FWN Story

FWN has been in existence since January 1996 under the leadership of Virna S. Tintiangco.  The original purpose was to provide a unique space for Filipinas to discuss concerns and issues related to their personal and professional lives. FWN operated under an informal structure with volunteers chairing ad hoc planning committees for each meeting.  FWN members met quarterly for either lunch and dinner with invited guest speakers covering topics such as “balancing work and home life, growing up Filipina in the 90s, spirituality, mother/daughter relationships, career development, peer mentoring, and a visit to the Asian Art Museum to view the Filipino art exhibit in celebration of the centennial.  

In 1999, Marily Mondejar and Victoria Urbi took over as co-chairs when Virna moved to Oregon.  By then, FWN had grown to about 250 women including a CEO, a judge, several executive directors, attorneys, nurses, doctors, academics, government and corporate employees, business owners, students, homemakers, and many more successful, professional Filipinas from diverse backgrounds, varying age groups…based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Programs were designed to continue to address needs expressed from surveys.  “Transitions” –managing change issues in career and personal lives, “Political and Civil Rights Issues in the Fil-Am Community,” and “Amazing, Successful Filipinas,” – these programs were very well received.  

FWN has filled a need for women to talk about issues they rarely talk about in a group of Filipina women.  We want to continue to meet that need.  In a letter to the members on January 26, 1998, Virna expressed, “I feel that it is time for us to reflect and think about the future direction of FWN.”  Yes, it is time.

Marily and Victoria formed a Steering Committee tasked to take FWN to the next level -

• create a professional identity for FWN,
  
• ensure leadership succession,
  
• continue to provide programs that meet the professional needs of FWN members,
• create a vision of who we are and our role in the Filipino community. 
  

• Intensify Member Value
• Engage and partner with all members, understand their needs and expectations, and respond with
  value-added solutions to strengthen learning, leadership, professional and personal development in
  their respective workplaces and the Filipina community.
  
  
• Create, Capture and Provide First Class Knowledge and Professional Learning
• Make FWN a comprehensive source of information on Filipina American culture, workplace learning, leadership, professional and personal development for Filipina women.

• Lead Through Technology
• Leverage technology to engage members, capture knowledge, facilitate interaction, and deliver
  customized products and services.
  
  
• Shape The Filipina Image
• Define the Filipina image and shape its future by being the leading source of workplace data, trends,
  and successful practices for Filipina women professionals.

• Position FWN as the recognized leader with current and emerging players

• Serve the Filipina global community by being a leading catalyst for sharing knowledge, professional
  learning and personal development worldwide.
  

FWN's work continues under the leadership of Marily Mondejar.  FWN continues to re-invent itself adapting to current workplace, economic and political trends, and responding to the needs of Filipina women in the U.S.

We are grateful to the following outstanding Filipinas for their contributions to FWN.

FWN Founding Steering Committee:

• Anna Bantug
• Anna Villena
• Judy Nipay Gee
• Laarni San Juan
• Marily Mondejar
• Tessie Zaragoza
• Thelma Estrada
• Victoria Urbi
  

FWN Board Members have included:

• Anna Villena
• Arlene Tinaco
• Christine Nati
• Christina Dunham
• Connie Lloren
  
• Dina Guingona
• Edna Rodis
  
• Elaine Serina
• Genevieve Jopanda
• Jessica Jallorina
• Jocelyn Formento
  
• Jossie Alegre
  
• Katherine Zarate
• Laarni San Juan
• Marily Mondejar
• Maya Ruiz
• Sunny Dykwel
  
• Tessie Zaragoza
• Thelma Estrada

Our work continues.  We invite you to join us!  Volunteer as a board member, committee chair, whatever time you can commit….we will put you to work.  We promise you….you will be proud to be part of FWN.