Milestones
May 2013
Incumbent senator Loren Legarda wins her re-election bid for her third term in the Senate as the second most-voted candidate with 18,661,196 votes. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officially proclaimed Loren Legarda as Senator of the 16th Congress of the Philippines on 16 May 2013.
March 15, 2013
Senator Loren Legarda celebrates the glory of the award-winning Brillante Ma. Mendoza film, “Thy Womb”, through a special screening at the Podium Mall.
March 9, 2013
During her visit to the Province of Leyte, Senator Loren Legarda announces her plan to establish LIFE or the Legarda Institute for Environment.
January 30, 2013
Senator Loren Legarda celebrates the Senate’s concurrence in the ratification of the agreement between the Philippine government and the UNESCO to establish the Southeast Asian Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA CLLSD) in the country.
January 27, 2013
Senator Loren Legarda files a bill to better promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through a new charter for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
January 22, 2013
Senator Loren Legarda leads the turnover ceremony of a rapid deployment tent donated by the French company UTILIS to the Department of Health (DOH). These rapid deployment tents are valuable equipment for disaster response.
January 21, 2013
Senator Loren Legarda opens the “Tungo sa Isang Luntiang Pilipinas: Best School Forest Park Program” exhibit at the Philippine Senate.
January 10, 2013
Senator Loren Legarda lauds the winners and participants in the “Best School Forest Park” program during the awarding ceremonies at the Department of Education (DepEd) Complex, stressing that their involvement in the project is a significant step towards environmental protection.
January 7, 2013
Senator Loren Legarda kicks off the distribution of geohazard maps to municipalities in the country during her visit to the province of Compostela Valley. She emphasized the importance of geohazard maps in community development, planning and disaster-prevention.
December 20, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda welcomes Musée du Quai Branly President, Stéphane Martin, and Ms. Constance de Monbrison, curator at the Musée du Quai Branly, who visited in the country for the 2013 Philippine Exhibition at the Paris-based museum.
December 17, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda votes for the Reproductive Health bill.
October 17, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda launches the HIBLA Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines, a highlight of the Manila FAME Design and Lifestyle Event 2012 from October 17 to 20 at the SMX Convention Center. HIBLA is a showcase of the artistry, culture and heritage of our indigenous peoples.
October 16, 2012
The Senate of the Philippines adopts Senate Resolution 886, a Resolution Commending Senator Loren Legarda for Having Been Recognized by the United Nations International Disaster Reduction as a Hero of Reslience.
October 13, 2012
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) recognizes Senator Loren Legarda as a Hero of Resilience. She is the only Filipino and one of only few recognized as heroes of resilience by the UNISDR in celebration of 2012 International Day for Disaster Reduction.
October 01, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda files her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for her re-election bid in the 2013 Senatorial Elections.
August 12, 2012
The Senate concurred in the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, which was sponsored by Senator Loren Legarda. This global milestone establishes the bill of rights of 1.2 million seafarers worldwide, 400,000 of whom are Filipinos. MLC, 2006, dubbed as the seafarer’s Bill of Rights, establishes the right to a safe and secure workplace that complies with safety standards; right to fair terms of employment; right to decent working and living conditions on board ship; and right to health protection, medical care, welfare measures and other forms of social protection. She continues to work towards full implementation of the Convention.
August 6, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations, successfully pushed for the Senate's concurrence in the ratification of ILO Convention 189 (Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers). This will greatly improve the employment conditions and protect the rights of about 3.4 million Filipino domestic workers worldwide. Under this convention, domestic workers should be accorded decent working conditions, just compensation and sufficient benefits they deserve.
July 19, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda partners with the DILG and Spanish Cooperation Agency in the Collaboration Workshop for the Cagayan de Oro River Basin at the Mallberry Suites Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City. Legarda urged leaders of Typhoon Sendong-affected areas in 2011 to make their communities safer, more resilient, and more prepared to respond whenever a disaster strikes.
July 9, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda tours Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain in the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino textile galleries and hosts a cocktail reception in honor the Queen at the National Museum.
June 7, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda keynotes at the Collaboration Workshop for the Pampanga River Basin held at the Oxford Hotel in Angeles City.
