The primordial thread that links the feminine essence of every woman to nurturing and caring had been deeply rooted since the dawning of creation. According to Diane Mariechild: “A woman is the full circle…within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform!” Indeed, women in the world deserve nothing but only the best accolade and honor that humanity could offer!
Through the years, history has remarkably generated an immense number of empowered women who were capable of changing the world’s social, industrial, political, and educational landscape where they competently dominated the areas with their notable contributions and significant achievements.
The Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL), a 501-c3 Jersey City-based organization, has consistently recognized and awarded outstanding Filipino-American women in the various aspects of their professional endeavors. PACCAL does not only duplicate successful events that manifested its worth-praising advocacy but more so to empower the worth-emulating status of womanhood in our current socio-economic setting.
On Saturday, April 2, 2016, ten outstanding women will be honored at a blue-themed dinner-dance bash and recognition ceremony at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (160 Frontage Road, Newark, New Jersey) under the chairmanship of Rose P. Javier with two equally distinguished personalities in the Filipino-American community as Honorary Chairpersons: Joanne Sy Bhatia and Fe Martinez.
PACCAL’s 2016 Women Achievers are as follows:
1. KIRBY ASUNTO – – – “Young Entertainer of the Year”
Loaded with talent and effervescence, Kirby is one of the fast-rising singer-performers this side of the eastern seaboard. Already a name to reckon with in terms of stage appearances and fundraising events, Kirby epitomizes this new generation’s Filipino-American youth who conquers the world with her limitless aptitude and unbounded capabilities. She has appeared on local and Philippine television, participated in various concerts to raise funds for disaster victims, and joined prestigious singing competitions that earned for her 2 Gold Trophies and a Silver Medal from Access Broadway, Championship title from The Philippine Fiesta Grand Idol, and a rare exposure at the Kidz Bop Halftime Sport Jams Talent Search at the Madison Square.
2. NINA SOFIA MOJARES – – – “Young Achiever of the Year”
A Junior at Freehold Township High School with a 4.64 GPA and a student in the Global Studies Learning Center, Nina is one bundle of feminine pulchritude gifted with impressive multi-faceted talents: She’s a singer-songwriter, a national ballroom champion, a TV and print Ad model, a school and community theater actress, a potential instrumentalist with virtuosity in piano and the guitar, a model student, and just recently another feather was added to her already feathery cap…a state beauty title as Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen 2016. The newly crowned teen beauty has also a roster of other achievements neatly tucked under her sleeve: as a community service volunteer, a conscientious ace-rated student leader, and a capable Ambassadress of Goodwill with genuine advocacy.
3. JOYCE ANDES DAVID – – – “Young Professional of the Year”
A Clinical Research Project Manager supervising clinical trials covering the entire country, Joyce responsibly manages a group of about 200 professionals during the trial phases thereafter creating progress reports based on the team’s findings in Hematology and Oncology therapeutic areas. Joyce in her almost 16 years in the research industry has satisfactorily worked with major pharmaceuticals and Clinical Research Organizations such as Pfizer, Hoffman La-Roche, Schering Plough, and Amgen. She is also one of the founding members and current President of the Junior Chamber International-North Jersey Chapter, Council Member of the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets Campaign and an Ambassador for Peace by Universal Peace Federation.
4. JOJI BABUSCHAK – – “Entertainment Producer of the Year”
The lady on the totem pole behind JB Entertainment Productions holds the distinction of being a fast-enterprising producer with unprecedented professionalism and unrivaled integrity who brought stars and celebrities to the fore not only for amusement but beneficial intents, too. Despite being newly fielded into the entertainment arena, Joji’s fully licensed company has successfully and notably produced shows for movie screen icon Gabby Concepcion, balladeer Bert Nievera, Concert King, Martin Nievera, former teen idol Raymond Lauchengco, comedian Rex Navarrete, and recently, Asia’s Nightingale and Siren of the Strip Lani Misalucha. Some of the foundations that benefited her productions are Bantay Bata, RJ’s Battle for Cancer, the Filipino-American Community Development Center of Ocean County, Inc., (FCDC) a non-prfit organization based in Toms River.
