THE POWER IS HERS:
Celebrating Filipina Elected and appointed Powerhouses
Rechie Valdez (GLOBAL FWN100™ 2022) Re-Elected as member of parliament for Mississauga and Appointed Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism and Minister of Women and Gender Equality
Rechie Valdez (Global FWN100™ 2022) has been re-elected as Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Streetsville. First elected in 2021 as the first Filipina Canadian woman in the House of Commons, Valdez now makes history again, appointed as Canada’s new Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism and Minister of Women and Gender Equality.
Her appointment signals Canada’s continued investment in diverse, inclusive leadership at a time when DEI efforts are being dismantled elsewhere. Valdez’s rise is a message: inclusion isn’t up for debate. She’s not the exception. She’s the future.
Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval (global fwn100™ 2024) wins second term
Jeannie Ng-Sandoval (Global FWN100™ 2024) was re-elected as Mayor of Malabon City on May 12, 2025, winning approximately 65% of the vote (92,621 out of 143,030 total votes cast). As Malabon’s first female mayor, Sandoval’s first term delivered over 1,000 housing units, provided medical financial aid to more than 10,000 residents, and launched her Global Project ‘Malabon Ahon Blue Card’ to digitize social services.
Leni Robredo (GLOBAL FWN100™ 2016) Makes History as Naga City’s First Woman Mayor
In May 2025, Leni Robredo (Global FWN100™ 2016) was elected as the first female mayor of Naga City, marking a return to her roots in public service. Previously, as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines (2016–2022), Robredo led the Angat Buhay program, mobilizing over ₱520 million in resources to assist 622,000 families across 223 communities. Her office achieved the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit for three consecutive years and earned ISO certification for its quality management system.
Dr. Joyce Javier (GLOBAL FWN100™ 2018) Elected to Lead National Pediatric Research Organization
Dr. Joyce R. Javier, MD, MPH, MS, FAAP, KPSOM (Global FWN100™ 2018) Associate Professor of Health Systems Science, has been named president-elect of the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR), a leading national organization dedicated to advancing multidisciplinary pediatric research. Her appointment was officially announced in late April at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Dr. Javier primarily focuses her research on preventing depression and suicidal behavior among immigrant communities, particularly Filipino American youth, through community academic partnerships and strengths-based approaches. She has led several NIH-funded studies aimed at improving mental health outcomes through evidence-based parenting interventions.
ibex Appoints Karen Batungbacal (Global FWN100™ 2014) to Board of Directors
IBEX Limited, a leading provider of global business process outsourcing and customer engagement technology solutions, announced the appointment of Karen Batungbacal to its Board of Directors. Batungbacal is a recognized pioneer in the Philippine outsourcing and shared services sector. She co-founded the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the country's premier trade association for the IT-BPM industry.
See more faces of Filipino Electeds and Appointeds Worldwide here.
FWN SPOTLIGHT
FWN EVERYHERE!
From Los Angeles, New York, and London to Cebu, Manila, and san francisco
On May 10, 2025, Los Angeles bore witness to a transformative celebration of Filipina women leadership. The event, held in honor of Mother's Day, featured a special afternoon tea that brought together brought together generations of Filipina women, and the children they continue to inspire, for an intimate and historic occasion.
Mothers and daughters, mothers and sons sat side by side, witnessing a program that honored women not only as life-givers but as nation-builders, mentors, and movement-makers.
At the heart of the event were two extraordinary milestones:
The Ambassadorial Legacy Transition and Confirmation Ceremony of Ellen Samson (Global FWN100™ 2019) as FWN Ambassador for Southern California
The Los Angeles launch of DISRUPT 5.0. Filipina Women Leading with Intersectionality, the fifth installment in FWN's Filipina Leadership Series.
Rich with tradition and meaning, the ceremony featured the Passing of Light, where the torch of leadership was formally handed from outgoing Ambassador for Southern California (2023–2024) Edith Winterhalter (Global FWN100™ 2017) to Ellen Samson (Global FWN100™ 2019).
The ceremony was followed by the presentation of the FWN Ambassador Bag and the U.S. Flag—symbols of responsibility, service, and the collective strength of Filipina women leading around the world.
The gathering was graced by Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, whose opening remarks affirmed the global rise of Filipina women voices. And history stood in the room as California Assemblymember Jessica Caloza (Global FWN100™ 2021), the first Filipina woman elected to the California State Legislature, delivered a keynote address that left the room more inspired.
Then, from the pages of DISRUPT Filipina Leadership Book Series, came voices that shook the room. Authors and guest readers shared excerpts that spoke of survival, resistance, identity, and purpose. The narratives were raw, intersectional, and unafraid.
