MANILA, Philippines – The TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service) Foundation, Inc. formally announced the 2025 TOWNS Awardees during a press conference on Tuesday, 17 September 2025, at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.
Held every three years, 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.
“Each of our awardees embodies the very essence of what the TOWNS Foundation stands for: visionary leadership rooted in service to others,” said 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.’
The awardees were selected through a rigorous nationwide search and vetting process led by a panel of respected leaders and past awardees.
“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.”
The 2025 awardees join a distinguished roster of 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:
1. ALBA, Sha Elijah B. Dumama for Peace Building and Good Governance
2. ALINDOGAN, Jamela for Courageous and Honest Journalism
3. BERGANO- DICIANO, Christine Pauline for Maritime Law Enforcement and Public Service
4. CONTI, Maria Kristina for Human Rights for All
5. ESLAVA, Decibel Faustino for Environmental Science for Local Learning Communities
6. HATAMAN, Sitti Djalia for Peacebuilding, Courageous Governance, and Social Economic Development
7. IBANEZ, Salve for Financial Empowerment
8. JOCSON, Jennie for Innovations in Teacher Education and Access
9. LIM, Nur-Ainee Tan for Ethical Public Service, Social Services and Development
10. MACAPAGAL, Gail for Information Technology and Entrepreneurship
11. MAGNO, Maria Cielo for Financial Accountability and Good Governance
12. OSIAL, Lorelie for Business Innovation and Corporate Citizenship
13. PADILLA, Francel Margareth for Cybersecurity, Military Service and Transformative Engagement with Local Communities
14. REYES, Katherine Ann for Service, Research and Leadership in Public Health Delivery
15. YANG, Georgina for Leadership in Innovations in Local Governance and Education
The 2025 The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Awardees embody the power of leadership, innovation, and service across diverse fields that shape the nation’s future. From peacebuilding and governance to education, health, environment, technology, journalism, and economic empowerment, this year’s honorees reflect the depth and breadth of Filipina excellence. Among them are Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, a transformative leader in BARMM; Jamela Alindogan, an Emmy-nominated journalist and peace advocate; Commo. Christine Pauline Bergaño-Diciano, a trailblazing Coast Guard officer; Atty. Maria Kristina Conti, a fearless human rights lawyer; and Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava, a scientist advancing disaster resilience and environmental education.
Equally inspiring are leaders who are redefining governance and public service: Mayor Sitti Djalia Hataman, who revitalized Isabela City into a model of inclusive and ethical governance; Deputy Minister Nur-Ainee Tan Lim, who strengthened social services and women-led peacebuilding in BARMM; and Georgina Ann Hernandez Yang, who championed participatory development from the grassroots to national platforms. In parallel, Salve Ibañez has become a household name in financial literacy; Dr. Jennie Jocson has led reforms in teacher education; and Dr. Katherine Ann Reyes is pioneering public health systems strengthening and equity.
In the private and global sectors, Gail Macapagal has advanced ethical innovation in tech and blockchain; Maria Cielo Magno has upheld transparency and fiscal accountability; Lorelie Quiambao Osial has steered Shell Philippines through a bold energy transition; and Col. Francel Margareth Padilla has redefined military leadership in cybersecurity and civic engagement. Together, these 15 outstanding women embody the TOWNS vision of courage, integrity, and service, proving once again that women are at the forefront of building a more just, inclusive, and resilient Philippines.
These remarkable women will be formally recognized in the TOWNS Awarding Ceremony in October 2025. For updates, profiles of the awardees, and upcoming events, visit www.townsfoundation.org or follow TOWNS Foundation on social media.
As official media partner of TOWNS 2025, The New Channel (TNC) will feature exclusive, in-depth interviews with all the awardees, giving audiences a closer look into their journeys, challenges, and aspirations for the Philippines. Through these conversations, TNC continues its mission of spotlighting thought leaders and changemakers who inspire positive transformation.
Watch out for the TNC exclusive series on the 2025 TOWNS Awardees, and be inspired by the voices of women who are shaping the nation’s future.
About TOWNS Foundation, Inc.:
Founded in 1974, the TOWNS Foundation, Inc. is a national organization composed of women who have been honored for their excellence and service to the Filipino people. Its mission is to identify and support outstanding women leaders and to promote active civic engagement and nation-building. Today, the TOWNS roster includes over 200 awardees who continue to make significant contributions to the country and to the lives of countless Filipinos.
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