Through the initiative of the Gender and Development Council and in observance of the Women’s Month last March, the six Valenzuela Outstanding Women (VOW) who were awarded trophies and P10,000 cash each were Kagawad Corazon Marcelo, Evelyn Hernandez, Dr. Mary Calalang, Corazon Ong, Anita Linda, and Enriquita Bautista.
"The VOW awards are especially given to the women of Valenzuela for excellence in their fields, which made a difference not only in their personal lives, but more importantly, in the lives of the Valenzuela women," Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said.
Marcelo’s various involvement in community development works and women empowerment activities gained her the VOW award for community service. Hernandez, on the other hand, was recognized for her excellence in public service. She was a former councilor, and the only lady vice mayor of Valenzuela.
Bautista was presented the award for family life for her laudable feat in rearing eight children. In the field of medicine, Calalang was honored for holding high positions in various medical associations.
Linda, an actress, was given the VOW entertainment award for her impressive performance in various films that contributed to the success of the Philippine film industry. Ong, a dietitian by profession and owner of the CDO Foodsphere, was awarded the VOW award for business for her excellence in commerce. — Pete Laude