PH Consulate General in Agana Joins Filipino Ladies of Guam Santacruzan
Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja (seated third from right) with the officers of the Filipino Ladies Association of Guam (FLAG) led by its President, Lorie Castelo (seated second from right) and the participants of the Santacruzan on 26 May 2019. (Agana PCG photo)
AGANA 06 June 2019 — As part of its month-long celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana joined the annual Santacruzan organized by the Filipino Ladies Association of Guam (FLAG) on 26 May 2019 at the Agana Shopping Center.
The Santacruzan, which depicts the search for the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, is a procession of beautiful little lasses and elegant ladies representing various Filipino organizations, the FLAG members as well as the children of Consulate General personnel. The procession is an established tradition on Guam for more than 30 years now
Also gracing the occasion is 35th Guam Legislature Senator Amanda Shelton.
Consul General to Agana Marciano R. de Borja thanked the FLAG for continuing the Filipino traditions that promote and share with the people of Guam the religiosity and colorful Filipino cultural heritage.
Madam Esperanza de Borja, the Consul General’s wife, joined the panel of judges for the event’s awards for best gowns, best-decorated arcs, and the organization or group with the most participants.
Eleven year old Shanel Florendo and nine yearold Shaina Florendo, daughters of the Consulate General’s Finance Officer Shirley Florendo, won the first and second prizes for Best Gown in the children’s category, respectively. Joshua, Amir and Ace Lavarez, sons of Consular Assistant Annabelle Oviedo-Lavarez, also participated in the procession.
FLAG, one of the most active organizations on Guam, has been hosting the Santacruzan since the 1970's. Because of this, the organization was awarded the prestigious Philippine Presidential Commission of Filipino Overseas’ (CFO) Banaag Award in 1995. END
Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja delivers his remarks at the Santacruzan 2019, Mrs. Esperanza de Borja (foreground seated second from left) sits as one of the panel of judges for the event’s special awards. (Agana PCG photo)
For more information, visit www.aganapcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippinesguam.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAgana/.