Cover From business and education to innovation, healthcare and social impact, the Front & Female awardees are driving meaningful progress for women and girls across the Philippines
From business and education to innovation, healthcare and social impact, the Front & Female awardees are driving meaningful progress for women and girls across the Philippines
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The third Front & Female Awards recognises seven women whose work is transforming industries, communities, education, healthcare and beyond
The third Front & Female Awards Philippines brought together the country's leading changemakers, visionaries and advocates for an evening dedicated to celebrating women whose work is advancing the lives of women and girls.
Held at Shangri-La The Fort, the awards are part of Tatler’s regional Front & Female platform, which champions women driving meaningful progress across industries, communities and culture. This year's honourees were selected through a rigorous nomination and voting process led by Tatler Philippines and an esteemed Voting Committee comprising some of the country’s most respected leaders.
Across seven award categories—including the newly introduced Education & Development Award—the winners represent the many ways women are creating lasting impact, from transforming industries and strengthening communities to expanding access to education, healthcare, innovation and opportunity.
Read more: Front & Female Awards Philippines 2026: the nominees driving progress for women and girls
Business Leader Award: Lorelie Quiambao-Osial
Above Lorelie Quiambao-Osial, president and CEO of Shell Pilipinas Corporation and country chair of all Shell companies in the Philippines (Photo: courtesy of Shell Pilipinas Corporation)
Lorelie Quiambao-Osial, president and CEO of Shell Pilipinas Corporation and country chair of all Shell companies in the Philippines (Photo: courtesy of Shell Pilipinas Corporation)
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As the first Filipina president and CEO of Shell Pilipinas Corporation and Country Chair of all Shell companies in the Philippines, Lorelie Quiambao-Osial is leading one of the country’s largest energy companies through transformation and innovation.
Beyond business performance, she is championing diversity and inclusion while helping develop the next generation of women leaders in the energy sector—proving that leadership is as much about creating opportunities for others as it is about driving organisational success.
Education & Development Award: Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine
Above Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, president and CEO of Khan Academy Philippines (Photo: Jennifer Shore)
Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, president and CEO of Khan Academy Philippines (Photo: Jennifer Shore)
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This year’s inaugural Education & Development Award was presented to Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, president and CEO of Khan Academy Philippines.
Working alongside national and local government, the private sector, multilateral organisations, and global philanthropists, she has helped expand Khan Academy Philippines to serve more than 2.7 million learners, over 24,000 teachers and 2,500 schools nationwide. Her work is helping bridge learning gaps while making quality education more accessible to Filipino students.
Read more: How Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine is closing learning gaps and advancing rare disease research
Founder Award: Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran
Above Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran, co-founder and design director of Moss Manila Design House (Photo: courtesy of Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran)
Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran, co-founder and design director of Moss Manila Design House (Photo: courtesy of Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran)
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As co-founder and design director of Moss Manila Design House, Cyndi Fernandez-Beltran has built one of the Philippines’ leading experiential design studios.
Through immersive environments and thoughtfully crafted spaces, she has transformed how brands connect with audiences, demonstrating how creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation can shape industries and inspire future founders.
Innovation Award: Gay Jane Pérez
Above Gay Jane Pérez, director general of the Philippine Space Agency (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
Gay Jane Pérez, director general of the Philippine Space Agency (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
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As director general of the Philippine Space Agency, Gay Jane Pérez is redefining what innovation can achieve for the country.
Her work harnesses space science to strengthen climate resilience, disaster preparedness, environmental monitoring and national development, while expanding the Philippines’ scientific capabilities and inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators.
Rising Champion Award: Hyacenth Bendaña
Above Hyacenth Bendaña, co-founder of the Move As One Coalition and the People’s Budget Coalition (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
Hyacenth Bendaña, co-founder of the Move As One Coalition and the People’s Budget Coalition (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
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At just 26 years old, Hyacenth Bendaña is helping reshape the country’s transport future.
As co-founder of the Move As One Coalition and the People’s Budget Coalition, she has become one of the country’s leading advocates for inclusive, commuter-focused transport reform, ensuring that everyday Filipinos—and especially vulnerable communities—have a stronger voice in policies that directly affect their lives.
Read more: 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
Social Impact Award: Gianna Montinola
Above Gianna Montinola, co-founder and president of Hands On Manila (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
Gianna Montinola, co-founder and president of Hands On Manila (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
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For more than two decades, Gianna Montinola has demonstrated the power of volunteerism to transform communities.
As co-founder and president of Hands On Manila, she has mobilised thousands of volunteers through initiatives such as Servathon and Good Deeds Day, creating meaningful impact across education, child welfare, and community development while modernising the Filipino spirit of bayanihan.
Well-being Award: Jaycy Violago-Olivarez
Above Jaycy Violago-Olivarez, founder and CEO of Eluvo Health (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
Jaycy Violago-Olivarez, founder and CEO of Eluvo Health (Photo: Jan Mayo; Jewellery: Jewelmer)
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The Well-being Award was presented to Dr Carol Joanna “Jaycy” Olivarez, founder and CEO of Eluvo Health.
Through a patient-centred healthcare platform integrating reproductive, hormonal, maternal, and preventive care, she is making specialised healthcare more accessible while helping redefine what comprehensive women's health can look like in the Philippines.
Celebrating women who move the Philippines forward
Together, this year’s Front & Female Award recipients reflect the many faces of progress. Whether leading global companies, transforming education, pioneering scientific breakthroughs, building innovative businesses, strengthening communities or improving healthcare, each honouree demonstrates that meaningful change takes many forms.
As Front & Female enters its third year in the Philippines, the platform continues to celebrate not only achievement but the ripple effect of women whose work creates greater opportunities for others. Their stories remind us that advancing women and girls ultimately strengthens families, industries, communities, and the nation as a whole.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
