COVER FEATURE: Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez Leads Motherhood Celebration

With ASCOF brand ambassador Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez – herself a mother and advocate of natural medicine for health and wellness – Pascual Lab awarded single parent and former OFW Esperanza Yu the ASCOF Natural Super Mom-Mother of the Year honor.

Deeply inspired by her story of survival and great sacrifice, ASCOF and its brand ambassador Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez awarded single parent and former OFW Esperanza Yu the ASCOF Natural Super Mom – Mother of the Year Search. The much-celebrated event was punctuated by powerful stories of unconditional love, determination and passion from 14 of the most exemplary mothers around the country.

Held at the posh Felix Restaurant in Greenbelt 5, the awarding ceremonies were graced by Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corp. executives including its president Ricky Rivera, marketing director Agnes Moulic and group brand manager Jericho Bayona, Pascual Lab director for corporate communications Mia Pascual-Cenzon and  Crush Communications’ managing director Rod Nepomuceno who conceptualized the search. Family members of the finalists also came to cheer on the women who gave new meaning and defied the limitations to the role of a mother.

A celebration of motherhood
“Imagine a world without mothers,” said Lucy Torres-Gomez, herself a mother and advocate of natural medicine for health and wellness. “They are such an inspiration which is why I am very happy to be a part of this search to honor and celebrate mothers.”

Lucy herself is a natural super mom, balancing between her roles as public servant, television personality, and mother to Juliana. She understands that no role is perhaps more complex while being equally, if not greatly, fulfilling as that of being a mother. She can relate to the title that encompasses various characters and responsibilities, a calling that requires passion, selflessness and dedication.

“ASCOF Lagundi was born out of the same passion mothers give in nurturing their families. And because mothers are such an expert on everything, we at Pascual Lab decided to express our admiration, celebrate their achievements and reward them with this special search,” said brand manager Jericho Bayona. 

Exceptional Mom
Yu was chosen from an exceptional crop of finalists who all went through an intense selection process. These women were nominated via a short essay describing the pivotal role they play in the family, society and community. According to Esperanza’s daughter, Kimberly, she knew she had a natural winner as soon as she saw ASCOF Lagundi’s TV ad for the Natural Supermom.

In her winning entry, Kimberly wrote: “With the daunting responsibility of nurturing two growing girls on her shoulders, there was even a time when my mother was forced to leave my sister and myself in the care of our grandparents so that she can continue working in Abu Dhabi.”

Rising above a failed marriage, Yu waded through the storm of single parenthood while steering her small business in a bumpy economy. The family survived by scrimping or skipping out on even the simplest of things.
“I can no longer recall how long this barest-of-existence lifestyle went on,” Kimberly recalled in her entry. “She told us that we will be scrimping on everything except for two things: school and food. After many years, things started looking up and nice changes started happening. Business was slowly picking up and the loans and credit card debts were getting paid off one by one. The most awesome turn

around came when my Mom pulled me aside early this year and told me that I can now pursue Med school.”

“All the finalists were winners in their own right. Yu stood out among the finalists because of the tremendous challenges and difficulties she had to go through. We salute  her spirit, her faith and her strength,” said  Pascual Lab’s director for corporate communications Mia Pascual-Cenzon Yu gratefully accepted her prize of P50, 000 cash prize and valuable gifts. She shared the award with her two daughters and with the other finalists whom she said were great mothers as well and equally deserving of the title. “When I knew what the others went through and their achievements, I thought I wouldn’t win. I’m very thankful to my daughters and to God. I feel that my family is complete even without a husband,” Yu said.

Joining Yu at this momentous event were her co-finalists, namely: Mrs. Fredesvinda Neri of SM North EDSA, Mrs. Bernice de Guzman-Yumul of SM Pampanga, Mrs. Gregoria V. Ramilo of SM Sta. Rosa, Mrs. Ivy Llena of SM Cebu, Mrs. Virginia San Mateo of SM Manila, Mrs. Anne Heather Guerrero of SM Bacolod, Mrs. Herminia B. Coronado of SM Megamall, Mrs. Lolita Calicdan Podunas of SM Davao, Mrs. Racquel Macatangay of SM Batangas, Mrs. Jeany Lee of SM Bacoor, Belen C. Celemin of SM Calamba, Mrs. Lulette San Miguel of SM Baguio and Mrs. Milaluna P. Aguana of SM Tarlac. 

Natural moms know best
Every mother instinctively knows that family always comes first. When it comes to caring for family, her nurturing disposition comes into play – whether by preparing a hearty, healthy meal or even nursing a sick family member. When it comes to cough remedies, ASCOF Lagundi Natural Cough Syrup is the smarter, natural choice for mothers because it’s all-natural, made from 100% Lagundi leaves, is safe and clinically-proven effective. It even comes in a variety of child-friendly flavors such as Ponkan, Strawberry, and Menthol. For the diabetics and sugar-conscious, it also comes in Menthol Sugar-Free. Beyond baby, teens and adults can take ASCOF Lagundi in tablet and capsule formats.

ASCOF Lagundi is a product of Pascual Laboratories, a company backed by 65 years of experience in the manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products in the Philippines. They are also known to provide innovative health and wellness products and services of superior value to their partners and consumers.

ASCOF Natural Super Mom – Mother of the Year Search was organized by Crush Communications Philippines in cooperation with the following sponsors: ASCOF Lagundi – the Natural Cough Medicine, Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corp., SM Supermalls, PLDT, American Standard, Gain School Advance, St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Philippine Star, PAC (Professional Artist Cosmetics), Ystilo Salon and Nail-a-Holics. Special thanks to the Media Sponsors: Mellow 94.7 and Crossover 105.1 and Fox International Channels.