1st Cebu City Santacruzan kicks off today

CEBU, Philippines – Miss Earth 2008, Karla Paula Henry, is the Maria Elena (Queen Helena) of the 1st Cebu City Santacruzan to be held today at the Fort San Pedro.

This inaugural Cebu City Santacruzan will be graced by the Miss Cebu winners and finalists, ABS-CBN Cebu celebrities, city hall employees and members of the Rotary Clubs of Banilad and the Metro, who will be the sagalas during the procession, which will pass through the different heritage sites of Cebu.

Henry, who is also the Miss Philippines-Earth 2008 and Miss Cebu 2006 2nd runner-up, will be paired with Richard Osmeña who will be Constantine.

The eight Marian titles will be represented by the Miss Cebu winners and finalists.

Miss Cebu 2009 Kris Tiffany Janson is Reyna Delas Flores (Queen of Flowers), Miss Cebu 2007 Loise Angelique Tan is Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven), Miss Cebu 2009 1st runner-up Maria Rizzini Gomez is Reyna de las Virgines (Queen of Virgins), 3rd runner-up Tara Frances Oliver is Reyna delas Propetas (Queen of Prophets), this writer is Reyna delas Estrellas (Queen of Stars), Miss Cebu 2009 finalists Phoebe Kate Fernandez is Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess) and Ana Coritha Desamparado is Rosa Mystica.

ABS-CBN Cebu talents Gabriela Beatriz “Bea” Delo Rosa is Reyna Paz (Queen of Peace), Kara Mae Noveda of ABS-CBN Broadcasting is Mary Mother of Christ, and Monica Sylvia Orellano of the Cebu City Children Performing Arts and Knapsack dancers is Mary of Magdala.

The other Sagalas include Julius Golosino (Methuselah), Rio Garing (Reyna Banderada), Florame Ondoy (Reyna Mora), Dr. Grace Balangkig (Reyna Fe), Jezevyl Pilota (Reyna Esperanza), Christine Nadela (Reyna Caridad), Richelle Lim (Reyna Abogada), Marilou Rosales (Reyna Sentenciada), Anna Maria Mendiola (Reyna Justicia), Georgela Tabar (Reyna Judith), Chelo Deiparine (Reyna Sheba), Melissa Pulgo (Reyna Esther), Mharielfa Cabanero (Samaritana), May Denise (Veronica) and Irish Sagarino (Mary, Mother of James).

The different sagalas will be wearing the creations of Cebu’s top designers, who are also members of the Clothes For Life Inc., namely, Felix Yu, Dexter Alazas, Brandon Senon, Valerie Victoria “Barbie” Alvez, Cyrus Velasco, Edwin Alba, Bernardo Flores, Manuel Tomaque, Wendell Quisido, Allain Fonte, Harvey Cenit, Humberto Villegas, Beethoven Bacheller, Harley Ruedas, Oj Hofer and Philip Rodriguez, while Ronnie Matudan will do the make-up of all the sagalas.

The Cebu City Government through the Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) in cooperation with various agencies spearheaded this inaugural event. 

The activity is part of the Philippine Heritage Month and in support of the Gabii sa Kabilin organized by the Visayan Association of Museums and Galleries Inc.

This project aims to promote culture and history and encourages the appreciation among the youth of today for this deeply rooted religious tradition handed to the Filipinos during the Spanish colonial rule in the 18th century. 

When Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it as the official religion of Rome, the first thing that he did was to make his mother, Helena, as the Empress of the Roman Empire. As part of her spiritual vow, Helena made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and search for the true Cross of Jesus Christ. The Santacruzan commemorates this event.

The Cebu City Santacruzan will start with a Holy Mass at 4:00 P.M. today at Fort San Pedro followed by a Procession by the Sagalas which will pass through the different museums and heritage sites in Cebu. 

There will be a dinner and program at 6:00 in the evening. The public is invited to witness and join the activity. 

The entertainers during the program includes the 4 In 1 from Star magic Cebu, Joseph Teves, Angelo Martinez and Daniel Cruz, Rondalla, Zenith Rivera, Windey Prado, the Cebu City Children Performing Arts, Gatzwal Dance Company, University of Cebu Dance Company, Freestyler and the Knapsack dancers.

An entrance fee of Php 600.00 pesos is charged per head which includes a Buffet Dinner (for the benefit of the Cebu City Street Children Performing Arts Foundation and Clothes for Life Foundation), free entrance and a tour on the different Museums in Cebu.

For more details, please contact Cinbeth Orellano at telephone number 412-4355.