31

The Babae Awards 2026 recognized six influential women from the Philippines and Southeast Asia for their contributions to business, sports, culture, education and women’s empowerment. Among those honored were business leader Robina Gokongwei-Pe and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, whose achievements reflect the growing influence of women in shaping industries, strengthening communities and inspiring future generations.

Among the awardees are business leader Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, lawyer Lorna Kapunan and fashion designer Patis Tesoro. The recognition highlights the growing influence of women in shaping industries, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for future generations.

The awards were presented on November 10 during the second Babae Awards ceremony in Parañaque, organized by the Women’s Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH) alongside the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2026.

The event brought together women leaders, entrepreneurs, government representatives and advocates from across Southeast Asia to recognize achievements and promote greater economic participation among women.

Six Women Recognized for Their Contributions

The 2026 Babae Awards honored six women whose work has made an impact in different sectors.

Robina Gokongwei-Pe, chairperson of Robinsons Retail Holdings, was among the recipients recognized for her contributions to business leadership and the retail industry. Her career reflects the growing role of women in leading major Philippine corporations and influencing the country’s business landscape.

Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo was also recognized for her achievements in sports and her influence as a role model for Filipino women. Diaz made history when she won the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, inspiring athletes and young Filipinos across the country.

Lawyer Lorna Kapunan was among those honored for her work in legal advocacy and the promotion of women’s rights. Her efforts have focused on strengthening awareness of women’s protection, equality and access to justice.

Fashion designer Patis Tesoro was recognized for her contributions to Filipino culture and heritage. Known for her work promoting traditional Filipino clothing and craftsmanship, Tesoro has helped preserve the country’s cultural identity through fashion.

The other awardees were Cristina Lim-Yuson, recognized for her contributions to education and child development, and Vietnamese women’s entrepreneurship advocate Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, who has worked to strengthen opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the ASEAN region.

Together, the six recipients represent different areas of leadership and demonstrate how women can influence economic development, cultural preservation, social progress and national achievement.

Hidilyn Diaz Encourages Women Leaders to Support the Next Generation

One of the highlights of the ceremony was Diaz-Naranjo’s message encouraging established women leaders to create opportunities for younger generations.

She called on business leaders to mentor, hire and support aspiring women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of helping others achieve their potential.

Diaz also reflected on her journey from humble beginnings to becoming an Olympic champion. Her historic victory at the Tokyo Olympics demonstrated how determination, discipline and access to opportunities can help Filipinos achieve success on the international stage.

Her message extended beyond personal achievement, encouraging women who have already established themselves in their respective fields to help others follow similar paths.

The call for mentorship and support also reflects a broader challenge facing women in business and professional careers: ensuring that opportunities for leadership and economic participation are accessible to the next generation.

Babae Awards Highlights Women’s Leadership in the Philippines

The Babae Awards is an initiative of WomenBizPH that recognizes women who have made meaningful contributions to business, leadership, advocacy and nation-building.

The inaugural ceremony was held in March 2025 during the Unstoppable Filipina Summit, recognizing women whose achievements have influenced Philippine society and different industries.

The 2026 edition expanded the recognition through its partnership with the ASEAN Women Economic Summit, placing Filipino women’s achievements within a broader regional conversation about economic empowerment and leadership.

By recognizing women from different professions and backgrounds, the awards aim to highlight the importance of inclusive leadership and greater participation in economic and social development.

ASEAN Women Economic Summit Focuses on Regional Opportunities

The Babae Awards took place alongside the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2026, which gathered entrepreneurs, business executives, policymakers and advocates from Southeast Asian countries.

The summit carried the theme “Weaving the ASEAN Future: Women Driving Innovation, Integration, and Inclusion.”

Discussions focused on women’s participation in the digital economy, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, innovation and regional economic cooperation.

The gathering also provided opportunities for women-led businesses to connect with potential partners, explore investments and strengthen their presence in the regional marketplace.

Women’s economic participation remains an important issue across Southeast Asia, where entrepreneurs and professionals continue to face challenges involving access to financing, business networks, leadership positions and professional opportunities.

Recognition Goes Beyond Individual Achievements

The recognition of Gokongwei-Pe, Diaz-Naranjo and the four other awardees highlights the different ways women contribute to society.

From corporate leadership and Olympic achievements to legal advocacy, education, fashion and entrepreneurship, their work demonstrates that women’s influence extends across nearly every sector.

Diaz-Naranjo’s message about mentoring and supporting younger women also underscores the importance of turning individual success into opportunities for others.

As the Philippines continues to participate in regional initiatives promoting women’s economic empowerment, the 2026 Babae Awards serves as a reminder that recognizing successful women is only one part of the effort. Creating an environment where more women can lead, build businesses and pursue their ambitions remains equally important.