Celebrating the Pinays Trailblazer Awardees

The Pinays Trailblazer awardees are surrounded by the members of Pinays Manitoba during their recognition luncheon at the PCCM on May 28, 2022. Photos by Josel Catindoy

As the Filipino community grows in Manitoba, so does the number of Filipino women who continue to make their positive impacts on diverse fields in our society.

After not being able to celebrate in person for over two years, Pinays Manitoba held a very well attended recognition luncheon on May 28, 2022, to honour five outstanding Filipino women – the Pinays Trailblazer Awardees: Police Constable Maria Buduhan, Virginia “Jean” Guiang-Santoro, Dean Mariciel Nuyda, Dr. Crystal Paculan, and Gina Trinidad.

“I am very happy that we were able to get together, in a safe space, to celebrate and honour the accomplishments of five amazing Filipino women – a person with outstanding volunteerism and an Order of Manitoba awardee, an educator, a chiropractor, a nurse who rose to the senior executive level, and a policewoman. They all exemplify dedication to serve others in their chosen field,” said Pinays Manitoba president Araceli Ancheta.

Founded in 2016, Pinays Manitoba Inc. is a non-profit, registered community organization dedicated to the support and empowerment of Filipino women in Manitoba.

“We at Pinays are happy and honoured to find these Filipino women helping to make a positive difference in people’s lives. In the process, we are developing role models for our community, most specially for the next generation of Filipino women,” said Pinays Manitoba VP Winnie Navarro.

More than 40 members of Pinays Manitoba pooled their resources to organize the recognition event that was attended by 200 guests. Held at the PCCM, emcees were Lucille Nolasco Garrido and Meghan Marquez. Guest performers were Christine Lim and Paul Ong. Catering by Gerome Labial of Salakot Restaurant.

Major sponsors of the event were the Vickar Automotive Group and the Duque Immigration Consulting Firm.

Val Surbey of the Manitoba Down Syndrome Society, Pinays Manitoba 2022 beneficiary, receives cheque from Pinays president Araceli Ancheta

Pinays Trailblazer Constable Maria Buduhan with the event major sponsors Larry and Tova Vickar, Joel Duque, and Pinays president Araceli Ancheta, and VP Winnie Navarro

Pinays Trailblazer Gina Trinidad with the event major sponsors and Pinays Manitoba executives

Pinays Trailblazer Dean Mariciel Nuyda with major sponsors and Pinays Manitoba executives

Pinays Trailblazer Dr. Crystal Paculan with major sponsors and Pinays Manitoba executives

Pinays Trailblazer Jean Guiang-Santoro represented by FIDWAM’s Gloria Magpali and fellow FIDWAM members with major sponsors and Pinays Manitoba executives.

Pinays Board of Directors: L-r: Lucille Nolasco Garrido, secretary; Winnie Navarro, VP; Emmie Joaquin, PR/Promotions; Araceli Ancheta, president; Connie De Villa, treasurer; Leah Beltran, treasurer; and Mel Sangalang, secretary.