BRILLIANCE MEETS COMPASSION AND PURPOSE
Can they help unravel the biggest political crisis in the Philippines in the last 127 years — the syndicated stealing of over P1 trillion of flood control money in the last 10 years?
This question faces the 15 outstanding young women of 2025, announced Sept. 17, by the TOWNS Foundation. It is a relevant challenge, given that some of the awardees are in the fields of governance, at the national and local level; human rights, education, and journalism, to name a few critical fields.
Besides, women are the majority, the ruling class in the Philippines, certainly not the weaker sex. When governance fails, it is women who are hit hardest. Most of the 25 million households in the country are managed by women, often thanklessly and without compensation. When things go wrong, they are the fulcrum of stability and hope.
Standout awardees
Two of the awardees easily stand out. Maria Cielo Magno is an economist, professor at the UP School of Economics, and was undersecretary for fiscal policy at the Department of Finance. She quit her job at DOF, apparently in disgust over how government finances are run. Now, she is at the forefront of civil society campaign to demand accountability for the P1 trillion flood-gate, using her brilliant mind and beautiful personality. To her, good governance is a human right of Filipinos. Sadly, good governance is often absent in the service.
Human rights lawyer
Maria Kristina Conti risks her life and her future in the legal profession while seeking accountability from former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in jail in The Hague and facing trial for allegedly killing between 7,000 and 30,000 Filipinos during his six-year presidency and before that as long-time mayor of Davao City. Her job is to document the killings and convince the International Criminal Court of Duterte’s culpability.
The TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service) Foundation, Inc. formally announced the 15 2025 TOWNS awardees during a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. The foundation makes the selection only once every three years, adding to the prestige and significance of the much coveted award.
Hope and pathways to progress
“Each of our awardees embodies the very essence of what the TOWNS Foundation stands for: visionary leadership rooted in service to others,” enthused Patricia Prodigalidad, president of TOWNS Foundation, Inc. “At a time when our country faces deep challenges but also great opportunities, these women offer us not just hope, but concrete pathways toward progress. They remind us that real change is possible when brilliance meets compassion and purpose.”
Challenging and inspiring stories
“This year’s selection process brought forward extraordinary women from across the country whose stories moved, challenged, and inspired us,” said Olivia Ferry, Chairperson of the 2025 TOWNS Search Committee. “The awardees are not only leaders in their fields, but they are also agents of change-fearlessly confronting inequality, championing innovation, and building stronger, more inclusive communities. Choosing from among such an outstanding group was incredibly difficult but also reaffirming.”
Award for transformative excellence
The TOWNS Awards recognize exceptional Filipino women who have made transformative contributions to Philippine society through excellence, leadership, and service in their respective fields. From science and technology to public service, culture, social entrepreneurship, and more, the award celebrates women whose work has had a meaningful and measurable impact on the nation.
The awardees were selected after a rigorous nationwide search and vetting process led by a panel of respected leaders and past awardees.
The 2025 awardees join a distinguished roster of over 200 women who have inspired generations through their courage, commitment, and leadership. These 15 outstanding women exemplify what it means to serve the nation with purpose and integrity and to uplift others along the way.
The 2025 TOWNS Awardees are, in alphabetical order:
- ALBA, Sha Elijah B. Dumama for Peace Building and Good Governance
- ALINDOGAN, Jamela for Courageous and Honest Journalism
- CONTI, Maria Kristina for Human Rights for All
- DICIANO, Christine Pauline for Maritime Law Enforcement and Public Service
- DUPLITO, Salve for Financial Empowerment
- ESLAVA, Decibel Faustino for Environmental Science for Local Learning Communities
- HATAMAN, Sitti Djalia for Peacebuilding, Courageous Governance, and Social Economic Development
- JOCSON, Jennie for Innovations in Teacher Education and Access
- LIM, Nur-Ainee Tan for Ethical Public Service, Social Services and Development
- MACAPAGAL, Gail for Information Technology and Entrepreneurship
- MAGNO, Maria Cielo for Financial Accountability and Good Governance
- OSIAL, Lorelie for Business Innovation and Corporate Citizenship
- PADILLA, Francel Margareth for Cybersecurity, Military Service and Transformative Engagement with Local Communities
- REYES, Katherine Ann for Service, Research and Leadership in Public Health Delivery
- YANG, Georgina for Leadership in Innovations in Local Governance and Education