The winner of this year’s edition of the Baileys Woman of the Year Award, hosted by M. Demajo (Wines & Spirits) Ltd, will be announced this evening. The award, which is now in its fifth edition, will be announced at a presentation dinner at the Upper Barakka Gardens in Valletta.

Featuring among this year’s nominees is international soprano Lydia Caruana. In the past months Lydia has sung with international greats Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras and Joseph Calleja. She recently released her own CD together with celebrity Paul Gulda. She has performed at the International Opera Gala Series in Ireland and has sung in Bologna, Arezzo, Vienna, Ingolstad, Edinburgh, Washington, Toronto, and a 16-concert tour in Germany.

Media presenter Moira Delia is another nominee. She is a well-known figure on television and enjoys challenges. However she considers her biggest achievement so far has been raising her son. Moira believes strongly in women’s determination, “Once we put our minds to something we do our utmost to achieve it. It may be hard work but even though we don’t always feel it, we were created to be a very tough breed.”

This year’s four nominees include the versatile Angela Galea, holder of Malta’s swimming gold medal, who also happens to be a doctor and a jazz teacher. Angela said she is honoured to be among the finalists for the Baileys Woman of the Year. “As a doctor I feel I have the privilege to form part of a team that cares for people when they are in need and at their most vulnerable.

As a swimmer and dancer I will be very happy if I manage to inspire other women to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle.”

Entrepreneur and media personality Mariella Scerri is the fourth nominee. Mariella is the Managing Director of the Orienta Group and the Projects Manager for Orienta Development currently aiming at developing and furnishing overseas tourist villas. She says that she hopes that “The fact that I started without a single cent to my name and today employ 30 people will inspire other women to chase their dreams and turn them to reality.”

The Baileys Woman of the Year award was set up by M. Demajo (Wines & Spirits) Ltd. as a tribute honouring Malta’s outstanding women. It includes the presentation of an original trophy and a sum of money to be donated by the winner to a worthy philanthropic cause of her choice.

The judges on this year’s award panel feature a number of popular local personalities, including last year’s Baileys Woman of the Year, Ira Losco, as well as Xandru Grech, Miriam Dalli, Felix Busuttil and Noelene Miggiani.