ZAMBOANGA CITY: Multi-awarded Mayor Maria Isabelle 'Beng' Climaco-Salazar is among 16 women leaders featured in the book Compelled by Duty, Conscripted by Destiny: Portraits of 16 Asian Women at the Frontline of Democratic Struggle by John Joseph S. Coronel and produced by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats.

Climaco-Salazar was prominently featured along with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-Wen, former vice president Annette Lu and Bi-Khim Hsaio, MP, of DPP; former Indonesian president Megawati Sukarnoputri; Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo, Sen. Leila de Lima and the late deputy speaker Dina Abad; Senior Minister Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar; former women minister Mu Sochua and Saumura Tioulong of the National Rescue Party of Cambodia; former Mongolian environment minister Oyun Sanjaasuren of the Civil Will-Green Party; Jayanthi Devi Balaguru, of the Malaysian People's Movement Party; Dr. Rachada Dhnadirek of the Democrat Party of Thailand; Legislator Emily Lau of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong; and Renho Murata, MP, of the Democratic Party of Japan.