ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 31, 2022 – Three (3) women kasambahays from Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City were announced as grand winners of the Skills Olympics for Kasambahays which the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 Zamboanga City Field Office (ZCFO) organized last March 25, 2022.

The competition formed part of the National Women’s Month Celebration.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE 9 Regional Director, said that it aims to highlight women’s achievements and spark a continuing discussion on women empowerment and gender equality issues and concerns.

“Prior to the competition, the participants joined a Gender and Development Orientation on violence against women and children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic with Social Welfare Officer Norico G. Quinain of the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” Atty. Buenafe added.

Three competing groups were tasked to cook a chicken dish, vegetable dish and dessert using only ingredients from a basket randomly assigned to each group in only 2 hours.

May Selaras, Rowena Luna and Cristy Paguira of Brgy Talon-Talon bagged 1st place with a PHP3,000.00 cash prize. The group from Brgy. Bonguiao ranked 2nd while those from Brgy. Tulungatung landed 3rd place, receiving cash prizes of PHP2,500.00 and PHP2,000.00 respectively.

Winners were judged based on the following criteria – appearance and presentation, taste, execution, style and creativity. A distinguished panel of judges, composed of NAPC President Juliet Tigo, TESDA Cookery Trainor Sheva Pallar and Mons Grill Chef Federico Casimiro, made sure that only the best was chosen as winner.

Imelda F. Gatinao, DOLE 9 Assistant RD, expressed gratitude to the LGUs who participated and supported the Kasambahay participants during the activity.

“The support of the LGU is vital in pushing for changes in the community especially when it comes to gender issues and ensuring that the same opportunities are afforded to all regardless of gender,” ARD Gatinao said.

DOLE 9 supports the development perspective and process that is participatory and empowering, equitable, sustainable, free from violence, respectful of human rights, supportive of self-determination and actualization of human potential. END