First Lady hosts luncheon for women envoys

MANILA, Philippines — First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos hosted a luncheon for women ambassadors in the Philippines at Malacañang on Wednesday.

The event, held at the Rizal Hall, was attended by Ambassadors MaryKay Loss Carlson of the US, Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe of South Africa, Betty Palaso of Papua New Guinea, Bita Rasoulian of Austria, Shobini Kaushala Gunasekera of Sri Lanka and Folakemi Ibidunni Akinleye of Nigeria.

Also present were Annika Gunilla Thunborg of Sweden, Grete Sillasen of Denmark, Anke Reiffenstuel of Germany, Michèle Jeannine Andrèe Boccoz of France, Netherlands Charge D’ Affaires Monica Theodora Geertruida van Daalen and Panama Charge D’ Affaires Lhuana Pamella Lopez Amorim.

In a video posted by the Radio Television Malacañang on Facebook yesterday, the female guests were treated to a cultural performance by the Simeona F. Chanyungco Lahing Kayumanggi Mananayaw ng Marikina Inc.

Some of them were also seen dancing the tinikling, a traditional Philippine folk dance.

In her message, Araneta-Marcos thanked the lady ambassadors for supporting President Marcos’ administration.

“Thank you for supporting my husband’s administration and I hope we get to do this more often,” she said.

Carlson, in her response, thanked Araneta-Marcos for hosting the event, her first official event as a first lady.

Carlson, who started her tour of duty in the Philippines last month, quoted the late former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, saying that “there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

“I really appreciate the atmosphere here of women supporting other women in important role and that’s why we’re so honored to be here for your first official engagement, supporting you as a very important women in this country. Frankly in this region and globe,” the US envoy said.

Carlson said being a first lady is “a very challenging position to take.”

“We’re so really, really grateful for the opportunity to be here and grateful for the opportunity to support each other,” she said.

Prior to the luncheon, Araneta-Marcos and Social Secretary Bianca Cristina Zobel gave the ambassadors a walking tour of Malacañang Palace.