The Australian Filipina featured in the last few issues four Pinays in Sydney, New South Wales and one from Perth, Western Australia who were Finalists in various categories of the 2021 Ausmumpremeur Awards. We are glad to say that each one of them won an award, with a couple of them even bagging two awards. Congratulations to our achievers - from Sydney: Tina Ranoso Bangel, Fideliz Cruz, Glaiza de Leon, and Yona Signo and from Perth: Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito.
The AusMumpreneur Awards presented by The Women’s Business School celebrate and recognise Australian Mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation. The awards are designed to recognize the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.
We caught up with our awardees and we are glad to share their responses to a couple of questions..
TINA RANOSO BANGEL (NSW) - Gold : 2021 Ausmumpreneur People’s Choice Award Multicultural Making a Difference; Honourable Mention - 2021 Ausmumpreneur Multicultural Business Excellence Award
What does winning the award mean to you?
I was pleasantly surprised to find out I had won. Winning the People's Choice Award means that I may have more opportunities presented to myself and my students. It gives me more drive to keep developing more Australian Filipino voices so we can showcase our talents and excellence.
It also gives me the drive to create more music videos such as the nursery rhymes I have created with a “Filipino twist” you can find on my One Voice School of Singing YouTube channel.
Watch out for my take on the “Wheels on the bus” but watch out for Lola’s mode of transportation… the Jeepney!
I can also have the confidence to promote online music and movement courses like “My Pamilya Time” to celebrate our culture.
What message would you like to give your supporters?
Firstly I would like to thank my husband Rob, son Christian and my parents Mila and Felipe Ranoso as well as my family who are always unconditionally supportive.
I would also like to take the opportunity to say thank you to my mentors Tina and Mark Harris who encouraged me to be part of the AusMumpreneur awards and for giving me the confidence to create videos to the showcase our beautiful Filipino culture.
I would love to thank the many supporters in the community especially my past and current One Voice families and those have supported me since the very beginning stages of my career. From the days of Talent quests to the Miss Filcos Blacktown days! That’s going back over 25 years now.
I am so honoured to have worked with so many singers, musicians, students, producers and colleagues over the years. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Australian Filipino community.
FIDELIZ CRUZ (NSW) - Gold - 2021 Ausmumpreneur People's Choice - Coach of The Year
What does winning the award mean to you?
It is an absolute honour to be able to receive this award. This award is really special and close to my heart because it shows me just how powerful community is! Seeing that it is a People's Choice Award, I know that my community not only took the time to vote for me but I also know how much my work has made an impact in their life.
What an honour to be able to also represent a faith-based business and to be recognised as one of the best and brightest entrepreneur mums in Australia!
What message would you like to give your supporters?
This is for YOU! This is really a testament to the integrus, generous, loving and supportive community that we have! I am so blessed that I get to do what I love and work with the most amazing people - I wouldn't be here without you and so thank you!
Thank you to our Australian Filipino Community who have been so supportive and encouraging, especially those in the media who have given me the opportunity to share my story. It’s an honour to represent my culture in these awards.
I also want to acknowledge and celebrate my fellow Filipina entrepreneurs who have also won awards! Congratulations! “
GLAIZA DE LEON (NSW) - Gold: 2021 Ausmumpremeur Children's Education Book; Silver 2021 Author Awad
What does winning the award mean to you?
I felt incredibly humbled and grateful when they announced my name. It’s not every day an introvert such as myself can be an advocate for children who struggle to find their loud voices, especially in a school setting. It means so much that through my picture book, these children are being heard and understood.
My lifelong dream of publishing a book started 24 years ago when I was 7 years old. Between being a mum to three young children, alongside running a successful skincare business (Dearest Lips), my author dreams were put on hold.
After I wrote my manuscript to help console my daughter, she instantly replied; 'can you turn it into a real book, mummy? So that other kids who can't find their loud voice like me, can read it too?'
I could say, the rest is history.
It feels surreal that my achievements have been recognised so early in my author journey. It motivates me to continue sharing my work with confidence knowing that it also resonates strongly with others, even adults.
What message would you like to give to your supporters?
Thank you to everyone who voted for me for the People's Choice Award. I feel truly blessed by all the support. Many of you have supported my author journey since the very beginning and have joined me throughout this experience. The kind words, reviews, and feedback encourages me to continue sharing my story far and wide.
Thank you to the judges, who had the tough role of interviewing 10 Finalists, but made the experience so memorable and less nerve-wracking. Thank you for listening to the 'why' behind what I do and for acknowledging my achievements as a worthy recipient of the Author Award.
Thank you to my family who have been cheering me on every step of the way. You show excitement alongside me, and celebrate my wins with me.
