What makes a hero? Philippine history has given us names that have become larger than the lives they once belonged to. We see their faces carved into monuments and inherit stories of the choices that placed them in our national memory. And still, life continues, and more figures emerge. We watch their stories unfold in real time, without knowing which moments will remain significant years from now. What we do know is that they leave a nation inspired.
This National Heroes’ Day, these women offer a portrait of what it means to make a difference today.
Leni Robredo
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Former Vice President and current Mayor of Naga, Leni Robredo, has proven time and time again what the country could look like through a pink-colored lens. Her principles, integrity, and unwavering efforts have rallied a community of support that continues to stand with her to this day.
Alex Eala
In 2026 alone, Alex Eala became the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title, broke into the world’s Top 20, and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon. She has achieved all this at just 21 years old, with each breakthrough elevating the country on the sport’s biggest stages and, more importantly, giving our young athletes a new precedent to grow up with.
Lea Salonga
Tony Award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga has spent decades lending her voice to stages around the world—and using that same voice to speak up for causes close to her heart. Beyond her remarkable career, she has consistently championed women’s rights and social causes, reminding us that influence carries a responsibility to speak up. This September, Salonga adds another milestone to that legacy as she’s set to become the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Olivia Rodrigo
Most know Olivia Rodrigo as one of the top artists of the 2020s whose music speaks to a generation. But with her massive platform also comes how the Filipino-American musician has used it to consistently advocate for women’s causes and social issues such as education and healthcare. That thrust recently manifested in her Daisy Chain Fields Festival, a women-first music festival that raised $20 million dollars for women-focused charities.
Catriona Gray
Nearly eight years after winning Miss Universe, Catriona Gray continues to make her platform count. Her work with Young Focus has supported education for underserved youth in Tondo, while her years as a Smile Train global ambassador have helped raise funds for cleft care. The crown made her a household name, but it’s the years since that have shown what she chooses to do with that influence.
Nadine Lustre
As one of the most recognizable faces in showbiz, Nadine Lustre is an undeniable multi-hyphenate star who walks the talk. In particular, the internet’s president is a vocal champion of environmental causes and animal rights, frequently using her platform to spotlight issues affecting communities around the country.
Hidilyn Diaz
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz brought home an Olympic gold medal—and immense pride to the Philippines. Beyond breaking stereotypes in women’s sports, she continues to teach and inspire through her craft, showing what it means to excel as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated space.
Kara David
When there are those who seek to discredit and even threaten journalists, Kara David remains steadfast in doing the important work, especially with her eye-opening documentaries. For years, the veteran journalist and educator’s work has not only raised public awareness for stories that deserve to be told, but also inspired many to use their voice for good and demand accountability.
Ann and Billie Dumaliang
Across 2,700 hectares of vulnerable land, tens of thousands of native trees now grow as part of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation’s restoration efforts. Behind that work are sisters Ann and Billie Dumaliang, whose protection of Masungi has also meant defending its future amid mounting pressure. Their resolve has made them two of the country’s most visible voices for the belief that our natural heritage is worth standing up for.
Karen Davila
Karen Davila has been one of the most respected news anchors in the country for decades. She is a familiar presence on the screen for many Filipinos who trust her to deliver the day’s news. Along the way, Davila, who has hosted some of the country’s most-watched news programs, has become a pioneer for women journalists in the Philippines and a proud advocate for women’s rights and responsible journalism.
Aisa Mijeno
Aisa Mijeno saw the realities of communities without reliable electricity and turned them into a problem she could help solve. The last of this list is this Filipino engineer who developed SALt, an alternative lamp that uses a saline solution to generate electricity, with off-grid households in mind. Her work places homegrown ingenuity where it matters most: in making everyday life better for the people who need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The list features Leni Robredo, Alex Eala, Lea Salonga, Olivia Rodrigo, Catriona Gray, Nadine Lustre, Hidilyn Diaz, Kara David, sisters Ann and Billie Dumaliang, Karen Davila, and Aisa Mijeno.
In 2026, Alex Eala became the first Filipino to win a WTA singles title, broke into the world’s Top 20, and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, all before turning 22.
Sisters Ann and Billie Dumaliang lead the Masungi Georeserve Foundation’s restoration efforts, having helped grow tens of thousands of native trees across 2,700 hectares of vulnerable land while defending the reserve amid mounting pressure.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Festival, a women-first music festival, raised $20 million dollars for women-focused charities, reflecting her advocacy for women’s causes, education, and healthcare.
Filipino engineer Aisa Mijeno developed SALt, an alternative lamp that uses a saline solution to generate electricity, designed to serve off-grid households without reliable access to electricity.