May 18, 2012
As the country celebrates National Heritage Month, Senator Loren Legarda inaugurates "Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textile", the Philippines' first permanent textile galleries at the National Museum.
March 15, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda convenes the Regional Forum on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) at the Quezon City Hall. The forum aims to increase local understanding of disaster and climate science, impacts, and policy responses; encourage disaster and climate-proofing of development plans and learn from successful experiences from the field.
March 13, 2012
The Senator Loren Legarda Lecture Series on Philippine Traditional Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge, a bi-monthly lecture held in the Textile Galleries in National Museum commences with a talk about the Philippine and Southeast Asian Textiles in the Peter the Great Museum Collection delivered by Dr. Maria Stanyukovich, Chair of Australia, Oceania and Indonesia, Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, Russia.
March 15, 2012
Senator Loren Legarda convenes the Regional Forum on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) at the Quezon City Hall. The forum aims to increase local understanding of disaster and climate science, impacts, and policy responses; encourage disaster and climate-proofing of development plans and learn from successful experiences from the field.
November 11, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda receives the Asian Leader Award for Environment Policy, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in The First Seagull Philippines Asian Leaders Awards. The award was conferred to Senator Legarda for exemplifying "the courage of a human being, a woman, a mother, a stateswoman and an Asian leader who, being aware of the severe onslaught on Mother Earth, has chosen to fight this battle through non-stop legislation and policy making."
October 14, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda, convenes the First Indigenous Cultural Summit. It served as a platform to identify the concerns of the Indigenous Peoples; help address their needs through legislation and government initiatives; and empower them as they seek to preserve their cultural integrity and achieve the sustainable development of their ancestral lands.
September 30, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda launches the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook that was accomplished by the Senate Committee on Climate Change, which she chairs. The handbook aims to educate citizens how to prepare for and respond to both natural and human-induced hazards. It also includes basic information on the causes, possible risks, what to do during and after the occurrence of hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones, flood, storm surges, thunderstorms, tornadoes, landslides, heat waves, structural collapses and fire.
September 23, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda convenes the IP assembly in Iloilo City in Visayas. This was the third and last of a series before the culminating event—the National Indigenous Cultural Summit. The Panay-Bukidnon from Visayas declared Sen. Legarda as a "daughter of Panay-Bukidnon" and gave her the name Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan, which translates to "shining sun rising in power".
September 16, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda visits southern provinces for the Mindanao IP assembly in Davao del Norte. As a sign of gratitude for advancing IP concerns, the cultural communities of Mindanao adopted Sen. Legarda as "Bae Matumpis," which means "The one who takes care".
September 09, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, convenes the assembly of indigenous peoples (IPs) of Luzon in Baguio City. The consultations seek the perspectives of various IP leaders as well as identify appropriate measures to address their identified concerns.
July 26, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda leads the Philippine launch of the United Nations' Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction at the Senate. In launching the flagship report of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) entitled Revealing Risks, Redefining Development, key findings of the report were featured and the event served as a forum to discuss its implications to the country and examine gaps in the government's disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness measures, as well as propose priority interventions.
May 03, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda was elected Founding Chair of the Asia Pacific Institute for Green Development, which works to raise people's awareness and mobilize action among governments and various sectors in ensuring a green and disaster-resilient development.
March 04, 2011
As Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation(CCA), Senator Loren Legarda attends the second National Forum on DRR and CCA in Hanoi, Viet Nam as keynote speaker at the invitation of the Government of Vietnam. The five largest cities of Viet Nam—Ho Chi Minh, Ha Noi, HaiPhong, Can Tho and Da Nang—pledged to make their cities safer against disasters.
February 10, 2011
Senator Loren Legarda spearheads the launch of the "Making Cities Resilient, My City is Getting Ready" campaign of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) at the East Rembo Elementary School in Makati City. Thirteen mayors from the National Capital Region and the Alliance of Seven commit to the United Nation's Ten Essential Actions to Reduce Disaster Risks, which include investing more in disaster risk reduction, preparing and sharing risk assessments, ensuring early warning systems are in place, and protecting ecosystems to reduce the impact of floods, cyclones, and storm surges, among other natural hazards.
