Grand celebrations during the merry month of May

My husband and I went with our open minds and we were gamely prepared to sit through another long evening, as is the case with most uninspiring nor unentertaining folk pageantries. But the very instant we stepped into the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel, which was masterfully transformed into a festive colorful fiesta, while upholding its elegance throughout, thanks to event coordinator and director Doy Aradaza, we sensed it was going to be altogether different.

A Santacruzan like no other was once again presented by the Quota Club Cebu hoping to raise the much-needed funds for the club’s commitment to its mission of providing education and special skills training to hearing-impaired students belonging to indigent families.

The evening’s activities began with the invocation rendered in sign language by the dedicated Quotarians, led by past president Zenaida Yapjoco, that touched and humbled the guests, moving some to tears.

The performances of the versatile Val Sandiego dancers, the endearing hearing- impaired high school students, and the impressive Cebu Normal University chorale followed.

Then, after a moment’s silence, the procession began.

Sweet and demure Reina de los Angeles, Danielle Gothong Tan, made her way to the imposing stage where she was joined by budding beauty-with-brains Kris Janson as Reina de las Flores.

Janice Bañez Minor, lovely in a white terno that was accented with gold roses, was Reina Elena, while a well-behaved, smartly dressed Vincent Benjamin Lindo was the young Emperador Constantino.

Gloria Gaisano, as Reina Emperatriz, was escorted by doting husband, philanthropist Joseph Gaisano. She donned an elegant, classic fully beaded Maria Clara by Ditas Rodriguez.

Special friends and loyal supporters of the association’s noble causes shared the honors during the coronation ceremonies.

They include Eduardo Gullas, the mayor of Cebu’s newest city, Talisay, and his First Lady, Norma, Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort general manager Ben Bousnina, Department of Tourism regional director Dawnie Roa, People’s Republic of China consul general Wu Lian Qi, Southwestern University director Alma Aznar Garcia accompanied by husband Dominic, Waterfront Hotel COO Patrick Gregorio together with his supportive wife Marichelle, Quota International district governor Maria Carmen Sobrepeña and district 41 lieutenant governor Marilou Del Rosario.

The pleasant surprise of the affair was the rigodon de honor performed by the principes and princesitas, all between the ages of seven and nine, executed with perfect timing and in-born grace, drew thunderous applause.

Hard work, coupled with lots of patience, not to mention sleepless nights, went into the well-thought-out preparation of the event. But it certainly was well worth it. Unprecedented in its history, the organization successfully raised P1.4 million from ticket sales and outright sponsorships.

Warmest congratulations to the women with the biggest of hearts – president Marcia Godinez, past president Zenaida Yapjoco, who went all out to assist daughter-in-law overall chairman Almyra Yapjoco, finance committee chairman Malu Veloso, president-elect Sophia Mancao, Josephine Mapeso, Pilar Puno, Mary Abad, Fely Gemarino, Lourdes Parker and other members, who all made it possible in making a difference to other people’s lives.

Meanwhile, in another neighboring island, sister property, Waterfront Hotel Mactan, celebrated a week-long "Pistahan" with a variety of activities. The highlight of the festivities was the hotel’s first ever flores de mayo and santacruzan.

It started with a solemn mass at the Mactan Airbase chapel followed by a procession that culminated at the hotel lobby.

Cebu Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz, in an exquisite embroidered terno by designer Patis Tesoro, was Reina Emperatriz.

Miss Universe first runner-up and popular television talk show host Miriam Quiambao was Reina Elena. She wore a dramatic sinamay terno with a corseted bodice and a bouffant biased skirt hand painted with floral patterns traced with Swarovski crystals, seed pearls and jet beads. Mactan island First Lady Paz Radaza in an apricot patadyong-inspired terno was Reina del Sol, while the mayor’s wife of the town of Cordova Cristina Sitoy, wearing a hand-painted kimona, was Reina de las Flores. All three ladies wore gowns by the city’s designer par excellence, Jed Sevilla.

Lapu-Lapu City vice mayor Norma Patalinghug, who opted for a classic beige and gold lace terno, a creation of Cebu’s dean of fashion Felix Yu, was Reina del Cielo. Isiah Raul Carcel was the Emperador Constantino.

As the evening drew to a close, we caught a glimpse of the beautiful Jo Ann Castillo, the hotel’s energetic public relations manager, who was beaming. She had every reason to be happy. After all, it was a well-attended, rich in tradition Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan.