Gazini Ganados in senior citizens' embrace for Miss Universe advocacy

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/08/05/20190805-gazini-seniors-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados visits the Luwalhati ng Maynila home for the aged in Marikina City. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Senior citizens, some using canes and walkers, embraced reigning Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados to their care facility in a suburb of the capital on Monday, as she sought to solidify her elderly care advocacy.</p><p>The 23-year-old model, who is seeking a back-to-back win for the Philippines by succeeding <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/12/17/18/catriona-gray-crowned-miss-universe">Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray</a>, promised some 300 residents of the Luwahati ng Maynila in Marikina City that she would continue pushing for their welfare.</p><p>&quot;We will be back,&quot; said Ganados, who was wearing a fitted white shirt and jeans, told the seniors, joking. &quot;Magsasawa po kayo sa mga mukha namin (You might get tired of our faces.)</p><p>Ganados&#x27; advocacy is uncommon in pageants that are known to espouse children&#x27;s welfare, poverty alleviation and HIV-AIDS awareness. The daughter of an overseas Filipina worker was raised by her grandparents.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/08/05/20190805-gazini-seniors-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados visits the Luwalhati ng Maynila home for the aged in Marikina City. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Maraming salamat at nandiyan kayo para sa kanila, kasi hindi masyadong madaming tao ang nakakaalam na kailangan nila ng tulong,&quot; she said during flag-raising rites at dawn.</p><p>(Thank you for being here for them because not too many people know that they need help, too.)</p><p>&quot;Just being there for them is already enough. Ipagpatuloy po natin ito (Let&#x27;s continue doing this),&quot; she said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/06/11/19/uncut-1-on-1-with-miss-universe-philippines-gazini-ganados">UNCUT: 1-on-1 with Miss Universe-Philippines Gazini Ganados</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/entertainment/06/17/19/kilalanin-si-miss-universe-philippines-2019-gazini-ganados">Who is Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1384150" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar"><p>Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados speaks at flag raising rites at the Luwalhati ng Maynila in Marikina to pursue her elderly care advocacy for the Miss Universe pageant. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></p>Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Ganados visited Luwalhati ng Maynila in Marikina after reading a thesis by University of the Philippines-Manila BA Behavioral Sciences graduate Melissa Delgado on the quality of life of seniors in the facility.</p><p>Based on Delgado&#x27;s study, aside from material needs such as medicine and adequate facilities, seniors in Luwalhati ng Maynila also need to maintain social relationships and stay active.</p><p>Ganados met with Delgado&#x27;s thesis adviser, UP Manila MA in Health Policy Studies senior lecturer Calvin de los Reyes, prior to Monday morning&#x27;s visit.</p><p>She was also accompanied by her pageant mentor, Rodgil Flores, whose beauty camp produced Miss Universe Philippines winners Rachel Peters in 2017 and MJ Lastimosa in 2014.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1384152" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar"><p>Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados dances with senior citizens at the Luwalhati ng Maynila in Marikina to pursue her elderly care advocacy for the Miss Universe pageant. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></p>Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>The seniors in Luwalhati ng Maynila need medicine and cleaning supplies, staff members said. Before Ganados&#x27; arrival, some helped clean the social hall where a short program was to be held.</p><p>The seniors told Ganados that they had been praying everyday for her victory at Miss Universe even before she arrived in Luwalhati ng Maynila.</p><p>The Miss Universe Organization has not announced a date and venue for the 2019 pageant, which will be its 68th edition. Gray is the fourth Filipina Miss Universe.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/08/05/20190805-gazini-seniors-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados visits the Luwalhati ng Maynila home for the aged in Marikina City. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Ganados is pursuing her advocacy just as President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law creating the National Commission of Senior Citizens, tasked with ensuring the full implementation of laws, policies and programs for seniors.</p><p>By the end of 2018, 8 million Filipinos or 10 percent of the population would have been above 60 years old. Of the 8 million, 5 million are at least 65, according to the Population Commission.</p>

<p>Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados is strengthening her elderly care advocacy, roughly half a year before the finals night, when she attempt to succeed Miss Universe Catriona Gray and secure a back to back win for the country.</p>

Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados is strengthening her elderly care advocacy, roughly half a year before the finals night, when she attempt to succeed Miss Universe Catriona Gray and secure a back to back win for the country.