11 vie for My Pretty Mama 2018 crown

CEBU, Philippines — Every so often, we look up to our own mother figures for many things, mostly for comfort and wisdom. As the light of the household, moms are often too busy keeping the hearth warm to worry about themselves.

But in a competition unlike any other, moms take center stage as they compete for the My Pretty Mama 2018 crown – not only as a way of appreciating beauty but also becoming a woman for others outside of their respective households.

There might be no perfect mother and no exact way of being one, but My Pretty Mama, in coordination with the Ministry of Music and Performing Arts Academy and Redfly Entertainment Events and Promotions, is all for showing the rest of Cebu the image of a stellar mother and how she should be rewarded for everything.

In its fifth staging, 11 women of different shapes and sizes but with the same loving and nurturing heart of a mother vie for the My Pretty Mama 2018 crown representing different areas across Cebu.

The candidates are: 32-year-old Jessel Coyoca from Minglanilla; 35-year-old businesswoman from Liloan, Leni Gaspan; 27-year-old laboratory preceptor Fleur Elaine Dayondon-Sumalpong from Basak Pardo; 40-year-old Dolores  Alarin from Looc, Mandaue City; 39-year-old real estate agent from Babag, Lapu-Lapu City, Jeanelyn Genabe; 33-year-old Nadia Cagay from Canduman; former OFW Catherine Antecristo of T. Padilla, Cebu City; 24-year-old events singer Grace Sansen Mae Abong Montejo of Lawaan, Cebu City; 27-year-old makeup artist Lyssa Amor Diaz-Ota from Apas; Anne Saycon, a businesswoman from Bacayan; and Trina Mae Solis Morala from Lapu-Lapu City.

Most of the moms are rookies in the pageant circuit, apart from Morala who first joined the pageant in 2012.

Despite being full of experience in life, these moms are just getting the hang of traipsing down the runway and using their own set of skills for themselves this time. Some of them have not even imagined standing on a pageant stage, but have felt like they could improve themselves, broaden their horizons, and help other women in their earnest way to the crown.

These set of mothers admit that they joined the competition for the fun of it and have surprisingly learned a lot about themselves in the process. As candidates, the ladies have been trained by the Ministry of Music and Performing Arts Academy and have been given singing, dancing, acting, and even modeling lessons since becoming official members of the roster.

Despite being competitors, in a roundtable discussion with The Freeman, the vibe among the mothers felt friendly as they listened to each other share their own experiences, transformations and expectations about the competition.

Although met with support from their families, these moms couldn’t help but also think of how much time they’re spending for the competition instead of their household but were soon able to become comfortable with their efforts knowing that there is a bigger purpose to everything.

As they exchanged thoughts on parenting and being a woman, the My Pretty Mama 2018 candidates showed just how deserving they are to be part of the competition.

“I’ve heard people asking me about why I decided to join even though I’m already a mother,” Cagay shares. “I joined because of the opportunity of inspiring and reaching out to other mothers who feel like they don’t have the power anymore, who say that they are just a mother now. To help them remember that they are not only bound within the corners of the home. We have to be rewarded also. I want to give back.”

Cagay says she has learned so much about herself as she was able to recognize her own talent because of the competition. She sang in a karaoke for the first time after her singing lessons with the trainers because she realized there was so much to know and love about herself.

The ladies also got real when it came to the topic of parenthood, just how selfless one can get when it comes to doing everything for their family – some things that their children and family members might not fathom until they experience parenthood for themselves.

Coyoca spoke about how parents should strike a balance between being their child’s best friend but also maintaining a sense of authority.

“Sometimes our kids feel sad because they’re bullied or because they aren’t able to express their true selves so I want them to know that I am always here. I tell them that no matter what happens, they can count on me and they can tell me anything. That I am their first best friend. But as a parent, you have to set rules. And once you set these rules, they have to be followed. I remind them everyday that this is for their own good,” she quips, and was met with agreement around the table, building a consensus that they both want to be their child’s best friend but also an authoritative figure in their lives.

Montejo, the youngest among the candidates, quips that although it’s true that you have to put your family first, that doesn’t mean that you stop dreaming for yourself once you become a mother. A mama to a four-year-old boy, Grace says that she dreams for her son now too.

“I became a mom when I was 19. I was an SK Chairman and people started to question me and were discouraged. But when I gave birth to my son, I had more drive in life. My sense of responsibility grew, I’m working hard to support my family and also finish my studies. I am more determined than ever to do things for myself and my kids,” she says.

Being the youngest, Montejo sure has a lot to learn and has so far done that from her fellow moms in the competition. An events singer, she studies travel management as a scholar in Cebu Technological University.

Diaz-Ota, another young mom, gave her two cents on the whole housewife versus career woman debate, saying that there shouldn’t be a problem if one chooses to become either way. She insists women can be both full-time moms and be career-driven at the same time.

“Even after giving birth, I didn’t really want to depend on my husband. But I didn’t know what I wanted until I discovered my passion for makeup and blogging. I take care of my son full-time. I carry him along when I meet my clients. He has delayed speech, and it feels so good to hear him say ‘Mommy.’ I tag him along and I make my clients understand, and most of the time they do,” she shares.

Their idea of a reward is surprisingly simple. They just want to feel the love back and that all their hard work is being appreciated.

All of the My Pretty Mama candidates revealed how the mere sight of their children after a long day’s work instantly cheers them up. Getting emotional by each thought of a reward, the candidates quipped that a simple hug, a quick peck, and an “I love you” are reward enough.

Seeing their children succeed is the cherry on top of a mother’s life. Working hard, succeeding, and being themselves in turn makes them the proudest, happiest parents.

Apart from making moms feel special, My Pretty Mama is also an avenue for mothers to extend their nurturing qualities outside of their own homes as they encourage their candidates to pick their own advocacies. Among these year’s causes are environmental awareness, the fight against domestic violence and physical abuse, promoting women’s health, awareness on autism and caring for autistic children, education for children and livelihood for parents, awareness and stopping the stigma surrounding depression, and health, nutrition and hygiene among mothers and children, to name a few.

In the search for the paradigm of an exemplary mother, wife, and woman who dreams for herself and others, the pageants also recognizes the inimitable and immeasurable efforts of mothers everywhere.

The My Pretty Mama 2018 coronation will be on June 30 at Elizabeth Mall. A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to Renz Harvey Aleguiojo, to aid him and his mother as he is set to compete in the World Championship of Performing Arts in California, USA come July.