From the initial planning stage to its fruition, we all knew that this year’s 22nd Santacruzan Flores de Mayo was going to be a success. Held at its usual location in the All Saint’s Liverpool Catholic Church Hall, on 27th May 2017, the event started with a Mass at 5pm by Father Paul, then the Program kicked off once everyone congregated in the Church Hall. The event had over 30 Participants, which also included 8 Special VIP’s and some 14 Beauty Queens and finally 8 Entertainers. The event filled the Hall to capacity, which is a lot to say for a small Association like Fil-Oz Liverpool and only 12 Board Members who really co-ordinated and organised the event since being elected in 2016 and its first event, the 21st was a success also.
The VIP’s were the Philippine Consul-General Anne Jalando-on Louis, Councillor Charishma Kaliyanda of Liverpool South Ward representing in absence of Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller, Paul Lynch the State MP for Liverpool, a long-time supporter, Anne Stanley Federal MP for Werriwa, Pet Storey President of APCO Inc., Dr Cen Amores, Founding President of APCO Inc. and Chair of ASCON and Board Member of ECCNSW. Then there was Jhun Salazar President of VAA Inc. and finally Akshay Raj Kumar is a Lawyer and Coordinator for the Cancer Council of NSW.
The Special Guests who were the Beauty Queens — all Global United International Beauty Queens and Beauty Queen Ambassadors, are:
- Australia’s Teen Queen National Finalist 2017 Rachel Nikolovski
- Miss Teen Continents Australia 2017 Jasmine Allesio
- Miss Continents Australia 2017 Jennifer Hunt
- Miss Face of the Globe Australia 2016 Samantha Mullins
- Ms Classic Global United International 2016 and Regal Majesty Finalist 2017 Robbie Canner
- Ms Classic Australia Global United Finalist and Mrs Earth Air 2017 Sue Turner
- Mrs Continents Australia 2016 Kim Cancellier
- Miss Philippine Australia Charity Queen 2016 Jade Crystal Wright
- Miss Visayas- Australia 2015, Miss Philippine Australia 2015 and Miss Mutya Ng Filipinas Australia 2017 Rica Sey
- Miss Visayas- Australia 2015, Miss Philippine Australia Runner-Up 2016 Adriana Gravador
- Miss Mardi Gras International Queen 2017 Alexis Tan
- Miss Mardi Gras Rainbow Princess 2017 Faiel Valenciano
- Mrs Global United Ambassador 2015 Michelle Hillman, who came all the way from Queensland to specially attend our event at the request of our very own
- Ms. Classic Global United International Lifetime Queen and Ms. Classic Australia Lifetime Queen, the President of Fil-Oz Liverpool Cora Bojarski.
The music was provided by the ever popular Danny Garcia and Moses del Mundo, with the proud line-up of entertainers that are popular with us are, Stephanie Bernardo with her angelic voice, Sharlene Gamo and her soft crystal voice, then the ever popular Soprano Linda Trinidad who song with back-up from the Filipinas Dancers of APCO Inc. Then a surprise act was the dancing acts by the Jamilla and Tara Escobar, who actually had everyone cheering for such graceful and fast movements, with a surprise singer from Adelaide, South Australian Rolando Lumin.
All this was a delight for the Emcees for the night Jhun Tekiko, Vice-President Internal and Terry Hollebone, who made sure the night went smoothly that was enjoyed by everyone.
