“I have somebody in mind, who is stunning,” said Chit Guerrero of ABS-CBN when top designer Danilo Franco called her to ask if she has a new talent who would benefit from public exposure such as in the Flores de Mayo 2011.

It turned out that the stunning talent is Marié Christina Digby, who is “tall, slim, and, best of all, she is really fair – which was my first requirement to match the white/gold theme of Flores de Mayo,” enthused the couturier who is known as the designer of reel and really chic stars.

It turned out also to be quite serendipitous that Marié Digby would win the Rosa Mystica title (for her regal bearing in Danilo Franco’s most beautiful gown) and as Cream Silk girl (for her silken beauty, obviously). “So, it was such a big coincidence that the gown I designed had Japanese influences and to learn that Marié is half-Irish and half-Japanese… I think it was meant to happen,” added the designer whose creations for his sagalas  have won some seven times before in this traditional May pageant of society and showbiz maidens.

Catching up with Marié after the pageant, here’s what we learned from this year’s “mystical rose” herself:

How does it feel to be declared the Rosa Mystica in the Flores de Mayo 2011 pageantry — and as Cream Silk girl?

I was absolutely surprised and honored to be awarded at all in the Flores de Mayo pageant. In my mind, I was there to represent my designer Danilo Franco in his beautiful creation and to enjoy experiencing a long held Filipino tradition. So, to have walked away with two awards was truly a surprise and I am very grateful for the recognition!

You are already an internationally recognized musical artist – but what’s the compelling reason for your presence in the Philippine musical/entertainment scene?

The way that I got my break into the international music scene was through YouTube and posting home made videos of myself singing. Ever since those videos started to take off, I noticed that the majority of the comments and fan mail coming into my box were from fans in the Philippines. Even after my first album was released, my record label did market research and found that my top cities regarding number of fans were in this order: 1. Makati 2. Los Angeles 3. New York. My label was surprised (They didn’t even know where Makati was!) but I wasn’t surprised at all.

I’ve always been grateful for the huge support I’ve received from my Filipino fans and they are the ones who brought me here. I am here to do an album specifically for my Filipino fans to show them how thankful I am for all the years of support.

How was your family life while growing up? Are your parents supportive of your career decisions?

I feel so grateful everyday for my family. We are very close and always have been. I have two younger sisters and most of my childhood memories are of playing with them in our backyard until the sun went down. We also loved music so we made our living room into our personal stage and sang, danced, played at all hours of the day.

My parents, just like any responsible parents, were terrified when I decided to pursue music instead of finishing college. But I knew that school was something I would finish later and that my door for doing music was only open for so long. My parents have been incredibly supportive of anything I dream of doing.

Who so far have become your friends in the Philippine entertainment scene?

I am lucky to have a group of both showbiz and non show-business friends. I think it’s important to maintain a balance between my work and my personal life. I have made friends with many of the guys and girls who participate in ASAP after I did a few guestings. But I also have friends who work behind the camera as well in the Filipino entertainment industry.

What are your other interests aside from music? And what is your ultimate ambition?

I love anything that involves nature or being active. I feel most at home when I’m in the mountains, or at the beach. I love sports such as snowboarding and kick boxing. Traveling is also one of my passions. There are so many places in the world that I’d love to see.

My ultimate ambition is to have a long and successful musical career in which I can positively impact the lives of others.

I would also love to be a mother and wife and in my later years, to spend my time studying the universe, cosmos, and stars.

Filipino Tradition Lives on with

“Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda!”

A tradition dating back to the 1800s, Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) is a month-long celebration in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An event where little girls offer flowers to the image of the Virgin, it is culminated with a parade of sagalas or beautiful maidens.

Much time has passed since it started, but Flores de Mayo lives on and in cosmopolitan Manila for more than 30 years now, it has become an annual spectacle courtesy of the Congregacion del Santisimo Nobre del Niño Jesus, founded by the dean of Philippine fashion, Mang Ben Farrales.

Aptly on May’s first Sunday this year, such grand Flores de Mayo took place at the Musical Hall of the SM Mall of Asia. But instead of little girls, the event featured ladies dressed in the finest gowns created by 30 of the top designers of the country. Interpreting this year’s theme “Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda!”, the creations were all in shades of white and gold, depicting the radiance of purity at its finest.

Creating designs for the Reina de las Flores and La Flor de Manila were Renee Salud and Frederick Peralta, while designers 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 Bertumen, Johnny Abad, Pencil Diestra, Pepe Quitco, Edgar San Diego, Jan and Lui, Leslie Rivera, Ole Morabe,  Richard Papa, Nicky Martinez, Edgar Allan and Eddie Baddeo were in competition as who among their respective sagalas would win the much coveted title of Rosa Mystica.

Flores de Mayo 2011 “Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda!” is a production of the Congregacion del Satisimo Mobre del Nino Jesus, Creamsilk, and SM Mall of Asia together with the Department of Tourism and Unilever Philippines. The grand parade was hosted by Leo Martinez and Boots Anson-Roa.