Iloilo City has a lot of empowered women who can make a difference in their respective fields.
But among them, there are those who stand out. Their contributions to the community were evident enough not to be noticed.
Through their 2nd Women of Distinction Award, the Zonta Club of Iloilo City II recognized nine distinct and empowered women in different fields who came a long way to make a difference.
These women contributed positively to strengthening and shaping Iloilo’s future and served as catalysts for economic, social and cultural development, national security and national unity by providing their time, talent and resources.
The awardees were evaluated based on their career achievement, personality, community involvement, and educational accomplishment.
Vice President Leni Robredo graced the awarding on Dec. 3 at Richmond Hotel as the guest of honor.
The 2nd Zonta Women of Distinction Awardee were the following:
* Ninda A. Atinado in the field of environmental sustainability & beautification of the city
Atinado is the chairperson of the Iloilo City Government’s Beautification Program.
Under her leadership, beautification activities in the areas within the city of Iloilo such as landscaping, clean-up, and all other undertakings connected with its mandate are very well maintained even during the pandemic.
Also, through her leadership and the consistent hard work and dedication of her personnel, the city of Iloilo gained many praises for its beautiful appearance today compared to how it was before.
* Annabelle Rosario S. Blancaflor in the field of public service
Blancaflor is the head medical technologist of Iloilo City’s Uswag Molecular Laboratory who efficiently and effectively supervised the city’s vaccination roll-out.
She was also awarded as one of the Outstanding Women by the Iloilo City Government for her contributions to the City COVID Team.
One of women in public service who was the first recipient of the Marilag Award in Western Visayas, conferred by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region 6.
The award recognizes women’s exceptional achievement and commitment which significantly contributed toward making a difference in the lives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
* Dr. Marovi A. Celis in the field of community safety advocacy
Celis is a dermatologist and an iAmUPhi Board of Trustee who went out her way and formed the UP FIGHT group that spearheaded the UP FIGHTING COVID-19 project and launched the SAVE OUR FRONTLINERS Project. She also donated powered air purifying respirators (PAPR), computer sets and printers to the West Visayas State University.
* Dr. Mary Jane G. Juanico in the field of medicine (infectious disease)
Juanico served as spokesperson of the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6 for COVID-19 response in Western Visayas. She addressed pressing issues and concerns and spread information about the pandemic.
One of women in public service who was the first recipient of the Marilag Award in Western Visayas, conferred by OWWA-6.
She was also one of the women in public service a first recipients of the Marilag Award in Western Visayas, conferred by the OWWA 6.
* Maritess E. Lim in the field of volunteerism
Lim volunteered to extend help to the brave frontliners during the pandemic. She also donated medical supplies and goods to several hospitals, medical clinics and hotels.
These included 30 Aerosol boxes v 300 PPE; 2,500 Cloth facemasks; 1500 surgical masks; 200 surgical gloves; 1,000 face shields; and 300 good packs.
* Natalie U. Lim in the field of hospitality
The Richmond Hotel Iloilo, through her leadership, initiated several activities to help people during the pandemic. These included blood-letting activities, donation of protective equipment for frontliners, and provision of food meals to border patrols.
She also established “Bugal Iloilo” in cooperation with One Iloilo – a monthly trade fair to connect micro, small and medium enterprises to the market that successfully generated P1.3 million income. She also organized wellness classes like Yoga, Hiit, Zumba Fitness and town hall meetings to keep everyone abreast with corporate happenings and to connect with colleagues from other properties that aims to uplift the people.
* Lieutenant Colonel Imelda l. Nadala, QMC (GSC), PA in the field of military service
Nadala is the commanding officer of the 6th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU) of the Army Support Command of the Philippine Army.
She has been instrumental in facilitating the unit to achieve the last stage of the Army Governance Pathway (AGP), making the 6th FSSU as the third among the several subordinate units of the ASCOM to be conferred the Institutionalized Status of the AGP.
Nadala showed excellent leadership in handling her troops during the global pandemic by providing protective equipment and transportation assistance to others.
* Ms. Dorothy S. Tarol in the field of education
Tarol is an Ilongga champion for education who generously extended her heart to those unable to attain quality education.
She headed educational programs such as the BUDDY-MEDIATED NSTRUCTION (BMI): Pivotal Strategy for Spelling and Social Skills for Students with Hearing Impairment; UP FIGHTING COVID 19 project; Ang Pagbasa May Pag-asa Program; community outreach in Panuran Elementary School in Lambunao, Iloilo with Indigenous Peoples; and BUDDY-MEDIATED INSTRUCTION (BMI): Mother Tongue Based Workbook at Iloilo City District Jail.
* Mrs. Rosalie S. Treñas – community champion
The Iloilo City first lady is the champion of every Ilonggo women for founding and spearheading several organizations that protect and empower women and children in the city.
Treñas also chairs the Iloilo Task Force on Children and founder and chairperson of Iloilo Children’s Welfare Foundation and the OBRA Ilonggo Inc. which helps build women communities in promoting their skills and crafts.
She is also the chairperson of the Iloilo Arts Festival and founder and chairperson of Iloilo City Blue Angels Association.
She is the past president of Soroptimist International of Iloilo, a women’s civic club.
Moreover, with her daughter Raisa, she spearheaded community kitchens that served more than two million meals to thousands of Ilonggo frontliners and families during the pandemic./PN
