Reyna ng Aliwan 2017 and /Sinulog Festival Queen 2017 Marla Alforque (left), Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 and Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 Nicole Yance Borromeo (center), and Sinulog Festival Queen 2018 and Reyna ng Aliwan 2018 second runner-up Shaila Rebortera. contributed photo | Rabie Ian Pogoy
Cebu City, Philippines—Two Sinulog Festival queens congratulated Nicole Yance Borromeo for winning the Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 title.
Sinulog Festival Queen 2017 and Reyna ng Aliwan 2017 Marla Alforque said that she is happy for the 18-year-old Borromeo, who she described as someone who truly deserves the crown.
Read more: Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 wins Reyna ng Aliwan crown
“I am so proud of her. She won not only because she is pretty and tall but because she is also very smart. She worked hard and gave her best to represent Cebu City and Sinulog Festival in Aliwan Fiesta,” she told Cebu Daily News Digital.
Back when Borromeo was competing for the Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 last January, Alforque shared some tips to Borromeo.
Just like Borromeo, Alforque was the lead dancer of the City of Carcar during the Sinulog Festival Queen 2017.
Read more: Nicole Borromeo of Carcar City: Sinulog Festival Queen 2019
Among the tips she gave to Borromeo were to study the history of the Sinulog Festival and also learn about the different festivals in the Philippines.
“Also told her to be friendly to the staff and committee but she is really friendly though. Because in Reyna ng Aliwan, attitude really matters, and of course I told her to offer it to Señor Santo Niño,” Alforque said.
Alforque also vows to support Borromeo’s reign and continue to support her journey, especially that she is joining Miss Teen Philippines 2019 on May 8 in Manila.
Read more: Nicole Borromeo is not just a pretty face
Sinulog Festival Queen 2018 Shaila Mae Rebortera is also happy and proud of Borromeo’s victory.
“I knew she had what it takes to be the Reyna ng Aliwan. I remember being interviewed before, after she won as Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 and I already said that she could definitely make it in the nationals,” Rebortera told CDN Digital.
Rebortera, the predecessor of Borromeo, finished second runner-up in Reyna ng Aliwan 2018.
She also revealed that she was able to talk to Borromeo before the Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 pageant started.
“She opened up her struggles and she was very humble in seeking for pieces of advice from different people. When you get to converse with her, you witness how genuine she really is and how her character really stands out. By then, you would know she is very much deserving of her crown,” Rebortera added.
Read more: Cebu City’s Nicole Borromeo wins three special awards in Reyna ng Aliwan pre-pageant round
Borromeo is the ninth Cebuana who took home the Reyna ng Aliwan crown.
Cebuanas who won the Reyna ng Aliwan title in the previous years were Marla Alforque (2017), Miss Eco International 2018 Cynthia Thomalla (2016), Steffi Aberasturi (2014), Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell (2013), Miss Tourism International 2014 Angeli Dione Gomez (2012), Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2015 Rogelie Catacutan (2011), and Miss Tourism International 2012 Rizzini Alexis Gomez (2010), and Sian Elizabeth Maynard (2009).
Borromeo also bagged four special awards including Miss White Rose, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Festival Costume. /bmjo
