Cebu’s loveliest dress up for annual Santacruzan

For most of the year, the city of Cebu is very much a busy, bustling metropolis. But, one day in May, it pauses to celebrate as they do in towns and villages the time-honored fiesta of the Santacruzan.

So, on the last Saturday of the merry month, the Cebu Waterfront Hotel, together with the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu and the Clothes for Life, a charitable organization composed of fashion designers, garment manufacturers, and retailers, once again played host to this spectacular extravaganza that relived our heritage and culture.

Just before sunset, the affair commenced with the celebration of Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Alfie Africa MSP at the hotel lobby. Soon after, the Santacruzan festival begun.

The well-paced procession had 33 reinas and zagalas of Cebu’s lovely fashionable ladies dressed in Filipiniana-inspired gowns by the islands’ foremost designers.

Patron of the arts and ultra chic Elvira Luym, escorted by Marco Protacio, the debonair general manager of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel, was Reina Emperatriz. She was resplendent in a Philip Rodriguez creation of fuchsia Vietnam silk with ruched bodice and bubble skirt.

Beauty Yeddah Romualdez, lovingly escorted by her two young sons Andrew and Martin, was Reina Elena. She wore a midnight blue beaded terno by designer Jun Escario who is making a name for himself in Manila.

Reina de las Estrellas Shyryl Carsell donned a Joy Bernaldez pale yellow jusi gown, while Stephanie Lee as Reina de los Angeles was elegant in an all-white layered and ruffled number by Sal Malto.

Following the last zagala at the end of the procession, the caroza of the Blessed Virgin Mary, beautifully decorated with white roses, mums and chrysanthemums and borne on the shoulders of male devotees, was ushered into the Pacific Ballroom amid warm applause and cheers.

Honoring the Blessed Mother with more floral offerings were some 20 adorable innocent angels.

Val San Diego and his talented group of performers did what they do best. They interpreted some Filipino songs in dance.

A sumptuous strictly Filipino dinner buffet was the final agenda of a grand night to remember. Chairpersons event planner Aissa de la Cruz, GM Marco Protacio, and Sal Malto, president of Clothes for Life Inc., could not have asked for a more meaningful and endearing celebration Cebuanos can truly be proud of.