An appreciation dedicated to women, by the women. This was the main highlight of the recently concluded Zonta International District 17 Art Show that ran from September 26 to October 1, 2023 at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The three-day event, themed “Her Story in Colors: Celebrating the Diversity and Creativity of Women,” featured artworks from over 40 renowned artisans and art groups to raise funds for the underprivileged women and girls.

Among the works shown in the exhibit were colorful paintings of Dr. Meneline Wong, and vibrant works of Tarlac-born Wence Zyl.

Also featured are works of Lydia Velasco, Margie Organo, Addie Cukingnan, Mary Ann Reyes, Jeanette Kamphuis, Naomi Banal, Shirley "Shelay" Tan, Pia Marife Dacanay, Sabina Joy Vocalan Cruz, Isah Miranda Rodillo, among others.

Artist groups such as the Floral Artists of Manila, Lambana Angono Women Artists Collective, and Female Art Addicts have also contributed to the success of the event. All women from various walks of life.

Out of the 70 art pieces featured, 27 were donated towards the education, promotion of gender equity, and provide opportunities for women from all over the world to “achieve her full potential.”

“When you educate and capacitate a woman, you achieve the double dividend of capacitating not only herself, but also her children, her family, and her whole community,” Olivia Aguinaldo-Ferry said, the first Filipino to become the Zonta International president.

Taguig Mayor Laarni “Lani” Cayetano, guest speaker of the event, also reiterated the importance of empowering women and providing a safer world for children through the arts.

Cayetano, an advocate for women’s movement since at young age, established the Progressive Ladies' League of the Philippines (PLLP) when she was only 22 to promote women’s rights and welfare. The group now has grown to 16,000 members from the initial 1,300.

The event was hosted by the Zonta Club’s Fort Bonifacio chapter, led by Tess Rayos Del Sol, in collaboration with Danny Rayos Del Sol’s Galerie Du Soleil and was attended by District 17’s Zontians from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

The art pieces were exhibited at the 2nd floor lobby of the hotel followed by an afternoon tea at The Grand Kitchen.

Along with the accomplishment of the art show, Filipino Zontians aim to host ZI’s 22nd conference in the country. The Philippines last held the conference in 2017 with the leadership of Primitiva “Baby” Perez-Sison, Zonta Lieutenant Governor and a passionate optometrist for 70 years.

Aimed towards “empowerment and progressive change” in communities, Zonta International was first established in 1919 at Buffalo, New York, USA. What started as a small confederation has become an international group with 26,000 members in 1,100 Zonta clubs across 62 countries.

In the Philippines, the group has launched various projects such as donation drives for COVID-19 frontliners, advocate strategies to stop violence against women and children, and providing seminars on women’s rights.

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