The Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) punches a powerful National Women’s Month Celebration featuring winning lady pugs Irish Magno, Aira Villegas Josie Gabuco, and Riza Pasuit with their mothers in the upcoming March 6 episode of Rise Up! Shape Up.

2021 Tokyo Olympics first Filipina qualifier Irish Magno leads the special episode sharing her journey to success, from winning the gold medal in 2012 at the Taipei Open, the silver medal in the women’s flyweight division in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, and targeting a podium finish in the Games with her mother’s support. 

Fellow Filipina boxers 2019 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Aira Villegas, first-ever Filipina AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships titleholder Josie Gabuco, and 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist Riza Pasuit also share their dynamic duo relationships with their mothers as one of their sources of strength. 

“We’ve seen many athletes who dedicate their success to their parents, particularly their mothers. It is very important to recognize that while an athlete’s achievement is his or her own, a part of it is attributable to the support given to him or her by the family,” expressed Women in Sports Oversight Commissioner Celia H. Kiram. 

Kiram also emphasizes that the episode also seeks to recognize the women’s powerful presence especially in a predominantly masculine field such as sports and athletics to influence and encourage gender equality.

Riza Ng, a licensed psychologist and founding member of the Philippine Association of Child and Play, also joins the episode for a short talk on mindful parenting and shares tips on how to practice mindfulness in the various parenting styles.