The Galleon of Hope (and Style!)

Traversing the Sinulog route at cruising speed, Norkis Galleon literally floated on the streets towards the Cebu City Sports Complex to the ethnic beat of drums emanating from the secondary float following closely behind. On its front most deck is the image of our Señor Santo Niño, Whom we revere and the main reason for the Sinulog celebration, symbolizing the Cebuano faith.

A brainchild of Dr. Norberto B. Quisumbing Jr., the Norkis Galleon garnered 2nd place in the Float Competition which is no mean feat taking into consideration that it was their first time to join. So it was most natural that Cebu's best were on the float: Miss World 2004 Queen of Asia and Oceania and Miss Cebu 2003 Maria Karla Bautista, Miss Cebu 2006 Stephanie Rose Señires and Miss Cebu 2006 1st Runner Up Angel Wella Luzano. The ladies were clad as carnival queens in their best ternos by Marichu Tan, Ray Kuan and Protacio, respectively. Cebu's top male model Stephan Urtizberea was Magellan. Completing the cast in the Galleon were Roger Alferez as the priest and six bubbly angels. The Galleon of Hope depicted the nostalgic 60's where society women were carnival queens (a.k.a Hermana Mayoras) in honor of their patron saint and so in this case the Child Jesus. The offering was to hope for a better and prosperous future like in the 60's when the Philippines enjoyed an economic boom. Cebu's top models became women of style as designers outfitted them a piña terno with a serpentine cut with ostrich feathers for Karla Bautista; Stephanie Señires donned an immaculate white terno with beaded and corseted bodice and bouffant skirt with fringes by Ray Kuan. Protacio did a fluid terno in jewel tones.

A hush of awe and reverence took over the entire grandstand as the Norkis Galleon of Hope serenely cruised for final judging. To Norkis Group of Companies, bravissimo!