Women prime movers

The zeal to excel propels Cebu's women forerunners to succeed in arts and culture. They are our awardees of the 4th P.E.O.P.L.E. (People Enhancing Opportunities Propelling Leadership Excellence). The event was held at the Ayala Activity Center last June 22. Brainchild of Dr. Milagros C. Espina, the award endeavors to recognize Cebuanos who have enhanced the opportunities through excellence and leadership in various disciplines.

For their initiatives in the promotion of the performing arts, the Ng family (Wilson, Melanie and their children) is also a recipient of the award. Their theater resto, Lakwatsa, has opened doors to our Cebuano artists to showcase their talents before local and foreign audiences.

In the field of music, her singing prowess earned her a rightful place in the entertainment industry. Dubbed as a “homegrown diva”, Girlie Lapinid-Las Piñas, wowed the audience with her soulful rendition of a classic piece of Larry Abelgas' “Langit ug Yuta”. A veteran in Cebu Popular Music Festival, she has been winning several interpretations of songs like “Tim-os Kong Gugma”, “Bitoon sa Pangandoy”, and “Katahum sa Yamog”.

In the field of education using theater arts as a medium in values inculcation, the awardee is Madam Delia Villacastin, theater actress and director. In the late 1990s, I worked with Madam Delia in Pundok Entablado, an alliance of different community and school-based theater groups in Cebu. The project was initiated by the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation. My recollection with Madam Delia in several collaborations is her great passion in promoting theater education in schools and communities in tandem with her daughter Mary Rose. The Cebuano theater community is very much grateful to have Madam Delia and with the likes of Orland Magno, Al Evangelio, the late Telly Ampatin, Rudy Aviles, Lucien Letaba, Bien Fernandez, Allan Nazareno, Lino Abos, Benjie Olmedo, Brett Aleonar, Nene Pacilan and the late Daisy Baad-cultural servants that I have been working with in play productions and other arts and culture advocacies.

For culinary arts, Marilyn Chua, whose initiatives started from cooking as a hobby for close relatives and friends at her home, to putting up 'Kusina ni Nasing' in 2011. Very much proud of her humble beginnings, she narrated, as she was interviewed by Mr. Sam Costanilla, her determination to succeed. She recalled that it all started when she tasted a product and found out that there was something she was still looking for and wanted to develop her improved version. And the rest, as the cliché goes, is history.  

In the early 1990s, I was introduced by Allan Nazareno to Benjie Diola and Madam Monette Aliño in one of their Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion's annual play productions. Apart from being a seasoned performer and director, Madam Monette has likewise been awarded for her involvement in health-related humanitarian projects. She has proven that working for the less fortunate individuals would bring joy to them. As the foundation executive director of Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung Foundation (MSY), one striking feat that they have initiated annually is the Operation Smile.  The project has been conducting free surgery on people, especially children with harelip, cleft palates, burns or tumors.

The four women pioneers have lessons to share. Girlie's story is about upholding quality in one's field. Marilyn is on innovation and constant search to improve. Madam Delia's story puts premium on morals in everything we do. And Madam Monette's is about sharing one's precious time, offering oneself to a higher cause.

Their success stories have proven that they didn't settle as auxiliaries to a gender that has perceived dominance. Success has no boundary, no gender. Gender should never be a hindrance in excelling in a particular field. Women who are on top prove to the world that indeed they have a place in leadership and excellence. 

Along the way, the awardees have encountered insurmountable challenges but in the end they emerged as victors. They are victors not in terms of material rewards but in the countless touched lives.

The women prime movers are inspiration of the present generation. Aspire. Be the next to inspire others.

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