It’s the merry month of May, a time for the holding of the annual tradition known as Flores de Mayo or Sagalahan, a celebration of flowers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary which culminates in the grand Santacruzan.
This year, the Congregacion Del Nombre De Jesus broke the ice for annual Filipino-Spanish tradition with its Ginintuang Ani “Our Lady of Guadalupe” Flores de Mayo held at the Music Hall of the Mall of Asia Arena on May 6. Written and directed by Ogee Atos, the 39th Annual Sagalahan was participated by beauty queens and models wearing outstanding creations by the country’s top fashion designers.
Bb. Pilipinas International 2018 Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Multinational 2018 Sophia Senoron, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 Yvette Marie Santiago and Miss Global Philippines 2017 Mary Ann Mungcal joined the colorful procession of beauties which also featured the creations of world class designers Rene Salud and Oliver Tolentino.
Chosen unanimously as Rosa Mistica was Tourism Queen of the Year 2016 Leren Mae Bautista, wearing a creation by Chico Estiva. Named Reina delas Flores was Miss Lumiere International 2017 -1st runner-up Sammy Ann Legaspi with designer Ole Morabe while named La Flor de Manila was ramp model Sirene Sutton with designer Paolo Blanco. Chosen La Flor de Pasay was Kitkat Yuiki with designer Pepe Quitco and Eimeeverlee Fren Canimo, the youngest sagala at 13, was the committee’s choice as Honorary Rosa Mistica. Reigning Miss Philippine Youth Simone Nadine Bornilla wore an Oliver Tolentino creation.
Hermanos and Hermanas were businessman-philanthropist Nelson Mendoza, beauty queen Jessie Maloloes of the Bless Amare restaurant chain and Universal Harvester’s Dr. Milagros Hao.
