Search for TOWNS 2016 nominees extended until August 31

This is a press release from TOWNS Foundation, Inc. 

MANILA, Philippines – If you know an inspiring woman who has contributed positively to nation-building through her transformational work, give her the recognition she deserves by nominating her to The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Awards.

The deadline for the submission of nominees has been extended until August 31.

TOWNS Foundation Inc invites the public to nominate women from different sectors of society, between the ages of 21 to 45 years old, whose outstanding work has influenced national development and served as a catalyst for economic, social and cultural development, national security and national unity.

These women may be involved in arts and culture, business, education, foreign service, government service, law, media, medicine, public administration, social work, sports, and science.  

The search is held every three years, for a period of one year, and concludes with an awarding ceremony held in the last week of October.

Prior to the announcement of awardees, all nominees go through a rigorous pre-screening and screening process. The finalists are then presented for a final interview to a selection committee composed of distinguished personalities that also include past TOWNS awardees.

“The TOWNS Award is a very prestigious recognition given triennially to women who, aside from having excelled in their respective disciplines, have also contributed to the advancement of our country. The Awardees do not have to be well-known. What is essential is that they have and continue to actively render service to the nation,” said Elsa Payumo, a former awardee, and President of TOWNS Foundation.

Clearly ahead of its time, TOWNS Awards was established in 1974, a year before the United Nations proclaimed 1975 as International Women’s Year, primarily with the belief that greater strides can be accomplished with women as active partners. More than just paying tribute to female achievers who have made singular contributions to national progress in various fields of endeavor, the project may have been the first of its kind to recognize gender equality in the Philippines.

Since its inception, TOWNS has recognized 159 women, including Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Senator Loren Legarda, former Secretary of Education Mona Valisno, journalist Cheche Lazaro, international singer Lea Salonga, Justice Flerida Ruth Romero, and Mel Tiangco, to name a few.

To formalize the association of past TOWNS awardees, and to harness their respective talents and capabilities, TOWNS Foundation Inc was conceived in 1995. Effectively, the foundation became known as a national organization of dynamic and successful women who, by their common shared activities, help transform the lives of Filipinos. To date, the foundation has more than 150 members, and its membership continues to grow as all TOWNS awardees become automatic members of TOWNS Foundation, Inc.

Aside from recognizing influential women in society, the TOWNS Foundation also hosts activities for its members that influence national issues such as workshops and lecture series, regular educational trips, photo and art exhibits, fun runs and publications among others. 

To know more about TOWNS, details of the search or to nominate someone, check their website at www.townsfoundation.org.  

For inquiries, pls call: 

• Dr. Amihan Bonifacio Ramonete (Mobile 0918-9032040) or
• Nina Yuson (Mobile +63-9178902446) or 
• TOWNS Foundation Office, AZY Salire (0995-4387779)

– Rappler.com