Risa Hontiveros

Who is Risa Hontiveros?

Ana Theresia Hontiveros commonly known as Risa Hontiveros, is a Filipina activist, journalist, and politician who was the representative of Akbayan Party-list to the Philippines' House of Representatives from 2004 to 2010. She is the older sister of journalist and television host Pia Hontiveros, and television host Ginggay Hontiveros.

In her teenage years, Hontiveros was part of the Von Trapp children in the Repertory Philippines' play 'The Sound Of Music,' alongside Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson and Raymond Lauchengco. It is also during this period when she was first introduced to activist work as an organizer in the campaign against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in her high school.

Having served as a journalist for ten years before venturing into politics, Hontiveros is a recipient of the Kapisanan ng Mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas' Golden Dove Award for Best Female Newscaster. Because of her work in the peace talks with the National Democratic Front, she also received the Ten Outstanding Young Men Award for Peace and Advocacy in 2001, and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2005.