01 June 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General joined the Filipino Ladies Association of Guam (FLAG) in its annual Santacruzan at the Agana Shopping Center on May 28 as part of the month-long celebration of the 118th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.
This Filipino tradition, which depicts the search for the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, is a procession of beautiful girls and elegant ladies representing various Filipino organizations, beauty pageant winners, the FLAG members as well as the children of the Philippine Consulate General personnel. Several local government officials and politicians particularly the members of the 33rd Guam Legislature also joined the parade. The main highlight of the procession is the Reyna Elena or the grand queen represented by Guam Delegate to the United States House of Representatives Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo who was escorted by Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio.
Philippine Consul General to Agana Marciano R. de Borja in his remarks thanked the FLAG for continuing the Filipino traditions that promote and share with the people of Guam the religious and colorful Filipino cultural heritage.
The winners of this year’s Santacruzan contest for the Most Beautiful Arches and Most Beautiful Gowns are the Filipino-American Presidents Club represented by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dela Pena (Adult Category) and the Philippine Consulate General represented by Isabel Elaine Aguilo and Kyle Ray Aguilo (Child Category). The Iloilo International was awarded as the Most Represented Organization.
FLAG has been hosting the Santacruzan since the 1970s for which it was awarded the most prestigious Philippine Presidential Commission of Filipino Overseas’ (CFO) Banaag Award in 1995. FLAG is also one of the most active organizations on Guam, which significantly contributed to the development of the Guam community through the professional, volunteer and charity works of its officers and members. END
