The Home for Girls marked the culmination of Love Month through a “Miss Feb-ibig” pageant among the girl children residents of the center on February 29, 2024, at the Home for Girls covered court.
The month of February is known as a month dedicated to love. But for the Home for Girls, a facility of DSWD 7 for abused and exploited children, the love month is an opportunity to show love in different ways, such as self-love and their love for their fellow girl-children and staff of the center, whom they call their “ates” (older sisters).
Center head Jenifer S. Abastillas said the Miss Feb-ibig is a means to divert the attention of children from trauma and fear due to various abuses and exploitation experienced. “Instead of thinking about the challenges, we need these children to engage in activities that will help them improve or boost their confidence while undergoing rehabilitation,’’ she expounded.
The helping team of the center implements various programs and services that would help these children become more productive individuals, like a pageant.
The search showcased the girls’ confidence during the production number, talent, and question and answer about the different life situations where they can express love for themselves and for others.
Candidate no. 5, a 16-year old victim of sexual abuse hailed as Miss Feb-ibig and automatically named this year’s Miss Home for Girls.
When asked during the Q&A who her role model is, she said that it would be her parents. “Bisan pa man sa akong kahimtang karon, kabalo ko nga galisod ko ug kabalo ko sa akong nasinati, apan mapasalamaton gihapon ko sa akong mga ginikanan kay ila kong gihatagan og oportunidad nga mabuhi niining kalibutan. Tungod nila, nakita nako nga bisan unsa pa man kalisod ang imong gi-agian, ihatag gihapon nimo ang imong best para sa imong mga anak (I know that I am in a difficult time and situation. But despite that, I am still grateful to my parents because they gave me the opportunity to live in this world. Because of them, I learned that no matter how hard you go through in life, you still have to give your best for your children),” she answered.
She received prizes that included a bouquet, a sash, a fancy crown, and a special gift from the center. Along with her are her court and the Little Miss Home for Girls, a title given to the youngest contestant.
A total of ten (10) girls competed for the Miss Feb-ibig title who will also represent the center in the upcoming Miss Juana pageant of the DSWD-7 Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFS), an advocacy supporting Women’s Month.
Home for Girls believes that while children residents are undergoing rehabilitation, it is imperative to let them feel the love and concern of the people around them by making them feel better and relieving them of the trauma they have experienced.
As they end the love month, they would cherish that Valentine’s Day should be celebrated by expressing love for self and recognizing that friendships developed in the most trying times are one’s most prized connections.
As of February 29, 2024, the center caters to 23 girl children with various cases of abuse and exploitation. It can accommodate 50 clients at any given time. ###
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