WFWP AZ- HERSTORY AWARD
The HerStory Award Celebration honoring Mrs. Richelle was a beautiful gathering of approximately 60 friends, colleagues, business associates, and community members who came together to recognize her life of generosity, service, and friendship.
The event was held at the clubhouse of her friend, Carol Esquerra, who generously provided the venue free of charge. True to Mrs. Richelle’s nature of always thinking of others and making her guests feel special, she prepared an abundant dinner, including a whole lechon. As guests arrived, they received name tags and shared the organizations they represented, revealing the wide circle of relationships Mrs. Richelle has built throughout the years.
The program began with an invocation and blessing of the meal led by Robert Calderon, a trusted friend who also served as the event photographer. Following dinner, the Women’s Federation for World Peace and the HerStory Award were introduced. Professional singer and friend Remilie “Miles” King then delighted the guests with a wonderful performance of “You’re Simply the Best.”
Several of Mrs. Richelle’s friends and colleagues shared heartfelt testimonies about why she deserved the HerStory Award. Carol Esquerra, Betty Ramirez, My Le Sampaga, former boss Beth Banda, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Arizona President Atty. Luan Mai, and her best friend Lorena Higgins spoke about her generosity, integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, humility, and commitment to volunteering and educating future generations through her Kumon business. Due to an audiovisual issue, video testimonies from Rose Banuelos and Kristine Joy Bartolome could not be shown during the program, but were available as additional event recordings.
The HerStory Award Certificate was read by Lorena Higgins, followed by a touching presentation from Mrs. Richelle’s son, Justin Caubang, who gave his mother flowers and shared how proud he was of her. He expressed how moved he was to hear so many people speak about the positive impact she has had on their lives.
The evening concluded with Mrs. Richelle’s heartfelt acceptance speech and HerStory, which was received with a warm and enthusiastic response from the audience. The celebration was more than an award ceremony—it was a gathering of the community she has nurtured through years of friendship, service, and generosity.
Guests left with happy hearts and full trays of food, a fitting reflection of Mrs. Richelle herself. She not only filled the evening with stories of kindness and friendship, but also demonstrated through her hospitality what it means to live by the Logic of Love.
