Mother of three crowned Mrs. OFW

Ronaldo Z. Concha
Saudi Gazette

A 29-year-old mother of three became the winner of the first beauty pageant for married Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Jeddah organized by one of the active entertainment groups in the Western Province last Friday.

Nedda Marjorie Davis-Correa won the crown of Mrs. OFW 2012 and Gng. New Placenta KSA 2012 over 11 gorgeous contestants in a competition witnessed by around 500 guests at the Elite Hall in Al Waha Hotel.

Aside from the title, Correa, who works as an administrative assistant in a private company, also took the awards for the designer’s choice for festival costume, best evening gown and the brightest smile.

Correa’s closest rivals Parnely M. Castillo and Romelyn Alturas Ramos won the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Donna Grace Rodas and Diane Suan Daclan Princesa took the third and fourth positions.

“I am very happy; winning this title was one of the most wonderful moments I have experienced,” Correa told Saudi Gazette.

Correa further said that she had always wanted to join a pageant, so when she heard of the Mrs. OFW pageant she immediately registered for it.

In a press conference held the other night at Lapaz Batchoy restaurant where the winners received their cash prizes, Edgar Mendoza, president and founding chairman of the Pinoy Expatriates for Social Organization and Sports (PESOS), said the winners will also be doing charity work just like the winners in any professional pageant.

The winners will pay a courtesy visit first to the Philippine Consulate for their yearlong activity, Mendoza said.

Mendoza, who is also the overall director and production in-charge of the event, thanked the Filipino community in Jeddah for all the support extended to their activities especially the successful OFW Fun Day. They also plan to conduct the beauty pageant on a national scale in the Kingdom.

The event’s main sponsor, Psalmstre Enterprises, which brought the New Placenta herbal beauty soap to the Kingdom, promised to continue supporting the beauty pageant of PESOS.

Jaime V. Acosta, the company’s founder and CEO, said Filipinos are fond of beauty pageants and it is one of their goals to be part of this kind of activity, as it gives them an opportunity to showcase their hidden talents. Moreover, groups like PESOS are always ready to dedicate their time and effort toward the benefit of OFWs.

Other candidates that made it to the top 12 are Rosell Maniego, Abigail Robles, Crystal Quinto, Cheryl Ann Mendoza, Amalyn Magdadaro Valle, Juliet Bonoan, and Michelle Manaloto.

Correa received a cash prize from Western Union, an Acer laptop, an Sony Experia cellphone, gift packs and six months’ supply from New Placenta, a gift pack from Colgate, a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, along with a crown and sash of course.