Every word delivered reminded the audience: The stories of Filipina women are not a sidebar. It is the headline.
DID YOU KNOW?
FWN just wrapped up back-to-back DISRUPTing events in London and New York this past March and April. Read the full story here.
NEXT STOP: Cebu, Manila, Northern California
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NEXT STOP: Cebu, Manila, Northern California -
A June to Remember — Three Cities, Three FWN GLOBAL AMBASSADORS, One message
This June, we’re showing up, taking space, and planting flags in Cebu, Manila, and Northern California with one unstoppable message: FWN is everywhere.
Join us for three unforgettable DISRUPTing events:
DISRUPTing Cebu
June 10, 2025
Afternoon Tea at 3:00 PM
MSY Tower Cebu
We begin where the sea meets strength. In Cebu, we raise our cups to Dame Mariquita Yeung (Global FWN100™ 2019), as she will be officially confirmed FWN Ambassador for Cebu.
DISRUPTing Manila
June 18, 2025
Brunch from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dusit Thani Manila
In the capital, we gather to honor a woman who moves nations. Rosemarie Rafael (Global FWN100™ 2023), Chair of Airspeed, will be confirmed as FWN Ambassador for Manila.
DISRUPTing Northern California
June 26, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
We close this powerful month where it all began—in the Bay Area, where boldness was born. We welcome Laarni San Juan (U.S. FWN100™ 2007), nurse leader, advocate, and community pillar, as FWN Ambassador for Northern California.
AUDITIONS OPEN!
FWN to Convene The Vagina Monologues Reunion Show
In a time when anti-immigrant rhetoric surges and cultural backlash threatens hard-won rights, Filipina Women's Network (FWN) and V-Day are CALLING ON YOU to join our defiant, powerful production of V's (formerly Eve Ensler) The Vagina Monologues.
Auditions Open in Multiple Cities and Online
AUDITIONS
May 23 FRI, 3-6 pm Manila - (in-person)
June 7, SAT 3-6 pm Cebu - (in person)
June 14, SAT, 3-6 pm PDT - Saturday (in-person and Zoom)
June 23 MON, 5-7 pm PDT Zoom AUDITION
REHEARSALS
Oct 5 SUN, 2-6 pm PT -(San Francisco in-person and Zoom)
Oct 19 SUN, 2-6 pm PT - (San Francisco in-person and Zoom)
Oct 27 MON, 6-10 pm PT - FINAL REHEARSAL (San Francisco in-person and Zoom)
Oct 28 TUE: 10AM until SHOW TIME > in-person DRESS REHEARSAL @ Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Who Can Audition?
Priority: former FWN's TVM cast members from 2003-2022
We welcome participants of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities who connect with our mission to end violence against women, girls, and gender-expansive people. No previous acting experience required, just passion, commitment, and willingness to share these powerful stories.
How To Prepare
Familiarize yourself with Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues"
We will provide you a script to read
Come ready to engage in group exercises and cold readings
Beyond Performing
Can't perform but want to be involved? We also need need: stage managers, technical support, marketing volunteers, front-of-house team.
Nominate your world’s Most influential Filipina Woman
Each year, the Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network honors extraordinary Filipina women with the Most Influential Filipina Women in the World™ Award, the only recognition of its kind that celebrates global Filipina women impact, influence, and innovation.
This is your call to action.
Nominate a Filipina who is changing the world — one bold move, one disruptive idea, one fearless act of leadership at a time.
WHO SHOULD YOU NOMINATE?
Builders who architect systemic change through collaborative leadership
Founders & Pioneers who create groundbreaking ventures
Innovators & Thought Leaders who revolutionize industries
Policymakers & Visionaries who shape inclusive futures
"Nicole" Revolutionaries who champion justice and equality
If she is transforming her industry, her community, or our world — we want to know her name.
NOMINATION DEADLINE: JULY 31, 2025
ACTION NOW
Calling US residents: Are you impacted by the executive orders of the current administration? The rollback of DEI and Accessibility programs? Share your insights and stories. We want to know how you’re managing.
Send our way exciting updates about your career, business, or advocacy work.
If you, or a Filipina woman you know, is an elected or appointed official at the city, state, or federal level in any country, please send the details including a photo so we can feature on ePahayagan and on the https://filipinawomensnetwork.org/elected-and-appointed-officials webpage.
If you are awarded a grant or accepted into an accelerator or fellowship, share with us your news.
Send your updates, along with photos and complete details, to epahayagan@ffwn.org by May 31, 2025. Let’s celebrate your success!
