Precious Lara Quigaman's new advocacy

CEBU, Philippines – Precious Lara Quigaman's celebrity power and influence spill onto nutrition education advocacy, being the latest milk ambassador of Bear Brand.

The 2005 Miss International's positive outlook rubs off on the mothers of the Grades 2-3 pupils of Mabolo Elementary School, who engaged in a nutrition session to better understand how a peso saved in the budgeting of meal plans could be channeled to the purchase of milk, thereby inculcating among their children a culture of drinking milk "not once, but twice" [a day].

"Huwag nyo pong isipin na mahal ang gatas. Napaka-affordable po ng Bear Brand. You must bank on the health and wellness of your children para abot-kamay nila ang kanilang mga pangarap," Lara told nearly 40 starstruck mothers last October 21 during the Laki sa Gatas Nutrition Education Advocacy event.

Lara shares this advocacy with Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, comedian/writer/rapper Michael V. and Asia's songbird Regine Velasquez-addressing malnutrition in the country by championing healthy dietary habits that include drinking milk and eating the right foods.

She laments that while some colleagues in the entertainment industry live a lifestyle of excesses, there are children out there whose parents could not afford to provide them milk.

"Nakakalungkot isipin na sa hirap nga ng buhay eh maraming bata ang nade-deprive of their right to live healthy and better lives. Dito ngayon pumapasok yung influence namin [mga artista]. Katulad sa mga activities, pinapakinggan kami and with our presence these are made fun and engaging," she stressed.

She also mentioned during the presscon how glad she is to have joined a health initiative involving children who are deemed future leaders. "Ang sarap makibahagi ng something na kapupulutan ng magandang aral."

As for the rumored bad blood between her and Binibining Pilipinas pageant director and organizer Stella Marquez-Araneta, Lara quipped she has never harbored ill-feelings toward her former mentor.

"Ako naman kasi, ipinagtanggol ko lang yung sa tingin ko at alam ko na tama naman ang ginagawa ko, hindi ako natatakot na ipaglaban yun. Tsaka si Madam [Stella] alam na natin na medyo may edad na siya, naiintindihan ko na na nagiging matampuhin na siya," she pointed out.

As for the conflict between her and TV program host Willie Revillame, Lara clarified: "Kay Papi [Willie's pet name in said show] naman, matagal na yun. At hindi naman ako yung tipong nagtatanim ng galit. Maliit lang ang mundo na ginagalawan namin, kaya di maganda yung nagtatanim ka ng sama ng loob."

To recall, Lara failed to return to the set of the now defunct noontime show "Wowowee" when Willie refused to take her in after reportedly going against an instruction that talents are not supposed to tag along their boyfriends in the show's US tour. Lara reportedly defied this rule imposed by Willie, thus getting the ire of the latter.

There were also rumors at that time of Willie wooing Lara, reaching to the point of showering her with gifts including an expensive watch he was endorsing in the said show to which Lara had earlier denied. There were also speculations then that Willie was driven by sheer jealousy.

As for the gap between Araneta, this reportedly has something to do with the creation of Turismo Pilipina with Lara at the helm, giving the impression that Turismo competes with Araneta's Binibining Pilipinas Charities.

Aside from moms, Lara also graced the "Ambition Glasses" sessions of the kids who drew on a piece of paper their dreams. These drawings of their ambitions in life were inserted around drinking glasses to serve as reminder that they are never too far from their dreams if they stay strong and healthy.

"Alam nyo mga bata, dati ang dami kong pangarap. Gusto kong maging astronaut, tapos gusto ko ring maging archeologist, at doktor din. Kaya lang po ang pinakamatinding pangarap na gusto kong abutin noon ay ang pagiging beauty queen," Lara was heard addressing some 200 Grade 2-3 pupils at the Don Bernardo Benedicto Cultural Hall.

"May nagsabing sobrang payatot ako. Tapos malaki tenga ko o tengteng ako ("tangkag" in Cebuano). May nagsabi pa na hindi ako magiging beauty queen kasi di naman ako ganon katangkad. Na putok-labi ako, usli ang ngipin, pangit. Pero hindi po ako nagpadala sa mga discouragements nila. Naniniwala po ako na walang imposible kapag ikaw ay laki sa gatas, masigasig, determinado, masipag, at malakas ang paniniwala mo sa kagustuhan ng Diyos," an energetic Lara said during the children's session.

But what stirred the razzle-dazzled crowd all the more was when Lara started sharing a handful of Bisdak words she picked from Cebuano boyfriend, actor Marco Alcaraz.

"Maayong hapon kaninyong tanan. Nalipay ko nga naa ko diri. Gamay lang po ang alam ko pa na Bisaya pero tinuruan man ako ng uyab ko. Salamat na nakauyab ko og gwapo," declared Lara, much to the delight of the crowd who was all praises for the simplicity and the kindred spirit she showed by accommodating every photo opportunity requested by her admirers, even in the short span of her visit, and in her refusal to be treated VIP at the sun-baked multipurpose hall. (FREEMAN)