From groundbreaking athletes to founders blazing new trails—meet the winners of the Front & Female Awards Philippines 2025

For an individual helping to inspire, elevate and advance women in corporate, business or professional fields

What she does: Karen Batungbacal is the former country head of TENET Health Group, where she grew the offices from zero to 3,000 employees in Manila. She is also co-founder and senior advisor of the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), which she helped establish to promote the Philippines as a global BPO destination. She has also held executive positions at JP Morgan Chase, ICT Group, SourceOne and ABS-CBN/BayanTel, often building new business units from the ground up. She currently serves on the boards of several organisations, including IBEX Limited, PhilInsure Gallagher and the Virlanie Foundation.

Through her roles as an independent director, advisor, and board member in organisations like IBEX, Call Centre Studio, Gobi Core and the Virlanie Foundation, Batungbacal actively promotes diversity, inclusion and women’s advancement in the workplace. She was also on the board of the Management Association of the Philippines and is active at the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Filipina CEO Circle and NOWCD. As a co-founder and senior advisor of IBPAP, she has been instrumental in shaping policies that support gender diversity and equal opportunities in the Philippine IT-BPM sector, helping ensure that women have a strong voice in industry development and government dialogue.

Why it matters: “Economically empowering women has a transformative effect on society. When women earn, they reinvest a significant portion back into their families and communities, enhancing education, health and overall community well-being.

Educating girls creates a powerful ripple effect. It reduces poverty, delays marriage and teen pregnancies, and increases earning potential and independence. Educated women value education and ensure their own children are educated, creating a cycle of progress that helps eliminate issues of malnutrition and child stunting.”

In case you missed it: She’s the daughter of a jeepney driver—and a leader of national change: Hyacenth Bendaña is pushing for more inclusive transport in the Philippines

For an individual whose work addresses the health and well-being of women and girls, whether physical, mental, social, sexual or financial

What she does: Dr Catherine Sia Cheng Teh is a pioneering hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgeon renowned for her expertise in complex liver, pancreas and biliary surgeries, including transplants, and for advancing equitable cancer care in the Philippines. She broke barriers as the first woman to chair the Department of Surgery at NKTI and led HPB surgery at Makati Medical Center, where she also directed the Liver Care Center. Beyond clinical work, she has elevated Filipino surgical leadership globally, co-founding the Philippine Association of HPB Surgeons and leading regional and international HPB societies.

Dr Teh is the first and only Asian woman accepted into the prestigious Society of Surgeons Les Compagnons Hepato-Biliaires. Deeply committed to access and equity, she founded the Samahang Magmamahal sa Atay Foundation to support both indigent patients and the training of future HPB specialists. As a key contributor to the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and a national leader in surgical policy and cancer care, Dr Teh continues to champion inclusive, high-quality healthcare systems and mentor the next generation of surgeons.

Why it matters: “Filipinas are resilient, capable and deeply committed—but too often, they’re held back by limited opportunities, not limited potential. By supporting and investing in them, we’re not just uplifting individuals—we’re helping shift the culture toward one that’s more progressive, inclusive and future-ready. When we create space for Filipinas to thrive, we strengthen families, communities and the nation as a whole.”

Given to an entrepreneur or founder breaking ground and positively impacting women

What she does: Marife Zamora is the co-founder and chairman of the Filipina CEO Circle, an organisation dedicated to empowering and connecting Filipina corporate leaders. Zamora holds multiple influential positions, including non-executive director at PLDT, Inc, independent director of SM Investments Corporation and Pru Life Insurance Corporation of U.K, chairman of Willis Towers Watson Insurance Brokers Philippines, Inc and is a board trustee of FTW (For the Women) Foundation.

Her professional background includes serving as managing director for Asia-Pacific and EMEA at Convergys Corporation and country manager of Convergys Philippines, the country’s largest private employer with 55,000 employees. She has also been managing director at Headstrong Philippines and division manager for Banking & Finance at IBM Philippines. Zamora was the first woman president of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and has held leadership roles at the Philippine Software Association and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Why it matters: “The participation of women in governmental processes is predominantly a growing spectrum. Our professionalism and work ethic are undoubtedly sought after in the workforce, not just locally but globally. There is research that shows women here are more collaborative than competitive. Collaboration, whether in work or social contexts, fosters stronger relationships, promotes learning and leads to a greater sense of purpose.”

For an individual driving progress for women and girls or advancing the female agenda in a particularly innovative way or with a focus on innovation

What she does: Miko Calo is a highly regarded Filipino chef known for her technical expertise, creative use of Filipino ingredients and leadership in Manila’s culinary scene. Originally from Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, Calo’s early exposure to home cooking and the flavours of Mindanao deeply influenced her culinary style. She trained in classic French cuisine, including a significant seven-year tenure under the legendary chef Joël Robuchon, working in Paris, London and Singapore.

Calo first gained widespread recognition as the executive chef and co-owner of Metronome, a celebrated restaurant in Manila known for its sophisticated menus and French-inspired fare. She has since launched projects like Taquería Franco and a pop-up residency at Makati Shangri-La, where she presented a Franco-Filipino menu that reflects her personal and professional journey. She is also the culinary creative director of the AVEC restaurant group and has been recognised for her advocacy for women in the culinary industry, often leading all-women teams in her projects.

Why it matters: “Supporting women means uplifting whole communities. Girls need to see themselves represented to know that they belong and can thrive in every space.”

For an individual supporting underserved, overlooked, vulnerable, underprivileged or minority women and girls, and/or seeking to drive human rights and equality

What she does: Maribel Ongpin is the chairman emeritus of HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving indigenous textile practices, modernising the local textile industry and supporting traditional weavers across the Philippines. Ongpin has been actively involved in initiatives to revive the Philippine cotton industry, working with farmers and government agencies to increase cotton production and improve the livelihoods of local weavers.

Under her leadership, HABI organises the annual Likhang HABI Market Fair, which showcases handwoven textiles and provides small and medium enterprises opportunities to market their crafts. She advocates for the use of natural fibres like cotton over synthetic alternatives to ensure better quality and fair compensation for farmers and weavers.

Why it matters: “Women can do so much to make the world better. Filipino women of all walks of life have a gift of empathy, sacrifice and goodwill. They must be encouraged to follow their innate goodness and share it with others, full of confidence in ambitions that can be fulfilled through their own effort. I believe Filipino women are our most realistic hope for a better world.”

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