FILIPINO women from the US and the Philippines have been in a meeting the past few days starting Aug. 21, until today, as part of the 13th Filipina Leadership Global Summit at the Shangri-La Mactan Hotel in Cebu.

Attended by Filipino women leaders, influencers, thinkers and public figures, the global initiative was launched 13 years ago by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN).

In a statement, it said FWN is aimed at “fostering a renewed understanding of the Filipino culture’s emerging influence as a community, and creating a network of Filipino women who will work together in shaping the Filipino image as effective leaders of society.’’

In a recent press conference at Chef Jessie in Rockwell, attendees included former Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert, who is now senior adviser at SGV; Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc. president Olivia Limpe-Aw; Myrna Yao, the “Barbie’’ of the Philippines, as she brought the famous doll into the country; and other leaders in various fields in the country and abroad.

FWN started as a small group of Filipino women with a vision to identify and support Filipino women leaders in the US. It was established in San Francisco as a nonprofit professional association for women of Philippine ancestry committed to promoting the social welfare of Filipino women worldwide.

One of the most awaited events organized by FWN is the annual Filipino Leadership Global Summit that serves as platform for discussions, learning journeys, and sharing strategies among members.

Members are invited to FWN, and they have to undergo extensive screening. Margie Quimpo-Espino