Binibining Cebu 2018 Single moms give their dreams another shot

CEBU, Philippines —  The planes continue to shift in the pageant industry. Not only are we expecting the first transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe 2018, there has also been an interesting turn of events in Cebu pageantry.

In its second year, the Binibining Sugbu Charity Foundation, Inc. and the Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation Inc. decided to formally open Binibining Cebu to single mothers.

“We believe in women empowerment,” Bb. Cebu creative producer Kenneth Cobonpue said in Friday’s press presentation. “We feel that there’s nothing more empowering than childbirth. Although I haven’t been through that myself, I believe that what makes a woman powerful in a way, more than a man, is the act of bringing someone into this  world—a woman who exercises her right and her choice. It’s something that we wanted to support. We didn’t want to discriminate.”

Stepping up to the plate to give their dreams another shot are single moms Kimberly Covert for Alegria, Amelie Mira Grauel for Compostela, Marie Shane Ortega for Dumanjug, Sharon Grace Angel for Ginatilan, Ivy Tapic for Naga City, and Mary Grace Castillo for San Fernando.

Kim, mom to six-month-old boy Sol Genesis, is a Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2014 titlist (second runner-up to Cebu’s Jamie Herrell). The 23-year-old stylist said she joined Bb. Cebu to channel her newfound sense of purpose.

“Other than the fact that Bb. Cebu is now considered as one of the most prestigious pageants in the country,” Kim began, “I’m joining because of a sense of purpose especially after the opportunity was given for us to join. I feel more of a woman than I have ever been. Bb. Cebu is more of a platform for me: an opportunity to inspire and empower women. This isn’t just about myself. Even with my experience in the national arena, I think this time, I have a reason.”

Sharon, who was second runner-up at Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010, is also making a comeback. The 27-year-old model gave birth to Gregorio Antonio when she was 22.

“I want to create a platform for all single moms like me. Not only to empower them but change the mindset of skeptics that we are just products of circumstance just because we became pregnant,” said Sharon, who is also vying for the crown to fulfill the dream of her recently deceased grandmother. “Single moms have a lot of things to do to make a difference in society. It’s never too late to achieve your dreams.”

Asked if the wisdom and experience that comes with motherhood gives them an edge in the pageant, the six ladies gave insightful answers.

Sharon says having a kid transformed her into the superwoman she never thought she could be, and the lessons she’s learned will help her in her journey towards the crown.

“On a daily basis, I continue to learn a lot from my experiences. I can apply these not just in pageants but also in life as a whole. I can apply it in Bb. Cebu when it comes to my responsibilities, sense and level of maturity, and balancing my time,” Sharon said.

Marie Shane, a 20-year-old Airline Information System major who gave birth to son Aero Dwayne when she was 18, says that motherhood has empowered her.

“Being a mom, I believe I do have an advantage simply because it is an image of an empowered woman. I’m thankful that the doors were opened for us. Here we are again considering the dream we never thought we could continue,” Marie said.

Ivy, a 20-year-old English major, shared the sentiment: “When I got pregnant at a young age, I was proud when I saw my angel. I’m grateful that Bb. Cebu opened this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“I think that we have an advantage because I can still share my story, empower women and educate them,” added Ivy, who has a one-year-old named Kirk Zion.

Amelie, a 27-year-old dentist, says that a mom’s way of seeing life would play to her advantage.

“It’s not easy to step forward and say that I am a mom. I believe being a mom is a person who gives more love, life, more commitment towards family. Being a mother is an advantage because of our different view of life. There’s more to life than beauty and brain and that is touching the heart,” said Amelie, who was 22 when she had her eldest Rafaello Miguel, now four years old, while her youngest Hugo Aariz is two.

But for Kim and Mary Grace, moms or not, all candidates are on equal ground.

“I can’t really say it’s an advantage,” Kim answered. “All these beautiful women are working extra hard. The moment I brought life into the world, I notice and see things differently. I’m more nurturing and loving, I have goals. And this is also a platform for me to set my family’s future. I think everyone has an equal chance. This is just my own special way.”

For 22-year-old model Mary Grace, it’s not so much as an advantage, but agrees that she was able to grow more as a person when she became a mama.

The mother to one-year-old Kenzou Klein explained: “Being a mother equipped me to be braver, to persevere in difficulties, to be more responsible and more mature. I’ve been through challenges, and I even went through the valley of death just to give life. I can say that I am a better person with my child.”

These six ladies, along with 48 other candidates, will vie for the Bb. Cebu, Bb. Cebu Tourism, Bb. Cebu Charity, Bb. Cebu Heritage and Bb. Cebu Ecology 2018 crowns.