8 mothers in CV highlight improvements in life under 4Ps via “ReyNanay” pageant

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Eight mothers from the four provinces in Central Visayas highlighted their respective life’s changes and improvements with the help and assistance from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during the maiden edition of the 4Ps “ReyNanay” search cum pageant initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office VII.

According to Leah Quintana, DSWD-7 regional information officer that the eight 4Ps “ReyNanays” come from the different towns in the Central Visayas region and were presented to the public through their introduction and advocacy videos uploaded to the DSWD Region VII Facebook page.

The eight “ReyNanays” showcased their wit, poise, and personal style during the coronation night on June 16 at the Southview Hotel in Dumaguete City where the candidates competed under the theme of "Inspiration and Aspiration". 

Each candidate was evaluated based on their respective inspirational stories and their aspirations to uplift their families’ wellbeing with the assistance of the program.

Justina Villego, a mother from Basay town, bagged the country’s first 4Ps ReyNanay Search Central Visayas grand winner while Felisa Arriesgado of Daanbantayan, Cebu got the first runner-up award and was named as Ambassadress for Education.  The  2nd runner-up went to Jonaly Erme from Manjuyod, Negros Oriental as Ambassadress for Health.

 Let’s meet the eight “ReyNanays”

DSWD-7 coined the word “ReyNanay” which is a combination of two words which are Reyna or Queen, and Nanay or Mother.  The “ReyNanay” search pays tribute to empowered 4Ps mothers in various communities in the region, Quintana said.

Jovencia Palingcod from Batuan and Chelia Suello from Getafe represented Bohol province.  Jovencia works as a child development worker and helped augment her husband’s income as a tricycle driver.

She shared that it was difficult to raise five children while managing their family’s meager income. But with sheer determination, she ventured into selling beauty products and dried fish around their barangay.

The couple’s hard work paid off because two of their children have already graduated from college and are now working as teachers. The three remaining children are still pursuing their studies in college and high school.

For Chelia, it is not too late to pursue her education. She is currently a Grade 12 student at Tulang National High School.

"Pirteng lisura gyud ang kinabuhi namo sa una mao nga wala gyud ko nakahuman. Ganahan ko mahimong ehemplo sa akong upat ka anak ug uban pang mga nanay nga dili pa gyud uwahi aron kab-ot sa mga pangandoy sa kinabuhi,” she said. (Life was really difficult before; that is why I was not able to finish my education. I want to set example to my four children and to other mothers that it is not yet too late to achieve their dreams in life.)

Chelia works as a farmer at the same time, a barangay health worker. She dreamed of becoming a midwife someday.

Cebu is represented by three empowered mothers-- Alma Cabonada from Aloguinsan, Felisa Arriesgado from Daanbantayan and Claudia Gonzales from the San Remigio.

Alma Cabonada said she is grateful for the program because it helped her children’s needs in school since their combined family’s income could not suffice and sustain their needs.  She also cited the learning from the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) that provided various developmental topics like gardening. In fact, she initiated planting activities and clean-up drives with her co-4Ps partner-beneficiaries in their community.

Felisa Arriesgado raised her six children by selling local delicacies, or kakanin around her community. With her husband who works as a carpenter, the Arriesgado couple is proud parents of their children who are all achievers as honor students.

Felisa is also active in her community and actively participates in various associations such as the Panagsama Farmers Association that helps fellow farmers in organic farming.

Claudia Gonzales values education and is hopeful that her three children will finish their education.

"Kutob ra gyud ko og second year college ug wala nako nahuman akong pag-eskwela tungod lisud among kahimtang mao nga naninguha ko karun nga makahuman akong mga anak,” Claudia said.  (I just reached second year in college and I was not able to finish my education because of our financial status. I work hard now so that my children will be able to finish their education.)

As a barangay health worker, Claudia always remind her co-4Ps partner-beneficiaries about the compliance of the program, especially in attending the monthly FDS and visiting the local health center for preventive check-ups.

Negros Oriental is represented by Justina Villego from Basay and Jonaly Erme from Manjuyod.

To find ways to improve her family's living conditions, Justina became involved in her community, serving as a VAWC desk officer, Chapel President, and a barangay health worker.

With other active 4Ps parent leaders, she organized the Empowered Men and Women of Basay Association (EMWOBA) which provides orientation on different Gender and Development (GAD) laws and to lobby for funding support in the barangay for the different GAD activities in the community.

Jonaly is likewise active in her community as a 4Ps parent leader, SLP program participant, and Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer. Because of her leadership skills, she was elected as the President of their SLP Association and actively managed their general merchandise store.

Siquijor province has Emelyn Enad from Maria town.  Emelyn is an active 4Ps parent leader and a barangay nutrition scholar and has dedicated herself to monitoring the health and nutrition of 0–5-year-old children and pregnant women in their community.  She also became a Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer and helped in concreting the access road in their barangay. (Photos: DSWD7-FB)