February 9, 2011
The UNISDR and the office of Senator Loren Legarda jointly organize a high-level technical briefing by World Bank-Philippines country director Bert Hofmanat the Philippine Senate. Hofman discussed the latest report by the World Bank and the United Nations titled, "Natural Hazards, Unnatural Disasters: The Economics of Effective Promotion." It was attended by legislators, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, international organizations, non-government associations, the academe and medical institutions.
February 3, 2011
Loren Legarda celebrates her 51st birthday through her Lingkod Loren humanitarian program in the city of Malabon. The advocacy fair includes medical and dental missions by doctors from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and the Department of Health, breast screening by Bessie B. Legarda (BBL) Memorial Foundation and Gift2Life Foundation,free haircut and a feeding activity for the benefit of residents in barangays' San Agustin, Potrero and Tañong.
November 25 to 27 2010
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and Senator Loren Legarda jointly organized a three-day Consultative Meeting with Asian Parliamentarians on Disaster Risk Reduction: An Instrument for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians for Population and Development. The meeting focused on information sharing and knowledge exchange on the necessity of and approaches to making disaster risk reduction an essential part of attaining the MDGs.
October 2010
Senator Loren Legarda launches her gift to the world—a UN book entitled "Redefining Development", authored by her official biographer Bing Carrion and published in partnership with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) at the Quezon Ballroom of Shangri-la Makati.
September 2010
Senator Loren Legarda launched Buhos, a documentary on climate change directed by Cannes best director and Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, at Cinema 3 of SM Mall of Asia. This is her gift to the Filipino people to raise awareness about global warming and climate change.
August 2010
Senator Legarda delivered her State of the Climate Speech during the opening of the 15th Congress. In her speech, Senator Legarda challenged leaders of the country to re-think development, campaigning for the kind of development that transcends traditional economic yardsticks such as GDP; and the kind founded on socio-economic progress, ecosystems protection, cultural resilience and good governance.
February 2010 - May 2010
Loren Legarda embarked on a 3-month campaign for the vice-presidency. Going around the country gave her the opportunity to inspect El Niño stricken areas in many provinces and reach out to farmers and rural folks. She continued her humanitarian missions and public showing of environmental films throughout the campaign.
January 2010
Senator Loren Legarda marked her 50th birthday with a humanitarian mission celebration in San Pablo, Laguna. Loren who is known for giving away seedlings as gifts during events and other occasions has already planted 2 million trees all over the country and leads an advocacy for the reduction of disaster risks in times of climate change and natural calamities in the country.
December 2009
Loren delivers a speech on climate change legislation and climate justice at the parliamentary meeting of the 15th Conference of Parties, United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. She called on parliamentarians to legislate climate change responses just like the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009. She also made a statement at a high-level forum on Investing in Women's Leadership for Climate Solutions conducted by the Global Gender and Climate Alliance where she called on world leaders to adopt gender-sensitive and gender responsive policies and programs.
At the Copenhagen climate summit, she challenged US President Barrack Obama to walk his talk and effect drastic cuts on America's carbon emissions to prove his country's responsiveness to the threat of climate change.
November 2009
Loren files her vice-presidential candidacy under a "green platform of governance".
November 2009
Loren files her vice-presidential candidacy under a "green platform of governance".
Loren receives a "Kalikasan award" from the Philippine Society for the Study of Nature for her valuable efforts in saving and promoting the environment.
October 2009
Loren formally declares her vice-presidential bid during the launch of her humanitarian project "Lingkod Loren" held at the Luneta Park, unveiling her seven-point agenda: (1)advance a pro-people leadership, (2)take on a more holistic development philosophy, founded on the principles of sustainable and equitable socio economic development, (3)promote environmental protection, (4)protect the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers, (5)work towards a just and lasting peace, (6)strengthen the role of women in development and involve them in all aspects of decision-making and (7)restore pride in our culture.
The Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729) is a landmark legislation principally authored and sponsored by Loren is signed into law.
July 2009
Loren leads a UNISDR High-Level Advocacy Mission to the Republic of Maldives that sealed an agreement between Maldives and UNISDR to define a comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategy for the island-nation and find means for the UN and other partners to help the country implement this strategy. Activities under this agreement commence immediately with UNISDR together with partners assisting the government in the development of a Strategic National Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (SNAP) and convening a partners and donors forum to implement the plan.
