When Buhi, San Miguel farmer Sonia Padilla, 55, was named by the Department of Agriculture as the national winner of the 2024-2025 Search for Outstanding Rural Women, it came on the third time she joined the contest.
In 2023, she finished second in the regional level to eventual 2021 national winner Cristina Torreda, who shot to fame after raising strawberry on her farm in San Andres. Two years later, Padilla was a runner-up to Judith Tolledo of Gigmoto in the 2023 provincial search.
Her backers at the Da regional office in Bicol told her she lacked self-confidence, something that they helped her achieve this time.
Last March 28, the practitioner of organic and climate-resilient agriculture finally reached the pinnacle of personal success when she got the win during the culmination of this year’s National Women’s Month celebration (NWMC).
Padilla, known as Tiya Lolay, stood out among eight of the country’s top contenders, securing an impressive 92% rating in the final evaluation for transforming her 2.9-hectare RGSP Farm into a thriving model of integrated and diversified farming, producing rice, watermelons, lowland vegetables, peanuts, tilapia, and various livestock and poultry.
She was also recognized for championing organic and climate-resilient agriculture, implementing sustainable practices such as planting wind-resistant and flood-tolerant crops, adopting soil and water conservation measures, and utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and off-season planting.
One of her most notable innovations, an organic fruit fly attractant made from sugar and tuba, has been widely adopted by local farmers.
The provincial government also described Padilla as a dedicated mentor and trainer, sharing her expertise to empower fellow farmers and advocate for sustainable agriculture and helping strengthen community-based farming practices.
It added that her victory is also a testament to the strong support from the Municipal Government of San Miguel, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Office V, the Provincial Government of Catanduanes under Governor Joseph C. Cua, and the Provincial Agricultural Services Office headed by Provincial Agriculturist Ace William Tria.
In her acceptance speech, Bicol Region’s flagbearer Padilla likened herself to the island province of Catanduanes: one that constantly faces and rises above harsh conditions.
“I am a strong woman with strong faith in God. Para sa akin, hindi ako bibigyan ng pagsubok na hindi ko kayang lagpasan. Tulad ng paulit-ulit na pagbangon ng Catanduanes sa tuwing dadaanan ito ng bagyo, gano’n din ako sa mga hamon at pagsubok ng aking buhay. Hindi puwedeng tumigil at hindi puwedeng magpatalo sa mga unos at bagyo, kahit pa sa mga mapinsalang bagyong Rolly, Ulysses, at Pepito. Ang mga pangalan ng mga bagyong ito ay pawang mga lalaki; ngunit bilang babae, taglay ko ang lakas at katatagan upang mapatunayan na kaya ko silang lampasang lahat. Kaya nating magtagumpay sa lahat na hamon ng buhay,” she recalled.
Committing to be an instrument of agricultural development in the Philippines, the newly hailed SORW National Winner expressed her desire to also be an icon of empowerment and success, most especially for fellow Filipinas in vulnerable and underprivileged sectors.
“Ang parangal na ito ay isang testamento na ang mga kababaihan ay kaya ring magtagumpay sa larangang karaniwang pinamumunuan ng mga kalalakihan. Kaya nating maging makabuluhang parte ng lipunan sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na ating kinakaharap. Sana ay magsilbi akong inspirasyon sa mga kababaihan na huwag nilang ikahon ang kanilang mga sarili sa mga pamantayang idinidikta ng patriyarkal na lipunan,” Padilla added.
Launched in 2003, the Search honors exemplary women in the agriculture sector who hail from the rural areas. It also documents their inspiring journeys, highlighting the rural women’s painstaking efforts to achieve success not only in their respective agricultural ventures but also in empowering fellow women and communities.
The SORW 2024-2025 also recognized the following outstanding rural women: Dauphine Alviar of Cagayan, Region II – First Runner-up; Wilma Alvester of Kalinga, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) – Second Runner-up; Veberly Uyaan of La Union, Region I – Third Runner-up; and Ma. Ninfa Desiree Segovia of Aklan, Region VI – Fourth Runner-up.
Aside from cash prizes, the five winners will also receive an additional prize in the form of a project or interventions available in their respective DA-Regional Field Offices.
Meanwhile, Mercelita Diaz of Zambales, Region III and Edna Deypalubos of Davao Oriental, Region XI also received consolation prizes, while Elenita Limpag of Agusan del Sur, Region XIII was recognized as a National Level Finalist. (With reports from Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara/DA-AFID and Capitol PIU)