U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) and First Lady of the United States Melania Trump (left) present the 2025 International Women of Courage award to “Mama Ranger” Angelique Songco (standing, second from left) during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on April 1.
MANILA, Philippines – Angelique Songco, who is more known as “Mama Ranger,” has been named among the U.S. Secretary of State’s 2025 International Woman of Courage (IWOC) for her longstanding leadership in protecting and conserving marine biodiversity in Palawan, particularly Tubbataha Reefs.
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Songco is a superintendent of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Protected Area.
She was recognized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady of the United States Melania Trump during the annual IWOC Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 1.
During the ceremony, Rubio said the US government takes every opportunity to defend and protect women under the leadership of US President Donald Trump.
“And let me reaffirm the importance of protecting women and girls and promoting their well-being are American goals. So to our honorees, congratulations, and thank you for your work to create a safer and more secure and just world,” said Rubio.
Songco received the award for leading a team of marine park rangers who protect the 97,030-hectare Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Philippines’ largest protected area.
Joining Songco as 2025 IWOC awardees are:
- Henriette Da (Burkina Faso)
- Amit Soussana (Israel)
- Major Velena Iga (Papua New Guinea);
- Georgiana Pascu (Romania);
- Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit (South Sudan);
- Namini Wijedasa (Sri Lanka);
- Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj (Yemen).