TOP LAGUNANAYS

Ten outstanding women in Laguna province who proved their worth in their chosen professions and advocacies received an ideal gift for Women’s Month last March: the “Outstanding Lagunanay” award.

This distinction was awarded to these outstanding Lagunense women by the office of 1st District Representative Ann Matibag during the “Araw ng Lagunanay” activities held at Rosario Complex, San Pedro City last March 30.

“Ang inyong tagumpay sa iba’t-ibang larangan ay pagpapatunay ng inyong husay, TIBAY at TATAG bilang babae at isang ‘Lagunanay,’” Matibag said in a post on her Facebook page.

“Kayo nawa ay maging idolo ng ating mga kabataan at bawat kababaihan sa ating bayan upang kanila ring pagsumikapan na makamit ang isang magandang bukas.”

Inspiration

In an ambush interview with OpinYon Laguna, Matibag emphasized that these Ten Outstanding Lagunanays served as an inspiration not only for herself but also for Lagunenses through their excellence in their fields, as well as their chosen advocacies.

“This is the first batch of our so-called ‘Lagunanay’ council of leaders – mga kababaihan na aming tinitingala bilang mga leader hindi lamang sa kani-kanilang larangan kundi pati na rin sa pagsusulong ng interes ng mga kababaihan dito sa San Pedro City at maging sa ating lalawigan,” the representative explained.

“As a matter of fact, we can call them the ten most empowered women in the city of San Pedro in community service, and how they are influential in their own fields,” she added.

In a message to OpinYon Laguna, Representative Matibag's office explained that these "Outstanding Lagunanays" were chosen based on the following criteria: personal attributes of women empowerment; accomplishments in their chosen fields; impact to their communities; and their ability to influence and inspire other women.

So who are these women who proved hemselves worthy of being called an “Outstanding Lagunanay?” Let’s take a brief look at their backgrounds and their advocacies that had earned them this award.

Michelle Nikki Junia

President and COO, OpinYon Media Advocacies, Inc.

For most of her life, music has defined Michelle Nikki Junia’s life. A singer and performer from an early age, she is currently the school directress of Musikgarten Philippines, Inc., where she has brought an international brand of teaching children through music. She is also the current President and COO of OpinYon Media Advocacies, Inc., where she has overseen the growing expansion of a network of community newspapers serving Laguna province and other areas in the country through timely, accurate and relevant reporting.

In recent years, Junia has also expanded her reach into public service. As Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), she has advocated bringing Filipino culture closer to the masses as well as nurturing homegrown Filipino talents.

Emmalyn Bamba

Public Communications Office Head and National Sports Associations Affairs Office Head, Philippine Sports Commission

A long-time resident of San Pedro City, Emmelyn Bamba has found her mark in the field of sports through her work at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Bamba has worked with different countries on the organization of different multi-sporting events of global importance but declares her happiness being a civil servant to her own people in her work with the PSC, where she is the Head of the agency's Public Communications Office and also the Head of its National Sports Associations Affairs Office.

Representative Matibag’s Office designated Bamba as an “Empowered Lagunanay” in the field of sports, as her work has centered on uplifting aspiring Filipino sportsmen through sports scholarships and programs.

Dr. Sheena Villanueva

Binibining Laguna 2023

Dr. Sheena Villanueva of San Pedro City made headlines last month after being crowned Binibining Laguna 2023 during the province’s first post-pandemic celebration of the Anilag Festival.

A dentist by profession, Villanueva has also earned a considerable following on social media due to her advocacies. Her sharing of her own struggles in reaching the crown, as well as her dedication for senior citizens, have won the hearts of Lagunenses who consider her a true beauty inside and out.

Viy Cortez

Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Viyline Group of Companies

San Pedro City-based entrepreneur Viy Cortez became one of the youngest CEOs in the country at the age of 23, owning multiple business including VIYLine Cosmetics, VIYLine Skincare, TP Kids, VIYLine media Group, Ivy’s Feminity, 2 Tea Talk, and 1 Don C franchise.

Aside from her work as an entrepreneur, she has also gained traction as a social media influencer. Not only is she one of the content creators of "Team Payaman," a social media channel that has gained followers due to their unique and humorous take on various issues, her own YouTube channel now has 5.13 million subscribers.

Sister Maria Teresa Ravasio, USS.

Directress, Cittadini School

Sister Maria Teresa Ravasio arrived in the Philippines in 1985 and has since dedicated her life to various missions helping children.

Aside from running the Cittadini School in Barangay San Antonio, she has also advocated for educating San Pedro City’s youth by putting up regular catechesis chasses for children and mothers, as well as putting up a free daycare center and offering scholarships for the city’s youth. She also led feeding programs and medical missions for San Pedronians, especially during times of calamities.

Atty. Jerica Clara Santos Machado

Division Legal Officer, City Schools Division of Cabuyao City

A native of Barangay Cuyab, San Pedro City, Atty. Machado has carried her passion for education and the legal profession in public service. While she is the current Division Legal Officer of the City Schools Division of Cabuyao City, she was also able to serve her hometown by becoming the Legal-Officer-in-Charge of the Schools Division Office of San Pedro City during the initial stages of its establishment and operation.

Dr. Milagros Borabien

Physician and founder of Mission Outpouring of Blessing Foundation

Dr. Milagros Borabien is a topnotch physician, Founder of Mission Outpouring of Blessing Foundation and the President of San Pedro Laguna Medical Society. Her passion and devotion to quality healthcare paved the way for monumental developments to health awareness and socio-civic projects that brings health services closer to the people most especially to those who are in need.

Carissa Ynion

Chief Administrative Office, Yngen Datacom Corporation & Le Soleil International Logistics Company, Inc.

A businesswoman and wife of Barangay San Antonio Chairman Eugenio “Jun” Ynion, Jr., Carissa Ynion has managed to juggle motherhood, career, and advocacies. She is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Yngen Group of Companies, Yngen Datacom Corporation & Le Soleil International Logistics Company, Inc.

On top of all these, she is also an active advocate for the empowerment of her fellow women through various socio-civic organizations in Barangay San Antonio. She is the Founder of SABAK Kababaihan, SABAK Foundation, Adviser of KAP Ladies, Kababaihan Papalakasin ng Barangay San Antonio.

Marissa Gerodias

CEO, MMG Group of Companies

Marissa Gerodias is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the MMG Group of Companies, one of San Pedro City's largest homegrown companies. Founded in 1973, the MMG group is currently one of the largest freight and logistics companies in the Philippines, but has since diversified into other fields such as financing and property management.

Uliran Joaquin

Former Representative, 1st District of Laguna

Uliran Joaquin served as representative of Laguna's 1st district (then comprising of the cities of Biñan, San Pedro and Santa Rosa) from 1998 and 2007. It was during her term that these three cities started to become “economic powerhouses” in the province due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Aside from her legislative work, Joaquin has also championed various advocacies uplifting womenfolk in her district, during and after her term in office.