From Olympic medalists to agile businesswomen to pantry organizers: PeopleAsia honors ‘Women of Style and Substance’
WOMEN from the fields of business, politics, entertainment, and now, sports, were given the PeopleAsia Women of Style and Substance Award for 2021.
The event was held on Facebook Live last week, with performances by Jon Joven and Pops Fernandez (who was an awardee herself). Joining Ms. Fernandez as an awardee from the entertainment sector was actress, chef, and restaurateur Judy Ann Santos, for providing employment during the pandemic through her restaurants, as well as providing homemade face shields to frontliners.
From the fields of law and politics, the award was given to Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay Villar (her battle against online child sexual exploitation has managed to convict 220 perpetrators), Biñan Representative Len Alonte Naguiat, and Representative Stella Quimbo of the 2nd District of Marikina. Aside from being its first female representative, elected in 2019, she was commended for her role in the Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) Bill.
In the field of business, the award was given to Wildflour president and CEO Ana Lorenzana De Ocampo (for her successful pivot during the pandemic), and Casa Bella director Stephanie Coyiuto-Tay. Two skincare CEOs made the cut with Glenda Victorio (Brilliant Skin Essentials president and CEO), and Maricor Monton Flores (South Care Cosmetics Manufacturing. Inc. founder and CEO).
Hilton Manila Commercial Director Joanne Golong Gomez also received the award for also helping the Hilton hotels in Manila pivot during the pandemic — all while dealing with her daughter’s cancer diagnosis.
Martha Sazo, the CEO and President of Mynt-Globe Fintech Innovations (behind GCash) was commended for expanding the mobile wallet service, now boasting usage among 40 million Filipinos, including 2.5 million sellers.
An award was also given to Ana Patricia Non, the founder of the Maginhawa Community Pantry, an initiative where people donated goods for others in need to take during the pandemic. Ms. Non’s initiative has sparked similar actions throughout the nation, the magazine numbering the number of community pantries at more than 6,000. “Malaking bagay po talagang ma-recognize niyo po ang pagbabayanihan ng mga simpleng mamamayan. Kwento natin ito (It’s a big thing that you can really recognize the communal unity of ordinary people. Let’s tell this story),” she said in a pre-recorded speech, which saw her during a repacking of goods to be prepared and delivered.
Finally, a special award — The Woman of Strength, Style, and Substance Award — was given to Hidilyn Diaz. Ms. Diaz won the country’s first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 for Weightlifting. “Thank you sa pagpapahalaga sa aming mga Filipino athletes at mga kababaihan. Tayo po ay mahusay, matatag, at magaling (Thank you for appreciating our Filipino athletes and women. We are excellent, steadfast, and good).” — J.L. Garcia
