Ellen Hagedorn - First lady of Puerto

Mrs. Ellen Hagedorn holding up
one of the hand carved Santa's
from recycled styrofoam. One of
thousands to decorate the tall
public Christmas tree!

Ellen Hagedorn, is the wife of Mayor Edward Hagedorn and a native child of Puerto Princesa. She is the first Lady of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. She has dedicated everyday of her life to helping the men and women of her city grow understand not only the Mayors ecological ideals, but also about themselves as individuals and as community members.

She started with a handfull of women to now an organization of 31,000 women who participate in her many livelihood and family relations projects.

She runs a team of the people she has helped to nuture and train in skills which allow them to make a living and be  useful members of society.

It is her team that put together the buntings, flowers, lights wreaths, Santa's carved from recycled styrofoam etc.,  that decocrate the humongous Christmas tree at the City Baywalk. It is topped off by a lighting of the Tree early in December, and I believe it's still the tallest in the Philippines. It is an event well attended and sought by all the locals every year. An amazing Firecracker display that lasts almost an hour end the official ceremonies, speaches, singing and dancing that are all part of the opening of the Season celebrations.


One of the many of men and
women who work to make
the Chrsitmas tree so
beautiful every year.

More workers hired to hand make the tens of thousands of decorations for the
annual giant Christmas tree which is erected at Baywalk in December.

Mrs. Hagedorn with one of the women she has mentored over the years.
She just had won as Kagawad of Barangay San Jose, over a male
incumbent! Mrs. Hagedorn is very proud of her and the other women
she has taught to stand up for their rights in society.