Ginang Alaska hails mothers who are models at home, in communities

MANILA, Philippines  — The recently concluded Ginang Alaska competition gathered mothers whose day-to-day passion is to serve their families and communities while keeping fit and healthy.

Hundreds of contestants, grouped into finalists of 10 to 15 per provincial leg, vied for the local Ginang Alaska title to win cash prizes and showcases for their families and barangays.

In La Trinidad town in Benguet, Rochelle Bulahao, 32, was hailed winner of the two-day competition and bested 12 other mothers who prepared breakfast meals using Alaska dishes and a Zumba dance presentation.

"Alam ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko dahil may ipapakita ako sakanila," Bulahao said in an interview with Philstar.com.

Video from Ginang Alaska leg in La Trinidad, Benguet / Baguio City. pic.twitter.com/a8MvPIYE9J

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Bulahao, a mother of two, was also awarded Best in Cooking for her Scotch Egg with Alaska Evaporated Filled Milk recipe and Most Energetic for her consistent cheerfulness and eagerness throughout the competition.

In Lapu-Lapu City, 15 mothers competed for the crown with Emilia Encabo Hann, 30, being honored as grand winner of the community-based annual search for modern Filipino mothers.

Hann admitted that she was overwhelmed upon being crowned as Ginang Alaska 2015 in the contest's Lapu-Lapu City leg. She said that just "being herself" was a major factor on her winning.

Kerill Jakosalem, 32, another Ginang Alaska winner thought of joining this year's Ginang Alaska to help out her fellow barangay residents in Cagayan de Oro City.

"Sumali ako kasi kapag nanalo ako gagamitin ko 'yung pondo para magkaroon ng livelihood program sa barangay namin," Jakosalem said at the Ginang Alaska held at Kiosk Capitol Grounds in Cagayan de Oro.

Project coordinator May Cerezo, who has been organizing local legs of Ginang Alaska, said screening committees would be thorough in choosing finalists from among the many who join.

Ginang Alaska finalists in Cagayan de Oro pose in their gowns for the competition proper.

Moms on stage for the Ginang Alaska 2015 Baguio competition in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Contestants have to be fun-loving, witty, dynamic, active and independent minded. They should also be physically fit and of good moral standing in their own circles.

Moms between 25 to 45 years old who are legally married and with at least one child are qualified to join the annual competition. Cooking and dancing skills are also a must-have.

Those embedded in a community project and are models in their own barangays are more likely to win as support from friends and neighbors boost the chances of Ginang Alaska finalists.

Jakosalem said confidence is a major factor in the competition as they would cheer and applaud while the contestant would be performing the Zumba dance number and answering questions from the host.

"S'yempre sobrang nakakatulong 'pag alam mong may mga taong sumusuporta at nagpu-push sa 'yong manalo," she said.