Converge president Grace Uy triumphs in Stevie Awards for Women in Business

 Business

Solidifying her reputation as one of the country’s leading women entrepreneurs and tycoons, Converge president and co-founder Grace Y. Uy receives recognition once again in the acclaimed Stevie Awards for Women in Business, winning the Gold Stevie for Woman of the Year - Technology category.
    The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honors women entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run for their impact on and contribution to their respective industries.
    Since Converge was founded in 2007, Uy committed herself together with her husband, Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, to uplifting the unserved and underserved, pledging to leave no one behind as she works to fulfill the promise of what a digitally-connected nation can do. Her voice has been instrumental in steering the company’s sustainability agenda and ensuring Converge is on solid financial footing to weather market turbulence.
    “In the realm of business, where innovation, resilience, and leadership are celebrated, I am thrilled to celebrate this achievement. This award not only recognizes individual accomplishment but serves as an example of women’s impact in shaping the future of business,” said Uy.
    Grace Uy bested foremost women tech executives from around the world, including those from Uber, Microsoft, and GCash.
    Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on six juries. 
    Embodying her unique traits as a woman in business, Grace ushered a series of triumphs in her pursuit to power a digitally-connected Philippines.
    Co-piloting the business with her husband Dennis, Converge is now the Philippines' fastest-growing fixed broadband provider with a subscriber base of  2.05 million as of Q32023 from approximately 530,000 in 2019.
    Grace spearheaded the company's nationwide expansion through significant inter-island connections in Visayas and Mindanao, from major cities to the most remote communities.
    Currently, Converge boasts the most extensive fiber-to-the-home network in the Philippines and one of the country's most advanced and extensive cable systems, having 7.9 million fiber ports nationwide and a remarkable 680,000 km of fiber assets.
    Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. (PSE:CNVRG) is the fastest-growing fixed broadband service provider in the Philippines. It is the first to run an end-to-end pure fiber internet network in the country, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable connectivity. Aside from broadband services, Converge also offers integrated data center and network solutions services.
    With over 680,000 kilometers of fiber optic assets nationwide, it has one of the most extensive fiber networks in the Philippines.
    With this fiber-powered network, Converge provides premium world-class digital experience for residential, enterprise, and wholesale customers.
    Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. A ninth program, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, will debut in 2024.  Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
 

Read more...

Outstanding Ilocos lady police officers awarded

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Police Regional Office-1 (Ilocos) honored three lady police officers for their outstanding performance in the campaign against criminality in the region during the observance of National Women’s Month.
    Brig. Gen.  John C. Chua, PRO-1 director, said the Medalya ng Papuri was awarded to Police Majors Jairlyn F. Camangian, chief of police of Santiago, Ilocos Sur; Sheryll C. Guzman, COP of Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and Katelyne Mae D. Awingan, COP of Asingan, Pangasinan.
    The three chiefs of police were honored for conceptualizing and implementing various community-based programs such as the PNP outreach program, information dissemination/barangay visitation, lectures, gift-giving and educational assistance for children, and other activities that heightened the cooperation of citizens in the successful fight against drugs, loose firearms, arrest of wanted persons, and other criminal acts, contributing to improved peace and order in Region 1.
    The other awardees of the Medalya ng Papuri – Sheryl C. Villanueva, chief of the CMRC, RCADD; Capt. Antonia J. Farol, action PCO, PPSS RPRMD, Senior Master Sergeants Cyndy H. Soriano, FJGAD PNCO and Winnie O. Lucer, were cited for their exemplary performance in implementing the revitalized Kasimbayanan program in Geographical Isolated Disadvantage Areas in Region 1 for the month of January 2023; records management; and action officer.

Chua said women were important to the survival and well-being of families and communities.

Read more...

Outstanding Baguio women leaders cited

BAGUIO CITY -- City officials commended awardees of the Outstanding Women leaders this year in this summer capital.
    Under Resolution No. 186, series of 2023, local legislators stated that the local government expressed its pride and gratitude to the awardees of the OWLs for this year in the city for their invaluable services and more importantly to encourage more women and women leaders of the community to continue to excel in their fields to witness more OWLs in the future.
    Republic Act (RA) 6949 declared March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day, a special working holiday, which is also the celebration of International Women’s Day in the global village.
    Resolution 071, series of 2006 declared the whole month of March 2006 and every year thereafter as the Kababaihan festival in the city in celebration of the women’s month.
    With the initiative of former City Councilor lawyer Perlita Cahn-Rondes, the local government institutionalized the Kababaihan festival of Baguio and the Search for Outstanding Women Leaders in 2006 where the same continue up to the present.
    This year’s awardees of the OWLs are Editha Semilla Puddoc, former regional director of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in the Cordillera, - public administration/community peace building advocate; Annie Marie B. Caguioa – education; Maria Monica C. Costales – human resource management and Marites C. Baucas – community women empowerment. By Dexter A. See

Read more...

