In celebration of Women’s Month, we are delighted to feature exceptional Filipino women who are shaping British society across diverse fields. While each one of them tells a unique narrative, they are bound by a shared resilience and an unwavering commitment to their passions. Though their career paths differ, they are united by a common thread: an openness to learning and a deep connection to their roots. These women are proud stewards of Filipino heritage, embodying our shared values as they carve out space for excellence in British society.
“Success is not just applause nor awards, but a life that feels whole. Protect your joy. Sing bravely, lead boldly, and honour your story.” – Karlene Moreno-Hayworth
Please describe your current role/work.
I am the founder, conductor and artistic director of the award-winning Haraya Choir, leading performances that celebrate Filipino heritage and resonate across diverse communities. I also founded The Prism Voices Fellowship, widening access to artistic excellence for under-represented singers.
Alongside this, I maintain an international opera singing career, serve as a cantor, run a private teaching studio, mentoring singers of all levels and young pianists. I guide musicians to cultivate technical mastery, artistic confidence and the ability to communicate their own story through sound.
What is the maxim you live by?
Sing with purpose. Lead with courage. Step forward when excellence demands your fullest, even in the hardest moments. I am a passionate believer in the transformative power of music — its ability to elevate, to heal and to inspire human potential. Through discipline, heart and heritage, I strive to let music carry purpose, forge connection and spread hope far beyond the stage.
Tell us the biggest challenge that you faced and how you overcame it.
The first Haraya rehearsal after a major reorganisation: just four singers, empty chairs and the daunting weight of starting again from scratch. At the same time, I was navigating early motherhood, personal loss and health challenges, and returning to singing post-pregnancy, which felt like discovering a new instrument entirely.
I went back to the drawing board with my teacher, learning to embrace the changes and refine my voice — just as Haraya, with its smaller ensemble, was finding its new voice. Rebuilding went beyond music; it demanded trust, unity, resilience and discipline. Slowly, setbacks transformed into growth, and today, both Haraya and I sing stronger than ever, a testament to resilience, vision and heart.
What is the one achievement that you are most proud of and why?
Leading Haraya at the ASAP 30th Anniversary celebration in Birmingham was a collective triumph. Featured in the “Global Champions” segment, Haraya is widely regarded as the most awarded Filipino choir outside the Philippines. We performed live before 13,000 people, broadcast to millions of Filipinos worldwide — our largest audience ever.
Sharing the stage with the superstars we grew up admiring was surreal. It was more than a performance — it was heritage, pride and belonging. It reflected years of rebuilding with limited resources, once-a-week 90-minute rehearsals, and members balancing demanding careers, all sustained by discipline and belief.
Yet the most transformative moment of my personal journey came when I auditioned for the chorus of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and was offered the lead soprano title role instead. I had gone in hoping to gain experience, and was humbled to be entrusted with the principal part. That unexpected leap marked my professional European opera debut.
Together, these moments represent more than success. They reflect leadership, resilience and the responsibility of using my voice not only to perform but to open doors and honour where I come from.
They remind me that when we nurture our craft with patience and perseverance, our voices can travel further than we imagine — carrying our stories, our culture and hope for those who are quietly watching and dreaming.
What would be your advice to young Filipino girls of today?
Whether you are singing in your bedroom or dreaming beyond what others can imagine, know that your heritage is power, not limitation. Do not shrink in unfamiliar rooms — prepare deeply and let excellence answer doubt. Success is not just applause nor awards, but a life that feels whole. Protect your joy. Sing bravely, lead boldly, and honour your story.
