
The topic of woman power often comes tarted-up, wrapped in designer clichés. Celebrities have either grabbed the aura of the gods. Beauty queens reign on other platforms as well, pontificating on all subjects under the sun.
The thing about power is that it should be worn lightly, gracefully. We all know about grace under pressure. Equally important is grace surviving the rapid ascension to power. That’s a tougher call.
IMEE ROMUALDEZ MARCOS
Are beauty and power incompatible? not with Imee Marcos, who reins with her charm and skills at high tide, just like her brother Bongbong Marcos. Well, perhaps, her eloquently chosen words came forth with more of a force....breed and polished being the daughter from a political royalty.The father- The late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, and the mother, the flamboyantly stylish Madame Imelda Romualdez Marcos who was asked decades ago to toned down her pomposity that might alienate her from her impoverished electorate, she emphatically said that it would have precisely the opposite effect. It had to do with aspirations. The women in their bright but well-worn clothes would actually prefer to be like her (reach for the stars in other words) than have her try to imitate them. Not only were the women smart enough to see through masquerades, the fact that beauty and power were not incompatible... Au contraire!!. Needless to say she was elected as Representative of the second district of Ilocos Norte three times.. and continued to be famous so.
Take Madame Imelda Marcos... Her walk was brisk, her manner could be abrupt and the mildest of rebukes would send many a stalwart, even macho Senators or politician of other political colours, running for cover. Yet, her pedicured, pert toes peeped out from under elegant ternos and that trademark butterfly sleeves indicated a nod to an idiosyncratic aesthetic. And, yes, did she know how to turn on the charm, both at home and on the world’s stage... as effortlessly.Today, her daughter and inheritor of her mantle, Imee Marcos wears her power as an unobtrusive accessory, choosing to retreat into a deafening silence rather than raise her voice. And never is her apparel dowdy or off-colour.... Chiffon and steel is a deadly combo but worked to her advantage and is employed to great effect in the corridors of power,whose rabble-rousing abilities have catapulted her up slippery political ladders, perhaps more steps higher in the future.
KRIS COJUANGCO AQUINO
In a country obsessed with beauty queens, stars and celebrities, Kris Aquino is the most recognizable face in Philippine entertainment. Since the beginning of her career, Miss Aquino consciously walking the mainstream pancaked boulevard to fame, she is where she is, for possessing one vital quality —uber controversial. .She captured the people's imagination through effective television hosting, we can almost hear the proverbial bees flapping in her fascinating TALK SHOW- The Buzz.
Kris Aquino spearheaded the political campaign last May elections which detractors dismissed as sympathy votes, vindicated her political clout by an early win, making her brother the most powerful man in the country-the Philippine President of the Republic....His Excellency, Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III.
Iconic and pretty, Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino's subtle and powerful influences, inspirational trysts with politics come from her genetic gifts: from her mom, the venerable first woman President, the late President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino's compassion with equity and excellence, from her dad, The National Hero-Benigno Aquino Jr.'s charismatic leadership.
The Empress of Talk Shows never, never took her pedigree for granted, bulldozed all her opponents that create controversies with wit and ease.
Two political Dynasties...Two Illustrious Families...Two "Destiny Child"...Two Women
...history repeats?...till next election then!!!
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