First 4Ps ‘ReyNanay’ crowned in Dumaguete

CEBU, Philippines —  A mother from Basay, Negros Oriental was crowned as the first 4Ps ReyNanayduring a coronation held recently in Dumaguete City.

Justina Villego from Barangay Cabalayongan bested seven other hopefuls in the maiden search for 4Ps ReyNanay. She was also adjudged Best in Introduction Video, Best in Festival Attire, and Second Place in Best in Advocacy Video.

Her court is composed of Felisa Arriesgado from Daanbantayan, Cebu as the first runner-up and the ambassadress for education; and Jonaly Erme from Manjuyod, Negros Oriental as the second runner-up and the ambassadress for health.

Felisa clinched the Best in Advocacy Video special award, while Jonaly got the Best in Eco-Casual Wear and the Best in Modern Filipiniana Terno.

The other regional finalists are Jovencia Palingcod (Batuan, Bohol), Chelia Suello (Getafe, Bohol), Alma Cabonada (Aloguinsan, Cebu), Claudia Gonzales (San Remigio, Cebu), and Emelyn Enad (Maria, Siquijor).

The candidates competed in different segments like the colorful festival attire that represents their local culture and heritage; eco-casual wear, which used recyclable materials; and the modern Filipiniana terno, which showed a creative interpretation of the national attire with a modern twist.

 They also showcased their stories during the testimony of change, in which they shared their life journey and how their family’s life was improved through the interventions of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

 ReyNanay is a portmanteau of the words Reyna or Queen and Nanay or Mother.

The search, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, paid tribute to empowered 4Ps mothers.

The pageant revolved around the theme "Inspiration and Aspiration," which tackled each candidate’s inspirational stories and their aspiration to further uplift their family’s level of well-being with the help of the program.

The 4Ps is a national government program that invests in the human capital of poor households. It was implemented through DSWD and was institutionalized in 2019 by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 11310.

 It has become the national poverty reduction strategy of the government that provides cash grants to improve the health, nutrition, and education aspects of their lives.

The households are given cash grants in exchange for their compliance with the program's conditions. — FPL (FREEMAN)