5. MARIFE PATAGAN – – – “Excellence in Nursing Profession”
In her more than 33 years of progressive Nursing experience with track record as a change agent, Marife’s full circle-experience in administrative and clinical coordination of the Nursing Department proved to be her crowning glory while simultaneously working collaboratively with other disciplines. Equipped with BS Nursing, Masters in Nursing Administration and Doctor in Education degrees, Marife has had masterfully accomplished a slew of staffing and supervising skills providing quality Nursing care and an unparalleled directing knowledgeability and experiences in every single facet of her field of specialization that covers or is related to the Nursing profession. Curently, Marife is an Associate Director of Nursing at NYC Health & Hospitals Kings County in Brooklyn.
6. STACEY FLANAGAN – – -Excellence in “Health & Human Services”
Stacey was the former Director of Neighborhood WIC at Public Health Solutions and currently the Director of Health and Human Services for the City of Jersey City under the Fulop Administration. The indefatigable public servant has effectively served as the Mandel Fellow at the Leader to Leader Institute and as US Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica where she provided training and technical assistance to local municipalities and planned programs that supported alternative education to adults. This BA in Political Science and MS in Nonprofit Management title holder from Michigan State University and Milano the New School for Urban Policy and Management, respectively, is committed to higher education having been Adjunct Faculty at NJCU and St. Peter’s University.
7. SYLVIA LABIAL BUHIAN – – -“Excellence in Community Service”
This compassionate, emphatic lady from Cagayan De Oro has consistently devoted her life in the pursuit of aiding the under privileged in her community through the implementation of various livelihood programs, fundraising events, and donations. Sylvia, despite her physical status as a cancer survivor never lost enthusiasm and focus in sustaining the effectual continuity of her advocacy and service. She was the Founding President of Women’s Council for Progress, Secretary of the Urban Poor Coordinating Council, Over-all Chair of 6 successful NY concerts of the Filipino Singing Priests, organizer of the 2013 Grand Prayer Rally for Typhoon Sendong victims, and organizer of Oro Priests Retirement Home Fund Raising Project.
8. ROSALINDA BAJOLO – – – Excellence in Education
A devout educator and a strong believer in the nobleness of the teaching profession, Teacher Rosalinda is a Certified General Science and Biology Middle School educator recognized as Finalist for Teaching Excellence and sole Filipino finalist for the 2015 New York Department of Education Big Apple Awards, Mrs. Bajolo is armed with a Master of Arts in Education. Her expertise isn’t only confined in the classroom for she’s also an active Certified Edmodo Trainer and Ambassador. A recipient of 2015 Most Influential Teacher award from UNIFFIED and an Honor & Distinction award from the Association of Filipino Teachers in Eastern America, this multi-awarded educator never ceases to reap recognitions in her meritorious advocacy and finds fulfillment in what she does best—educating the youth.
9. VIOLA SHOEMAKER – – – “2016 Mother of the Year”
A self-sacrificing mom with a munificent heart to her 3 sons, Viola tenderly extends her compassionately caring ways to her 9 grandchildren. A hands-on mom, she has devoted her life to being an encourager and shaper of children both at home and in the public arena. A first grade teacher for 29 years who has worked with children at the Jersey City First Wesleyan Church for the past 43 years, Viola is a firm believer in the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a child. The dutiful wife of the Reverend Donovan Shoemaker has deliberately influenced a great number of children who are now adults virtuously guided with her sterling examples.
10. ADELE BERNARDO – – – “Senior Citizen of the Year”
Another quintessential exponent from the academe who was copiously fortified with BSE Bio-Science, MS in Biology, and PhD I Academics degrees, Adelina M. Bernardo became a regular classroom fixture in both New Jersey and New York public school classrooms following her substantial teaching experiences in the Philippines and Nigeria. Currently out of the hectic demands from being a teacher, Adel devotes her time traveling, gardening, and actively participating in various community civic and social activities like being President of the ACES, Vice-Pres. of the Barangay of the Virgin (Hudson Chapter), and member of UNIFFIED and the Hudson County Board of Election.
Slated to grace the significant event is Hon. Con. General Mario De Leon, Jr., while up-and-coming teen singing sensation Alyssa Jade Shoemaker and RELM Music lead vocalist Maureen Javier are set to provide entertaining vocal numbers.
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