4 Cagayan women cops cited for work

By Liezle Basa Inigo

CAMP Marcelo Adduru, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – Four policewomen from the Police Regional Office 2 (Cagayan Valley) were feted for their significant accomplishments on Monday, March 27.
    They received their awards during the traditional flag-raising and awarding and culminating ceremonies of the Women's Month Celebration 2023 at the PRO 2 Grandstand here.
    The Medalya ng Kagalingan was awarded to Captain Jackelyn J. Urian and Staff Sgt. Mylene E. Beltran.
    The Medalya ng Papuri was given to Staff Sgt. Sheryl L. Respicio and Corporal Irene P. Padre for the successful service of warrant of arrest that resulted to the arrest of the top most wanted persons, Women and Children’s Protection Desk-regional level, for rape.

Director Lucia S. Alan, director, Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 2, was the guest of honor and speaker.

She cited the role of the PNP in promoting and protecting the rights, welfare, security and safety of women in society in partnership with the DSWD and other agencies.

 

Read more...

Sagada private, gov’t sectors celebrate Women’s Month

Guest speaker lawyer Cyphrine Y. Dalog speaks on commendable efforts of women in community development during celebration of Women’s Month by the municipality of Sagada spearheaded by the Municipal Welfare and Development Office (MWDO).

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina P. Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- The celebration of Women’s Month here saw participation of the Sagada Women United composed of women organizations of the town including the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Sagada Deanery, barangay-based women groups, women farmers and weavers associations and staff and officials of the local government unit and national line agencies.
    Held here on March 13 at the municipal quadrangle, the event’s guest speaker lawyer Cyphrine Y Dalog talked on commendable efforts of women in community development.
    The event’s theme, “Women empowerment for gender equality and inclusive society," saw its interpretation on the participants’ songs and dances portraying varied roles of women as  nurturers, leaders, food bearers, mothers and partners of men in home and community building.
    In said occasion spearheaded by the office of the Municipal Welfare and Development Office, Sagada Mayor Felicito Dula said, “We’re here to celebrate the  valuable role and contribution of women in the academe, barangays and communities”.
    Other participants are members of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army stationed in Sagada.
Also Municipal Department of Interior and Local Government officer  Perry Bacwaden informed the participants on LGU's programs and consequent budget on the protection of women and children.
    In the same event,  the ECW-Sagada Deanery acknowledged the support of Sagada Women United in their initiative and support on the conduct of a Trek for a Cause with tickets sales in support of  church building for St Mary Magdalene of Fidelisan,  St. Columba  of Ambasing and St Simon Peter of Demang.      
 
Caption:  Guest speaker lawyer Cyphrine Y. Dalog speaks on commendable efforts of women in community development during celebration of Women’s Month by the municipality of Sagada headed by the Municipal Welfare and Development Office (MWDO).

Read more...

