her advocacy wins hearts
MAASIN CITY – The province of Southern Leyte, as reported, is one place with a high percentage rate of single mothers in Eastern Visayas. This issue was eloquently addressed by the recently crowned Miss Maasin 2024. She made it as her advocacy. On the beauty pageant’s final question, “Sustainable development goals- gender equality. Have you observed if this is being applied in your home or community? Please cite an example,” her answer was,
“As someone who is the product of a broken family, I was raised by my mother alone. She strongly stood as both a mother and a father to me, and that is why I am here today, standing in front of you, making my advocacy a reality. My project, ADAS (Anti-Discrimination Against Single Mothers), aims to foster an inclusive community for single mothers so they can feel more appreciated and accepted. I believe that gender no longer limits any potential, so let’s build a world where single mothers are not just accepted but also celebrated.”
On August 8, 2024, the Maasin City Gymnasium was filled with excitement as the city held the Miss Maasin City 2024 beauty pageant.
This event, part of Maasin City’s month-long celebration for its 24th Cityhood Anniversary and Fiesta, saw ten stunning contestants representing their respective barangays with grace, intelligence, and beauty. The contestants who made it after preliminary judging were: Miss Tagnipa, Ellah Mae L. Saligo; Miss Abgao, Aura Yvannah S. Augusto; Miss Badiang, Samantha G. Delalamon; Miss Combado, Gerciline M. Nudalo; Miss Dongon, Arcze Benedace B. Abar; Miss Manhilo, Ayen Clarisse Capecenio; Miss Mantahan, HK Sydney R. Montederamos; Miss Rizal, Jasmine B. Egido; Miss Tam-is, Rhea Mae M. Anduyan; and Miss Tunga-Tunga, Xybelle Estraniero.
The spectacular two million–peso budgeted beauty pageant showed impressive performances, well-expressed speeches, and gorgeous displays of poise. After several minutes of waiting, the judges made their choice. Miss Abgao, Aura Yvannah S. Augusto, was crowned as Miss Maasin 2024. Miss Badiang, Samantha G. Delalamon, was Miss Maasin Cityhood. And Miss Combado, Gerciline M. Nudalo, was Miss Maasin Fiesta. They were followed by Miss Rizal, Jasmine B. Egido, as 1st Runner-Up and Miss Tunga-Tunga, Xybelle Estraniero, as 2nd Runner-Up.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 states, “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.” Gender equality characterizes the end of “all forms of discrimination, violence and any harmful practices against women and girls.”
It also calls for the full participation of women and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.
And, although there has been progress over the last decades, the world is still not on track to achieve gender equality by targeted year 2030, according to the United Nations scorecard.
(GMReyes, AVista)
