Queen's livery

SOME battles require the toughest fighter to prevail; some need less, but in some “battles,” the most festive aura and livery will win the contest.

That is easy to declare recalling the search for the Sinulog Festival Queen 2013, which took place on Jan. 18 at the Cebu City Sports Center. Besting all three aforesaid facets, as well as 10 other aspirants, Jamie Herrell emerged victorious in her claim of the coveted crown.

Not only that, she also bagged majority of the awards such as Best in Runway, SM Festival Queen, Ms Lecit-E, Ms Uratex, Ms PLDT, Best in Group Performance, Best in Opening Production Number, Best Solo Performance and Ms Smart.

With sheer pride, the 18-year-old Filipino-American beauty represented the Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate. While she resides in Lapu-Lapu City, the mass communication student from the University of San Jose-Recoletos also has several relatives living in Masbate.

Jamie evoked grace and confidence as she danced her way around the stage, clad in a lovely piece of festival garb designed by Malayka Yamas. A full-skirted gown, with vibrant colors—magenta and gold—playing most dominant, proved hard to miss among the flock of fine-looking costumes. If only to shoot up the jovial stance, a luxurious-looking set of wings was worn as backpack.

Up close, the clothing finery arises out of a glitzy cat suit covered with gold sequins all over. On top of that is a massive ball skirt, made of magenta sequins, that is overlaid with patterned appliqués in gold and flamboyant lace trimmings.

Also in plain sight are interesting details of gold and red electric pleated fan-like accents resting around the waist line.

From an observer’s perspective, it is easy to suppose that the attire feels pretty hefty. But Jamie is fast in saying: “The costume was surprisingly comfortable. It wasn’t heavy. It was made really good and at the same time not difficult to wear.”

Little wonder is there how she managed to keep her poised demeanor all the while dancing and carrying the little statue of Sto. Niño.

Pacing before an audience and bearing a look that mirrors no struggle of trying too hard is nothing new to Jamie. Standing at five feet and seven inches and a half tall, she has been well acquainted with freelance modeling. Neither is dancing alien to her as she is a member of Mactan Dynamics, a family owned dance group, while she also danced with the Sandiego Dance Company during the Sinulog 2012.

“Of course, I felt great” was Jamie’s initial reaction about winning. Although she is one who never expects to get everything easily, she is a believer that where it matters most is there the effort to give one’s best. As she shared the secret to her triumph, “I tried to strive to be the best, I strived to win, and I tried not to be negative, to always be positive.”

But winning the title of Festival Queen 2013 is not all glamour for Jamie. She made an impression of how she enjoyed every moment of the venture.

As she puts it, “We were being serious, but at the same time we tried to enjoy the moment because the Sinulog Festival is not all about being serious but all about enjoying the experience.”

Jamie’s court consist of Mary Joy Delmo of Tangub City (first runner-up), Caryl Soledad of Lanao del Norte (second runner-up), Maria Cassandra Yu of Talisay City (third runner-up) and Cherry Lyn Enad of Carcar City (fourth runner-up).