Nominations for Asia InLife Shero Awards of the Year now open

By Karen L. Plata

Nominations for the InLife Young Shero of the Year Award are now open to honor women who made exemplary strides or achievements in society. 
    “The future is female,” InLife executive chairperson Nina D. Aguas said as she addressed the audience during the recently-held Women Economic Empowerment Forum hosted by Asia CEO Forum at the Manila Marriott Hotel.
    Aguas said women will shape the future, a bold assertion that she said was not meant to disparage men’s role in the society. “It is a statement of certainty that women will chart their own future because in the last decade or so, women have made remarkable strides in the sciences, technology, engineering, business, politics and governance and many more. The greater the power of women, the greater a country’s economic success.”
    This fueled InLife to establish its biggest women economic inclusion program called the InLife Sheroes Advocacy and Movement (InLife Sheroes) in 2019, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, after the latter invited Aguas to be part of its Gender and Development Council in 2018.
    To date, the InLife Sheroes has reached 7.6 million Filipinos through its four pillars of financial literacy, health and wellness, women-specific solutions and business and social networks.
    Aguas said it plans to concentrate on financial inclusion and access to business networks and health protection coming from the economic dislocation most women faced because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “There will be more initiatives to support women entrepreneurs including providing possible alternative sources of income, technical support, capacity building, access to capital to women-led businesses and affordable health and insurance products.”
     One of InLife Sheroes’ partners in advancing its advocacy is the Asia CEO Awards where it sponsors the InLife Young Shero of the Year Award.
    The Award aims to honor young Filipino women aged 40 and below who are creating waves of change and impact in their respective fields. Last year, the award was given to Maginhawa Community Pantry founder Ana Patricia Non.
    The Award also honored ten Circle of Excellence women whose advocacies are helping to shape a better world for the people and the planet, and thus, have become catalysts for change and progress.
    They were: Malou Perez of Pawssion Project, Maureen Ledesma of Vesl, Charlene Tan of All Vision Solar, Anya Lim of Anthill Fabric Gallery, Nina Opida of Humble Sustainability, Karen Jane Salutan of Pinoy Indie Films Roadshow, Therese Clarence Ruiz of Rags2Riches, Ray Alyannah Ysabel Lagasca of Youth for Mental Health, Jenica Dizon of Waves for Water Philippines, and Atty. Therese Guiao of Parabukas. 
 To know more about the InLife Young Shero of the Year Award, go to https://www.asia-ceo-awards.org/criteria/5cb440d83b95550010364f68. Interested parties may nominate by filling out the nomination form at https://www.asia-ceo-awards.org/nominations. Nominations are open until August 15, 2022.
 
 
 

Read more...

Baguio's women leaders take oath

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan Jr. administered the oath of office to the new set of officers of the Outstanding Women Leaders of Baguio City during flag-raising rites here March 7, at the City Hall grounds as part of the Summer Capital's Women's History Month celebration.
    Elected president is Dona Digna Rosario with Emerita Fuerte as vice president, Erlinda Dacanay as secretary and Jocelyn Mariano as treasurer. OWLS-BC Business Manager 1 is Jennifer Mejia Dizon while Melanie Lingbawan Singson is Business Manager 2, Maria Christine Ponce Garcia is auditor and Mary Ann Ollaging Tresmanio is public relations officer.

Elected on Feb. 26 during the organization's 4th Annual General Membership meeting held face-to-face and online via Zoom, the new set of officers will hold office from March 8, 2022 until March 7, 2024.

The OWLS-BC board of advisers include Marlene de Castro, Councilor Lilia Farinas, Patricia Anne Marcelo, former councilor Perlita Rondez and Imelda Bisnar.

Read more...

Outstanding Baguio City women leaders awarded

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Outstanding Baguio women leaders (batch 202)1 were awarded here March 29 to cap celebration of Women’s Month.
    Working online and face-to-face since November 2020, the Baguio OWLs screening and selection committee went through nominations to finally choose entrepreneur and skills trainor Marybeth Yu So, culture and tradition advocate Lucia Balwayan         Ruiz, and economic empowerment resource person Lumina Lawangen Peil as this year’s awardees.
    So is chief executive officer and skills trainor of the Culinary Arts Hotel Entrepreneurial Travel Services (CHETS) Academy; managing director of Travellite Express Hotel Shuntog and Pinares Pagkaing Pinoy.
    She is also a member of the board of directors of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB).
    As Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-accredited competency assessor, she had been extending a helping hand through skills training for single mothers, young lady entrepreneurs and women in difficult circumstances, “re-tooling” them for new skills which ensures them entrepreneurship or offers of employment after graduation from their courses.
    She is a recognized “Tagsanay” for TESDA programs.
    So had anonymously financially helped deserving students acquire undergraduate, masters or doctoral degrees.
    For Lucia Balwayan Ruiz, indigenous peoples’ literacy and the love of culture specifically that of the Cordilleras, does not stop with aesthetically performance of songs and dances, but on ways on how to respect and preserve each unique culture.
    Being an educator at St. Louis School of Campo Filipino, Baguio Colleges Foundation High School (now University of the Cordilleras, and college instructor at the University of the Philippines Baguio gave her opportunities to share her expertise on Cordillera culture.
    As resource speaker on numerous education-oriented gatherings, she shared knowledge on Cordillera dance and music including instrumental pedagogy and hands-on execution.
    For her, culture is a mark of one’s profound identity. Ruiz is presently the president of Indigenous People’s Education for Arts, Culture and Empowerment (IPEACE), member of the Kalinga Organization in Baguio and Benguet and Soroptimist Summer Capital.
    She is also an advocate for zero-waste environment.
    Lumina Lawangen Peil received the OWLs award for financially empowering women through zero-interest loans for livelihood such as industries, entrepreneurship though hog and chicken raising, sari-sari stores and thrift shops.
She also extends scholarships to deserving students through the AIP foundation which she heads.
    As an Episcopalian, she is a member of the ladies’ group of St. Nicholas; and also an active member of Soroptimist International and Rotary Club of Metro Baguio.
    The board of judges with chairperson Micaela Defiesta, were Maria Catbagan Aplaten, Jeannette Cawiding, Maria Christine Garcia and Rosalia Ocyaden; all OWL awardees.
    The chair of the search is OWL Jennifer Mejia, and president is Emerita Fuerte.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong led awarding ceremonies, together with other city officials.
    OWL Patti Gallardo-Marcelo welcomed new members with presentation of special awards by OWLs president Fuerte.
    OWL awardees were chosen for being women leaders, recognized as a symbol of leadership in field of work, able to inspire, influence and guide others in accomplishing programs/projects for the general welfare and development of the city.
    The awardee must have funded or established an organization or firm or headed an organization which benefited the city and its citizenry.
    The awarding coincided with the celebration of women’s month March of every year.
 
