𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔, 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓-𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐘𝐄𝐄
The Cebu Provincial Government recognized outstanding women leaders and community contributors during the “Sugbuanong Babaylan” Gala Night held at the Provincial Capitol on Monday, March 9.
The event is part of the province’s celebration of National Women’s Month, highlighting women whose leadership and service have made a positive impact in their communities.
Babaylans, or women with respected roles during ancient Cebu, symbolize wisdom, leadership, and service to the community.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro emphasized the need to recognize women’s contributions, who remain in the margins due to the continued existence of gender biases in the country.
“Even today, gender biases still exist. In many spaces, women are still judged by outdated expectations, and sometimes even objectified rather than respected for their contributions. But gatherings like this remind us of a powerful truth: Women are leaders. Women are decision-makers. Women are nation-builders. And the women gathered in this room tonight are proof of that,” Governor Baicuatro said.
The Sugbuanong Babaylan award was given to women leaders whose excellence in governance has led their respective local government units to earn national recognition.
The awardees are:
Mayor Maria Cielo “Mayel” Martinez, Bogo City
Mayor Teresa “Nene” Alegado, Municipality of Consolacion
Mayor Chantili Ann Victoria Blanco, Municipality of Ronda
Mayor Lissa Marie Streegan, Municipality of Sogod
Mayor Cynthia “Cindy” King Chan, Lapu-lapu City
Vice Mayor Verna Magallon, Municipality of Alegria
Vice Mayor Carmen Remedios “Ivy” Durano, Danao City
Vice Mayor Jinky Hanika, Municipality of Moalboal
Vice Mayor Ana Jessica Baricuatro, Municipality of Pinamungajan
Vice Mayor Alphonsine Corominas-Gonzales, Municipality of San Remigio
Vice Mayor Mary Greleigh Cabrera, Municipality of Santa Fe
Aside from women in government, the Province of Cebu also honors distinguished women who made great contributions in business, humanitarian service, and community leadership.
Among those honored were entrepreneur Melanie Ng, Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung Charitable Foundation, Margot Osmeña, and Leslie Lim of Love Driven Life Foundation.
A special recognition was also given to Alma M. Idello of the Municipality of Pinamungajan for being the longest-serving female employee of the Cebu Provincial Government. Idello has served as a midwife at the Pinamungajan District Hospital for 42 years.
In her message, Idello thanked Governor Baricuatro for the immediate actions taken to improve the services of the Capitol-run hospital, including the deployment of additional doctors and nurses and the provision of medical equipment.
Meanwhile, the municipalities of Sibonga, San Remigio, Catmon, and Ronda were also recognized for recording zero cases of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) for the first quarter of 2026. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑭𝑬, 𝑨𝑹𝑱
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