STRAP's first Sagala

Finally, the GLBT FlorEZ de Mayo came & went. I was very happy last Sunday, 2 May 2010 because the STRAP girls came out in full force to join our first ever Flores de Mayo santacruzan or sagala (parade) as a group (see pic above). From left to right we had Nadine Barcelona, Maffie Santillan, Seanel Caparas, Rio Moreno, yours truly, Barbie Arcache, Rica Paras, Sass Rogando Sasot, Yasmin Lee, Phoejay Amparo, Santy Layno and Aiyah Cabais. In the middle seated in a yellow gown is one of the newest additions to the STRAP family, Kaye Madrigal.



I emceed the program after the parade last Sunday and I was more than happy to join the festivities by donning a royal blue Filipiniana gown (see pic above). People said I was looking positively Imeldific, an effect that I was not going for. When I look at some of my pictures from that night's affair, however, I do have angles that match those of the notorious former First Lady and I cringe a little at the thought. No matter, it was truly a special night made more extraordinary by the presence of the STRAP girls.



After the parade, there was an awarding ceremony for the Queen, Princess and Duchess of the santacruzan. No doubt all awards were bagged by STRAP members (see pic above). Kaye Madrigal in the yellow gown was judged Queen while Rio Moreno in blue was crowned Princess. Our STRAP Internal Affairs Head Santy Layno in red was declared Duchess of the santacruzan. I could not have been more proud as STRAP Chair.



Of course there were other STRAP ladies there who made sure that their STRAP sisters were taken care of properly. A special thanks is due them as without them the STRAP FlorEZ participants would have fainted in the heat or drowned in their own sweat. The night was sweltering but STRAP Treasurer Joy Cruz (right most in the pic above) and our Secretary Char Williams along with member Jill Madrona (left most in red and pink respectively in the pic above) fanned the girls and brought them food to eat and water to drink. Joy, Char & Jill were such troopers that night and they managed the STRAP girls really well by making sure they were always poised and looking good all the time.



Rica Paras, in the black and white gown above, was also there. She was the Reina Elena (Queen Helena) and gave a solidarity speech as a celebrity of the TLBG community here.

I am glad that the first GLBT FlorEZ de Mayo was a great success thanks in large part to the participation of STRAP. I hope that next year STRAP can organize its own sagala. The girls have been receptive to the idea when I broached it in our dinner after the parade. Now that is truly something to look forward to in our anniversary celebrations next year! Mabuhay ang transpinay!