The Beauty with a Purpose advocacies of Cebu’s MWP bets

CEBU, Philippines — Sharing self-defense skills and combating homelessness were the causes showcased by Cebu’s Miss World Philippines 2024 bets during the Beauty with a Purpose (BWAP) presentation on Monday, July 1, at Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay.

Sofi Maxim Margareta Grenmo of Cebu recognizes the vulnerability of women to assault and harassment, and understands that the importance of feeling safe in public spaces is a fundamental human right. This realization led her to focus on empowering women by advocating Jiu Jitsu as a means of self-defense, turning her fear into strength.

Hailing from Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Grenmo had a quiet and peaceful life before moving to the city. Given the urban jungle’s high crime rate, she feared for her safety, and thus made it a long term goal to create safer communities.

For 11 years now, she has been honing her Jiu Jitsu skills and now aims to impart her knowledge by teaching people of all ages, especially females, the fundamentals of the martial art.

Grenmo conducts micro-classes where she teaches the fundamentals and its application to real-life situations. As a member of the Abaniko Sports Club in Santa Fe, Bantayan, she can no longer count how many lives she has changed by teaching Jiu Jitsu for self-defense.

“Our philosophy here in Jiu Jitsu is we are changing lives not only by self-defense but through our four core values: honesty, loyalty, discipline, and respect,” said Grenmo, who is a Top 10 finalist in the pageant’s Beach Beauty Competition.

“Although I cannot count how many girls I’ve taught, I can still definitely remember their faces, and I can say that they are now growing up into powerful women, powerful girls. Even the men, even the children…it’s more about the lives we’re touching and changing rather than the numbers.”

“Paglaum, pagtinabangay, pagtambayayong – my dream for this world,” said Jerica Jewel Reyes of Central Visayas in her advocacy video as she combats homelessness.

Reyes is a licensed medical technologist and aspiring pro-bono doctor who was a frontliner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I hope I can inspire others to help the homeless feel seen, heard, cared for, and that they are not alone in this battle of homelessness,” she said.

Her eyes were opened at a young age to the painful realities of homelessness, which began when she met a woman in a church in Mandaue City when she was still in fifth grade.

“I was with her for a year. I would eat puto cheese with her, I would buy from my 10 to 20 peso allowance, and later I found out that she had passed two years later when I came back to Cebu City. This made me realize, I want to become a doctor,” Reyes said.

“I’ve realized that not a lot of people have been advocating for this and literally when you step outside, you would see someone lying in the street because they don’t have a home.”

Growing up with a mother and grandmother who are both concert pianists, she too was inspired to pursue the same path. She later on realized that her calling was to become a doctor and help the poor and homeless.

Reyes is a member of Pagtambayayong, a non-governmental organization that has provided their own comfortable homes for free.

“I found Pagtambayayong, an NGO based in Central Visayas that caters to urban poor communities, creating housing projects for informal settlers, especially those who had their homes demolished without the promise of relocation. The foundation has helped more than 300 families, and to this day continues to create a better future for the homeless.”

The Top 10 finalists for the BWAP Fast-Track Event are Dia Mate of Cavite, Nikki Buenafe of Pangasinan, Bianca Tapia of Batangas, Riana Pangindian of Kapitolyo, Pasig, Dolly Cruz of Malaybalay Bukidnon, Krishia Mendoza of Zamboanga Del Sur, Andrea Endicio of Quezon Province, Christine Chaga of Quezon City, Jasmine Omay of Tarlac Province, and Isabelle Bilasano from Bicol Region.

Winners of fast-track events will secure a semi-finalist spot in the July 19 finals to be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. — Kassandra Venice Broca, CNU Intern (FREEMAN)