ILOILO City – A vibrant parade of festival and fiesta queens from different towns in Iloilo province took center stage on May 25 here, closing the month of May with a colorful and culturally rich celebration.
More than 20 queens, each representing their local festivals and barangay fiestas, participated in the Grand Sagala — a festive procession that highlighted the beauty, creativity, and heritage of Iloilo’s diverse communities.
The queens, clad in intricately designed gowns inspired by their respective hometowns, were accompanied by equally well-dressed escorts as they paraded through the mall’s activity center to the cheers of family members, supporters, and SM City Iloilo mallgoers.
Unlike traditional Santacruzan processions tied to religious rituals, this version of the sagala focused on showcasing local pride and cultural identity. The event served as a platform to promote Iloilo’s homegrown festivals such as Passi City’s Pintados de Pasi, Miagao’s Salakayan, Janiuay’s Binanog, and many others.
Each queen brought her own flair, some incorporating indigenous fabrics and patterns while others reflected modern interpretations of their community’s festive traditions. The event allowed participants to highlight the spirit of their hometowns in an atmosphere of friendly competition and joyful celebration.
The Grand Sagala was organized in partnership with local government units, cultural coordinators, and SM City Iloilo, which served as host and venue for the culminating activity. It marked a fitting finale to the month-long festivities often associated with Flores de Mayo, but with a refreshing twist that blended tradition with contemporary cultural expression.
Spectators filled the venue to watch the queens took their turn in the spotlight, an uplifting reminder of how Iloilo continues to celebrate its identity, not just through faith, but through fashion, performance, and community pride./PN
