29 ladies to compete in Miss Gabay search

CEBU, Philippines - The first ever Miss GABAY 2014 will be held at Plaza Sugbo on March 28 as part of the celebration of  Women’s Month, showcasing women empowerment in Cebu City.

GABAY, which stands for “Giya Ayuda sa Babayeng Sugbuanon Federation of Cebu City,” is a women’s organization instituted two years ago under the Cebu City Women’s and Family Affairs Commission to give livelihood trainings and seminars on laws protecting them.

“We are not looking for beautiful ladies. We are looking for empowered and smart women of Cebu. Cebu City doesn’t have their women’s organization (before),” said Jojo Lingaolingao, the federation’s president.

There are 29 ladies – 20 years old and above in various statuses from the different barangays – who are joining the pageant.

A 50-year-old candidate, Maria Teresa Vender, said she is calling for the need to empower the women and promote gender equality.

For the evening gown category, the candidates will wear gowns made up of recyclable materials in support of the city’s program, “Gubat sa Basura.”

The organization is open to all women from 18 to 59 years old. Among the 80 barangays in the city, 60 barangays have members of the organization.

“She has to have the passion and the heart for being a GABAY member. I go to the different barangays to orient women and I always tell them that if there’s passion for volunteerism, if you want to be with GABAY, we welcome you. We have a lot of things to do, to help the city government in empowering them (women),” Lingaolingao said.

On March 8, the International Women’s Day, there will be a parade from the Department of Health-7 office to Plaza Sugbo.

Today, a sports festival for women will be held at Cebu City Sports Center.

“Last December 28, 2013, we have our gathering for a cause in which GABAY Sugbuanon were able to donate P30, 000 for Cebu City Medical Center,” Lingaolingao said.

The organization is getting funds from the Cebu City Women’s and Family Affairs Commission for the activities.

However, Lingaolingao said they are not dependent from the government when it comes to funds.  (FREEMAN)