Fil-Am success story Imelda Roque Roberts to speak,  launch book-CD in PMAP’s ‘Learning in Concert’ today

Imelda Roque Roberts, the first female and lone Filipino-American to receive the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2006 in the United States, visits the Philippines this September to October for a series of speaking engagements and the launching of the special limited edition of her book “Barefooted Soul.” Imelda will be featured during the “Learning in Concert” today, September 28, 2007, at the 44th PMAP Annual Conference in Cebu. She will speak on what it takes to be a Filipino in a global environment, trail-blazing trends in human resources and embodying characteristics that led to a remarkable success story that culminated in an Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are presented to American citizens of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their own ethnic groups, their ancestral countries, and to the United States. Past medalists include six U.S. Presidents as well as Nobel Prize winners, among others. Each year, the names of awardees are listed in the US’ Congressional Record.

From being a homeless scholar of muddy Divisoria, to living in a dilapidated one-room house near the Smokey Mountain, to getting a progressively responsible position at San Miguel Corporation following her graduation as full scholar from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Imelda’s life journey is a legacy to the strength of the human spirit.

Following a tumultuous past, she migrated to the US and started over again doing odd jobs. From serving the stomachs of dignitaries to serving inspirational food for the human soul, to achieving highest positions in her field in prestigious organizations in the Washington, DC area, she rose to be a well respected and an award-winning leader in people management. She held various leadership positions, including Chair of the National Certified Public Managers Consortium comprised of 28 states, President of the Local Government Personnel Association for the Washington-Baltimore Area, etc. She has been the Director for Human Resources Management at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments since 2000 where she oversees numerous regional efforts in human resources. She is also currently the President and CEO of First Magnitude International.

Her inspirational journey is captured in her book, “Barefooted Soul.” She also composed several songs that are included in her book-CD. She was featured in several newspapers, magazines, and TV programs for her life’s accomplishments. She has also held fundraising efforts to support the Church of Hope in Smokey Mountain and a scholarship fund for poor but deserving scholars. For more info, visit www.barefootedsoul.com or send email to [email protected].