SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The La Union Vibrant Women Incorporated (LUVWI) celebrated its 19th anniversary with a vibrant display of female empowerment at the Love Wave Showdown held recently at the La Union Convention Center in this city.
Women from all 20 towns in the province donned colorful costumes and danced with energy, showcasing their unique cultural flair.
Board Member Joy Ortega, the current LUVWI chairperson, spearheaded the event, emphasizing the importance of women's voices in driving community progress.
"We must ensure our voices are heard," Ortega declared.
“So laban lang tayo mga kakabsat! Huwag tayong paaapi, huwag din tayong matakot, at huwag tayong mahihiya. Nabubuhay tayo hindi para bumitaw at bumigay kung hindi para lumaban at matuto. So my LUVWI family, tandaan niyo ito, kayo ay mahalaga. Lahat kayo ay may kontribusyon sa komunidad, lahat kayo ay katangi-tangi, lahat kayo ay parte ng pagbabago at pag-unlad,” she said.
(Let's fight together! We will not be silenced or suppressed. We live to learn and fight for a better future. Remember, LUVWI family, you are all valued members, each with unique talents contributing to our province's growth and change.)
The high-energy dance showdown offered exciting prizes, with P50,000 awarded to the first-place winner, P30,000 to the runner-up, and P20,000 to the third-place team.
All participants received consolation prizes, and a raffle filled the event with additional excitement, offering cash and appliances.
La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David graced the event, reminding attendees of LUVWI's core mission and commitment to women's empowerment across the province.
"LUVWI is not a political organization," Governor Ortega-David stressed.
“This organization is made by women for women para po meron po tayong matibay na representation dito sa probinsya po natin wherein all women of all walks of life, of all sectors, of all towns po natin dito spread across 20 component local government units are welcome to join and to show kung ano nga po ba ang baon, kung ano nga ba ang kakayahan ng mga kababaihan natin dito sa probinsya ng La Union,” she added.
(It's built by women, for women. We aim to create a strong, unified voice representing all women in La Union, regardless of background or social status. We welcome all women from our 20 municipalities to join and showcase the immense capabilities and strengths of La Union's women.)
As LUVWI approaches its 20th anniversary next year, the organization remains dedicated to amplifying women's voices and fostering a future filled with opportunity for all women in La Union. (JCR/AMB/MJTV/PIA Region 1)
