On Tuesday, May 30, the city government staged its annual Grand Santacruzan to mark the conclusion of the month-long celebration of Santa Cruz de Mayo, a traditional Catholic festival that has grown in popularity among tourists and locals alike. Seven barangay contingents took part.

The early evening procession of Sagalas (beautiful maidens) and elaborately decorated arches adorned with flowers bound the way through the city’s major thoroughfares during the event organized by the city government to highlight the religious fervor and close devotion of Taclobanons to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Children dressed as angels who had earlier taken part in the Flores de Mayo celebrations in their local barangays were also seen in the annual event.

The official Miss Tacloban and Ginoong Sangyaw candidates also took part in the Grand Santacruzan. Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez also joined the event, along with TCPO and City Tourism Operations Office officials.

The highlight of the festivities was the crowning of the 2023 Grand Reyna Elena and the announcement of special awards at the Plaza Rizal; winners received trophies, sash, and cash prizes.

The best barangay contingent took home a cash prize of P50,000, P30,000 for the first runner-up, and P20,000 for the second runner-up. The third and fourth runners-up received 15,000 and 10,000 pesos, respectively, and non-winning barangays were given consolation prizes amounting to Php 5,000.

On the other hand, the Grand Reyna Elena winner took home P10,000. The first and second runners-up received P8,000 and P5,000, respectively. A cash prize of P1,500 each was given as a consolation prize.

Below are the winning Barangays and Reyna Elena:

Champion – Brgy. 43-B

1st Place – Brgy. 39 calvary hill

2nd Place – Brgy. 37 Reclamation

3rd Place – Brgy 65 Paseo de legazpi

4th Place – Brgy. 99 Diit

Special Awards:

Most Disciplined Barangay – Brgy 39

Best Reyna Elena Arch – Brgy. 43-B

Best Sagala Arch – Brgy. 37

Best Lantern – Brgy. 43-B

Reyna Elena – Jaira Sophia Rose H. Encina (Brgy 84 San Jose)

1st Runner-up – Sophia Reinzyl Lou Salud (Brgy. 39)

2nd Runner-up -Yvonne Grace Dizor (Brgy. 65 Paseo De legazpi)

HRoca

JTrexie

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