Mrs. Model Mom World 2021 Marietta Clenista-Nacional has announced that her foundation is set to spread joy and happiness among the poor during the pandemic.

After all she had been through in her childhood, all Nacional wanted to do with her life was to be present for the poor, especially children.

"In my moments of doubt, I've asked myself firmly - if not me, sino ang tutulong sa iba? At kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa ako magsisimulang tumulong sa iba?" said Nacional when asked about her cause for the poor.

Nacional is an urban poor community development worker for decades who has received citations for being a dedicated and credible community organizer.

She now devotes much of her time as human rights activists through the Welfare for the Community Foundation, Inc. (WCFI).

Born in Burwen Leyte, Nacioanal grew up with six siblings. She spent her childhood working in the fields and looking after her young brothers and sisters.

Her name Marietta or Mayette means “Star of the Sea” or in Latin, Stella Maris, the “guiding star” on the way to Christ. It reflects her personality and advocacy as community organizer guiding people to achieve social justice in life struggles.

When she started going to school at the age of 6, she walked barefoot for 7 kilometers every morning with her friends. It was at school where she initially showed concern to others by sharing what she has no matter how small her provision is. She finished her tertiary education at the Far Eastern University with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

A single mother to her eight children, she experienced traumatic moments in life like house demolition, sleeping on the streets, gypped by professional squatting syndicates, human rights abuses, etc. She used to live in one of the poor communities in Quezon City. For several years, she survived on minimal income and food. There are times that she begged for funds for her family's needs.

In 1996, she became one of the community leaders of Kristong Hari Foundation and trained as one of the best community organizers in town. She also became an official of different people’s organization like SANAPA Federation, KOSA Federation and People’s Consultative Council of National Government Center Housing Project East Side of Quezon City District 2 and became member of Quezon City Development Council for almost decade under Mayor Sonny Belmonte, also former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Her community development work spread has spread everywhere in the country. In 1997, she became an area coordinator of QC Vice Mayor Connie Angeles, then became Head of Task Force for Urban Poor Office in 2001 while working as one of the officers of Welfare for the Community Foundation, Inc. (WCFI). She is the current corporate secretary.

Nacional was also appointed as one of the representatives of Urban Poor Sector in National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPC) under the former administrations of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III.

Nacional has received citations and awards such as the Gawad Parangal of Kyusi, Dela Salle University Gawad Parangal, QC Bantayog Award, QC Gilas Parangal, Outstanding Leader, among others.

She became active in community development programs by expanding housing services as one of the founders of Dahum Builders and Development Corporation, now a private developer of housing projects in different provinces.

Asked how she promotes security of land tenure, she said: “Go home, build homes and build communities for the better future of the next generation.” 

Nacional established other institutions for the poor like APAT DAPAT, and “Ang Programang Aasenso Taumbayan."