The University of the Philippines - Los Baños names a hybrid of Gumamela after Loren -the "hibiscus rosa-sinensis Loren Legarda" -- to memorialize her dedication to serve the public, especially in the field of environmental legislation.
June 2009
Loren delivers the keynote speech at the Forum on the Human Impact of Climate Change in Geneva where she reiterated her call for a new brand of politics and governance in order to address growing disaster risks. She imparted a doctrine she introduced at the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, the LEGARDA DOCTRINE — a new development thinking, a more holistic development philosophy, a kind of development that is founded on sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, ecosystems protection, cultural resilience, and good governance, which must be adopted by world leaders.
Loren also delivers the keynote speech at the Second Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction Conference in Geneva where she challenged world leaders with a call for a new brand of politics and governance to address disaster risks — the kind of politics and governance that shepherds proactive laws and policies, as certain as their implementation, and translates political commitments to real actions. She highlighted the importance of developing new policies that would strengthen people's resilience to disasters, promote synergy between CCA and DRR, develop investments for DRR, and promote indigenous knowledge systems and gender equality.
May 2009
Loren addresses the Bhutan National Sensitization Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction in her first official country mission as the Asia-Pacific Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. She encouraged the delegates to incorporate and articulate disaster risk reduction as a pillar and an integral part of their laudable development concept of Gross National Happiness. She highlighted the need to make disaster risk reduction a primary strategy for sustainable development and adapting to climate change.
Loren delivers a speech before the International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Gender in Beijing, China attended by parliamentarians and delegates from 43 countries, UN agencies and civil societies. The conference adopted the Beijing Agenda for Global Action on Gender-Sensitive Disaster Risk Reduction. This Declaration embodies the firm conviction and commitment of delegates from around the world to mainstream gender into disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies and programs.
January 2009
Launching of the book, "Loren: A Celebration of Life and Nature" written by Maria Rosa "Bing" Nieva Carrion-Buck, MNSA.
December 2008
Loren is appointed as the Asia Pacific Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reductions, a title designated by the UNISDR on someone from the region who embodies its mission and ideals in advocating and advancing disaster risk reduction.
October 2008
Loren co-convenes the Roundtable Consultative Meeting for Parliamentarians, together with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), which espouses Disaster Risk Reduction as a Tool for Climate Change Adaptation.
June 2008
Loren facilitated the release of a former colleague in ABS-CBN, Ces Drilon, from captivity by factions of the Abu Sayyaf in the province of Sulu.
May 2008
Loren facilitated the release of a former colleague in ABS-CBN, Ces Drilon, from captivity by factions of the Abu Sayyaf in the province of Sulu.
October 2007
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, Loren joined the 117th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland where she spoke about the need to strengthen the monitoring mechanisms for overseas development assistance (ODAs) to make sure that they reach the intended beneficiaries.
June 2007
Loren emerged and was proclaimed as the No. 1 winner in the 2007 Senatorial Elections where she won with 18 million votes. She currently holds the distinction of being the only woman senator to top the Senate race twice.
February - May 2007
Loren filed her candidacy in the senatorial elections and joined the campaign trail of the Genuine Opposition.
October 2006
"The Story of Loren Legarda: Her Legacy and Vision" written by Maria Rosa Nieva Carrion-Buck, MNSA and Maria Lourdes Javier-Brillantes, MA was launched.
December 2005
With the Supreme Court giving Loren's electoral protest due course, the retabulation of election returns and revision of ballots has begun. Findings indicate massive fraud. She is vindicated. Loren's battle for truth continues.
September 2005
She represented the Philippines in the Beijing conference on the environment and delivered a paper on the state of the Philippine environment.
November 2004
She aired the first episode of Real Stories, another breakthrough public affairs program on ABC5 during her television comeback. Real Stories received the KBP Golden Dove award, the first for ABC5.
September 2004
She became an awardee for the environment by the Priyadarshni Academy in Mumbai, India.
July 23, 2004
She filed her vice presidential electoral protest after the elections that were marred by irregularities and fraud.
February - May 2004
Loren embarked on a gruelling 3 month campaign for the vice presidency amid heart-warming response from people all over the country.
