Of Faith and Pageantry

As the Clothes for Life Foundation, together with the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), staged the Santacruzan 2008 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, it adhered to the deeply ingrained tradition of fair damsels and dapper gentlemen in Filipiniana (read: terno and barong) attire made even more exhilarating with Cebu’s who’s who in designer outfits by the country’s known designers.

The likes of  Philip Rodriguez, Arcy Gayatin, Cary Santiago, Albert Arriba, Marichu Tan, Protacio, Harley Ruedas and the infusion of young blood like Edwin Alba, Alain Fonte, Bryan Aloquin, Harvey Cenit, Mark So, Barbie Alvez, et. al. breathed artistry and craftsmanship to the elegant Philippine terno and barong making it less, well,  costumey.

Interesting to note that Clothes for Life passed the torch to the newly elected  officers  under the tutelage of president Harley Ruedas, thereby ensuring continuity of its goals of working hand in hand for a noble cause and never for self promotion. With Santacruzan 2008 as the new set of officers’ first major undertaking, it brought about welcome changes first with the venue. It started in Cebu Plaza Hotel,  then for years, Santacruzan made stellar moments at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino under the helm of its general manager Mr. Marco Protacio. This year, it’s back at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel with no less than its grand staircase as backdrop, as reinas and zagalas descended for the grand parade preceding a Holy Mass at the lobby.

As a whole, Santacruzan 2008 with Mdme. Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung as Reina Emperatriz and Mrs. Fiona Evangelista King as Reina Elena, made waves in the arena of style and religiosity.