Davao City – Four months after being crowned Mutya ng Dabaw 2025, Rebekah Gail Celis is stepping beyond the spotlight and into the heart of service. In a heartfelt Facebook post titled “Thinking Out Loud: What does it really mean to be a Mutya?”, Celis opened up about the weight and purpose of her crown, sharing a realization that being a Mutya is less about recognition and more about responsibility.

“The pageant is long over. This is no longer a stage to shine—but a platform to serve,” she wrote.

Celis acknowledges the opportunities that come with the crown, but she emphasizes that her reign is not a personal reward—it’s a public mission.

“The moment I received this crown, it stopped being just about me. I began to carry the hopes of the community I represent.”

She challenges the often unrealistic expectations of perfection:

“I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to be flawless. I have to be human.”

For Celis, humanity is the foundation of empathy, presence, and real service.

This renewed sense of purpose led to the Padayon Movement, a grassroots initiative aimed at supporting women and children in underserved communities. With a name that echoes resilience and progress—Padayon, which means “to continue” in Bisaya—the campaign is her commitment to spark meaningful change at the ground level.

The movement’s first project kicks off this July with the distribution of school supplies to children in need. While modest in scale, Celis believes these acts of presence and compassion can plant the seeds of transformation.

“This may seem small, but this is how change starts—with presence, purpose, and compassion,” she shared.

Celis chooses action over admiration and connection over fame.

“To be a Mutya is not about being above anyone. It’s about being among the people we serve.”

As she continues her reign, Rebekah Gail Celis is proving that the true essence of being a Mutya lies not in the crown itself, but in the courage to lead, to listen, and to lift others up.

Through the Padayon Movement, she invites Dabawenyos to join her not just in celebration—but in service. Because as she powerfully declared:

“This is what I stand for. This is why I continue. This is what it means to be a Mutya.”