Sinulog Festival Queen Crown finally goes to a Cebuana

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time in history, a Cebuana finally bagged the Sinulog Festival Queen crown. Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturi of Lumad Basakanon bested 20 candidates in the search for the lead dancer who stood out the most in beauty and dancing skills, held the other night in the jam-packed Cebu City Sports Center.

The 16-year-old beauty became the answer to the eight-year wait for Cebuanos to excel in this one-of-a-kind pageant that was dominated by neighboring provinces participating in the Sinulog Festival for the longest time.

However, her victory was not that easy, as she had to experience some nerve-wracking moments especially when she slipped and fell onstage during her solo performance. But she was able to regain her composure, which wowed the crowd.

“I am overwhelmed by the feat. It’s a great honor and privilege for me to win the title. But I was not expecting to win because of the accident,” said Aberasturi, who now considered it to be her crowning glory.

“For me, that accident taught me that we experience ups and downs but if you have the determination to stand up after you fall, then something great is ahead of you,” said the charming Aberasturi.

This is the second pageant that Aberasturi joined; she won as Ms. Star Teen in her school, the San Roque Development Center in Liloan, where she’s a junior student. She’s planning to join bigger pageants in the future like Miss Mandaue and Miss Cebu when she reached the right age.

Aberasturi was chosen to be the lead dancer of Cebu’s legendary Sinulog champion, Lumad Basakanon, after its designer, Mercury Gumera, suggested her to be their lead dancer.

“I was motivated by my parents, Tribo Lumad Basakanon and above all by Senyor Sto. Niño, to whom I dedicated my performance,” said Aberasturi, who was the only candidate who kissed the Holy Child Jesus during the performance.

Aside from the coveted crown, Aberasturi also harvested most of the corporate awards including the Best in Runway, Ms. SM, Ms. Photogenic, Ms. Mendez Medical Group and Ms. Samsung.

Completing Aberasturi’s court were Jey Ann Avenido of Tribu Kandaya in Daan Bantayan, Barbette Joanne Badocdoc of Pintados Festival in Tacloban Leyte, Phoebe Corrine Pataytay of Lahug Elementary School and Denice Marie Caminade of Banay Talambanon.

Avenido, on the other hand, got the four out of five major awards including the Best in Gown Design, Best Solo Performer, Best in Production Number, Best in Group Presentation and Best in Musicality. Aside from that, she was also named Ms. Ever Bilena, Ms. Lecit-I and Ms. Casino Femme.

Buyugan Fetival’s Marie Marana bagged the Best in Festival Costume award and Ms. PLDT.

Sinulog Foundation chairman, Mayor Michael Rama, was also overwhelmed by Aberasturi’s triumph, “All the candidates were indeed beautiful but I’m glad that Aberasturi made it and a Cebuana finally won and it was a great timing because it’s during my first term.”

Sinulog Foundation’s Ricky Ballesteros, on the other hand, said that he was shocked when Aberasturi stumbled. “I was really shocked when that happened but what surprised me was when she was able to regain her composure. There is something in her, an ex-factor, I should say and she’s the only lady who kissed the Sto. Niño.”

“I am happy and proud that for the very first time, a Cebuana finally made it and became Sinulog Festival Queen. And this is also the first time that most of those who made it to the top five are Cebuanos as well.

This is the great start for Cebu to dominate in its own hometown,” Ballesteros said.