THE search committee of the outstanding women leaders (OWLs) in Baguio City will award eight more this year to its roster of 72 awardees.
The awardees include Dr. Teodora Dogup Balangcod, in the field of pharmacological research; Julie Jovero Corpuz in the field of community service; Sonia Aplosen Daoas in the field of education; Dr. Josephine Almendral Flores for arts and culture; Maria Christine Ponce-Garcia for socio-civic involvement; Angelita Bangaoet Gayados for cooperatives; Purita Padsican Malabato for urban backyard gardening; and Jennifer Alagon Mejia for industrial security.
The awarding is in line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month with a theme: “Kapakanan ni Juan, Isama sa Agenda.”
Patricia Anne Gallardo, 2016 OWL Search Committee chairperson, said that aside from being a botany professor in the academe, Balangcod is a scientist of the University of the Philippines whose research work and contributions have been recognized by President Benigno Aquino III.
Balangcod’s notable achievements include an internationally-registered herbarium and the establishment of an online database of Cordillera flora (plant life), Gallardo said.
Corpuz, on the other hand, taught various science subjects as an educator for 43 years. Her stance on transformative education has shaped the lives and values of thousands of students and graduates, some of whom are now members of the League of OWLs themselves. But retirement has not stopped her from pursuing worthy endeavors.
Corpuz has been president of the St. Louis School Center Alumni Association for the past eight years, leading its members and others in the spirit of community service by being a voice gathering more voices on issues such as the conduct of clean and honest elections, going against the establishment of casinos in the city, preserving Baguio’s watersheds (particularly Camp 8 and Busol), and adopting a highly-depressed community (Gulon in Ambiong), among others.
Meantime, Daoas is currently a board member of the Baguio Water District and the charter president of the Baguio Kindasan Lions Club and the Kindasan Foundation. She also holds the position of officer, coordinator, executive director or member in various civic and social organizations.
Daoas was also instrumental in the promotion of weaving as a livelihood, the appreciation and preservation of the Cordilleras’ traditional ethnic attires, and the use of “Inabel” for daily and formal wear.
She started her career as a teacher fresh out of college, and retired as vice president for administration of the University of the Cordilleras.
Another awardee, Flores keeps and nurtures her collection of various Cordilleran attires, artifacts and books she has authored. Her museum is one of the tourist attractions of Barangay Lualhati. After her retirement as regional education supervisor for the Department of Education. she has continued to espouse her love for Cordillera art and culture by sharing her expertise on Cordillera songs, dances and games to various groups and teaching cultural dances.
Ponce-Garcia takes pride and honor in uplifting the image and confidence of Baguio women through her accomplishments as a socio-civic leader.
Believing the three integrated stages of development (health and well-being, education and economic empowerment, and sustainability) will enhance development and drive the community toward prosperity, Ponce-Garcia is the embodiment of the increasing breed of Baguio women who are mothers, work and excel in the corporate world, and lead civic organizations while focusing on bringing back the glory and lessons learned to Baguio for its upliftment.
Gayados became a rice retailer at the Baguio City Market in 1992 and has since worked wonders for her co-vendors and co-retailers. As founder of the Baguio Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Bamarvempco), she became instrumental in their emancipation from mean moneylenders. Under her leadership, the cooperative’s initial share capital of P50,000 in 1997 has increased to P120 million.
The group’s membership has ballooned from 50 members to the current 950, and through her initiative, Bamarvempco now has a two-storey building.
Baguio bagged the National Best Model Market Award in 2015 under Gayados’ watch.
Also an awardee is Malabato, who worked as an overseas Filipino worker in Macau for 14 years before coming home to serve as barangay kagawad at Upper Rock Quarry. At present, she is on her third term, and has been honored as an outstanding barangay kagawad of Baguio City.
Through her instigation, the Upper Rock Quarry Barangay Women’s Association has been reactivated and currently takes charge of the beautification and cleanliness of the barangay’s roadsides and daycare center area.
Mejia is the first woman in the Cordilleras to be conferred the title of Certified Security Professional who has risen above her personal circumstances to become a leader in industrial security. Oftentimes doing a “thankless” job and being taken for granted by many, security guards and security officers have been given great responsibility in ensuring a safe and peaceful environment.
Mejia has taken on the reins of professionalizing the security industry in Baguio City, equipping guards with knowledge and skills, and instilling pride of work in them.
She is currently the regional chapter president of the Philippine Society for Industrial Security. Her ultimate goal is to empower the women security guards and officers in Baguio in order for them to deliver quality service without having their dignity as women compromised.
Formal awarding will be on March 8 at the Baguio Convention Center.