Determined to create their own legacies, Eleanor Pinugu and Dr. Geraldine Zamora-Abrahan tap into femininity and comfort with Marks & Spencer to champion advocacies
Women are constantly evolving, shedding old beliefs and behaviors for new meanings. Through smart, stylish, and timeless clothing, sustainable clothing brand Marks & Spencer is encouraging women to be unapologetically themselves. Comfort is confidence, and confidence is key to building a legacy.
In conversation with two spectacular women, Eleanor Pinugu, co-founder of Mano Amiga and She Talks Asia, and Dr. Geraldine Zamora-Abrahan, an internist, rheumatologist, Sagip Buhay Medical Foundation board secretary, and co-founder of Hope for Lupus foundation, MEGA dives into the heart of this process of discovery.
Tall order for change
Starting an advocacy is a commendable feat, but it’s not enough to just begin. The real challenge is in sustaining the momentum and keeping the fire burning. “Perseverance and consistency are very important,” Eleanor, who introduced herself to the team as Lynn, says. She is dressed in the Pure Cotton Striped Oversized Girlfriend Style Shirt and Sienna Straight Leg Jeans with Stretch from Marks & Spencer, and when she speaks, there is an air of relaxed elegance that is hard to pin down.
She tells us that after an extremely tiring day or when the burden of leading a nonprofit organization begins to feel heavy, what she always finds helpful is going back to her “personal why,” commenting that this practice allows her to remember her intentions.
For Dr. Geraldine, or Ging, as family and friends call her, lobbying for change involves reclaiming her voice and platform. “I almost deleted my TikTok account, or at least thought of deleting all my posts, when I found out my videos were being used by unscrupulous people [to tout] unproven products,” she says, recalling how crestfallen she was to realize that her content has inadvertently helped people in spreading false information. Urged by friends and family to keep going, Ging decided to protect her content from misuse instead, and proceeded to place a disclaimer text on each of her educational TikTok videos. Despite the fact that medical misinformation is a never-ending battle, Ging continues on with her health information dissemination legacy, finding fulfillment in seeing Filipinos learn accurate information about rheumatism.
Channeling your voice
“I understood my power when I took the time to really get to know and understand myself, including the ugly bits or stuff I’d rather ignore,” Lynn says. From there, she decided on a set of core values such as empathy and authenticity, and made a commitment to stand for those. “This is important because it’s so easy to get lost in other people’s standards. When you decide based on your core values, it’s easier to have clarity in terms of how you’d like to make your voice and your days count,” she details.
In the same vein, Ging believes that power is the ability to decide for yourself. She urges women to use their voice: “It is that powerful.”
Embracing femininity
Being a woman today is easier for us now compared to decades past because of the many women who cleared the path for us.
“My mother is my greatest mentor,” Ging says this proudly. In a straight silhouette Animal Print Tie Waist Midi Shirt Dress, her grace and quiet determination appear more pronounced. “[My mother] is powerful because she made sure to bring me and my sister up to be as compassionate and helpful as possible towards the underserved, even during times when she barely had enough. She led by example, and is supportive of all my ideas and goals.”
Meanwhile, Lynn looks back on the 15 years she spent leading an organization and comes up with one major takeaway, “I noticed the tendency of women to apologize for expressing their opinions, even during meetings… for the longest time, our definition of femininity has always been meek and agreeable, pristine.”
The women empowerment advocate’s passion was first developed when she began working with mothers from the Mano Amiga community. She explains that women often “self-sabotage their path to success and happiness,” failing to recognize how negative self-talk is an obstacle that stands in the way of their full potential. “I co-founded She Talks Asia to bring to fore some of these different issues, and to also give women a safe space to understand and better themselves. In Mano Amiga, we do a lot of community development programs focused on strengthening the financial sustainability and mental well-being of the moms.”
“I don’t think I can change the whole world, but I can create a lot of positive change within my sphere of influence,” she reflects.
Power in comfort
Building a legacy is serious work, but it doesn’t mean women have to look a certain way—traditionally professional, androgynous even—to be taken seriously.
“Comfort is essential in my line of work,” shares Ging. The renowned rheumatologist prefers soft linen or cotton, loose waists, and outfits that don’t restrict movement. “It should not get in the way when I do a proper examination of my patients or when I lead an active lifestyle outside the hospital,” she says.
For Lynn, structured midi dresses and jumpsuits, topped with a blazer is her comfort pick. “I used to be a ‘neutrals’ girl, but I’ve been experimenting more with bright colors since the pandemic. It really does brighten one’s mood,” she confides.
By mixing structure with billowy softness and redefining classic silhouettes by opting for vibrant prints, the woman with a legacy is one that is comfortable and authentic to herself.
In honor of Women’s Month, Marks & Spencer has donated to NGOs such as Mano Amiga, Hope for Lupus, and UNICEF. Shop timeless and straightforward pieces on Marks & Spencer’s website. For updates, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
