MANILA, Philippines - In observance of World Breastfeeding Awareness Month, breastfeeding mothers from different parts of Bulacan gathered for Hakab Na! Bulacan 2015 at the Jaime J. Vistan Hall of Plaridel Municipal Building last August 1.
Hakab is a Tagalog word, which means “firmly attached” or “fitted well.” Also this year, similar events in 18 other locations in the Philippines have been carried out by members of Breastfeeding Pinays, an online breastfeeding support group with over 52,000 advocates.
In coordination with The Big Latch On, Breastfeeding Pinays Kathleen Faye Esguerra, Angelica Regine Enriquez, and Cristina Gracia Serrano organized Hakab Na! Bulacan 2015, with the assistance of the local government unit and several sponsors. The event aims to raise awareness of breastfeeding support and knowledge available in local communities. It also intends to create an atmosphere wherein women breastfeeding at the same time can be seen by the community as part of a normal day-to-day life. The Big Latch On is an international organization that originated in New Zealand and was introduced to Portland, Oregon, USA in 2010.
“As breastfeeding mothers and advocates, our purpose is to promote the great importance of breast milk and the long-term benefits it brings to both mother and child,” Kathleen Faye Esguerra said.
Guest speaker Dr. Ester N. Villanueva, an obstetrician-gynecologist and a member of one of the event’s sponsors, the Rotary Club of Plaridel-Kristal, shared focal points about the vast benefits of breastfeeding and breast milk expression.
At exactly 10:30 a.m., a group of 66 nursing mothers simultaneously latched on their babies for a full minute. The count was recorded, and will be submitted to The Big Latch On, in an attempt to beat previous simultaneous breastfeeding records in the organization.