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DIVA Universal Salutes Unsung Heroes in Asia
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Women
Across Asia Have Nominated Four Unsung Heroes for the High Heeled Warrior Award
for their Selfless Contribution.
·
DIVA
Calls For Public to Begin Voting
Malaysia, 23 September 2013 – DIVA Universal is proud to announce the
nominees vying for the ‘Unsung Hero’
category of DIVA Universal’s inaugural High Heeled Warrior Awards, which has
been created to celebrate and recognize the successes of women across Asia. The
‘Unsung Hero’ is a woman who has made a significant impact and positive
difference to society or to the lives of those around her.
After two weeks of public nominations and
intense selection by the judging panel led by Christine Fellowes, Managing Director, Asia
Pacific, Universal Networks International; Todd Forest, Executive Producer Asia
Pacific, Microsoft Online Media and Publishing, Singapore; Ruth Yeoh, Director
of Investments and Head of Sustainability, YTL Corporation Berhad; and Media
Consultant Diana Ser, nominations were whittled to the final four inspirational
women.
The nominees are Cassandra
Chiu (Singapore), Teri Choong (Malaysia), Jasmine Ong Kim Li (Malaysia) and
Jennifer Chen (Hong Kong). These women have been voted by their peers for their
vast contributions to society and selfless dedication to bettering the lives of
others.
Being involved in various
projects in their respective countries, the four nominees prove that with hard
work and sheer dedication, there is no limit to what can be done to make a
difference in the world. They have received awards for their outstanding work
and contributions and have also played an active role in reaching out to the public
to advocate and endorse volunteer work.
"It was a great pleasure
reviewing the candidates for the "High Heeled Warrior Unsung Hero (HHW)"
nominations. All women reviewed demonstrated great strength and character so
choosing from such a stellar roll call was no easy feat. Based on the ladies
selected, those who have served the community selflessly through
self-sacrifice, and those who have overcome disabilities to live a life filled
with purpose shone the brightest.
I have been privileged to witness some of the
good works personally of some of these HHWs nominated through experiences
working with them and can therefore most certainly attest to their great work
within the societies in which they operate." Ruth Yeoh, Director of
Investments and Head of Sustainability, YTL Corporation Berhad said.
Apart from the ‘Unsung Heroes’
category, the High Heeled Warrior Awards celebrates women in in Arts &
Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Community Service.
Voting for all categories is opened to
public and will close on 29 September 2013 via www.highheeledwarriors.asia. Winners will be announced on-air on both
DIVA Universal and E! Entertainment’s Facebook Pages, and also online by MSN.
The High Heeled Warrior Awards
aims to heighten awareness of the importance in the roles of which women play
in society- from business, arts, entertainment, community service and
education.
About Universal Networks
International
Universal Networks
International, the international channels division of NBCUniversal, is one of
the world’s premier entertainment portfolios, delivering quality content and
compelling brands to over 176 territories across Europe, the Middle East,
Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. The brands in the portfolio include
Universal Channel, Syfy, 13th Street Universal, Studio Universal, E!
Entertainment Television, The Style Network, DIVA Universal and Golf Channel. These
unique brands deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local
audiences across the globe. Universal Networks International also operates
Movies 24 and has a controlling interest in the KidsCo joint venture.
Universal Networks
International is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media
and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of
entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns
and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television
networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production
operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme
parks. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.
Appendix
Cassandra
Chiu, Age 33
Singapore
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Cassandra Chiu, is the first and only female
guide dog handler in Singapore. She began to lose her sight at the tender age
of eight to a condition known as ‘Stargardt’s disease’. Not allowing herself
to be deterred by discrimination and prejudice against blind people,
Cassandra went on to excel in sports and swimming and even represented
Singapore in International Swim Meets in Malaysia, China and Australia. In
1996, she was honoured with the Singapore Disabled Sportswoman of The Year
Award. She has also represented Singapore in competitive bowling in Finland,
Australia and Malaysia.
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Teri Choong, Age 43
Malaysia
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Teri Choong works full time in a
Non-Government Organisation called ‘Generasi Gemilang’ in Malaysia. She is a
survivor of cancer, but even before finding out she had cancer, she had
already been a strong advocator of cancer awareness. Teri mentors youth
through an American program sponsored by the US Department of State, US
Embassy of Kuala Lumpur and also works with sexually abused and troubled
teens, conducting lessons to help give them a different perspective in life
to aid them through any obstacles that they may face.
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Jasmine Ong Kim Li, Age 25
Malaysia
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Jasmine Ong Kim Li took two years off
to pursue a career in law to help students in need who lives in an urban poor
community in Malaysia. She also founded and manages a community based project
– “Project Building Dreams” that aims to provide safe and conducive spaces to
students and children coming from hostile environment. Jasmine has
successfully roped in the support of Groupon Malaysia and GAB Foundation to
fund this project. Jasmine is also one of the first South East Asian women accepted
to be a Women's Mentor via the WEDUFund Organization where she dedicates her
time mentoring girls from 3rd world nations such as Afghanistan, Cambodia,
Myanmar and Bangladesh.
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Jennifer
Chen, Age 43
Hong
Kong
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Jennifer Chen founded “Otto’s Clinic”
at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Brain Tumour Centre in memory of her
late husband five years ago. Otto’s Combined Neuro-Oncology Clinic was opened
in June 2009. It fills a unique community need in the area of brain tumours.
There is no other facility like it in Asia. Otto’s Clinic provides a service
that targets patients with malignant brain tumours who require multi-modality
treatment. These patients are now seen by neurosurgeons, radiation
oncologists and neuro-oncologists at one central location, rather than having
to pay multiple visits to different clinics for combined treatment.
Jennifer is on the organizing committee
of the annual “Brain Trek” event held at Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak that was
first launched in 2007. It is part of the global awareness program, “Walk
around the World for Brain Tumours”, launched by the International Brain
Tumour Alliance (IBTA). Brain Trek is a charity walk in memory of those who
passed away, connecting those with brain tumours now, and the professionals
caring for and doing research on brain tumours.
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