Bohol's perfect time

Referred to as the "jewel paradise of the Philippine islands" by tourism shakers and movers, Bohol has added another feather to its cap as it successfully launched the first ever Grand Santacruzan courtesy of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran under the leadership of former Governor Rene Relampagos. The date was May 27, 2006 and the venue was the Bohol Cultural Center. It was drizzling that early evening, yet denizens of Bohol's rich and famous trooped to where history was to be unfolded. And as the evening became a memorable night, something was evident - the event had successfully found its place in the haven of beauty and culture enough for it to become an annual event that should be looked forward to from now on.

Raul Phillip Gatal, one of the organizers, revealed that it all started with a simple gathering of friends when socialite Baby Bantol raised the possibility of reviving a cultural and religious event that is the Santacruzan to raise funds for Rotary's various socio- civic activities, among them the Village Aide Project - an Adopt- a- Village project with regular feeding, medical consultation and hospitalization programs as the Main Beneficiary. With the assistance of Towncrier Advertising, the possibility became a reality after several meetings and consultations. The date was perfect because it was the last day of the President-Elect Seminar/District Assembly where Rotarians from the Visayas and Mindanao gathered for two days. Therefore, visiting Rotarians were themselves witness to what Bohol had to offer as far as this beautiful cultural tradition is concerned.

This simple idea has paved the way for Bohol to be known from now on not just as a home of the famous tarsiers or of the world-famous Chocolate Hills. When one thinks of Bohol, it will no longer be just as the place where the mystic Loboc River or the century-old Baclayon church is found with pride and honor. It surely is not just the captivating pristine white sand beaches of Panglao that mesmerize excited and fun loving visitors. With the staging of the Santacruzan 2006, Bohol has just given birth to a new attraction, directing the spotlight to one of its finest treasures - the beautiful Boholanas - naïve looking, charming with hospitable smiles and still undisturbed by the modernity of a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

It was such a perfect time for Bohol, after all, because this year one of her daughters by the name Anna Maris Arcay Igpit is set to conquer the world and eventually promote not just the beauty of the island but of the entire Philippines. Thus, as tribute to Anna's victory in the most prestigious beauty pageant in the country that is the Bb. Pilipinas, she was the unanimous choice for the crown of Reina Elena. There was no doubt about it actually. Aside from the fact that she is the reigning Bb. Pilipinas World, Anna also holds the title of Miss Bohol Sandugo. And as Reina Elena is also known as Queen Helena "the legendary finder of the true Holy Cross," Filipinos keep their fingers crossed for Anna to become the "the legendary Filipina" to win the very elusive Miss World crown.

Forging beauty and generosity together, organizers chose Ms. Rosario Rose Soy as Reina Emperatriz that earned her the privilege of crowning the Reina Elena. Soy was a perfect recipient of the highest singular honor of the grand event because she epitomizes the true meaning of womanhood-model citizen, empowered woman, philanthropist and an avid supporter of Bohol tourism by painstakingly promoting the island abroad. It was also wonderful to note that the 30 sagalas who came from the so-called "buena familia" spent for their own gowns after donating money to the organization. The fashion wannabes of Bohol, yet to establish a designers guild, came out with classy, elegant and chic designs. Aside from Igpit, there were also two more who were declared as Reina Elena: Reina Elena II and I who were so honored based on the amount of their donations. Gatal admits there are still a lot of things to be improved but he is certain that the next Santacruzan will be grander, more fabulous and huge. They aim to involve the Local Government Units in the future and bring the event to the grassroots level so as to establish a general appeal where the rich and poor reminisce and share such a beautiful tradition that is the Santacruzan in one perfect slice in time.