Media Contact:
Isabelle Santiago
Senior Fellow, Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network
+1 415.610.6637
filipina@ffwn.org
SAN FRANCISCO, CA | May 14, 2025 – The Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) proudly announces DISRUPTing Cebu, a special afternoon tea and tribute event to be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM, at the 5th Floor of MSY Tower, Pescadores Road, Cebu Business Park.
This celebratory gathering honors the remarkable legacy and leadership of Dame Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung (Global FWN100™ 2019), one of the Philippines’ most revered philanthropic figures, as she is formally confirmed as the FWN Ambassador for Cebu.
The event also marks the official Cebu launch of DISRUPT 5.0: Filipina Women Leading with Intersectionality — the fifth volume in the acclaimed DISRUPT Filipina Leadership Book Series. This anthology spotlights the powerful personal stories of 22 Filipina changemakers across six countries who are breaking through barriers, leading boldly, and changing systems from within.
Honoring a Visionary: Dame Mariquita Yeung
Born in Medellin, Cebu, Dame Mariquita Yeung’s journey from modest beginnings to global impact is a powerful testament to purpose-driven leadership. Guided by her father’s enduring belief that “no one is ever so poor or small as not to be able to give something of oneself,” she established the MSY Charitable Foundation, Inc., transforming lives through health missions, youth programs, and social services for marginalized communities.
In recognition of her trailblazing leadership, FWN will confirm Dame Mariquita as its official Ambassador for Cebu, a role that affirms her ongoing influence in shaping empowered communities rooted in compassion, equity, and service.
Spotlight on Leadership: Featured Authors and Guest Readers at DISRUPTing Cebu
The second highlight of the event is the Cebu launch of DISRUPT 5.0: Filipina Women Leading with Intersectionality — the fifth volume in the acclaimed DISRUPT Filipina Leadership Book Series.
To mark the occasion, DISRUPTing Cebu features a distinguished lineup of authors and guest readers, most of whom are based in or have strong ties to Cebu.
DISRUPT Authors
Marily Mondejar (from San Francisco, California) – Founder and CEO, Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network | DISRUPT 1.0–5.0
Benel Se Liban (from Los Angeles, California) – Managing Partner, JBC Group LLC | DISRUPT 2.0 & 5.0 | US FWN100™ 2011, Global FWN100™ 2022
Gina Garcia Atienza – Chairman, SunStar Publishing Inc. | DISRUPT 4.0 | Global FWN100™ 2016, 2022
Grace Jamon – President, Lapu-Lapu Cebu International College | DISRUPT 5.0 | Global FWN100™ 2022
Janette Nellie Chiu – President, Nutrivalue Technologies Inc. | DISRUPT 3.0 | Global FWN100™ 2016
Guest Readers
Dame Mariquita Yeung – Chairman and Founder, MSY Charitable Foundation, Inc. | Global FWN100™ 2019
Jane Panganiban – CFO, Cebu Advent Development Corp. | Global FWN100™ 2022
Ma. Teresa Chan – CEO, E-Asia Tech Solutions | Global FWN100™ 2022
Maria Corazon Akol – President, Philippine National IT Standards Foundation, Inc. | Global FWN100™ 2024
Marylou Ngo Ang – Owner, Magna CMGN Solutions | Global FWN100™ 2024
Melanie Ng – EVP, Ng Khai Development Corp. | Global FWN100™ 2016
Paulette Liu – SVP, Primary Structures Corp. | Global FWN100™ 2016
Stella Bernabe – Region Head, Manulife – STELLAR OCEAN Region | Global FWN100™ 2016
About the Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network
The Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network is a U.S. nonprofit committed to increasing the influence of Filipina women globally. Through femtorship, leadership initiatives, and advocacy, FWN empowers the next-generation Filipina women leaders. More at www.FilipinaWomensNetwork.org
