Calamba City nutrition and GAD council hold beauty tilt for pregnant women CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, March 17 (PNA) –- The Calamba City government and the SM City Calamba hosted over the weekend a unique beauty tilt with a purpose as 11 mothers-to-be in their fifth to seventh month of pregnancy paraded the ramp in the city’s “Mrs. Gandang Buntis” finals and coronation activities at the SM mall’s events center here. The City Nutrition Council and Gender and Development Council (GAD) launched the “Search for Mrs. Gandang Buntis 2014” as one of the highlights of the Women’s Month Celebration at the SM City Calamba. Pageant organizers said the beauty pageant showcased women’s beauty, brain, personality and deviated from the whistle-bait figures for vital stats to adjudge the fairest of them all in a competition for pregnant women with age range of 21 to 35 years old. Aleli Catalina Jimenez, city nutrition council action officer, said the competition aims to portray the beauty of motherhood. Jimenez said the “beauty for a purpose” was launched three years ago to address the problem in gender and development focal point number five to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. She cited studies that child mortality especially for newborn is caused by malnutrition which accounts for 50 percent of the causes of deaths among infants after birth. The city nutrition office chief said their program includes distribution of life-saving kit such as administering to the child on nutritional supplements such as iron folate, Vitamin A, zinc on the complementary food to avert malnutrition and embark on information and education campaign on proper hygiene. Barangay Mayapa’s Trisha Dipontorom, who is five-month pregnant, bested the 10 other contenders with the “Ms. Gandang Buntis 2014” title, cash prize of P15,000 and a plaque of recognition. The pregnant contestants modeled their casual wear, presented their talents, donned their long gowns and were also serenaded before the question and answer portion. SM City Calamba mall manager Maria Odessa Galicia took pride in having the event at the mall as co-sponsor. The activity themed “Sapat at tamang alaga sa buntis, pagsilang sa malusog na baby ay walang mintis” (proper pregnancy care ensures a healthy new born) adopted the criteria of expectant mothers age 21 to 25, married and supported by husband, five to seven months pregnant and with medical certificate from the physician. Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc “Timmy” Chipeco emphasized the city program is in pursuit of advancing women’s rights and needs through the city GAD Council and the fight against violation on women. Chipeco reminded the contestants to take extra care during their pregnancy and enjoy the event as they presented their talents. Laguna 2nd district Representative Joaquin “Jun” Chipeco Jr. also paid tribute to mothers and the women in the community, saying “their sacrifice as mothers brought forth life and without women where would we be.” Vice Mayor Roseller H. Rizal, in a message read by Aloida Manalo of the City Vice Mayor’s office commended the city nutrition council and city GAD Focal Point System for the success of the affair. Rizal honored each contestant who is blessed by special gift of a child and urged the beauty tilt participants to give each child or children their motherly love and care and proper nurture. He also praised the working mothers for their important contributions to the community besides the vital roles as mothers and empowered women. (PNA) LAP/SEPA-A/RAM/UTB
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:10:10 +0000
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