MANILA, Philippines - The Quota International of Cebu held its annual Santacruzan to raise funds for its projects. Former president and event chairperson Cristina Corominas says these include Mission for the Deaf, the first high school for the hearing impaired; St. Martin de Porres for retarded children; and three daycare centers in Cebu City, located in Sawang Calero, Guba and San José, Talamban.

The Santacruzan started with a Sunday afternoon Mass at the San Carlos Seminary chapel. The weather forecast said it might rain and flower-decked umbrellas were prepared. But it poured hard and the pavement was so wet everyone was shuttled in cars to the Grand Convention Center for the coronation rites.

The ballroom was draped with about 100 yards of white silk to simulate a grand tent. A large number attended and on hand to welcome guests were Quota Cebu president Malou Veloso, president-elect Loreta Calderon, vice president Connie Garcia, secretary Evelyn Ramirez, and director Fely Gimarino who was in charge of the raffle.

Also present was charter president Lydia Ibañez, who founded Quota in Cebu in 1977. She is principal of St. Benedict Childhood Education Centre, where the Santacruzan participants come from. Registrar Socorro Codilla, an honorary Quotarian, helped Ibañez with the program.

Pretty ?sagalas?

Cebu?s TV personality Bunny Pages took the role of chamberlain, announcing the grand entrances of sagalas in pretty gowns and glittering crowns. They were Renee Garcia, Francheska Canoy, Gwenth Cantillas, Mariane Ceniza, Chax Tiempo, Margarethe Sesbreño, Michealla Go, Sydney Ocampo, Isabel Codilla and Francine Gaviola.

The principes were Cyril Remulla, Mharty Tan, Lance Cañedo, Adfrancis Abella, Mikel Garcia, Aldrich Alvez and Carlos Ybañez.

A dozen little girls in white and downy wings were a prelude to Reina de los Angeles Trisha Marie Corominas. She was crowned by her predecessor, Isabella Pintor, and Joe Recio.

Reina de las Flores was Camille Veloso, tall and statuesque at 15. Her dashing grandpa Tony Veloso put the crown on her head, assisted by former councilor Joy Pesquera, who now serves as director of the Quota club. Grandma Tina Corominas went up the stage with a huge bouquet of flowers. Loud applause came from Camille?s parents Buddy and Carla Veloso, and maternal grandma Edwina Johnston Veloso.

Emperador Constantino Titan Arevalo was sick so runner-up Mildon Ladia took his place instead. He was crowned by provincial board member Agnes Magpale and last year?s emperador, Frangelico Batoy.

Pamela Abellana, 19, a student of International Engineering, was crowned Reina Elena by 2007 reina Mytha Ann Basubas Canoy. She received a bouquet of flowers from parents Philip and Louelle Abellana, director of Quota Cebu.

Sue Gray was Reina Emperatriz. An American, she has lived in Cebu for over 10 years and has joined several civic clubs. She was crowned by her predecessor, the lovely Elisa Estenzo Torres. Assisting was Rep. Raul del Mar, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He is very supportive of Quota?s projects, especially in his district Cebu City North.

Royal dance

A highlight was ?Los Lanzeros de Ligayan? danced by the sagalas and their escorts. Then came the royal dance with the crowned ladies swaying to waltz. Congratulations to all the Quota Cebu officers.

Aside from Malou, Loreta, Connie, and Evelyn, the other officers are treasurer Linda Rana, PRO Gasper Julia, auditor Marcia Godinez, directors Dulce Gantuangco, Dinah Lozada and Pinky Shan.

Cristina Corominas thanked everyone for the success of the event. Her parting words: ?Times are hard and challenging. For us, it simply means that more people need our help. We have to work much harder in order to continue with our projects.?

They have now started planning Santacruzan 2009. We are reminded that this Maytime fete commemorates the finding of the Cross by St. Helena, mother of Emperador Constantine, who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. A grand Philippine tradition now, it originated in the Spanish town of Puente Genil in the province of Cordoba.