The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), headed by PSWD Officer Flordelina Granada, spearheaded the culminating activity of the National Women’s Month with the 22nd Women with Disabilities Day celebration which included the Search for Juana 2026 pageant, on March 30, 2026, at the Ammungan Hall of the Capitol Compound, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
According to Ms. Granada, the impetus behind the special celebration is to recognize the unique qualities of every woman despite ability, as the inclusion of disabled women was vital to the observance of National Women’s Month. Affirming the support and compassion of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan toward the disabled women of the province, Ms. Granada expressed gratitude for the attendance of not only the Juana candidates, but their families in attendance, the municipal PSWD officers, and other officials.
In accordance with the theme ‘Landas ng Makabagong Babaylan: Pantay, Inklusibo, at Lahat May Kakayahan’, the Search for Juana pageant saw 17 candidates from all over the province, all of whom have various disabilities. Every candidate had pre-submitted verified copies of their work, which had undergone a pre-judging phase by the panel of judges, which included Search for Juana 2025 winner Ms. Ma. Jerelyn Maejan of NVSU, PTCO Tourism Assistant Aedam Roy Elizaga, and GO Executive Assistant Rachel Itchon. Each candidate’s work was assessed on the 4 K’s of Kakayahan, Kagalingan, Kahusayan, at Kaalaman.
Out of 17 candidates, Ms. Yvette Gandeza Amistad of Bagabag would be hailed Champion. Deemed totally blind in 2008, Ms. Amistad is now currently working as a trainer for other visually impaired people and is a licensed massage therapist. Ms. Christine Marie Servan of Dupax del Sur and Ms. Roldalyn Pagulayan of Bayombong were also crowned 2nd and 3rd runners-up, respectively.
Each candidate demonstrated and affirmed that they were unhampered by their disabilities from being functional and productive members of society. The PSWDO capped off a successful National Women’s Month celebration by recognizing and uplifting not only the existence of women with disabilities, but their livelihoods and unique qualities. The assertion of PWDs as visible and significant is essential to the social and cultural identity of the province. /igmb
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