• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Santa Cruz de Mayo in Bacolod City, organized by the Circulo de Bacolod in cooperation with the Diocese of Bacolod, on May 16 gathered beauty queens and renowned fashion designers in the Island of Negros.
The event guided by the theme, “A Tradition of Faith, A Celebration of Heritage, A Community United,” is a Marian devotional and cultural celebration that unites faith, heritage, artistry and community participation in Bacolod City.
The project was organized through the leadership of project committee head John-John Ditching, and designers from Bacolod, Dumaguete, Bago, Escalante, Cadiz, and Ilog participated by dressing up the sagalas for the procession that followed a Eucharistic mass at the Bacolod San Sebastian Cathedral, officiated by Msgr. Ronald Quijano. The procession ended at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central (AMCC) where the image of Our Lady of Fatima was offered flowers by the sagalas during a program.
Joining the procession were Miss Celestial Philippines 2025 Mimie Yap as Hermana Mayor, Miss Bacolod Masskara 2025 first runner-up Ysabella Wuthrich as Reina Elena, Lin-ay sang Negros 2024 Kyla Rose Romarate as Reina de las Virgines, Miss Universe Philippines Bacolod 2025 Megan Larrise Baldevia as Reina de las Flores, Lin-ay sang Negros 2026 first runner-up Johana Marie Oyog as Reina Veronica, and Miss Teen Icon International first runner-up Yashna Sharma as Reina de la Paz.
The featured designers were Ditching, Melchy Teves, Steve Genzola, Larry Ybesate, Leonardo Tano Geraldes, Rayven Cosas, Rennie Braza, Nikki Cajili, Jamijam Jimera, Tony de Ramos, Apol Embang, Brylie Hiponia, Josip Tumapa, Rainer Cosas, Jofel Chua Cegayle, Gerry Fernandez, Jerimiah Gazo, Stephanie Ferraris, Carmeli Bantug-Zayco, Jes Dakila, Anthony Sinco, Gilbert Estañol, Kelly Cuachon, Edwin Benitez, Jovy Pacete, Migi Dujon, and James Larnelle Montealto.
The Santa Cruz de Mayo is a flagship project of Circulo de Bacolod headed by its president Sandra Ruth Sycip in partnership with AMCC, the Jamero family, Joe Marie Sy, and John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation.*
