PCW receives Hildegarde Award


The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) is one of the three recipients of the 9th St. Hildegarde Award for Outstanding Achievements in Development Communication.

PCW was chosen by the students of St. Scholastica’s College (SSC) Mass Communication Department for spearheading the conduct of the 2014 18-Day Campaign To End Violence Against Women (VAW).

According to the organizers of the event, the award is given to organizations which maximized the use of mass media in advancing women’s rights. Said award is one of the five Outstanding Achievements Awards which include the fields of Advertising, Broadcast Journalism in Television and Radio, and Print Journalism.

The Hildegarde Award is granted by the SSC to recognize women’s achievements in media and communication, in honor of St. Hildegarde of Bingen, a mystique and doctor of the Catholic Church who fought for “was known for being fearless and critical” and fought “during the time when women were strictly placed to the confines of the home.”

Hildegarde Award coincides SSC’s celebration of the International Women’s Day.

During the awarding ceremonies on March 6 at the St. Cecilia’s Hall, PCW Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa revealed that the Commission is elated, at the same time, surprised to receive said award.

“This is the first time we received an award. We are happy that the students voted for the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW which we have been spearheading since 2002.”

Recognizing the power of mass media in advancing women’s rights, Verzosa told SSC students: “I hope this school cultivates more Mass Communication students so that we can see a better media in the future which is gender-responsive.”

The other two recipients of the same award are the “Children’s Show” of Director Roderick Cabrido and “Run for Survival” of the Save the Children Organization.
Other recipients of the Hildegarde Award are Lifetime Achievement Awardees Ditsi Carolino and the late “Queen of Travel” and television host Susan Calo-Medina.