She is smart.
She is beautiful.
She is strong.
She is a beauty queen.
She is a member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community
She is a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary.
At only 12 years old, Ashley Sagsag has been winning hearts, breaking stereotypes, and making history by being the first member of the IP community in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte to join the Ms. SciMath 2024 beauty pageant.
Ashley, is the second of three siblings. Her parents make their living by weaving rattan hammocks and baskets. At her age, she already displays a deep sense of responsibility as well as an understanding of the value of a good education. “Ang pangarap ko sa buhay ay ang makapagtapos sa pag-aaral para makatulong ako sa aking mga magulang at maging mabuting tao sa aming pamayanan.”
As 4Ps beneficiaries, she and her family have shown incredible determination against poverty in their journey towards self-sufficiency. With support from the program, their family was enabled to provide a good education for their children. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa 4Ps dahil nakatulong ito sa aming pamilya. May pambili na kami ng bigas at mga pangangailangan sa eskwelahan. Malaking tulong ito sa aming pamilya.”
As Ashley joins these pageants, she not only represents her family and her school, but she also represents the proud heritage and the unique culture of the Indigenous Peoples community. She embodies the hopes, the dreams, and the perseverance of IPs and 4Ps families everywhere who work hard to make their dreams a reality.
Long live the Queen!
