The Unsung Women Heroes Awards is the signature program of  Soroptimist International of the Philippines  Region  (A Foundation),  Inc.  It recognizes women who, with great fervor and little fanfare, have  made  it  their life’s  work  to  uplift the well-being of other women and girls in their   communities.

The Awards honor women who, despite scarcity of   resources and challenging conditions, engage in laudable projects that improve the lives of women and girls whilst inspiring and empowering other women.

Through the Awards, Soroptimist seeks to promote its work, trigger a ripple effect of social awareness and goodwill and, in the process, enlarge the scope and impact of Soroptimist in local communities.

Paying tribute to the many selfless volunteers working  at  the  grassroots  level  and  disadvantaged sectors, the Soroptimist Unsung Women Heroes Awards hope to inspire other women to pursue similar paths of leadership, commitment and creativity to make this world a better place for all.

Here are the personal stories of the awardees:

Ellen C. Batisan

A most admired youth leader of Cabanatuan City, "Ate Ellen" started her volunteer work early in her life. She has continually conducted youth forums, seminars and community building programs, steering the youth away from promiscuous sex and drugs, the scourge of modern society. To her credit, the diocese has witnessed the unprecedented growth of youth organization in 28 parishes. She has received recognition as Most Outstanding Youth Leader in 2004 from no less than the Bishop of Cabanatuan. She likewise received another accolade from the local government unit as "Natatanging Anak Ng Cabanatuan."

Rosalinda  G. Dagcasin

Rosalinda Dagcasin is a living proof of a volunteer’s spirit of service and dedication. For the past 17 years she has been devoting her personal time and services to help other women improve their lives.  She saw herself joining other women in the economic and social development of her barangay which convinced other women to hone their special skills in rag making, computer literacy, culinary skills and even automotive skills. Realizing her organizational abilities in Caloocan, she was elected president of the “Samahan ng mga Nanay” creating a Peoples Center which provided opportunities for the education of women and their rights  as well as create livelihood skills; provide health care for women and feeding program for malnourished children.

Agnesita S. Espiritu

A teenage sexual abuse victim, she had quit school due to the trauma of her unfortunate experience. In her bid to blot out a painful memory, she immersed herself in volunteer work for the Philippine National Red Cross, the DSWD, the Pearl S. Buck Foundation and other similar organizations, which she eventually found very fulfilling. She is a truly dedicated social worker, absolutely committed to her calling.  The center of her advocacy is the education of the Aetas and children of mixed marriages in Pampanga.

Patricia Anne P. Gallardo

A survivor of domestic violence, who found the courage to extricate herself from domestic bondage and went on to establish a women's advocacy group, "Stop the Abuse and Violence Against Our Women", now simply called "Save Our Women" in Baguio. A dynamic and feisty speaker especially on issues of domestic violence as embodied in RA 9262, she has become a most sought-after speaker by civic groups, among  them, the Soroptimists of Baguio.

Rowena A. Jamaji

Rowena Jamaji is a certified Overseas Foreign Worker.  During the labor exodus in the early 90’s she eventually found herself employed in Dubai as a secretary in a rent-a-car company.  She has also found herself a civil engineer, Minoo Jamaji, who eventually become her partner in life and business.  The Middle East boom, brought about remarkable change in her life and fortune. The couple ventured into a business of their own.  It was a painful start, but it did not take long before they reaped the rewards of hard work.  In five years time, with the able management of Rowena, the business has grown and currently employs thousands of Filipinos in Dubai. From interviews gathered, her nominator SI Founder Manila informs us that Rowena supports many cancer patients at PGH for surgery or chemotherapy, however, her donations remain anonymous.

Maria  Lourdes T. Ocampo

Maria Lourdes Trinidad Ocampo or simply Lulu had a happy family life. In 1992, her life suddenly changed, when her husband died, leaving her with 8 growing children to raise. Inspite of this turn of events, she focused on the apostolate she used to share with her husband in Sapang Palay. Her fascination with weaving recycled paper into functional bags had caught the attention of many. Soon, she was training women in bag-making in the Smokey Mountain, in Tondo, in Bacolod, in Cebu and Iloilo. It was at this time when SI San Juan asked her to do her apostolic work with the jail inmates of San Juan. Today, women jail inmates earn money making bags, they call "Bags for Freedom".  What turned out to be a financial turnaround for women inmates proved to be a successful therapy for Lulu, a distraction from the loneliness of having lost a dearly beloved.

Eden M. Reyes

Dubbed the "Barangay Mother" by her community, Eden is a simple housewife from Meycauayan, who serves her fellowmen in many ways without thought of any reward. Through her personal crusade, she has provided basic services and structures, such as public toilets and deep wells in her community, utilizing funds that she herself had solicited from public and private individuals. She also assists in natural birthing of women who can ill afford the services of maternity hospitals or clinics and is a sought after mediator in domestic problems.

Wilma  P. Rodriguez

A petite little housewife, her diminutive size did not prevent her from mustering the courage to organize some 500 women from diverse backgrounds and social affiliations to become a cohesive group working for their common social, economic and spiritual development. Her greatest achievement is successfully convincing these women to set up the "Mothers’ Club", an association of mothers in the San Isidro Resettlement community of Magalang, Pampanga. Facilitating workshops and various livelihood training programs, mothers agree that lives will be better when they become helpmates of their husbands in providing for the financial needs of the home.

Dr. Cristina L. Santos

Despite constantly experiencing excruciating pain due to a debilitating disease, Dr. Santos an oncologist by profession, chose the more noble and fulfilling medical practice of educating, helping and treating indigent cancer patients in the country. An advocate of the preventive approach to the dreaded disease, she spends almost all her Saturdays conducting medical seminars, lectures and forums in many depressed areas, with the help of a non-profit organization she herself founded, the Gift2life, Inc.

Emerenciana S. Tuliao

Emer exemplifies a true Agta woman belonging to the Dumagat tribe in Bulacan.  A domestic violence survivor, she has endured the life of a battered wife for almost 16 years. After finding the strength to bolt out of this pathetic relationship, she established an informal group of women in similar situations providing each other much needed support. A daughter of an Agta chieftain, she continues to help her father in activities aimed at uplifting the lives of their tribe. She undertook several livelihood courses which she voluntarily shares with the women in their indigenous community. Despite her turbulent private life, she has not lost her identity as an Agta woman first and foremost and a courageous and caring woman most of all.