Senate adopts resolution recognizing women achievers

MANILA, Philippines — In celebration of Women’s Month this March, the Senate adopted on Monday a resolution recognizing women for their valuable contributions to society, particularly citing 14 women achievers and an all-woman mountaineering team.

The resolution introduced by Senator Pia Cayetano seeks to honor the economic, political and social achievements of Filipina women while calling for greater gender equality in the society.

“Women’s Month is an opportune time to recognize outstanding women who continue to raise the bar and break the glass ceiling, not only in the country, but also across the world,” Cayetano said in a statement

“It is important to continually acknowledge the role that women play towards nation building. The Senate is one with the country in celebrating Women’s Month by honoring outstanding and brilliant women from different walks of life who have been continuous achievers in different fields,”  she added.

The 14 women and a mountaineering team, who were recognized in the  resolution for their accomplishments in leadership, power and decision making are:

• Lang Dulay, a famous T’boli dream weaver who is considered a national living treasure by the National Commission for Culture and Arts;
• Liza Macuja-Elizalde, acknowledged as the first Filipina prima ballerina;
• Rachelle Gerodias, the Philippines’ premier soprano;
• Monique Lhuiller, a world renowned fashion designer;
• Lolita Valderrama-Savage, a Pinay global artist;
• Fe del Mundo, a pediatrician and the first woman admitted to Harvard Medical School;
• Jurgenne Primavera, a marine scientist and a conservationist who is one of Time Magazine’s Heroes of the environment;
• Roselle Ambubuyog, the first visually-impared Filipina to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Ateneo de Manila;
• Cristeta “Cris” Comerford, the first Asian and first female White House executive chef;
• Sheila Lirio Marcelo, the founder and CEO of care.com and named as a young global leader by the World Economic Forum;
• Anna and Camille Meloto, a social entrepreneur and founder of Human Nature, Inc. (Gandang Kalikasan);
• Daphne Oseña-Paez, the Unicef special advocate for children, TV host and blogger;
• Olivia Bong Coo, a four-time World Champion Bowler;
• Ani de Leon-Brown, the first Filipina to qualify in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships;  and
• the first Filipina women to be part of the Mt. Everest team  – Janet Belarmino, Carina Dayondon and Noelle Wenceslao.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said  the resolution was an expression of the chamber’s recognition of women as equal partners in nation-building and driving reforms to Philippine society.

“We acknowledge the indispensable roles of Filipino women in advancing the nation. Their victories and achievements in their respective fields, sectors and responsibilities are that of the nation’s itself,” Drilon said.

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