Flores De Mayo 2011

FLORES DE MAYO 2011, Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda! LAUNCHED AT CASINO ESPAÑOL

Last April 6, Flores De Mayo 2011 was launched at Casino Español, with its theme “Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda!” Unilever Philippines hosted the press conference that gathered guests, designers and friends from the media to celebrate this unique Filipino tradtion. Among the guests were the members of the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus, the one responsible for the celebration of Flores de Mayo, including its founder, Mr. Ben Farrales. Aside from this, Creamsilk, which is one of the sponsors of the event, was also present, represented by its Assistant Brand Manager, Ms. Sarah Lim; SM Supermalls VP for Operations Mr. Steven Tan and SM Mall of Asia Marketing Manager, Ms. Cecille Ang were also there.

Flores de Mayo or Flowers of May has been a Filipino tradition since the 1800s where little girls offered flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This event is usually culminated with a parade of sagalas or a beauty pageant. Through the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus, with its founder Mr. Ben Farrales, the tradition of Flores de Mayo has been relived in our society today for the past 30 years.

The press conference started with an inspiring message from the man responsible for making Flores de Mayo the way it is today, Mr. Ben Farrales. After which, highlights of the previous Flores de Mayo 2010 were presented to give the guests an idea of what to expect for the upcoming Flores de Mayo 2011. To further build excitement, sketches of the participating 30 designers were also shown.

Creating designs for this year’s Reina de las Flores and La Flor de Manila are two of the country’s top fashion icons, Renee Salud and Frederick Peralta. Competing for the much coveted title of Rosa Mystica will be creations from Rey Lazaro, Danilo Franco, Julius Ornum, Edgar Madamba, Glenn Lopez, Christopher Quejano, Rikko Escaro, Arnelo Lagrosa, Gener Gozum, Rholand Roxas, Lito Perez, Gerry Katigbak, Cecilio Vertumin, Johnny Abad, Pencil Diestra, Pepe Quitco, Edgar San Diego, Jon and Lui, Leslie Rivera, Ole Morabe, Perri Diaz, Jontie Martinez, Obet Orajay, Nholie Pilapil, Richard Papa, Nicky Martinez, Edgar Allan and Eddie Baddeo.

For a sneak peak of what will happen in this year’s Flores de Mayo, a fashion show featuring the designs of Jontie Martinez were modelled by students from National University, an affiliate of the SM Group of Companies who is a co-presenter of this year’s event through its SM Mall of Asia.

This year’s Flores de Mayo 2011, Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda will be held on May 1, 2011 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia at 4:30pm. This event will feature a parade of sagalas with ladies wearing gowns created by the 30 participating designers. Aside from this, there will also be a photo contest open to all photographers 18 years old and above, where submitted photos should be taken during the parade of sagalas at SM MOA. For more information on the photo contest, please log on towww.moafloresdemayo.comor check their Facebook page: Flores De Mayo sa MOA 2011 Photo Contest.

Flores de Mayo 2011 “Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda!” is a production of the Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus, Creamsilk and SM Mall of Asia together with the Department of Tourism and Unilever Philippines.