'Miracle Baby' wins hearts at Hibiscus Baby Show
Four-month-old Apisalome Jock takes top prize, celebrating his mother’s long-awaited motherhood.
Tuesday 23 September 2025 | 01:00
Matelita Bale with her four-month-old baby, Apisalome Jock, at the Hibiscus Festival Baby Show on September 23, 2025.
Photo: Talei Roko
A 42-year-old mother is calling her four-month-old son a 'miracle baby' after he claimed first prize today in the Category One Division of the 2025 Hibiscus Festival Baby Show.
Matelita Bale and her baby, Apisalome Jock, won the category for babies aged two to five months, taking home the top prize to the surprise of many, including themselves.
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We really didn’t expect to win. I just brought him to experience something different. It was about creating memories.
Matelita Bale, Mother
But behind the proud moment was a deeper story. Ms Bale shared that her journey to motherhood had not been easy.
After years of trying, her son was born earlier this year, a child she and her family now describe as a blessing.
“He is our miracle baby,” Ms Bale said.
“We waited so long for him, and now here he is, winning hearts.”
The Baby Show, held at the Hibiscus Festival grounds in Suva, drew dozens of families, with babies dressed in colourful outfits and proud parents cheering from the sidelines. For Ms Bale, the win was emotional, not just for the recognition, but for what it represented.
“Being a mother at 42 is a gift,” she said.
“Apisalome’s win is a moment I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
She also took the opportunity to encourage other parents to invest time and care in their children.
“Children need love and attention, especially in their early years. We owe it to them to give our best,” she said.
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