She’s come a long way from ‘a woman of leisure’
When Anna Sobrepeña assumed the position of Lifestyle Asia EIC, an editor approached her and asked, ‘Saan ka ba galing?’
Ayear after Anna Sobrepeña was recognized by Asia Leaders Award as 2018 Editor of the Year, the writer, editor and advocate for volunteerism has been selected by Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) 100 as the 2019 Most Influential Filipina Thought Leader and Innovator.
Sobrepeña joins a roster of other women leaders who will receive their awards in Paris later this month.
FWN is a San Francisco, California-based nonprofit, nonpartisan international advocacy organization that aims to increase the power and influence of Filipino women as leaders in the private and public sector.
The membership has grown to cover 31 countries, and is actively involved in programs and activities that enhance public perception of Filipino women’s leadership.
Since its launch in 2006, FWN has recognized Filipino women for their achievements, among them Loida Nicolas Lewis, Maria Ressa, Lorna Kapunan, Marife Zamora and Vice President Leni Robredo, who endorsed Sobrepeña’s nomination.
Depth of committment
“Long before I personally got to know Anna, I have been reading about her work, and was moved by the depth of her commitment to creating a world unmarred by social divisions,” Robredo said.
“I have come to know her as a woman of remarkable vision and generosity of spirit. What made me admire her even more was her firm belief that the cries of the poor and the underprivileged must be listened to, discussed and addressed with empathy, not just pity.”
When Sobrepeña joined the publishing industry in October 2007 as editor in chief of the longest-running glossy magazine in the country, she was dismissed as a housewife and socialite looking to keep herself busy. An occasional contributor to newspapers and magazines, she was mostly seen as the wife of an accomplished professional.
What was not widely known was she had started and steered True North, a Christian lifestyle magazine, as editor in chief. Over the five years that she helmed the quarterly, it was nominated four times for a Catholic Mass Media Award.
When she assumed the position of Lifestyle Asia EIC, an editor approached her and asked,
“Saan ka ba galing?” (Where did you come from?). Another media person told her she had lowered her status in the social strata by joining the working class.
Despite the less than positive reception from industry colleagues, she worked with her staff on the magazine’s content, and mentored her team not just in skills building and proficiency, but in adhering to the values of integrity and professionalism.
The magazine addressed a niche audience. Philanthropy was increasingly becoming a buzzword in the corporate world. Sobrepeña brought the tenets of privilege and corporate social responsibility together.
She pursued stories to promote understanding of other peoples and cultures.
On different occasions, Sobrepeña took a stand against terrorism by traveling to places where violence and political intimidation were making news.
“If we let fear stop us, then the terrorist would have won.”
A tree for every page
She engaged companies in efforts to care for the environment through tree planting activities, aiming to plant a tree for every page of the magazine.
She initiated the magazine’s involvement in caring for the welfare of children through Make A Wish Foundation, and made Caritas Manila a beneficiary of the magazine’s anniversary celebrations.
Sobrepeña provided a platform to promote the Philippine Business for Education’s teacher training programs. She did these and more while putting together a monthly issue for 11 years, along with eight coffeetable books.
Dr. Emil Yap, Manila Bulletin president, one of her references during the nomination process, described her as “the perfect example of an empowered woman who has proven her capacity to assume significant roles, as a writer, editor, content creator, member of Philippine society’s crème de la crème, wife, mother, friend and many more, and remains modest, unassuming and well-grounded.”
Sobrepeña continues to be involved in different efforts, actively helping in the education assistance for Marawi children and marginalized deserving students.
FWN will recognize her together with Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung, Teresita Tumangan and other women leaders in their capacities as founders and pioneers, builders, policy makers and visionaries.
Sobrepeña was nominated by Georgitta Pimentel Puyat, who was recently elected as the FWN global president for 20192022.