Marissa Orosa-Concepcion: Woman of Grace & Gratitude

I first got to know about the work of the Laura Vicuña Foundation, which cares for children in need of special protection, through one of its benefactors, Marissa Orosa-Concepcion.

- JOANNE RAE M. RAMIREZ

Marissa, my batchmate at the Assumption Convent, is a bona fide member of Manila's 400, both to the manor and manner born – and wed. She moves gracefully within her circles and she lights up many social events with her beauty and pedigree – but unbeknownst to many, Marissa quietly goes beyond her circles to attend to the marginalized. She also involves family and friends in her outreach work.

I remember Marissa once reached out to me to have lunch in a five-star hotel to meet a very important person – the head of the Laura Vicuña Foundation, Sister Marivic Sta. Ana. After meeting Sister Marivic, I immediately endeavored to shine a light on her cause by writing about it.

“I believe that every moment is an opportunity to spread the love and blessings that the Lord has showered me and my family with. And, as always, the Lord has been so faithful. I just always want to be grateful,” says Marissa.

Marissa derives much inspiration from her husband, Joey Concepcion, founder and prime mover of the game-changing Go Negosyo movement, which encourages entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth in the Philippines. Under President Marcos, he was tasked to lead the Jobs Committee of the Private Sector Advisory Council.