Now on its 3rd year, Hakab Na! is a breastfeeding activity where mothers come together and simultaneously latch their babies and toddlers. It seeks to create awareness of the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding, promote the importance of providing proper support to breastfeeding mothers and ultimately, create a breastfeeding nation. For Manila, Hakab Na! is held in August, in time for the Philippines’ National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
The first Hakab Na! was held on August 3, 2013. On that day, more than 225 mothers with their babies, children, husbands, families and support system held breastfeeding awareness campaigns in key cities abroad and nationwide. Mothers rallied for their breastfeeding rights in various locations in Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, and Singapore. Despite heavy rains in Manila, which made it impossible to hold the event at the intended venue, more than 100 mothers and families braved the downpour and sought shelter inside the Aristocrat Restaurant in Roxas Boulevard, who graciously opened up their function room for the event at the last minute.
From over 200 participants in the first year, attendance in 2014 ballooned to almost 800 percent with 1,772 mothers simultaneously feeding their children in different cities nationwide. Held on August 2, 2014, the event gathered mothers in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod and Iloilo. In Manila, 170 mothers overtook 2013ʼs count of 100 mothers. Hakab Na! Manila also featured two learning activities on infant and young child feeding and breastfeeding support from breastfeeding experts.
This 2015, Hakab Na! will be a whole day activity. It will be part of the Big Latch On, and it will have talks on various breastfeeding topics. Also within the venue is a Baby and Kid Bazaar featuring the event sponsors, mompreneurs and local businesses that showcase products made in the Philippines.
Hakab Na! 2015 in Metro Manila will be held on August 1, 2015 (Saturday) at
500 Shaw Zentrum Events Pavilion, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong. It is hosted by
Breastfeeding Pinay - an online breastfeeding support group with the primary aim of providing breastfeeding support to Filipino mothers.
Here’s the PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES:
8:30 a.m. - Registration - Music by Kolisko Waldorf Ensemble
9:00 am - Prayer & Lupang Hinirang - Kolisko Waldorf Ensemble
9:10 a.m. - Welcome Remarks - Dr. Ryan Capitulo | FPOGS, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Expert in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
9:30 a.m. - Instructions and Preparation for Big Latch On
10:30 a.m. - Latch On!
11:15 a.m - Talk: Supporting Working Mothers - Nanay Innes AV. Fernandez | Executive Director of Arugaan
11:35 a.m. - Talk: Slow or No Weight-Gain Babies - Dr. Anthony Calibo, B.S. Public Health, MD, DPPS | Child Health Specialist, Newborn Care Program Manager, Concurrent Program Manager for IYCF, and IMCI
12:00 noon - Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Talk: You Can Be Gorgeous While Breastfeeding - Ms. Eliza Ypon | Makeup artist, LATCH Peer Counselor, Blogger
1:30 p.m. - Talk: Myths of Breastfeeding - Atty. Abie Co-Floreza | President, Breastfeeding Pinays, Inc.
1:50 p.m. - BFP Live! An Open Forum - Presided by Atty. Abie Co-Floreza
3:00 p.m. - Closing Remarks - Dr. Ting Valdepeñas-Patriarca | Founding Admin, Breastfeeding Pinays
Hosted by: Ms. Kimberly Evangelista
So, what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars now and
SIGN-UP HERE with your family and friends on this fun and memorable event!
Registration fees are as follows:
Php 150.00 for every mom-baby pair
Php 50.00 for guests 13 years old and above
Free for guests 12 years old and below
Are you not in Metro Manila? Don’t worry! You can join the Big Latch On on other locations such as Alabang, Aklan, Bacolod, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales. You can check
here for more details on how to join in these other locations.
If your location is not yet on the list, you can host one with your breastfeeding friends. For more info, visit
Host a Hakab Na!
