DUBAI // Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi is no stranger to awards. Over the years the mother of two has racked up a long list of trophies and accolades.
Now she has been named alongside pop stars and politicians as one of the 100 most influential Filipinas in the world.
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi, 43, chief executive of Geoscience Testing Laboratory, is the only Filipina in the UAE to win a place on the prestigious list compiled by the Filipina Women's Network in the United States.
"I was thrilled and honoured when they sent me a congratulatory message," said Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi. "Looking at the list of women around the world, I had to ask myself, 'Do I really deserve it?'
"It is really amazing to think that a lot of women are starting to break through glass ceilings."
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi was one of the winners in the category of innovators and thought leaders. Nominees included international singers Charice Pempengco and Lea Salonga-Chien; Monique Lhuillier, a prominent fashion designer; Monique Wilson, a theatre and film actress; and Pia Cayetano, a senator.
The awards honour Filipinas "who have broken new ground in the marketplace, have delivered new and unique applications of emerging technology transforming the way people think, in the fields of sports, literature, the arts and pop culture".
It also recognises women who have improved the lives of others by helping to develop a product or service in the fields of science, engineering, technology or medicine.
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi will attend an awards ceremony in San Francisco on October 26.
A chemical engineer, she began working as a quality control inspector at a textile factory in Dubai in 1992, eventually rising to chief executive at Geoscience, where she manages 450 engineers, technicians, microbiologists and consultants from the Middle East and Asia.
"My wife is an extraordinary Filipina with a unique success story," said her Emirati husband Mohammed, 47.
"She outshines in her career without compromising her duty as a mother to her children and a volunteer in the community.
"She is a patient wife and a responsible mother at home, and executes her function as a chief executive the moment she starts her car. I am proud of her as my wife and the mother of my children."
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi's list of awards is a long one. In 2008, she was runner-up in the professional category at the Emirates Businesswoman awards.
A year later, she was honoured as one of the Women of Substance by Illustrado magazine in Dubai. The same year she also won the Bagong Bayani (New Heroes) Award for most outstanding employee and the Blas F Ople Award for Natatanging Bagong Bayani, known as the highest and most coveted recognition given to exemplary overseas Filipinos.
In December last year she received the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award from Benigno Aquino, the Philippine president.
Before she travels to California, Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi will attend the Emirates Woman of the Year Awards on Tuesday, where she is nominated in the Visionaries category that recognises women who "have challenged the norm and became trailblazers in their chosen field".
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi said: "My aim is to bring pride and honour for the Philippines. This is another story in my life which I think will encourage people to give their best, and achieve their ultimate goals."
Despite her long list of awards, colleagues describe Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi as humble and approachable.
"She is a strong-willed woman working in a man's world. We all look up to her as our mentor and leader," said Ara Benoza, a marketing officer at Geoscience.
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi said: "I started from humble beginnings. Although I'm their chief executive, my work ethics have not changed. They should consider themselves fortunate because they did not have to go through a lot of jobs to get to where they are right now."
rruiz@thenational.ae
