My Pretty Mama 2013 winner persuades moms to ‘maintain good grooming’

CEBU, Philippines - An early crowd favorite? Definitely yes. She bagged only one major award, and thus felt doubtful in winning the crown. But this did not stop her from strutting her way to victory in her one-shoulder red gown with all the poise, posture and elegance there is.

The intellect and the seemingly angelic face she possesses gave the mother of two, Ofelia Olayvar Paras, the coveted crown of My Pretty Mama 2013, besting 12 other candidates. Another award she earned during the coronation night held Saturday, Dec. 7 at the E-Mall theater was the Best in Evening Gown.

Regardless of the huge number of supporters for other candidates, My Pretty Mama 2013’s family did not seem threatened. They were even as supportive as other people from other groups. As each of the candidates walked their way onstage, boisterous cheers would erupt, helping some score higher in the criteria of audience impact.

Prior to choosing the top five finalists, each of the candidates picked a question during the preliminary round. Paras’ question was, “Did your parents spank you when you were growing up, and if they did, how did you feel about that?”

Without much ado, she replied, “I can say that spanking is part of discipline and I do feel okay about it because without the discipline that I have today I would not be a better person.”

To fully decide who the rightful heir to the crown for this Cebu pageant that’s only in its second year, the top five candidates were given the same question:  “Why should you be chosen as My Pretty Mama 2013?”

Paras nailed it with her answer: “I believe I should be chosen as My Pretty Mama 2013 because aside from being pretty, I also have the integrity as a mother. What is more important is I have the heart – a heart that cares, a heart that nurtures, and a heart that can touch lives to make a difference.”

She took home a whopping 50,000 pesos worth of prizes.

For now, she has no plans of joining other pageants, as she just wants to enjoy her reign and fulfill her duties as My Pretty Mama 2013.

The 35-year-old beauty queen is working as a supervisor in one of the five-star hotels in the city. According to her, in times of challenges, one should pray and draw strength from God for in doing so everything else will be fine.

Paras’ advocacy is to be involved in a group that promotes wellness and to educate mothers on how important it is to look good, as it remains a challenge to every mother to maintain good looks while taking care of their family. In winning the pageant, Ofelia hopes to be a role model to every mother.

“I noticed some mothers don’t religiously groom themselves anymore. So basic yet most of the time it is taken for granted maybe because they are so preoccupied in taking care of their home and family and some are working at the same time,” she said in a post-pageant interview.

“But the more that we mothers should take care of ourselves especially now that we have children that look up to us. By practicing good grooming, we also prevent common illnesses. If we are clean then we feel good and look good and that promotes positivity around us.”

Her first runner-up is Cherrie Marrie Amante Delos Santos, who works as sales head. Her advocacy is to strengthen women’s self-reliance and to allow them to make a decent living. Her answer to the final question was to continue what she has started, that is, to give love and support to her children and her family and to reach out to the outside community.

Second runner-up is a nursing graduate, Josephine Remorta Gorospe. She was also named Mrs. Careline, Mrs. Personality, Best in Festival Queen Costume and The Freeman’s Choice Award. Her advocacy is to educate mothers through workshops, seminars and livelihood programs. She also wants to promote health and wellness specifically in the rural areas.

Yoga enthusiast Ginevive Antigua Louw took the third runner-up spot and majority of the awards namely, Texters Choice Award, Mrs. Ever Bilena, Mrs. Pinkwater, Mrs. Photogenic, Mrs. Congeniality, Best in Production Number and Best in Sportswear.

Registered nurse Julianne Mae Feliciano Vera Cruz placed fourth runner-up. Vera Cruz actually joined last year’s pageant, where she took the Best in Talent award but failed to place in the top five. She wants to host a free seminar where she can share her knowledge about post-partum depression, effective breastfeeding techniques and child CPR, choking and near-drowning management.

The coronation night was hosted by My Pretty Mama 2012 first runner-up Daisy Carpio and “Mag-TV Na!” host Borgie Cabigas. The audience was also entertained by the Ministry of Music and Performing Arts Academy’s Minimoons and Boy Tux.