International stage actor and women’s rights advocate Monique Wilson will receive the Hildegarde Lifetime Achievement Award for media and the performing arts from St. Scholastica’s College on March 8.
Wilson fell in love with theater at age 3 after watching a Repertory Philippines production of “Annie.” By the time she was discovered by producer Cameron Mackintosh at age 17 for the original staging of “Miss Saigon” in London’s West End, Monique had already appeared in over 60 professional productions in the Philippines.
Her portrayal of Kim and other subsequent lead roles in the United Kingdom were received with much critical acclaim.
When she came home to the Philippines after her stint in the UK, Monique founded New Voice Company. Among the company’s groundbreaking productions was Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues.” The local production stirred controversy but helped open discussions on women’s sexuality and role in society.
As one of the spokespersons of Gabriela, Wilson has also lent her voice to bringing women’s issues to the public. She serves as global director of One Billion Rising, an international campaign that aims to end violence against women.
Wilson will receive a Diwata trophy designed by Bicol artist Maria Magdamit.
The 8th Hildegarde Awards is named after the 12th-century Benedictine saint, mystic and healer Hildegarde von Bingen. This year’s award ceremonies coincide with the celebration of International Women’s Day.
Outstanding achievements in advertising, development communication, print and online media, radio and television will also receive citations from the Hildegarde Awards.
The winners in the Advertising category are Publicis Jimenez Basic’s “Hapag Usapan” for Lucky Me; BBDO Guerrero’s “Whip It” for Pantene; and J. Walter Thompson’s “Damang-dama” for Eden Cheese.
The Outstanding Developmental Campaigns include Gabriela’s “One Billion Rising,” the multisectoral initiative “One Million People March,” and the International Labor Organization’s “Batang Malaya.”
Shakira Sison’s essays on gay rights for Rappler and the Vera Files’ stories on trafficking in the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” will also receive citations for the Online Media Category.
Awardees in the Radio category include DZIQ’s “Voice of the Youth”; DZMM’s “Usapang de Campanilla”; and DZUP’s “Health Matters.”
For Television, the outstanding programs are GMA News TV’s “Titser” and “Bayan Ko”; ABS-CBN’s “Salamat, Doc!”; and TV5’s “History by Lourd de Veyra.”
The winners of the Hildegarde Awards in the outstanding achievements in Media category will receive specially hand-crafted Lingling-O trophies from the Manila Collectible.
The 8th Hildegarde Awards for Women in Media Communication will be held on March 8, 10 a.m., at the Kuniberta Strathmann Hall, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila campus.
Call Bernice Laudato at 0915-2258730 or Jenna Alcala at 0917-7642100.