 

Read more...

PNP’s all-women force to focus on crime, insurgency campaign

By Liezle Basa Inigo

CAMP MARCELO A. ADDURU, TUGUEGARAO CITY – The first ever all-women City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was launched by the Police Regional Office 2 in its efforts to uphold women empowerment in the police force.

Regional Director PRO2 Brig. Gen. Angelito Casimiro and Col. Juan Aggacid, City Director, SCPO, led the ceremonial turn-over and launching of the CMFC which will be headed by Maj. Abigail Bautista.

Casimiro said the first ever all-women CMFC is tasked mainly to focus on the conduct of anti-criminality and insurgency campaign, beat patrol, and carry out information advocacy program and initiatives.

“Kayo ay mga frontliners na may espesyal na misyon, but, let us not stop here. You have to continue honing your skills and updating your knowledge for you to be able to render more effective and efficient public service. Dapat gawin ninyong inspirasyon na kabilang kayo sa all-women City Mobile Force Company to earn your place not only as public servants but also as women whose hearts cater and minds matter,” he added.

Bautista expressed gratitude for entrusting her with the leadership of the CMFC. Members of the CMFC will undergo training on Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Search and Rescue operations, Civil Disturbance Management (CDM), and Internal Security Operations refresher courses.

The Santiago City CMFC will occupy the old SCPO Building which is co-located in Santiago City Police Office.

Read more...

Search on for outstanding Baguio women leaders

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY- Nominations for the Outstanding Women Leaders (OWLs) award is open up to 5 p.m., Feb. 7 at the City Social Welfare and Development Office as agreed upon during the steering committee meeting last week.

Screening, interview and final document assessment will be conducted by OWL member-judges up to Feb. 25, with announcement of awardees tentatively set on March 8, International Women’s Day celebration at the PFVR gym.

According to OWLs officer Imelda Bisnar, the deadline date is final, and “to-follow” submissions are not allowed. Nominations for posthumous awards are not accepted,. Bisnar added.

The nominee should be a woman leader, able to inspire, influence, guide others in accomplishing programs for the welfare and development of Baguio City; with a significant role in the upliftment and empowerment of women, the requirements state.

A role model to others with a good reputation, credibility and respectability, not been convicted nor a current respondent of any administrative or criminal offense, the nominee must or have been a Baguio resident for 10 years, though not necessarily continuously.

A program/project, organization, firm, agency or branch that benefited the city and citizenry must have been founded, led or established by the nominee.

Currently serving politicians or political candidates during an election year could not be nominated for the OWLs award, the requirements stated.

Any individual or group of individuals or legal age and Baguio residents may nominate, including organizations civil society groups, government offices down to the Barangay level with extensive knowledge of the performance, attributes and accomplishments of the nominee.

OWL nominees should accomplish and submit acknowledgement and profile form, with signature of nominee and nominator; clear passport size ID photo (taken within the last six months), clippings, photographs, certificate, other references and supporting documents.

Proof of education, certification of work history, accomplishments such as research paper, published book/s, project or any creative output, community involvement, awards received, affiliations, volunteer organizations must be attached to the nomination.

Prosecutor’s Office or updated National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance must accompany the nomination including a duly notarized nominee self-certification that she has no pending or never been found guilty or convicted of any administrative or criminal offense at the time of nomination.

All documents are submitted in a long folder to City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan on or before the set deadline.

Self-nomination is allowed and nomination forms are available at the OCSWD, upper Session Road.

Read more...