Angelique Songco, the superintendent of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and known as “Mama Ranger,” has been recognized as one of the U.S. Secretary of State’s 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC) for her leadership in marine conservation.
Songco and seven other honorees were acknowledged by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump at the IWOC Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 1.
In his speech, Rubio emphasized the U.S. commitment to promoting and protecting women and girls worldwide, commending the honorees for their efforts in building a safer and more just world.
Songco was awarded for leading a team of marine park rangers in protecting the 97,030-hectare Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Philippines’ largest marine protected area.
Since 2001, she has worked to safeguard the reefs from illegal fishing, poaching, and unsustainable tourism, contributing to its recognition as one of the first Platinum Global Ocean Refuge Systems, now known as Blue Parks.
Under her leadership, Tubbataha has flourished, setting an example of how conservation efforts can integrate community engagement and strategic leadership.
“For me, courage is making decisions despite uncertainties,” Songco said. “This award is not just about my work but the efforts of the Rangers who protect Tubbataha and ensure the Philippines’ food security.”
Other 2025 IWOC awardees include women leaders from Burkina Faso, Israel, Papua New Guinea, Romania, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, and Yemen, as well as the Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh, who received the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award.
Established in 2007, the IWOC Award honors women worldwide for their exceptional courage and leadership in promoting peace, justice, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk.
Following the ceremony, Songco will join an exchange program, including the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), where she will engage with U.S. leaders and institutions to explore women’s roles in policy-making and conservation.
The IVLP is a key U.S. Department of State initiative that connects emerging global leaders with their American counterparts to foster dialogue on societal, cultural, and governance issues.