My parents have always encouraged me to give things a try, as you'll never know the outcome unless you do. Knowing this alone, was enough for me to enter the awards. Thank you for always being proud of me, no matter the outcome, but for simply trying each time. My author journey wouldn't be the same without your love and guidance.
And lastly, thank you so much to my biggest supporters; my husband and 3 young children. You inspire me to write, to dream big, and to showcase my work with passion and drive. I may never be able to translate my gratitude into the right sentences, but know that your support has filled my heart beyond words. Thank you!
YONA SIGNO (NSW) Gold: 2021 AusMumpreneur Award for Multicultural Business Excellence
What does winning the award mean to you?
Receiving the Gold award in the means so much to me. Being a mum in business hasn’t been an easy journey and the pandemic has really been something else, but I do believe in what I do, the people we serve and the people we provide opportunities to - this award is an amazing blessing. It is a beautiful reminder of the journey I'm on and has affirmed that, whilst it hasn't been a straight path, I am on the right track.
This quote by Robert Alan Aurthur eloquently sums up what Team Kaya and I strive to demonstrate each day...
"Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity."
I am so thankful and grateful for this recognition, and I’m feeling so inspired and more determined as I strive to make a local and global difference.
What message do you wish to send to your supporters?
Thank you to Peace, Katy, the AusMumpreneur team and to all the judges for your valuable time. What an honour it is to be a part of this wonderful community.
A huge thank you to our amazing clients for your trust and to our wonderful partners and supporters who believe in our mission to empower and provide opportunities for business owners and virtual assistants. Enabling Team Kaya to demonstrate strength in cultural diversity in all that we do.
A special shout out to my supportive husband, my parents, my little ones, my family and friends, as well as the incredible community of women in business that I have met and learned from along the way. Last but not least, thank you to my team, Team KAYA, for always demonstrating our signature can-do kayang-kaya attitude and for consistently showing up as your best self. I appreciate and I am thankful and grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you very much! Maraming salamat po!
VANESSA ATIENZA HIPOLITO (WA) - Gold: 2021 Ausmumpremeur People's Choice Making a Difference in the Local Community; Silver: Ausmumpremeur Health & Well Being Award
What does winning the awards mean to you?
Being a finalist for this AusMumpreneur awards is a blessing and a gift. It has given me an opportunity to reflect on my journey trials and obstacles during my medical studies, towards achieving my specialist status and then acquiring my own business. It has given me an opportunity to count my blessings and appreciate all the people who supported and helped me along the way especially my family in Manila, my own family here in Western Australia, relatives, friends and everyone who made an impact towards my personal and professional growth.
The acknowledgement and recognition of Women’s and Breast Imaging(WBI) team to serve our local community in the Perth Metro including regional and remote Western Australia is special and meaningful for us because it validates the importance of our hard work and commitment.It is an honour and privilege to be able to give back and SERVE my community.
AusMumpreneur awards has given me an opportunity to share my mission and advocacy in promoting the importance of PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.
A woman diagnosed with breast cancer has a better chance of surviving the disease if detected by imaging: a mammogram and/or breast ultrasound before she can feel it and before her doctor can feel it. One should not wait for a change, a lump or symptoms in your breast.While more people are being diagnosed with breast cancer each year, thanks to improved screening techniques and treatments, less people are dying from the disease.
What message would you like to give your supporters?\
I celebrate you Glenn for your kindness, patience, understanding, support, love and understanding. You helped me and cheered me all the way to achieve all my goals and dreams. I am blessed and surrounded by loving kids who are my inspiration, in laws, Hipolito family, relatives, friends, colleagues, referrers and patients, thank you. I celebrate my Mum and my sister Venice, if not for them, for their love and support, I won’t be here in Australia. My team, my WBI family, I cannot do what I do without their expertise. I am thankful and grateful for San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir family, prayer warriors, Aussie-Filipino community, Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas, and all of you all over the world who voted and supported me: colleagues, relatives, friends, friends of friends and social network.
Thank you also to the media who promoted me via radio interview and online articles (Radio Tagumpay, The Australian Filipina and The Brilliant Foundation).To my referrers, it is a privilege to look after you, your family and your patients. Thank you for your trust and support.
Thank you AusMumpreneur community and Australian Pinay for championing Australian Mums with business. I am grateful for the judges and especially Katy and Peace. They have given me an opportunity to spread my message. I am thankful for Karen MacDermott (AusMumpreneur of the year Western Australia 2020 winner) for her inspiration, encouragement and support.Thank you to all finalist and winners! Congratulations! You are all champions! I am celebrating you all amazing mums and your achievements!
To the people who knows me well……… I offer this award to HIM. To God be the glory!
The news about the Pinay Ausmumpreneur winning the awards is sure to give the Fil-Aus community a reason to cheer them up in this trying time of the pandemic.