About the Author
Based in the heart of Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Maria Gloria Roda Adan, is a passionate advocate for rethinking governance and effective leadership in the Philippines. With a love for both numbers (thanks to her degree in mathematics), and justice (from her years in the Judiciary and her law degree), she has always had a drive to make a difference. After her early retirement, she finally had the time to pursue what really sets her heart on fire — pushing for change in Philippine society through a new form of government.
Her Journey
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Ms. Adan's journey into advocating for a new form of governance didn’t happen overnight. It was shaped by her inventive spirit and the constant encouragement of her late father. As high school student, she took the lead in presenting an invention she and her father collaborated on at the Provincial Science Fair. This achievement earned her the title of “Student Science Inventor of the Year” from her school—a pivotal moment that sparked her passion for innovation and creative problem-solving.
Over the years, she explored various fields — ranging from science and technology to foreign governance, politics, arts, music, metaphysics, and even neuroscience! With every new area of study, she became more determined to see real change in leadership and governance, focusing on fostering transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in our political system.
She is proud to say that her curiosity and love for problem-solving have also led her to patent two utility models, which are recognized by the Filipino Inventors Society. For those curious to learn more about these utility models, they can be easily found by searching her name on Google. She is honored to share this achievement with her patent registrations below.
One major turning point for her was a letter she wrote in early 1999 to the late Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, Archbishop of Caceres (Naga City), about how the Church and the State could work better together. His warm reply inspired her even more, reinforcing her belief that leadership should be a blend of both political and spiritual guidance. His reply reads:
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Currently, she is pouring her passion and energy on this platform, Leaders Behind Modernity, where she shares her ideas, creative thoughts, and research to inspire the next generation of Filipino leaders. She truly believes that with creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking, we can shape a better future for our country.
When she is not working on her advocacy, you’ll find her playing the piano or experimenting with shapes and colors on canvas. She also loves reflecting on spiritual truths, as it helps her stay grounded and aligned with her purpose in life. She is always looking for new ways to nurture the next wave of forward-thinking leaders, and her book, HYBRID, is a big part of that vision.
So, stay updated on her work for insights on governance reforms, innovative leadership approaches, and strategies designed to empower the young generation. She firmly believes that today’s youth hold the key to the transformation of tomorrow. Through brainstorming, ideation, experimentation, research, collaboration, and thinking beyond the limitations of traditional systems, she envisions a Philippines that thrives in both governance and innovation.
