By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Women Helping People Foundation on Feb. 1 will be holding “Rota’s Biggest Loser” — a body slimming contest for island residents.
Rose Manglona, the group’s president, said about 30 people have already signed up, and several individuals are still coming forward to join the competition that will be held in a private gymnasium on Rota.
The event, she said, will involve Rota’s local leaders, including Mayor Joseph S. Inos who, she added, has helped their group from the very start and has vowed to continue helping them in every way possible.
She said they are now in the process of gathering more sponsors for the contest.
According to Manglona, they have already conducted a trial contest on Dec. 3.
The $300 cash prize went to the winner — Ruby Teraya.
During this trial competition, 17 female contestants were given 30 days to “trim down.”
Teraya weighed 183 pounds in the beginning and won the contest when she shed nine pinds.
Manglona said in the coming competition, contestant will be given six months to lose weight.
She said the idea for the competition came from her and her friends who regularly work out with her in a private gym.
She said she used to weigh almost 200 pounds. Now she’s 50 pounds lighter.
Excited about the results of their workouts, Manglona said they decided to invite other women to the fitness sessions.
They visit different gyms and gather nutrition facts for their group.
They later came up with the idea of holding a competition to motivate more women — and men — to get into better shape.
A non-profit, non-government organization, the women’s foundation was among those that received a $4,000 donation from Bridge Capital yesterday.