Placer, Masbate grabs Sinulog Festival Queen

CEBU, Philippines - Eighteen-year-old Jamie Herrell from Lapu-Lapu City awed the judges by her gracefulness that earned her the title “Sinulog Festival Queen 2013” Friday night at the Cebu City Sports Center.

She represented Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate and will lead their performance in the Grand Showdown today.

She literally swept several corporate and special awards: Miss SMART, Miss Lecit-E, Miss Uratex, Miss PLDT, Best in Group Performance, Best in Opening Production Number and Best Solo Performer.

During the pre-pageant last January 17 at the SM City Cebu North Wing, she was the Best in Runway and the 2013 Sinulog Festival Queen – SM.

Herrell traces her roots back to Placer, Masbate but currently resides in Cebu. She is a University of San Jose Recoletos third year Mass

Communication student, but at the same helping manage her family’s own Dance Company.

This year’s 18-year-old Cebuana-American festival queen said it was the Sto. Niño in her mind when she danced in the Sinulog beat during the coronation night.

“I feel so blessed and so great. I am thankful (to the Sto Niño) with what I have,” she said.

She was clad in a combination of magenta, gold, maroon and red angel-inspired costume designed by Cebuano designer Malayca Yamas during the grand showdown. The costume took two weeks to complete.

She wore a simpler costume during the group performance which highlighted her flowing and graceful dance moves.

Herrell was referred to Placer, Masbate by her relatives in Placer to represent the municipality.

Mayor Joshur Judd Lanete said they did not expect to win because it was supposedly their least priority, having already two contingents to mind.

He said they started practicing two days before the coronation night. They adopted a contemporary move since Herrell is representing Tribu Himag-ulaw which will compete in the Free Interpretation Category.

Other winners are Mary Joy Delmo of Tangub City as first runner up, Caryl Soledad of Lanao del Norte as second runner up, Maria Cassandra Yu of Talisay City as third runner up and Cherry Lyn Enad of Carcar City as fourth runner up.

Miss Photogenic is Albyjane Borbon of Lumad Basakanon who was also awarded Miss DOLE.

Miss Tropicana Coco Quench is Dindi Athena Maguikay of Tuburan, Cebu while Miss Amiga is Maria Cassandra Yu of Talisay City. Miss Globe is Mary Joy Delmo of Tangub City.

The Best in Costume is Rhegine Ruth Rona of Alang-Alang, Leyte while Best in Festival Costume is Caryl Soledad of Lanao del Norte. Lanao del Norte also won Best in Instrumentation. – (FREEMAN)