December 30, 2003
She decided to run as Vice President with the opposition party, Kilusan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) as Fernando Poe Jr.'s running mate.
July 2001
She was voted by her peers in the Senate as majority floor leader, the first woman to occupy such post. 2002 Broadcast journalist Arlyn dela Cruz was released in Sulu by Muslim captors through Loren's intervention.
June 2001
She won the United Nations Environmental Program award in Turin, Italy for her significant contributions to environmental work.
April 2001
After almost two years in captivity, Major Noel Buan was released to a humanitarian mission led by Loren, together with Bishop Jesus Varela and Bishop Tomas Millamena, in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro by his NPA captors.
January 2001
The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act became a law principally sponsored by Loren.
2000
Loren portrayed herself as a journalist in the full-length film "Marcova: Comfort Gay".
June 1999
Loren was invited as one of the panellists in the APEC Women Leaders' Network Meeting held in Wellington, New Zealand where she spoke about the Philippine government's efforts on sustainable development. January 2000 She was named one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
1999
Loren was instrumental in the successful peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People's Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF) thus securing the peaceful and unconditional release of 6 military and police captives from different parts of the country.
October 1998
Being the youngest Senator in the 11th Congress, Loren represented the Philippine Senate in the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Young Parliamentarians Meeting held in Cebu City
June 1998
She became the youngest woman Senator of the Philippines, garnering more than 15 million votes.
1998
She established the Luntiang Pilipinas Foundation where she spearheaded the planting of 2 million trees in public spaces across the country, a work cited by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
1996
She hosted Earth Link, a pioneering environmental program on television which made it to the finals of the New York television awards.
1995
She was a recipient of the Benigno Aquino award for journalism.
1993
She completed her Master's Degree in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines, thus becoming a reserve officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel. She was the topnotcher while being the youngest in class.
1993
She received The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) award for excellence in media.
1992
She received the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award from the Philippines Jaycees for broadcast media.
1990-1998
The years when she anchored the Inside Story, an award-winning investigative program, which brought Loren to the hinterlands and to the most remote areas of the archipelago.
1990
She launched PEP Talk, the book, the print version of the acclaimed TV magazine.
1986-1990
The years when she anchored PEP Talk, one of the most awarded television magazine programs on Philippine television. 1989 She received a Catholic Mass Media Hall of Fame award from the Archdiocese of Manila for PEP Talk.
1986-1998
The years when she anchored the highly-regarded and multi-awarded The World Tonight with Angelo Castro, Jr. on ABS-CBN.
1985
She debuted on US Television via KSCI channel 18 in Los Angeles, California as host and producer of Manila Envelope, a pioneering TV magazine for the Filipino community in the West Coast.
1982
She wrote a cover story for the Daily Express' Weekend magazine on National Artist Vicente Manansala. She applied as writer for Max Soliven's Manila magazine and was given her first assignment.
December 1981
She first appeared as anchor of Newswatch late night edition - RPN 9 with Pat Lazaro. Loren was the youngest anchor on Philippine television.
1981
She joined Discorama with the Apo Hiking Society on GMA 7 as a DJ, Loren's first job.
April 1981
She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Broadcast Communications, cum laude. Loren was president of the UP Broadcasting Association.
1978
She first appeared on TV for GMA 7's What's Up with Orly Mercado, Loren's professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of Mass Communications. Orly gave her first break on television.
1977
She graduated from High School at Assumption, San Lorenzo, Makati.
1976
She appeared in her first print ad for Pond's cold cream.
1975
She appeared in her first television commercial for Close-Up at 15 years old.
1971
Loren at 11 years old, first appeared in a French documentary filmed in the Philippines. 1973 She graduated from grade school as valedictorian from Assumption Convent, Herran, Manila.
1969
She won her first elocution contest at the Assumption Convent, Herran, Manila, the start of her annual recognition as an orator.
1960
Loren was born to a family of newsmen, educators, and physicians. She is the granddaughter of Jose P. Bautista, one of the pillars of Philippine journalism. Her paternal great grandfather Potenciano Cabrera was the first Mayor of San Pablo City, Laguna while her maternal great granduncle Vicente Gella was a Governor of Antique. Kapitan Moy Guevara, her maternal great granduncle, was the founder of the shoe industry of Marikina.
