18/08/2026
[𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘]
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗯 𝗡𝗮! 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼
Over 80 breastfeeding mothers along with family members, stakeholders, sponsors and health advocates gathered at GT Town Center, Pavia for the 12th Hakab Na! Iloilo event last Saturday, August 15.
Rooted in this year’s theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” the event highlighted the importance of community support in the normalization of breastfeeding.
Opening the event, the West Visayas State University - College of Medicine’s Med Symphony offered their rendition of “Now Unto Him,” which was then followed by the welcome remarks from Dr. Ma. Sancha Pauline Apolto-Garcia of the Philippine Pediatric Society - Western Visayas.
“No mother should go through her breastfeeding journey alone,” said Breastfeeding Ilonggas (BFI) founder Myra Mae Ortega-Goco, pressing on the important role of a supportive community when it comes to promoting breastfeeding as a sustainable mode of nourishment for infants and children.
What followed was the event’s annual highlight activity, the simultaneous latching where more than 53 mothers successfully latched their children for one minute in a powerful display of solidarity. This “Hakab” moment demonstrated the advocacy of the event, which was “to promote and normalize breastfeeding in public.”
After the momentous latching, Ilongga pediatrician Dr. Janette Gallo-De Ramos educated the crowd about the important factors that strengthen, promote, and enable sustainable breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding is a team effort,” she highlighted, reinforcing the fact that breastfeeding is not solely a mother’s dilemma; behind her should be the advocates, healthcare professionals, and active support groups.
The participating mothers were also able to express their concerns, thoughts, and their experiences through an open forum that followed the educational talk.
In a testimony shared by nurse, farmer, and mother Jea Ferrer-Derequito, she openly spoke about the benefits of breastfeeding felt by both herself and her children. More than just nursing, she also highlighted the 5 C’s that inspired her commitment to breastfeeding: connection, care, comfort, cost-effectiveness and continuity.
To further honor the event participants, lucky and award-winning mothers were chosen for the raffle draw of the event where lootbags, gift packs and vouchers were given to 20 mothers. This was through the support of the platinum, silver and bronze sponsors of the event.
Highlighting on the importance of neonatal care, Western Visayas Genetic Councilor Sharlene Plaga from the Newborn Screening Center also talked about the Expanded Newborn Screening Program by the Department of Health, putting emphasis on early detection followed by early intervention for outcome improvement.
Event organizers also expressed gratitude to partner organizations, donors, and local sponsors that supported this year’s Hakab Na! Iloilo. Representatives from partner organizations received certificates of appreciation, recognizing their unrelenting commitment to the advocacy of breastfeeding in Iloilo.
Angela Elgario, Project Lead and AMSA-WVSU SCORA head, gave the closing remarks for the event, where she expressed her gratitude to all who extended their support. The standing committee notably reprised its role as one of the main organizers of Hakab Na! Iloilo, continuing its two-year partnership with BFI as formalized in the previous year's event.
The 12th Hakab Na! Iloilo drew to a close after a final photo opportunity for all attendees.
Article by Christian Haj Pariñal
Photos by Joecile Faith Monana and Jethro Lopez
![[𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘] 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗯 𝗡𝗮! 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼Over 80 breastfeeding mothers along with family membe...](https://img3.findhealthclinics.org/134/363/1541312121343634.jpg)
