Pinays Manitoba celebrates International Women’s Day on line

	Araceli Ancheta	Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame
	Imelda Adao

Pinays Manitoba celebrated International Women’s Day with close to 100 guests via Zoom on March 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This year’s honouree, Imelda Adao, owner of Jimel’s, participated from the Philippines during the Zoom event. Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame, paid tribute to Imelda Adao on behalf of Pinays Manitoba. Imelda Adao was recognized for her strength of character and grace through adversity as she and her husband Jim journeyed through a very challenging time due to the tragic loss of their beloved son, Jimboy.

Another highlight of the celebration was honouring the front liners and esential workers for their selfless service to humanity during this tough pandemic time.

During the virtual celebration, guests watched the Fun-demic Challenge winners, participated in games and raffle draws.

Pinays Manitoba would like to thank everyone who joined their 2021 International Women’s Days celebration.

“While we were not able to gather the way we did in the previous years due to current public health guidelines, we are hoping that we’ll be able to do it next year, March 2022,” said Araceli Ancheta, president of Pinays Manitoba.

Founded and incorporated in January 2016, Pinays Manitoba aspires to provide a resource within the community to assist and guide Filipino women of all ages. One of its objectives is to honour Filipino women – trailblazers who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

From 2016 to 2020, Pinays Manitoba has given recognition – the Pinays Manitoba Trailblazer Award – to a number of very deserving Filipino women.

The public is invited to nominate Filipino women who deserve to be honoured and recognized by sending an e-mail to pinaysmb@gmail.com. The nomination committee will review all nominations for the organization’s future annual recognition events in commemoration of the International Women’s Day.

The following is a transcript of Malaya Marcelino’s tribute to Imelda Adao, presented on March 7 at the Pinay Manitoba’s annual International Women’s Day recognition event held via Zoom:

On behalf of Pinays Manitoba, it is my honour to say a few words to specially recognize Imelda Adao: Imelda is truly a remarkable woman. During these past two years, our community has stood with Imelda as she and her family have mourned their beloved son, Jimboy, and sought justice for his life.

During this difficult time, she has been a nurturing support for her husband, Jim and the family. Despite the turmoil in their lives, she has managed to keep their Jimel’s businesses running with the emergency assistance of their adult children who came to their aid from the Philippines.

And now, even despite the pandemic, under Imelda’s business direction and Jim’s cooking and baking skills, both Jimel’s bakery locations continue to grow and expand. In addition to selling their products in-store, Jimel’s now has contracts to provide goods to local grocers including Save-on-Foods, Freshco, Sobey’s, Young’s, Seafood City and many more. Last year, they even opened a new bakery and restaurant in Nueva Ecija in Jimboy’s honour.

Originally from Plaridel, Bulacan, Imelda has lived, worked and operated small businesses in Nueva Ecija, in Malaysia and in Oman before immigrating to Winnipeg with her family in 2005.

For many reasons, Imelda and her family are role models to the Filipino community in Manitoba. They are successful, incredibly hardworking first-generation immigrants to Manitoba who have put their considerable energy, skills and talents into a thriving business that employs others. They are committed church members and give back to their community as business sponsors for events. Without fanfare or public recognition, they are generous with their God-given resources and donate food to the hungry.

Even under the most pressure and stress that any marriage or family could possibly endure, Imelda and Jim have grown closer to one another and even closer to our Almighty God who sustains us all. Imelda is a role model to the women of Pinays Manitoba, and it is my humble honour to recognize her today on International Women’s Day on behalf of our organization.