Beauty queens face off in resurrected Pasigarbo Festival Queen

CEBU, Philippines —  It’s been six years since the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo celebrations graced the streets. As it returns this year, so does the beauty and grace of each festival queen as they represent their town’s festivals for all of Cebu to see.

The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen press presentation on Tuesday afternoon at the Mountain Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu boasted the most dazzling of Cebu’s festivals. In search of the best female lead dancer who best represents the understanding of diversity and values of all the festivals in Cebu, the tilt is a way of promoting the province by embodying their respective festivals.

This year is the biggest yet with 29 festival queens out of 44 contingents stepping up to the occasion. A mix of familiar and fresh faces, the candidates are Leigh Chanelle Ong  for the Siloy Festival of Alcoy; Arizza Guardiario for the Kawayan Festival of Alegria; Guia Morena for the Kinsan Festival of Aloguinsan; Hydie Sarcuaga for the La Torta Festival of Argao; Aliyah Jarenn Lapuz for the Lingaw-Sadya Festival of Balamban; Shandey Belarmino for the Banig Festival of Badian; Sheal Nicole Escario for the Palawod Festival of Bantayan; Aiphrelle Uy for the Panumod Festival of Barili; Marla Alforque for the Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City; Vera Bianca Bagatsolon for the Dinagat Festival of Cordova; Jecyn Andales Bug-ot for the Haladaya Festival of Daanbantayan; and Lorraine Mitzi Ambrad for the Utanon Festival of Dalaguete.

Also in the roster are Kuldish Singh for the Sinanggiyaw Festival of Dumanjug; Debien Cuyos for the Rosquillos Festival of Liloan; Jocel Descartin for the Isda Festival of Madridejos; Gabriella Carballo for the Panagtagbo Festival of Mandaue City; Carmel Mae Tumulak for the Katubhan Festival of Medellin; Kiara Liane Wellington for the Sugat-Kabanhawan Festival of Minglanilla; Jacqueline Oppliger for the Kagasangan Festival of Moalboal; Trisha Navarro for the Dagitab Festival of Naga City; Rubby Clavel Verano for the Toslob Festival of Oslob; Fatima Bacud for the Pinaumohan Festival of Pinamungahan; Evwina Marie Basan for the Sikoy-Sikoy Festival of San Fernando; Chleo Marie Dosdos for the Lapyahan Festival of San Remegio; and Eucille Noreen Anciano for the Puting Baybay Festival of Santa Fe.

Completing the list are Kiffaiah Al-Zair for the Bonga Festival of Sibonga; Reisha Fil Tan for the Pausbaw Festival of Tabogon; Jesselle Saniel for the Inasal Festival of Talisay City; and Charlene Canoy for the Hinulawan Festival of Toledo City.

Apart from giving a taste of their festivals with their dancing and colorful costumes, the ladies shared their insights as they vie for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen 2019 title. Reyna ng Aliwan 2017 title-holder Marla Alforque said that although it may not be neceassry to win the Pasigarbo title to promote their towns, it’s still all about putting their best foot forward for their people.

“We have to present ourselves the best that we can be. [To] showcase our ethnicities, tribes and cultures and the traditions of our city, the best we can do is not to win the title but to showcase our culture and tradition,” said Alforque, who joined the province-wide competition despite already having a national title to give back to Carcar City.

Miss Mandaue 2018 Gabriella Ceniza Carballo returns to the stage this time to dance her way to the title. She decided to join Pasigarbo because of her geniune love for Mandaue City and because the competition is an opportunity to promote Cebu province, Mandaue City, and grow in faith and grace.

“Joining this is very difficult. It’s very different from a regular production number. Its something that requires grace which is something that I need to learn a little bit. This pageant has pushed me forward and the fact that it puts everything into one makes everything we do worthwhile. I can say that my faith has increased while joining Pasigarbo sa Sugbo because you’re not only dancing to show you but to show your festival and the happenings that have inspired it.”

Reigning Miss Press Freedom Lorraine Mitzi Ambrad believes that joining Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen will help put their town in the map. She wishes to see the unity of Cebuanos by the end of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

“What keeps me going are the Dalaguetenons. I believe this is the time to give back to my community by reprsenting them in this stage with a wider audience. It is not just Cebu watching Pasigarbo but also the world. Letting the world know what Dalaguete has to offer is one way of giving back. It will not only boost tourism but also boost the solidarity and camaraderie of Cebuanos,” said Ambrad.

Miss Talamban 2019 Aiphrelle Uy of Barili takes pride in the fact that the youth in their community are very much active in their annual fiestas. However, for areas who experience a lack of participation and support from the youth, the Panumod Festival Queen suggests fellow leaders to be the example themselves.

“It may sound so cliche but set an example. The simplest things that you do create a ripple effect,” said Uy.

For Talisay City bet Jesselle Saniel, the pressure is on as the city has won the last two stagings of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen (Mary Lorenz Goyenechea in 2011, and Keana Mae Sumido in 2012).

“There’s a huge pressure that almost swallows my self-esteem, but I don’t let that ruin my focus and determination to get the most coveted title for third time around,” she said. “They advised me to just enjoy the show and always do your best with a ribbon on top! Always represent our city with pride and honor, and endure pressure with grace and class while dancing on the stage.”

Highlighting dance to promote responsibility and leadership and also to prepare and inspire future citizens of Cebu, the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen o Night will take place tomorrow, August 23, at the Cebu City Sports Center, and will boast a spectacle of performances from the 29 festival queens and their respective groups.

Aside from the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen, four runners-up will be chosen, and awards for Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Best Group Production, and Best in Festival Costume will be given away.