The provincial government of Bulacan honored exceptional Bulakenyas during the Gawad Medalyang Ginto 2024 at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos Bulacan on Tuesday, March 12.
Dr. Eva Fajardo, chairperson of the Panlalawigang Komisyon para sa Kababaihan ng Bulacan ( PKKB); Governor Daniel Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro led the awarding ceremony.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando (3rd from left); Vice Gov. Alex C. Castro (2nd from right); Natatanging Babae 2024 Jonnah Garcia (4th from left) of Punique Handicrafts; Ma. Gladys C. Sta Rita, 2023 Outstanding Woman (5th from left); Provincial Administrator Antonia V. Constantino (left); 1st District Board Member Mina Fermin (right) and other winners during the Gawad Medalyang Ginto 2024 held at the Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in the City of Malolos on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Photo from the official Facebook page of Vice Gov. Alex C. Castro)
With the theme "Matatag na Pamilyang Bulakenyo, Katuwang sa Pagpapaunlad ng Lalawigan Ko", the Bulakenyas were honored for their invaluable contributions to the development of the province and the nation.
The Outstanding Woman of the Year 2023, Ma. Gladys C. Sta Rita, turned over her title to Natatanging Babae 2024 Jonnah Garcia, owner of Punique Handicrafts in the City of Malolos, for her visionary entrepreneurial leadership which revitalized and preserved the art of Puni Weaving, through community collaboration, training, and employment.
Aside from Garcia, other awardees were Meysulao Lady Warriors (MEYDYWA) headed by its president Jenneelyn Grace Flores of Calumpit hailed as “Natatanging Samahang Pangkababaihan”; Matagumpay na Konsehong Pambayan para sa Kababaihan (KPK)-Malolos headed by President Maria Cristina S. Dionisio as “Matagumpay na KPK”; Maria Lourdes C. Marquez of Obando as “Matagumpay na Babaeng Mangangalakal”; Palmarina B. Tejuco of the City of Malolos as “Matagumpay na Babaeng Makakalikasan”; and Jasmin P. Lucas of Norzagaray as “Matagumpay na Babae sa Makabagong Pagnenegosyo”.
Awardees for Natatanging Babae and Natatanging Samahang Pangkababaihan received a statuette trophy, gold medal, sash, winners’ tarpaulin, and P30,000 and P40,000 cash prize, respectively.
Meanwhile, all sectoral category winners were given a bust trophy, sash, winners’ tarpaulin, and cash prizes of P30,000 for Matagumpay na Konsehong Pambayan/Panlunsod para sa Kababaihan (KPK), and P15,000 each for Matagumpay na Babaeng Mangangalakal, Matagumpay na Babaeng Makakalikasan, Huwarang Kabataang Babae sa Pamumuno, and Matagumpay na Babae sa Makabagong Pagnenegosyo.
Also present during the awarding ceremony were Bocaue Mayor Eduardo J. Villanueva and Vice Mayor Atty. Sherwin Tugna who received the award on behalf of his wife, former Mayor Joni; Matagumpay na Babaeng Mangangalakal 2020 Cristina C. Tuzon, the guest of honor; and one of PKKB commissioners.
The Women’s Month celebration and Gawad Medalyang Ginto in Bulacan started in 1996 through Executive Order No. 96-07.