SIXTEEN radiant young ladies are competing for the title of Sinulog Festival Queen 2019.
The Cebu City Government, in cooperation with the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated, presented the 16 candidates hailing from the different barangays, cities, and municipalities in Cebu and Mindanao.
The candidates were presented to the media at SM Seaside City Cebu at 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 16.
The contestants came from the following barangays and cities in Cebu: Sitio V. Rama, Consolacion, Basak, Talisay City, Cogon Pardo, Labangon, San Nicolas Proper, Barangay Proper, Mabolo, Inayawan, Carcar City, Municipality of Daanbantayan, Barangay Mambaling, and Sapangdaku. The contestant from Mindanao is from Barangay Suba in Surigao del Norte.
The candidates were asked the following questions, among others: the difference and uniqueness of being a festival queen compared to winners of other beauty pageants and how the pageant helps boost Cebu's tourism and culture; and the significance of the Sinulog Festival Queen in different aspects of society.
Mary Jea Therese Felizarta of Barangay Mambaling answered, “The Sinulog Festival Queen is different from other pageant because it showcases our devotion to Senior Sto. Niño and the religious aspect because it's more important than the festive aspect. Furthermore, I would promote Cebu City by simply saying that it has everything and has a beautiful culture and has a rich history and have beautiful people that would welcome you with open arms.”
Meanwhile, Phoebe Godinez of Talisay City said, “to distinguish Sinulog Festival Queen from other pageants, as like I said, it's not only focusing on physical beauty and we are not only vying for the crown ourselves but we're vying for the croen because we wish to be the lead dancer to help worship Senior Sto. Niño.”
The event ended with the announcement of tomorrow's Sinulog Festival Queen Parade of Costumes and Runway Competition which will be at SM City Cebu North Wing Atrium at 5 p.m. (Jayvee A. Gulfan & Von Daniel R. Plasencia/USC interns)