Carcar candidate crowned queen of Sinulog 2019

CEBU. Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 Nicole Borromeo. (Alan Tangcawan/Superbalita Photo)
CEBU. Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 Nicole Borromeo. (Alan Tangcawan/Superbalita Photo)

CEBU (Updated) -- Eighteen-year-old Nicole Borromeo, who represented the southern city of Carcar, was crowned this year’s Sinulog Festival Queen.

Borromeo bested 15 other candidates from different barangays and cities in Cebu and one representative from Surigao del Norte during the coronation night held at the Cebu City Sports Center on Friday, Jan. 18.

Borromeo swept the competition as she not only won the title but also bagged most of the awards that night: Miss AppleOne Sinulog Festival Queen 2019, Miss Coca-Cola Taste the Feeling, Miss Skygo 2019, Miss Novellino Sinulog 2019, Miss Shell Advance, Miss Sky 2019, Miss Casino Ethyl Alcohol, Miss Sun, Best in Production Presentation (an award she shared with her contingent), Best in Group Presentation, Best in Festival Costume and Best Solo Performer.

She was also awarded Miss Philippine Airlines and Best in Runway last Thursday Jan. 17 during the Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 Festival Costumes and Runway Competition at The Northwing Atrium, SM City Cebu.

Completing her court were first runner-up Ciairha Jenyne Monsanto from Tribu Malipayon of Consolacion, second runner-up Phoebe Godinez from Talisay City, third runner-up Sapphire Doble Garton from Tribu Kandaya of Daanbantayan and fourth runner-up Chloe Boton Boone from Tribu Higaonon sa Barangay San Nicolas Proper of Cebu City.

In an interview with Superbalita Cebu, Borromeo said a festival queen should serve as a role model.

“Well, I believe the importance of having a festival queen is to have someone to look up to... because we need somebody to help us and guide us, devoting ourselves to God. As the festival queen, she acts as a role model as well. She’ll inspire others to do the same, to just give your whole heart,” she said.

She also shared how Sto. Niño has helped her along the journey.

"I was advised to talk to Sto. Niño and at first I thought it was kind of strange because I've never done that and when I did, it worked! I felt connected and when I was out there it just felt natural. I did it with all my heart," she exclaimed. "I guess the most challenging part is my mental state and my perspective on the whole thing because sometimes you end up thinking badly about yourself. I tend to overthink a lot and here I am and my hardwork paid off. I just kept praying and my prayers were answered."

She also went into the pageant prepared.

She admitted that even though it was not her first beauty contest, she felt she was outside of her comfort zone because she didn’t know how to dance.

The pressure was on her because Carcar City had never lost the pageant, she said.

Marti Ybañez, Sinulog Festival Queen’s production manager, said the role of the festival queen was important in every dance contingent.

“Actually, a festival queen is a combination of the best lead dancer and her contingent,” Ybañez said.

He said the festival queen would also serve as the ambassador of the Sinulog grand parade.

Borromeo will participate during the grand parade and final performance on Sunday, Jan. 20.

Nicole’s court also received awards: Monsanto also won Miss Pioneer Adhesives 2019, Miss Flexi Finance Festival Queen, Miss Juan Effect and Best in Instrumentation, given to the candidate's instrumentalists.

Second runner-up Godinez from the Talisay City Division also won Miss Uratex, Miss Mega Tuna Festival Queen and Miss PLDT. She bagged the awards Miss Magnolia Pambansang Manok and Best in Runway first runner-up during the runway competition.

Third runner-up Garton from Tribu Kandaya, Daanbantayan also won McDonald's Festival Queen 2019. While fourth runner-up Boone took home the award Mang Inasal Festival Queen that night. Like Borromeo and Godinez, she bagged two awards during the runway competition: Best in Runway second runner-up and Miss SM Sinulog Queen.

Other awardees that night included Teresita Benita A. Roma from Brgy. Day-As who won App User's Favorite Festival Queen Award by GCash, Niña Blythe G. Boniel from Tribu Mabolokon, Mabolo who won Miss CDN Festival Queen and Mary Jae Therese Abellana Felizarta from Brgy. Mambaling who was awarded Miss Photogenic.

Apart from participating in this Sunday's Grand Parade and the Final Performance, Borromeo as the newly crowned Sinulog Festival Queen is set to represent Cebu City for Eat Bulaga's Miss Millenial Philippines pageant.

The contestants were judged with the following criteria: 25 points beauty, face and figure followed by the Opening Production which is 15 points, 30 points for Group Presentation, 20 points for solo presentation and 10 points for Best in Costume.

Judges that night were Eat Bulaga's Dabarkads Host Ryan Agoncillo, Asia's Next Top Model cycle 5 Grand winner Maureen Wroblewitz, Manager of Cebu City Sports Complex Ricky Ballesteros, Angie Louie awarded as one of the most influential Filipino women in the United States and Woon Ki Hwang, president of Domo Production Theater and festival director artistic director of the World Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival and Daegu International.

Completing the list is artistic director of Philippine Normal University Kislap Sining Dance Troupe Larry Gabao, vice president and artisitic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Chris Millado, officer-in-charge executive director of the National Comission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Marichu Tellano, chairman of the NCCA Committee on Dance Shirley Halili-Cruz and Nestor Jardin, artistic director of Ballet Philippines, president of the CCP Foundation and chairman of the board of judges.

The coronation night consisted of the opening production number by the candidates together with Sinulog Festival Queen and GMA 7's Miss Millennial Philippines 2018, Shaila Mae Rebortera, the Group Production where all candidates performed with their instrumentalists and the rest of their contingent followed by the Solo Performance and Judging of Best Festival Costume and the Grand Showdown.

Receiving all these accolades, Borromeo couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and grateful knowing her efforts were recognized. She shared that after having been through so much, by joining the competition, this was her way of giving back.

Nicole's costume was made by Orville Biongco and Brianna Alexis Gomez. Weighing 11 kilos, the gown served as a parting gift of Orville as the designer is set to work abroad soon.

Prior to this, Nicole's joined other competitions and won titles including Miss Silka 2017 and Miss Mandaue 2018 first runner-up. (Monica Lopez, Jolissa Mae Taboada, USJ-R Intern, JKV)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph