"WARRIOR" (Not published, Submitted as final output for News and Magazine Production course)

“WARRIOR”

Name: Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar

Birthday: September 7, 1966

Age: 46 years old

Motto: “Vaya Con Dios”

                Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar is a strong advocate of service. She is a woman of many qualities and these qualities continue to increase within her.

In her 49 years of life, she has become many types of people. She has travelled a lot in her years to places like Brazil, Cambodia, and USA. Due to her many successes as warrior of service, she has received many awards such as the Trail Blazer Award from Gawad Galing Pook, 2011 BAYI Citation for Exemplary Women Leadership in Politics and Governance, and was even elected as the Youngest lady Vice Mayor of Zamboanga City in 2004.

A LINEAGE IN ADVOCACY

                Her six years can go beyond when taken into account the legacy that her family’s left behind. At a very young age, Climaco-Salazar had already been involved public service, considering how the Climacos are known to be all-around public servants and advocates for liberation. She is the grand-daughter of Isabel Cortes Climaco, who during the time of our own grandparents was a strong advocate for women’s rights and equality. Climaco-Salzar mentions her being one of the masterminds behind the women who fought for suffrage, the right for women to vote.

                Her husband, Trifonio Salazar, who was named as chief of the Philippine National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, is not to be left out when it comes to service. “We both work,” says Climaco-Salazar. She continues that she is happy with the idea that she had married with someone who shares the same passion for service. “He’s very active… he’s the one who gives me the strength to go on and face the challenges.”

                As much as she values her work, “family should always come first. From Thursdays to Saturdays, I’m in the district,” Climaco-Salazar mentions when speaking about how mangaes the two aspects of her life.

               

A TEACHER/MENTOR

“Teacher Beng” Is what most individuals refer her to as she has graduated from the Ateneo da Zamboanga with diploma for Education. “I have always been an Atenean,” says Climaco-Salazar. She mentions that she has never resigned from the Ateneo and still takes into importance the values of magis and cura personalis.

                True to her being “Teacher Beng”, she never fails to take notice of a student’s best and worst experiences. “I met a valedictorian who only had one kidney, and I know of a student who had to walk for 6 hours from his home to attend his classes.

                When asked about her current “classroom”, she mentions that she is surrounded by “very young, very educated, and very enthusiastic people.” She further continues that instead of leading, she prefers that her methods be called “mentoring”. Through this, she maintains the image of being a teacher who leaves her students to do their best in different activities.

AN ACTIVE WOMAN

                Another thing to note about Climaco-Salazar is her active lifestyle through the art of dancing. Many citizens have seen and joined her in different Zumba sessions. Though because of her position, many see these as acts of indirect campaigning. “Dancing for me is an expression to show that you are a woman”. She continues that through dance, one is able to showcase his/her creativity.

                She stresses how much dancing can show how much of a woman a woman is. “We could incorporate our being through dance,” says Climao-Salazar, “we tend to feel free.”

A WARRIOR FOR CHANGE

                Climaco-Salazar proves that she had always been an active pursuer for change. She exerts at how much she still aims for magis, that is, through her activeness in politics. “Thank God to the Christian Life Community (CLC) that I found my calling in the Ateneo.” Her being a member in such organization has helped become more aware of the many situations in the country and be active in various charity works.

                She continues her quest in providing unfortunate students with the necessary funding that they need to ensure them of good education. 

                “If the people of Zamboanga no longer need me, no long want me, than I can say that I can walk away from politics. I don’t want to one day face other people and hide myself in shame. Politics is toxic and will always be toxic and it is a sacrifice.”

--Maria Isabelle “Beng" Climaco-Salazar