THE majority of the Filipinos nowadays think that perseverance is just running towards your goal and reaching your dreams but for Ms. Maria Jesusa “Susan” A. Villanueva, it’s also facing your fears.
For Susan, it is being committed to your vision, even when it seems too risky or impractical and perseverance will always be with her despite her fears and doubts, believing in herself even when nobody’s there to help her.
“I have a great sense of perseverance, determination, and strong will which makes me focused on the goal that I want to achieve and the most important is I stay humble and always possess a helping heart” said Ms. Susan.
Today, Susan is the Charter President of Baguio City, Makatao Lady Eagles Group.
In 2019, she was crowned Miss PAREB 2019 and in 2022, she was Ginang Baguio and the newly crowned Mrs. Face of Tourism 2023.
Susan is also the President of Alpha Phi Omega Baguio Benguet Alumni Association and the President Elect of Rotary Club of Baguio.
She was also the past president of the Philippine Association of Real Estate Brokers- Metro Baguio Realty Board and she is also a Member – CREBA.
This coming August 25, 2023 at theMusic Museum Greenhills, San Juan City, she will be awarded as one of the 7th Outstanding Women of the Philippines 2023.
Susan’s biggest challenge in life was she was one of those kids who weren’t blessed to have a happy family, together with her two siblings, she was raised alone by widowed grandmother because her parents got separated and have their own lives.
Back then, she really needed to hustle and make ends meet just to support herself to finish school.
But no matter how hard it was for her, Susan made sure that she always showed up and stood up for herself every single time.
Susan is happy with her in life and family right now, even though she’s just a simple government employee, she raised her two daughters as good and responsible individuals. For her, her greatest achievement in life was she fulfilled her responsibilities and obligation as a mother to her children.
“Napatapos ko sila ng pag aaral and they are both professionals now and have their own lives.” shared Susan.
Advocacy for most people is the purpose of creating change. Raising awareness about important issues and giving voice to those affected and influence those in power to provide leadership and take action but for Susan her advocacy is creating positive change and giving hope to children.
“My advocacy is to help those abandoned and abused children, give them hope, train them and educate them on how they can serve as an architect to a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. Since I experienced hardship during my younger years, I wanted to give importance to the young generations today. I wish to help more ministries to provide quality home schooling and find loving families for the children suffering from crisis,” said Susan.
