Every Sinulog Festival they are probably the most photographed personalities in the street. The Sinulog Festival Queen, most of the time, are the center of attraction during the grand parade.
And spotting them is as easy as ABC. Ususally, they wore very elaborate costume with headress. More often than not, their attire is way different from their regular dancers. And the best and fool-proof way to identify them: Sinulog Queens are carrying the image of the Santo Niño.
It is a great honor for a dancer to picked by her group to be the Festival Queen. As she is the only person in their dance contingent that carries the image of the Santo Niño.
As as the group’s Sinulog Queen she also leads her group to perform gracefully, rain or shine.
And days before the grand parade all festival queens converge at the Cebu Sports Center for the annual Sinulog Festival Queen Competition. The contest is not a beauty pageant. There are no swimsuit, or long gown categories. What these lovely lady do is just dance to the music of the Sinulog beat. They are judged based on how they dance the Sinulog while carrying the Santo Niño.
This year’s Sinulog Festival Queen winner is Iris Mae Linganay of Tangub City’ Sinanduloy Cultural Dance Troupe.
Other winners are:
1st runner up Ariane May Briones of Karatong Festival, Dulag, Leyte
2nd runner up - Alfe Marie Nathaniel Uy of Pakol Festival, Santa Catalina, Oriental Negros
3rd runner up - Chelo Mae Timtim of Siloy Festival Alcoy, Cebu
4th runner up Rotahmae Verano of Abellana National High School Cebu City
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