I am a firm believer that one of the best ways we can serve the Lord is by being of service to others. Our God-given talents and the skills we develop come into play here. Everything we can do to help others counts, whether these are grand gestures or meaningful little things.

There are people who are really called to serve, and this becomes their profession and way of living. The members of the Philippine Army, for example, serve the country and its people day by day.

It’s not often that we are given the opportunity to give back by being of service to those who serve us. For me, this chance came when I was invited to be a resource speaker at a Philippine Army Officers Ladies Club, Inc. (PAOLCI) seminar last September. It is also a perfect opportunity to advocate for women’s empowerment among the wives who stand strong behind the nation’s soldiers.

What is PAOLCI

Before I get to the details of my talk, I’d first like to tell you a bit about the PAOLCI. It is a non-profit organization that serves as a support group to the Philippine Army. The members are the wives of Philippine Army Officers in active service. 

Its purpose is to contribute to and enhance the general welfare of the Philippine Army Family through various programs and projects as its main mission. The end-goal is to nurture the holistic welfare of military families, to promote camaraderie among its members, and to fulfill its core purpose of building a strong family and a strong Philippine Army.

Their president, Ms. Divina V. More, wrote to ask me if I could join them for a session on Social Graces and Protocol. This seminar was organized with the intent to further develop and refine the strength of the military wife. The aim was to reinforce the army wife’s role and purpose, teach her to find grace under pressure, and develop the proper deportment and attitude that aligns with the role of a wife in the Bible.It also beautifully aligns with our modern calling as advocates for women’s empowerment, whose strength is rooted in grace and service.

During the Seminar Session

The seminar was set to be a whole-day affair. In the morning, topics such as Good Manners and Right Conduct, Proper Dress Codes, and The Art of Conversation were discussed.

I was assigned to speak in the afternoon. I have always found it challenging to speak after lunch because the audience is usually sleepy at this time. This is why I chose to start my session with an energy-raising activity. After this, I shared a little about myself, the story of developing my own positive image, and how I established my image consultancy business. I wanted the ladies to get to know me better and also to establish trust and credibility.

For my talk during this seminar, I opted to talk about the importance of image and how it can be used to inspire other people. Through my time with them, I wanted to make these army wives aware of how image is comprised of a person’s appearance, along with personal branding, etiquette, and manner of communication.As an AICI-certified image consultant, I believe that self-presentation is not vanity but rather a form of respect for oneself and for others. It’s also a powerful way to advocate and encourage women for empowerment in their confidence and character.

I was so motivated to speak to the women of PAOLCI because they showed such great interest in the topic, and listened intently to what I had to say. They were very eager to learn and to use these learnings to become the best versions of themselves. I feel like I really connected with my audience because of this, and that made the experience all the more special and memorable for me.

After the Seminar Session

A month after my session, I wrote back to Ms. More to ask how the ladies felt about the session, and whether it has helped them at all. I was so pleased to hear that they were all very satisfied with the talk, and are looking forward to having more sessions in their succeeding seminars. They felt that the topic was interesting, and they particularly liked how I was able to use my personality and valued spirituality to accentuate my expertise.

They called the session a total package for women’s empowerment, and found it very useful. It taught them to look good, feel good, do good, and grab opportunities to inspire others. One of the great takeaways they had from the session was that a person’s true value of beauty and style radiates from within, and inspires one to pursue their calling and be extraordinary inside and out. 

I also shared God’s wisdom from the Bible verses about how we are all created in His likeness, as a way to give these women empowerment. According to the participants, the talk helped boost their confidence and self-esteem in the workplace and at home. It has raised their level of productivity, too. They now have more meaningful interactions with the people around them, and are able to be more respectful and mindful in building lasting relationships with co-members.

Here are some scenes from my talk with the Philippine Army Officers Ladies Club, Inc.

Celebrate the Unsung Heroes Behind Men in Uniform

I am so glad that I had the chance to touch the lives of these ladies. And the truth is, whether or not they realize it, they touched my life that day, too. To be of service is a huge calling, and I personally would like to thank them for the service that they give to their families, those around them, and to the entire nation.Being an image consultant allows me to continuously advocate for women’s empowerment by helping them radiate confidence, dignity, and grace. Just as the Bible teaches us, the duty of a wife to their husband is to lead with humility and uplift others in faith.

If you need the members of your group to professionally represent your organization’s brand in the way they look, speak, and behave, visit us at Radiance Image Consultancy to learn more about our programs and speaking engagement services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to common questions to help you further understand the role and perspective of military wives:

What is the role of the army wife?

The role of an army wife goes beyond managing a home; they are a pillar of support, hope, and stability for her spouse and family. It is a role that challenges you to grow, adapt, and find courage even in uncertainty. They also nurture the dreams and well-being of those you love.

What is life like for army wives?

The life of an army wife is a combination of pride, sacrifice, and unpredictability. It tends to be filled with moments that test patience and moments that inspire deep gratitude. On the other side, it is a life that teaches resilience, empathy, and the extraordinary power of love and dedication in the face of challenges.