Celebrating its third year anniversary, Town and Country Philippine edition hosted its first-ever Wonder Women Awards on September 14 at White Space in Makati City.

"Our Wonder Women issue honors accomplished women of style and substance who have excelled in their chosen fields," said Town and Country editor-in-chief Yvette Fernandez.

The seven women who received recognition at the afternoon tea party were Margarita "Gaita" Fores, for entrepreneurship; Cheche Lazaro, for media; Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, for literature; Lea Salonga, for music and theater; Bea Valdes, for fashion; Isabel Caro Wilson, for diplomacy and the arts; and Gina Lopez, for philanthropy and public service.

Lopez graced the cover of Town and Country September issue.

Fernandez described the seven women as "professional, yet gracious." She said "they exude strength, confidence, and passion, and at the same time are charming and down-to-earth."

The awardees who attended the tea and awards program that afternoon were Salonga, Lazaro, Valdes and Fores.

Lopez was represented by her brother Ernie Lopez; Wilson by her daughter Claudia Wilson Tambunting; and Nakpil by her daughter Lizza Nakpil.

And now, a few words about these Wonder Women.

LEA SALONGA made her professional debut at age seven in Repertory Philippines' production of The King and I. She became famous for playing the cute, redheaded orphan Annie. She was also in the cast of various productions such as Cat on Hot Tin Roof, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rose Tattoo, The Sound of Music, The Goodbye Girl, and Paper Moon.

She became a household name when she played the role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. Her outstanding performance won for her the Tony, Laurence Olivier and Theater World Awards.

Salonga is married to Rob Chien; they have a 4-year-old daughter named Nicole.

"I feel very, very blessed with my career and my family. I am also able to travel and have a measure of anonymity when I travel so I can still have a life and do my work. I couldn't ask for anything more. God is so giving," the multi-awarded actress and singer said in an interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the event.

CHECHE LAZARO is an acclaimed Filipino broadcast journalist best known for her hard-hitting and comprehensive documentaries.  She is also the founding president of Probe Productions Inc.

Throughout her career spanning almost three decades, Lazaro has won several awards including the Star Awards' Best News Magazine Show Host nine times.

The Probe Team, the first Filipino investigative news magazine for television, has won both local and international recognition. It received the Gawad CCP Para sa Telebisyon "10 Best TV Programs of the Philippine Television" ten times and elevated to the Hall of Fame of the Catholic Mass Media Awards.

BEA VALDES  could pass for a model but instead, she designs works of art. After pursuing studies in writing and design, she started an accessories workshop where she made beaded bags.