A HUMID afternoon with threat of rainfall didn’t dampen the eleganza at the Grand Santacruzan at Araneta City. As the opening activity of Binibining Pilipinas 2022, the parade of 40 candidates in Filipiniana finery was a fashion triumph for the “City of Firsts.”
“‘Flores de Mayo’ is the Spanish term for ‘Flowers of May’, or as we also call it, Santacruzan. It is a Catholic celebration held annually in the warm month of May and is considered to be the ‘Queen of Filipino Festivals’ where we Filipinos venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ,” explains the vivacious Anna Valencia Lakrini, Binibining Bataan, who wore a wondrous gown from Louis Pangilinan.
Rev. Father Ronnie Santos from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish celebrated a Holy Mass and blessed the festivity at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The religious-fashion presentation was led by Binibining Pilipinas 2021 Runner-up Meiji Cruz as Reyna de los Santos wearing Manuel Fule, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021 Samantha Panlilio as Reyna del Cielo wearing Rian Fernandez;
The Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne as Reyna de las Virgines wearing Louis Pangilinan, Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cindy Obenita as Reyna de las Flores wearing Renee Salud, Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold as Reyna Elena wearing Manny Halasan, and Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman as Reyna Emperatríz wearing Paul Tenorio.
Pink was a recurring color, as seen on Binibining La Union Ethel Abellanosa as Reyna de los Confesores wearing Francis Lee; Binibining Nueva Ecija Diana Mackey as Reyna de la Paz in Jomar Peralta; and Binibining Laguna Yllana Marie Aduana as Corazón de María in gown by Richard Roque of Glamorosa and heart props by Jomar Peralta.
A black ensemble in a supposedly colorful spectacle, as worn by Binibining Cebu Nicole Borromeo as Reyna Abogada, was a standout in an Edward Castro creation. Couture in a biblical context was also exhibited by Binibining Mexico, Pampanga Maria Isabela David as Santa Maria Salome in Michael Bongga; Binibining Iba, Zambales Joanna Marie Rabe as Reyna Esperanza in Mara Chua; Binibining Bulacan Joanna Day as Samaritana in June Samson Pugat; and Binibining Sarangani Fatima Kate Bisan as Reyna Mora in Garvy Molinos Terrado.
Rosa Mistica, a coveted title, was assigned to Binibining Albay Jashmin Lyn Dimaculangan, who was in a red-hot fringe number and a cape with a hand-painting of Mother Mary by Adrian Lagundino Ebrada and metal headpiece by Ben Torres Metalcraft.
Binibining San Pablo, Laguna Roberta Angela Tamondong as Reyna de los Apóstoles was the perfect finale to a splendid display of Filipino fashion creativity. She wore an elaborate terno by Lanny Liwag, who also did her national costume when she was crowned Miss Eco Teen International 2020 in Egypt.
Binibining Angono, Rizal Herlene Nicole Budol, easily the darling of the crowd as Pamayanan Guadalupe, was in a mascota masterpiece by Geronie Lebora, who swept the “Mascota de Zamboanga” and “Festival de las Bellas” design competitions the past years. A mascota is a formal gown worn by the alta sociedad during the Spanish Colonial Period in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The Grand Santacruzan, one of the biggest national events that are now being safely held amid the pandemic, brought out remarkable beauties that we expect from Binibining Pilipinas: Binibining Marabut, Western Samar Natasha Ellena Jung as Reyna Banderada, Binibining Borongan, Eastern Samar Gabrielle Basiano as Key of Heaven, Binibining Porac, Pampanga Cyrille Payumo as Reyna de los Ángeles, and Binibining Tacloban City Chelsea Fernandez as Santa María Cleofe.
“Ang Flores de Mayo ay isa sa paboritong kong tradition ng mga Pilipino. Every end of the month, sabay-sabay kami manunuod ng pamilya ko sa mga reyna sa Santacruzan,” Binibining Iloilo City Karen Laurrie Mendoza shares on her Instagram. “Thank you so much @bbpilipinasofficial for this opportunity. [On May 14] I saw myself walking as one of the reynas. Before, isa ako sa mga batang naka-white, nagru-rosary sa likod ng speaker. Yesterday, I was your Pamayanan de la Paz.”
Image credits: BRUCE CASANOVA