PRAISE FOR MARLENE AGUILAR — Philippines

"We need more Filipinos like Marlene Aguilar.” 

–Eugenia Apostol
Founder, Philippine Daily Inquirer  

__________ 

“Marlene Aguilar stimulates and challenges the artists pushing him further and further, bringing out his best. She allows absolutely nothing
to stop her. She is a true partner. She inspires.” 

–Rafael Cusi
Master Watercolorist  

__________

“Whenever I hear the name Marlene Aguilar, I think of the names
of three Filipina heroines—the Warrior Queen from Ilocos Gabriela Silang, Teodora Alonzo and Melchora Aquino.  
The name Marlene Aguilar has inspired many Filipino painters
and sculptors.” 

–Napoleon Abueva
National Artist, Philippines 

 __________ 

“Aguilar’s portraits are of a darker goddess, the more interesting Lillith rather than the penitent Eve - little will prepare you for her essays. 
Aguilar has a take-no-prisoner approach to her takes on national history and culture. She is not for the faint-hearted. Oh, we’ve heard historians rant about our damaged culture but Agular’s first person oratory (most were written as speeches) is like a series of primal screams.
Inflammatory. Provocative. Pugnacious.” 

–Inday Espina-Varona
Editor in-chief, Philippine Graphic 

__________

“When she declares, “The reason that I have spent 10 years of my life promoting Philippine art and culture is I believe art and culture is the soul of the nation,” you listen.  
When she tells you, “All the artists I’ve supported in the past 10 years have made it; I see what can become of them and the country they paint so well. To the best of my knowledge, I have not been wrong,” you pay attention.  
And when she looks straight into your eyes and says, “I give my energy to the unknown young artists because they are the future of the Philippines. I believe that as the new generation grows, there will be a Philippine renaissance and we will again be one of the top nations in Asia. Always, through art,” you believe. Because Marlene Aguilar never has to eat her words.” 

–Nini Yarte
Editor, Manila Times 

__________ 

“Marlene gives the blood of life to those close to her. She gives them life they have never known. This is her role for the people of the Philippines. She will free her people from ignorance and ease their pain and suffering. 
She is not human like the rest of us. I believe she is one of the Buddhist saints reincarnated. She will sacrifice herself for mankind. And from the lowest to the highest places, men shall bow their heads in honor of her name.”   

–Chona Caymo
Buddhist geomancer, palmist, psychic 

__________ 

“From the ruins of despair and destruction, Marlene will unite her people and create a golden era in the Philippines. She will become an icon of hope and peace to her people. The world will know her and learn to love her. She will be immortalized.”   

–Paulie Caoili
Buddhist geomancer, clairvoyant 

__________ 

“Marlene has passion and spirit that has no equal.
She is like a bright star with endless light.”   

–William "Billy" King
Philippine King of Fine Dining 
 
__________ 

“Keep on fighting Marlene.”   

–Jullie Daza
Journalist-author  

__________ 

“Marlene is psychic.”   

–Monica Feria
Editor in-chief, Mirror magazine

 __________ 

“Marlene is the keeper of knowledge.
She is a special lady with special talent, a gift to us from God.”   

– Mauricio Domogan
Philippine House of Representatives, Baguio City

__________ 

“I wish I could do for the Philippine political community what Marlene
has done for the art community.”   

–Jess Paredes
Philippine House of Representatives 

__________ 

“She's got publishing of art books down to a science.”   

–Imee Marcos
Philippine House of Representatives 

PRAISE FOR MARLENE AGUILAR — International

“I am one of Marlene Aguilar’s avid admirers.
Her books on Philippine art are wonderful!”

–H.T. Retzlaff
Deputy Prime Minister, Samoa 

__________ 

“Myths and Legends of the Philippines is a great book.
Upon opening the book I looked for the Legend of the Warrior Queen
from Ilocos Norte, alias Marlene Aguilar. For no one has done more
to capture the imagination of the Filipino people and to instill pride
in their heritage and art than Marlene. I salute her passion, tenacity and talent for making dreams a reality.”  

–John Austin
Executive Director, World Bank 

__________ 

“At an international poverty forum hosted by the Asian Development Bank in February 2001, with over 30 countries in attendance, I saw
this woman stand up against the international institutions that purport
to serve the world's developing countries. And she told the representatives of these supposedly august  bodies that they do not have the balls to do the right thing for the poor and by her country,
the Philippines. I said I want to meet that woman.
Her name was Marlene Aguilar.” 

–Oktay Hagverdiyev
Director, Cabinet of Ministers, Government of Azerbaijan 

__________ 

“Marlene continues to be a symbol of hope for all Filipinos!” 

–Garry Wiseman
Director, United Nations Development Program, Suva, Fiji 

_______  

“Marlene Aguilar’s aggressive effort to promote the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines is amazing. She reminds us of the impressive achievements of Filipino artists.”

–Christopher Browne
Division Chief, SE Asia & Pacific, International Monetary Fund

_______  

“Marlene Aguilar is a dynamic force for a better Philippines.”

–Ben Graham
Marshall Islands Ambassador to the United States of America 

_______  

"Somebody has to take the firing line.
For the Philippines, it is Marlene Aguilar.”  

–Kaleb Udui
Ministry of Finance, Gov’t of Palau 

__________ 

“The woman is a live wire!”  

–Loida Nicholas Lewis
Chairwoman and CEO, TLC Beatrice International Holdings, Inc. 

__________ 

“Marlene Aguilar is a female Che Guevarra,
a true guerillera leading the Philippine cultural revolution.” 

–Richard Stanley
Board of Directors, Asian Development Bank

__________

 “Marlene’s speech entitled “Healing the Soul of the Nation”
is a great speech and I couldn’t agree more.
I can’t believe they keep teaching Filipino students these lies.” 

–Claudia Buentjen
Senior Capacity Development Specialist, Asian Development Bank 

 __________ 

“Marlene’s essay entitled, Men in Boxes in the Name of Peace is excellent!”

 –Dr. Ron Crocombe
Author and professor emeritus, Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific Consultant for the United Nations, World Bank and Asian Development Bank for over 30 years

__________ 

“I wonder how she knew more about me in a few minutes than people who are close to me and whom I’ve known for many years. She told me about my future and helped me see the path to success.” 

–Reichert J. Thanda
Aid Policy and Coordination, Directorate Department of National Planning
and Monitoring, Governmentt of Papua New Guinea  

__________ 

“When I met Marlene, I sat next to her and she read my aura.
She told me about my past and my present. She was 100% right!” 

–Mary-Jane Foliaki Moala
Ministry of Finance, Gov’t of Tonga 

__________ 

“I thank Marlene for sharing with us her gifts.” 

–Lily-Anne Homasi
Ministry of Finance, Gov’t of Tuvalu 

__________ 

“Marlene Aguilar does not only belong to the Philippines,
she belongs to Latin America. She belongs to the poor.”   

–Jorge Estevenez
Wine maker, Argentina