SPECIAL TO BAYANIHAN NEWSBY RICHARD FORD – The religious and folk festivals Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo highlighted the events’ relevance and significance to modern day beauty pageants during the attendance of some thirteen beauty pageant titlists in the recent 22nd Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo in Liverpool, NSW.
“From the initial planning of this year’s Santacruzan and Flores de Nayo, we knew the event will be a resounding success,” say Mrs Cora Bojarski, president of FilOz Association of Liverpool City.
Held at its usual location at the Liverpool All Saint’s Catholic Church Hall, on 27th May 2017, the event followed through the various annual routine required by the modern religious rites which somehow put into pedestal the role of women folk in the community,
It started with a Catholic Mass at 5pm by Father Paul, then the Program kicked off once everyone congregated in the Church Hall. The event had over 30 Participants, which also included eight special VIP’s and some 14 beauty pageant title holdersand then eight community stage entertainers.
The presence of the 14 beuty pageant title holders was what made the Santacruzan-Flores de Mayo stands out from the usual community events, as if the nine planets of the solar system descended and captivated the audience to the event all at once.
Guests seemed to have filled the venue to capacity, unusual for a small community gathering. The twelve board members of the Liverpool FilOz Association were simply excited. .
The special guests included Philippine Consul-General Anne Jalando-on Louis, Councillor Charishma Kaliyanda of Liverpool South Ward representing Liverpool City Mayor Wendy Waller, long timesupporter if FilOz Mr Paul Lynch the State MP for Liverpool, , Anne Stanley Federal MP for Werriwa, Pet Storey President of APCO Inc., Dr Cen Amores, former president of  APCO Inc. and Chair of Auburn Small Community Organisations Network,president of Visayan Association of Australia (VAA) Mr Jhun Salazar and  Akshay Raj Kumar is a Lawyer and Coordinator for the Cancer Council of NSW.
The 14 beauty pageant title holders were all from Global United International Beauty Queens and Beauty Queen Ambassadors. They are:Australia’s Teen Queen National Finalist 2017 Rachel Nikolovski, Miss Teen Continents Australia 2017 Jasmine Allesio, Miss Continents Australia 2017 Jennifer Hunt, Miss Face of the Globe Australia 2016 Samantha Mullins. Ms Classic Global United International 2016 and Regal Majesty Finalist 2017 Robbie Canner, Ms Classic Australia Global United Finalist and Mrs Earth Air 2017 Sue Turner,  Mrs Continents Australia 2016 Kim Cancellier, Miss Philippine Australia Charity Queen 2016 Jade Crystal Wright, Miss Visayas- Australia 2015, Miss Philippine Australia 2015 and Miss Mutya Ng Filipinas Australia 2017 Rica Sey, Miss Visayas- Australia 2015, Miss Philippine Australia Runner-Up 2016 Adriana Gravador, Miss Mardi Gras International Queen 2017 Alexis Tan, Miss Mardi Gras Rainbow Princess 2017 Faiel Valenciano,  Mrs Global United Ambassador 2015 Michelle Hillman, from Queensland and Ms. Classic Australia Lifetime Queen, the President of Fil-Oz Liverpool Cora Bojarski.
Mr Danny Garcia and Moses del Mundo provided music, with additional entertainment by Stephanie Bernardo, and surprise dance number from Jamilla and Tara Escobar, and a separate number from South Australian Rolando Lumin. Emcees were Jhun Tekiko, and Terry Hollebone,
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