PH Consulate General in Honolulu Hosts Women Leadership Forum

From left: Women Leadership Forum Panelist Bernice Parsons, Diana Gremillion, Kristina Lockwood, Sheryl Yoshimura, and Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo. Moderated by Michelle Phelps (Photoluxe photo)

HONOLULU 12 March 2020 – In celebration of the International Women’s Day, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, in partnership with various community organizations, organized a Women Leadership Forum on 07 March 2020 at the Entrepreneurs’ Sandbox in Honolulu. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”, calls on multi-generations of women to come together to collectively address the unfinished business of empowering women and young girls everywhere.

The Women Leadership Forum featured a panel discussion among women leaders in various fields, such as business, education, health, and media. The panelists include President & Co-Founder of Vertaccount Hawaii, Inc. Bernice Parsons, Founder of Successful Life Strategies Diana Gremillion, Associate Professor at Chaminade University Dr. Eva Rose-Washburn-Repollo,  Special Projects Manager and Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist (RDN) at Wahiawa Health Sheryl Yoshimura, and General Manager at KHON 2 Kristina Lockwood. The panel was moderated by Communications and Special Events Manager at the Hawaii Convention Center Michellee Phelps.

After the panel discussion, Diana Gremillion facilitated a coaching and networking exercise while Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii President and Trauma Medical Doctor at Pali Momi Dr. Maria “Marel” Ver provided inspirational message during her keynote speech. The event also provided a venue to promote Filipino women-owned enterprises during the Pusong Filipinx Marketplace which took place right after the Forum. A total of seven businesses exhibited their products and services, namely Dream Kream Hat Company, The Garden Collective, Hues of Rose, Kitt and Bunn Supply Co., Selscrunchies, Senpai, and Sweet Treats and Décor by Jovy.

The event was produced in partnership with the Filipino Association of University Women, Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, FETC Foundation, Filipino Junior Chamber, Filipino Young Leaders program, Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii, Pusong Filipinx, and R&M Reyes Enterprise.

This year’s Women Leadership Forum is part of the Philippine Consulate’s initiatives to bring together various women organizations, empower the members of the community, and create a stronger and wider network of stakeholders that will help pursue the goals of creating a more inclusive and gender-fair society. To get involved in the Consulate’s other initiatives, the public can get in touch with the Cultural and Community Section of the Consulate by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END

Deputy Consul General Angelica Escalona welcoms participants to the Women Leadership Forum. (Photoluxe photo)

Diana Gremillion facilitates the coaching and networking exercise. (Photoluxe photo)

Attendees participates in the networking break. (Photoluxe photo)

Dr. Marel Ver delivers her Keynote Speech Attendees participating in the networking break. (Photoluxe photo)

Lalaine Ignao (rightmost), Founder of Pusong Filipinx, together with women entrepreneurs participating in the Pusong Filipinx Marketplace. (Photoluxe photo)

Event participants shop at the Pusong Filipinx Marketplace right after the forum. (Photoluxe photo)

Fully-packed venue during the Women Leadership Forum. (Photoluxe photo)

Madame Araceli Jimeno (center) with the attendees of the Women Leadership Forum. (Honolulu PCG photo)

For more information, visit  https://www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu/.