Tubbataha’s ‘Mama Ranger’ Wins 2025 U.S. Women of Courage Award

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Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Protected Area Superintendent Angelique Songco, known as “Mama Ranger,” has been named one of the U.S. Secretary of State’s 2025 International Women of Courage for her decades-long leadership in marine biodiversity conservation in Palawan.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump honored Songco and seven other recipients during the annual International Women of Courage Award ceremony held April 1 at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

“At the State Department and under President Trump, we take every opportunity to defend and promote women and girls across the world,” Rubio said at the ceremony.

“Let me reaffirm that protecting women and girls and promoting their well-being are American goals,” he added.

“To our honorees, congratulations, and thank you for your work to create a safer, more secure and just world.”

Songco received the award for leading a team of marine park rangers who guard the 97,030-hectare Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Philippines’ largest protected area.

She has managed the park since 2001, working with rangers to prevent illegal fishing, poaching and unsustainable tourism.

Under her leadership, the park earned several global recognitions, including being one of the first Platinum Global Ocean Refuges, now known as Blue Parks.

As the reefs thrive, Songco and her team have become a model of how strategic leadership can combine resource protection with community engagement.

“For me, courage is making decisions—making one’s choices—despite the uncertainties,” Songco said.

“This award is not just about my work,” she added.

“The efforts of the rangers to conserve and protect Tubbataha ensure the food security of the Philippines.”

“Even if we are just a very, very small part of the ocean, having a no-take area where fish and corals can thrive is critical to our livelihoods.”

Joining Songco as 2025 IWOC awardees are Henriette Da of Burkina Faso, Amit Soussana of Israel, Maj. Velena Iga of Papua New Guinea, Georgiana Pascu of Romania, Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit of South Sudan, Namini Wijedasa of Sri Lanka and Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj of Yemen.

The Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh also received the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award.

Established in 2007, the IWOC Award honors women worldwide who have shown extraordinary courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights and the empowerment of women and girls, often at great personal risk.

Since its inception, the U.S. Department of State has recognized more than 190 women from over 90 countries.

Following the award ceremony, Songco will join an exchange program that includes the International Visitor Leadership Program in Washington, D.C., and additional engagements in Los Angeles.

She will meet with U.S. women leaders and institutions to discuss women’s roles in policymaking, dialogue and legal frameworks protecting women and girls.

The IVLP is the State Department’s premier exchange program, designed to introduce emerging foreign leaders to American society, values and institutions.