Rebuenog, 3, wins Huggies baby pageant

Frantina, middle, poses with her parents and sister Maria after being crowned winner in the baby pageant on Oct. 22, 2016. (Contributed Photo)

At the tender age of 3, Frantina Carmen Rebuenog won her first baby pageant sponsored by the company that sells Huggies on the islands, Marianas Pacific Distributors Inc.

Held under the auspices of the 2016 Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Fair, the pageant was held at the Saipan World Resort on Oct. 22, 2016.

Rebuenog, the No. 11 contestant, was awarded with a case of Huggies, a box of baby wipes, Fisher Price toys, a booster seat, playpen, wrapping blanket, and Enfamil nursery pack.

“We are very grateful for her prizes and she is happy to share some of her prizes with her little sister,” said mother Rachel Juana Rebuenog.

The mother, along with Jason Simina, are parents to two daughters, one being the pageant winner and the other being Maria Divine.

When asked about how she feels about her daughter being crowned the winner, Rebuenog said, “It’s a great feeling, especially for her [Frantina], considering at her age she can understand how it feels to smile at the crowd and be with other children in costumes. It’s a really great feeling to have all our hard work pay off and her enjoying herself.”

The contest required Frantina to wear a costume made of Huggies diapers. According to her mother, Frantina’s dress was inspired by a princess costume but was more in the old English time and style. “I wanted to do something that was creative yet simple to do. So I wanted to make a princess dress where it ‘poofed’ down instead of being straight, the back had knots to tighten or loosen, and the skirt was very big.”

The two sisters originally joined the pageant due to Rebuengo and Simina’s inability to allow their children to go trick or treating. The mother said, “In a way, we’re making it up to our kids by giving them dresses to wear and act the part of a princess up stage.”

Being the children’s first pageant, both parents signed them in without thinking their children were going to win. They just wanted Frantina and her sister to attend the competition for the experience and the overall enjoyment.

“We would like to thank Marpac, all the contestants, and most especially our families for all their support!” said Rebuenog.

The fair at the Saipan World Resort also included government and non-government groups such as the Maternal & Child Health Bureau, CNMI Humanities-Motheread Fatheread Program, Joeten- Kiyu Public Library, Division of Public Health-Immunization Program, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Department of Public Safety, Division of Public Health-Dental Clinic, Commonwealth Cancer Association, NMC Nursing Club, Golden Harvest International School & Day Care, Green Meadow School, Smart Start Daycare, and Northern Marianas International School.(Michael T. Santos)