AN ANNUAL Sabsabong ti Mayo is seen for the city.
International designer and fashion photographer Eros Goze, curator of the Marian inspired fashion event.
“It will be an annual event and hopefully we would continue to improve with the help of the community and the diocese of Baguio and other sponsors headed by the Church with the success and blessing of the Virgin Mary.”
Sabsabong Ti Mayo was backed by the Diocese of Baguio led by Rev. Father Marlon Urmaza who hosted the first Flores de Mayo in the city dubbed “Sta. Maria Sabsabong Ti Mayo.”
Highlight of the event is the liturgy of light or the Lumina Pandit, where the queen of May Flower facilitates the passing of light. This passing of light reflects the aim of the event to relive the ‘Filipino tradition in the city.
“The project itself would boost the creative juices of our designers and brings out the best in them and it would be great in preserving our cultural heritage and boost tourism since it’s the exhibition of creative designers of Baguio and promote tourism,” Goze said.
The event commemorates various religious and historical portrayals of the Blessed Virgin Mary which started with a mass at Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral Church at 5pm followed by a procession of close to 50 models parading the streets with designer Houte Couture from top brass designers.
“It’s a very good collaboration with designers and models since everyone would like to the Sabsabong ti Mayo it’s the first in Baguio and creativity and resourcefulness to come up with various designs for the tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary, adding designers had to do careful research and strict compliance on the design not to be so vulgar and sexy,” Goze added.
Models portrayed the Queen of Angels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, Saints, Charity, Stars, Peace, Heaven, Faith, Hope, Queen Most Pure, Queen of the most Holy Rosary the Queen Conceived without Original Sin.
Aside from Goze, designers are Andrew Visaya, Ayves Oliver Calub, Pia Santillian, Jan Paul Santillian, Don Cristobal, Juliene Paran, Ces Calaguas, Hanz Jeo Rapanan, King George Bueno, Jerome Bagni, Miguel Lagasca, Karu Villanueva and Shiva Rivera.
Participation of the different parishes from Baguio City, Cathedral, Aurora Hill, Loakan and Bakakeng parishes with the Mangaywan Corporation spearheaded by Jennifer Bello-Macapugay with the University of the Cordilleras, 21st AFGR Philippine Air Force, Baguio City Police Office, City Tourism Office of Baguio, Montanosa Pastoral Resources Corporation, City Government of Baguio and the 98 band of Bucaue Bulacan.