W.I.N.N.E.Rs (Season 2) set on Aug. 28

CEBU, Philippines - Marilyn Pajal, 44 years old, of Barangay Alang-alang in Mandaue City, recalls how she fought off depression after learning that the passenger jeepney she and her husband had invested on got burned down while plying its route.

"Sakit kaayo para namo kay tinud-an gyod to'g singot. Kon kadungog mo sa balita, amo tong jeep nasunog duol og mall sa Banilad. Thankful na lang ko nga walay casualty or na-injure," Pajal shared during the presentation of the Top 20 Finalist for the Season 2 Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs (Women in Need, Now Entrepreneurs and Rolemodels) which she is a part of.

Pajal is just one of 70 micro-entrepreneurs representing the barangays of the City of Mandaue who earlier went through basic entrepreneurial skills training conducted by St. Theresa's College Business Administration Department and basic banking provided by the Rizal Commercial and Banking Corporation.

During a pre-judging of the 70 candidates, only 20 of them made it through the interview of 11 judges of the screening panel composed of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry trustees, event sponsors, and media partners.

Judging was based on their personality and self confidence (25 percent), question and answer responses (conversational skills and intelligence) – 25 percent; resourcefulness and creativity (20 percent), and inspirational stories of courage and perseverance (30 percent).

The grand finals is slated on August 28, 2012 (1-5 p.m.) at the J Centre Mall Convention Center where winners will get P50,000; P30,000; and P20,000 to augment capital for their respective business ventures.

The other hopefuls are Emma Fuentes, 45, of Casuntingan (beauty products/surplus vendor); Lowela Arcenal, 29, of Casuntingan (meat vendor); Ginallyn Duran, 34, of Canduman (rice cake vendor); Nelia Caparoso, 45, of Tabok (viand vendor); Ma. Daisy Seno, 32, of Tingub (variety store owner); Lindy Mendoza, 28, of Guizo (fish vendor); Marylen Densing, 45, of Guizo (beautician); Mary Cris Nerona, 37, of Casili (variety store); Jessica Seno, 43, of Casili (variety store); Rona Ortega, 30, of Cambaro (variety store); Mary Jane Jabagat, 36, of Banilad (variety store); Dulce Señerpida, 36, of Paknaan (vegetable vendor); Rolinda Galon, 42, of Looc (eatery operator); Cheryl Lamoste, 42, of Alang-alang (eatery owner); Mary Gekin, 41, of Ibabao (beauty products dealer); Aileen Aribal, 43, of Labogon (variety store); Gina Lerasan, 41, of Labogon (variety store); Bernardina Lucero, 44, of Subangdako (flipflops/footwear vendor); and Gelyn Retuya, 28, of Tipolo (networking business).

MCCI launched the Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs last August 1. Now on its second season, the search is MCCI's quest for model women Mandauehanons who are supporting their families and are struggling to rise from poverty through their respective trades.

Their stories of perseverance, determination, persistence, and creativity are seen to hopefully inspire other women to be empowered.   (FREEMAN)