Leyte festivals queens shine in 2012 Sinulog Festival Queen pageant

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 14, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The queens of Pasaka Festival of Tanauan and Lingganay Festival of Alang-alang, both from the province of Leyte, were proclaimed as first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively in the 2012 Sinulog Festival Queen pageant held on January 13 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Tanauan Pasaka Festival’s star dancer, Miss Nerissa Lopera Modesto, a freshman student at the Leyte Normal University, won, among others, a cash prize of P30,000 as the first runner-up in this year’s Sinulog Queen search.

On the other hand, Conchitina Cleofe Cloma Yu of Tribu Lingganay, Alang-alang, Leyte, was declared as the second runner-up. She received among others, P20,000 cash prize.

The Sinulog Festival Queen pageant was participated by 15 contestants who are all lead dancers of the various festivals competing in the Sinulog Festival scheduled on Sunday, January 15 in honor of Señor Santo Niño, the Patron of Cebu City.

The grand winner in the 2012 Sinulog Festival Queen search was Apriel D. Smith of Lumad Basakanun, Basak, Cebu City, who was proclaimed as 2012 Sinulog Festival Queen and received P50,000 in cash.

Miss Shekina Rose Lasola of Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation, who represented the Sandurot Festival of Dumaguete City, was chosen as the third runner-up.

Meanwhile, Angel Lou Pates of Lanao del Norte was chosen as the fourth runner-up. Both the third and the fourth runner-up won a cash prize of P5,000 each.

The festival queen competition, which started in 2004, is one of the highlights of the annual Sinulog festival.

The contest is a search for the lead dancer who possesses the most exceptional qualities, in physical beauty and dancing skills.