Hip hop dance tilt, Bellas de las Flores set

THE city’s most elegant beauties will once again grace the streets of Zamboanga City for the much anticipated highlight of the annual Summer Festival.

Now on its seventh year, Festival de las Bellas y Flores set for May 22 will showcase Zamboanga City’s colorful arcos accompanied by lovely muses dressed in vibrant gowns designed by this city’s top as well as up-and-coming designers.

Click here for Election 2010 updates

The festival, which is also a competition for the exceptional arcos, the prettiest muse and the best gown, is open to all interested organizations, individuals and residents of Zamboanga City.

Participating arcos should be of two legs only, with provisions to stand alone; should be carried by two (2) persons only; should be three meters high and two meters wide and accentuated with fresh greens and flowers and lighting effects.

Chosen gown models will automatically compete for the title of “Prettiest Señorita.”

Gowns should first be displayed at the City Tourism Office (CTO) on May 20 for the pre-judging.

Entries that were did not undergo the pre-judging may still join the competition; however, this will incur them a 10-point deduction from their total score.

Assembly area for the festival will be San Jose Road at 5 p.m. and the parade route will be Ledesma Street to Paseo del Mar on May 22.

The criteria for judging are as follows: arcos--Originality (35 percent), Creativity (30 percent), Craftsmanship (25 percent) and Impact (10 percent); gowns--Craftsmanship (45 percent), Concept and Design (30 percent), Aesthetic Appeal (15 percent) and Impact (10 percent).

The prettiest señorita will be chosen according to the following: Beauty of Face (50 percent), Physique (25 percent), Poise and Posture (15 percent) and Stage Presence (10 percent).

Winning arcos shall receive plaques of recognition as well as cash prizes of P15,000 (1st place), P10,000 (2nd place) and P5,000 (3rd place).

A consolation prize of P1,000 will also be given to non-winning entries.

The top three gowns will receive P7,000, P5,000 and P3,000, respectively, while the three prettiest belles will receive P5,000 P3,000 and P2,000, respectively.

Registration forms are available at the Tourism Division, Sunken Garden. Bong Garcia