32 Cebu beauties in a grand Santacruzan

I have often walked down the path from the low-rise Plaza Club to the imposing Cebu Plaza Hotel. However, on this afternoon of the merry month of May, the landscaped grounds shared by both properties put on an exceptionally pretty face to celebrate the grandest of all summer festivals – the Santacruzan. Observed yearly in remembrance of the finding of the True Holy Cross by the Emperor Constantine, the Santacruzan is a part of Filipino life.

The well-paced procession had some of Cebu’s beauties and admirable achievers. Each of the 32 reinas, all dressed in evening gowns made by the island’s talented designers, were escorted by dashing male partners, as they strolled elegantly beneath the artistically decorated canopies made by leading florists, such as House of Flowers, Le Fleur, Simple Wishes and Kalidades.

As the sagalas gracefully walked down the grand stairway (I doubt Cebu City has a more dramatic one) and the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, borne on the shoulders of devotees and surrounded by 20 angelic young girls in angel’s costumes, made their appearance, amidst resounding applause and cheers, we did hear miraculously, I suspect, sighs of disbelief. It was simply such a beautiful memorable sight.

The fiesta then begun. Songs of old Cebu were sung. Impresario Val San Diego and his wife Ophelia impressed everyone with their innovative choreography of lilting dances. An authentic Filipino dinner followed.

The highlight of the evening was the Baile sa Plaza led by the Reina Emperatriz, Ingrid Sala Santamaria, with Benjie Diola, and joined by last year’s Emperatriz, Amparito Llamas Lhuillier.

The Clothes for Life Foundation, a charitable organization made up of fashion designers who pooled their talents and resources to provide clothing for the needy, founded by Joy Bernaldez, Cebu Plaza Hotel, represented by Salvador Cornelio and workaholic PR manager Aissa dela Cuz, Philippine Airlines, and the San Diego Dance Studio, were responsible in organizing this year’s event.