Meet the Talent Behind the Santacruzan Gowns: Cristina Halili

One of the most essential aspects of Santacruzan is the gowns each delegate is wearing. People are lining up to watch the parade, and many are in awe while the Reinas march the parade wearing their beautiful dresses and holding their props. Traditional Santacruzan gowns are designed as modern Filipinianas to add a bit of Filipino identity. Barangays and churches often hire talented sewists to make the gowns of their Reinas. Through Mark By World the commissioning the gowns was made possible. Maria Cristina Halili is the talent behind the fantastic gowns that the Reinas will wear in Mayfest 2024 Santacruzan.

Cristina is a 48-year-old seamstress from Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines. She has a son named Paul, who helps her sew, design, and deal with customers. Cristina started from humble beginnings; she had dreamed of becoming a professional fashion designer and a dream university she wanted to attend. Unfortunately, her mother did not allow her to enroll due to financial constraints. Nevertheless, that did not stop her; she self-studied and worked hard to achieve what she has now. 

Cristina started by making curtains when Paul was born; then, she started making bridesmaid dresses, prom gowns, and Santacruzan gowns in 2009. Since then, she has had a team of five talented seamstresses who help her create dress or gown orders from customers, one of which she trains as her right hand. Her talent allows her to make one gown in three to four hours. Cristina estimated that she had already created hundreds of dresses throughout her career, most of which were donated to people she knows. 

Ricky Reyes, a Filipino icon in the hair and beauty industry, inspires her. She buys her materials at Divisoria, a commercial center in Tondo, Manila; everything she needs is already there at an affordable price. 

Despite Cristina's talent and mastery of her craft, she still faces challenges occasionally. One of her toughest challenges was creating 30+ gowns for her barangay's Santacruzan within just two months. Due to the big demand, she had to hire five more employees, and they did not get proper sleep for almost one week.  

For Mayfest, Cristina made Rizzy Lo's most intricate gown. Rizzy's gown is inspired by Miss Pampanga from Binibining Pilipinas, Emma Tiglao. The cloth is white with a bamboo pattern. It is embedded with gold lace with 3D gold flowers that add an accent to the gown and make it stand out. Its shoulder is also shaped like a Filipiiniana, which adds to its authenticity. 

Cristina Halili's deep commitment and exceptional skill in making Santacruzan gowns bring the rich culture of the Philippines to life. Each gown she makes tells a story of love for tradition, making every Santacruzan event she dresses up truly special. 

“Gowns are a very important aspect of Santacruzan because they truly show the rich culture of the Filipinos. The gowns are one of the things that make Santacruzan memorable and valued. “ Cristina said explaining the importance of gowns in the event. 

As people look forward to seeing her latest gowns at Mayfest 2024, Cristina remains a valued member of her community. Her work makes the event look beautiful and helps keep Filipino traditions alive and celebrated.

Register now for Mayfest 2024 to see in person the beautiful gowns that Cristina Halili created for some of the Reinas.