Shawntel Nicole Nieto, the co-founder of the One Cainta Food Program and president of the Society of Sustainability Practitioners, was one of the 400 recipients of the Diana Award 2021.
A 24-year-old and the former badminton Lady Eagle was recognized for her efforts to help communities and frontline workers since the pandemic’s lockdown began, as well as her efforts to ensure the pandemic’s long-term viability.
In a Facebook post on Monday, June 28, 2021, Nieto expressed her gratitude as she announced that she is the first Filipino to receive the prestigious award.
https://www.facebook.com/1252549413/posts/10225178545671383?_rdc=1&_rdr
“I’m so excited to finally announce that I am a recipient of this year’s Diana Award -the very first Filipino to be awarded The Award!!!,” Nieto wrote.
“I was given my Diana Award for my work supporting communities and frontliners during the pandemic and for working to elevate the field of sustainability in the Philippines,” she added.
The Diana Award honors young campaigners, volunteers, fundraisers, and activists who are making a positive difference in their communities and reflecting Princess Diana’s values of “kindness, compassion, and service.”
Watch one of Nieto’s shared videos on “Walang Iwanan sa One Cainta”:
In an interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Shawntel said that the Diana Award was “one of her favorite awards because of the weight it brings.”
According to her, this award felt extra special because she has always looked up to Princess Diana.
Last July 2020, BBC World featured Nieto who, amid the worldwide health crisis, gathered finances to establish a food program that was able to give over 200,000 bags of food and assistance to tens of thousands of her kababayans in Cainta, including many who lost their employment due to the epidemic.
Watch Nieto’s BBC World Interview featuring her Cainta Food Program:
“A year ago, I never would’ve imagined that I’d even be able to receive such a prestigious and highly coveted award; but I guess life can and does surprise you so long as you keep moving for that which is beyond you – so long as you keep working and moving for others”, she said.
This year’s awards are memorable since they were held just days before the late Princess’s 60th birthday. Her son, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, made a special visit to congratulate the winners for being such vital members of their communities.
Watch Duke of Sussex’s Speech recognizing the recipients of the Diana Award 2021:
Nieto dedicates this award to her Lolo Mex, her family, and to the members and founders of One Cainta teams that helped make One Cainta Food Program possible.
