Angelique Songco, known as "Mama Ranger," was awarded the 2025 International Women of Courage Award by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady of the United States Melania Trump. The ceremony took place on April 1 at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Songco serves as the Protected Area Superintendent of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines, where she has been a prominent figure in marine biodiversity conservation since 2001.
"We try to take every opportunity to defend and to promote women and girls across the world," said Secretary Rubio during the event. He emphasized that protecting and promoting the well-being of women and girls is a fundamental American goal. "Congratulations and thank you for your work to create a safer and more secure and just world,” Rubio added.
Songco's efforts have been instrumental in safeguarding the 97,030-hectare Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, which has become an example of successful natural resource protection and community engagement. Her leadership has helped the park receive global recognition, including becoming one of the first Platinum Global Ocean Refuge Systems, now known as Blue Parks.
“At the State Department and under President Trump, we try to take every opportunity to defend and to promote women and girls across the world,” said Rubio. Songco expressed that the honor reflects the combined efforts of her team. “Even if we are just a very, very small part of the ocean, to have a place that is no-take where fish and corals can thrive is critical to our livelihoods,” she stated.
The award recognizes women from different countries who have shown outstanding courage and leadership, often enduring significant personal risks. Other 2025 awardees include Henriette Da from Burkina Faso, Amit Soussana from Israel, and Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj from Yemen, among others. The Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh received the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award.
Following the award ceremony, Songco will engage in an exchange program through the International Visitor Leadership Program in Washington, D.C., and participate in additional activities in Los Angeles. This experience is part of the U.S. Department of State's initiative to introduce emerging foreign leaders to American counterparts, fostering dialogue on policy, culture, and values.