11 vie to be the next Sinulog Festival Queen

CEBU, Philippines —  After a 2021 virtual edition that declared then 16-year-old Dixie Lee Rey Oca of Barangay Sapangdaku as Sinulog Festival Queen, the annual search for the best lead dancer returns to the Cebu City Sports Center this Friday, January 13, to a full live audience to crown its next winner.

Introduced at a January 7 press conference at the Axis Bar and Lounge of Nustar Resort and Casino were 10 of the 11 candidates, namely, Denise Carmel Perales (Barangay Labangon), Kiara Liane Wellington, (Talisay City), Mary Josephine Prieto (Brgy. Tisa), Kaheia Marie Ida (Brgy. Mabolo), Annica Angelica Dolores Macasero Bengtsson (Carcar City), Amor Beah Rabago Singh (Toledo City), Reina Alexis Tavera (Mandaue City), Angel Myrna Thecia Layam (Brgy. San Nicolas Proper), April Joana Zapanta (Brgy. Inayawan), and Frenzy Jean Macan (Brgy. Pardo). Lourelle Henj Manlosa (Lapu-Lapu City) was added to the roster during yesterday’s Runway Competition held at the Mountain Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City.

Aside from daily rehearsals, the ladies shared that they have been preparing for the competition by watching YouTube videos of past Sinulog Festival Queen winners, working out to strengthen their shoulders so they can endure their hefty costumes, finishing their academic requirements in December for some so they can focus on the tilt, as well as “praying for guidance.”

For others, it’s a balancing act between the competition and their studies or work – but they believe the sacrifices are worth it as they are devoting their performances to the Sto. Nino, the venerated patron saint of Cebuanos.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) Executive Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella said during the event that he personally sees the Sinulog Festival Queen as a symbol of a “modern-day Madonna carrying the baby Jesus…the mother who is the symbol of exemplary character, love, and simplicity.”

Host Vince Escario, who is founding chairman of the search for the Sinulog Festival Queen, also gave attendees of the presentation of candidates a brief look-back of how the competition came to be.

In 2004, then SFI Director Ricky Ballesteros, along with the late Dolly Suzara who was then SFI Project Chair, together with the creative team made up ace director Junjet Primor, ace director-choreographer Victor Cuenco, and Escario, had a series of meetings and consultations with historians, anthropologists, and archaeologists.

“We found out that apparently, the Sto. Niño wasn’t readily given to Hara Humamay, who later became Queen Juana. She had to beg for it. The moment she set sight on the statue of the Holy Child, she really felt the love for the miraculous child,” Escario recounts.

“It took three days of begging before the statue was given to her. And out of sheer joy and grateful love, she was said to cradle the statue of the Holy Child and dance around the village of Zubu, now Cebu.”

Escario said that anecdote made them decide to pay tribute to Queen Juana by launching Sinulog Festival Queen in 2004, wherein the representative from San Carlos City’s Pintaflores Festival emerged the winner of that first edition.