The female role models of Queen Mother of Cebu 2023 titleholders

Queen Mother of Cebu 2023 Myth Anisca Tuñacao Maguate considers late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago as her role model of a strong woman for being “an epitome of character, strength, and intelligence.”

“She has defined the truth that men are equal to women and she was able to show strength by fighting against male political leaders,” the 38-year-old mom of three from Cebu City told The FREEMAN. “I believe it’s vital for us to be strong so we can fight for the ones we love.”

Maguate was joined in the interview by four of her fellow title-holders: Makita Laoc (Queen Mother of Cebu 2023-Grace), Florietess Villarico (Resilience), Shantal Hafeel (Courage), and Chimney Lim (Fortitude).

As an owner of a pastry business and a 43-year-old single mom of two boys, Villarico admires television personality Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla. “She is witty, pretty and helps her husband [senator-actor Robin Padilla]. She is also a fellow online seller. Even if she is rich, you can see how helpful she is when advising viewers how to earn more money. She is trying her best to do her job as a wife and as a mom.”

Lim, a 36-year-old mom of three managing a barbecue business outside her home, looks up to Cebuana vlogger Kryz Uy-Young. “I always watch her videos and I can see that despite being busy and famous, she still gives time to her children. I follow her ways of spending quality time with her children,” she said.

Hafeel, 46-year-old mom of six, shared the same sentiment on why she chose Kapuso actress Marian Rivera, stating that “she is famous but has time for her family, especially for her husband who is a fellow actor and their two kids.”

As for Laoc, 27-year-old mom of two and visa advisor, she cited her own mother. “I relate to my mom so much. Even if we are eight siblings, my mother had the power to raise us all and we graduated from college. Come to think of it, we are eight children and we were able to finish our studies which made my mother proud,” she said.

Icing on the cake

Win or lose, Maguate was ready to help out the organization as its goal resonated with her. But winning the main title allowed her to fully maximize her potential. “I was cemented to the vision and mission of the organization which is for charity. It’s already icing on the cake for me being crowned as Queen Mother of Cebu,” she said.

“We are focused on fulfilling the mission that we started before coronation night which is for charity. So we reached out to different places in Cebu and coordinated with NGOs.”

Some of their recent charity works include donating towards a feeding program by the Campbell Academy Foundation, and participating in a medical mission with the Cebu North Lilo-an Eagles Club.

“My title embodies who I am in and out of the public. I would like to leave my influence not just to my co-candidates and the members of the organization, but to anyone in the public who has the opportunity to have a glance at what we do in the public,” Maguate added.

Villarico was initially a top eight finalist, but was made to fill in for Angelique Kaye Semblante (Queen of Cebu 2023-Devotion) who left for Canada. “I feel fulfilled even if I didn’t have the crown. This is my first pageant and it feels fulfilling as a mom because I never thought I would have a chance to join pageants. I have this new crown now and I am so happy.”

Already a grandmother, 46-year-old Hafeel said winning a pageant title feels fulfilling. “Wherever I go now, some people would say ‘Oh that’s Shantal, she joined Queen Mother of Cebu!” she shared.

On why the Fortitude title suits her, Lim said, “I came from a broken family and I felt so inferior and entangled to the past. Now, I am standing still. I am confident enough to say that I am brave and strong. I didn’t grow up with parents so when I became a mother 13 years ago, I learned how to become one on my own so I can really say this title is for me.”

One of the biggest opportunities that Lim got after her win was being cast in a local advocacy film focusing on youth leadership.

Laoc, for her part, has inspired workmates to join the pageant next year. “My colleagues were at the finals night and most of them are also moms. After the pageant, they got this motivation. I am encouraging them that we are joining this pageant not only for paso-paso lang or pa-gwapa lang. We have charity works and advocacies.”

Charity over int’l tilt

As the main winner, Maguate was supposed to compete at Mrs. United Nations in New Delhi, India this November, but will not push through due to lack of sponsorships.

“It’s our first time as Queen Mother of Cebu and we want to focus on our advocacies and charity works instead of flying our Queen Mother to an international pageant and using these funds,” the organization’s founder and Mrs. Cebu Philippines 2022 finalist Julianne Mae Vera Cruz said.

Maguate isn’t too sad that she won’t be joining Mrs. United Nations this year. “If it pushes through, all is good. If not, that’s also fine. I don’t have any issues with it,” she said. “I am here to influence others regardless of what crown I have.”

Her advice to the next Queen Mother of Cebu aspirants? “Embrace and love yourself. Celebrate your femininity. Celebrate your womanhood because being a mother doesn’t stop you from feeling beautiful, feeling good about yourself, and being a good influence,” she said.

“Motherhood needs to be celebrated. We have the right to be proud, to be celebrated, and to show what we can do onstage. It’s through our gift as mothers that we are able to influence, enrich others and make them believe that being a woman is a gift.”