Dark-haired and with very expressive features, in her presentation video during the gala we could see Yalaydy on a closed karting circuit, at the controls of a racing car. She has an intense and penetrating gaze, with an air of rebellion that suggests she is a passionate woman. She has a lot of presence on stage and seems like a mature girl despite her youth. These are some facts that, surely, the members of the jury took into account when choosing. The president of the Cabildo herself, Inés Rojas, presented her with this desired award, while Noemí Barreto, Miss Lanzarote 2004, took off the crown she has worn for a year to place it on the new beauty of Lanzarote.
The crown of Queen of the San Ginés 2005 Festivities went to Estefanía Perdomo Martín, representative of Construcciones Santana. She was one of the youngest girls in the contest, with only 17 years old. She was born in Arrecife and is a student of E.S.O. She is 1.75 meters tall and her measurements speak for themselves: 85-65-95. She has a sweet and calm look, and the fresh appearance of a woman in harmony with nature. In this case, it was the mayor of Arrecife, Mª Isabel Déniz, who was in charge of presenting the award. Along with her, Dácil Ramírez, the outgoing Queen of the San Ginés 2004 Festivities, performed the ritual of the change of crown.
The Gala, which was skillfully conducted with the usual skills of our colleagues Laura San José and Francisco José Navarro, began at 10:00 p.m. at the Fairgrounds on a night illuminated by an impressive Moorish moon. Hundreds of people came there to witness a spectacular contest live, full of surprises and novelties. Others were able to see it live through Lanzarote Televisión, thanks to the production of Videoactivo.
The night began with the performance of the Ballet Dance Pop from Uga, one of the great successes of the gala. Because, in a beauty contest, the presence on stage of bodies that escape the rigid canon established by the world of fashion is appreciated. These dancers are boys and girls with normal bodies, with whom anyone can identify, who when they go on a set show that the important thing is not the extra kilos, but knowing how to move them with talent and passion.
At one point in the ballet's performance, the candidates made their appearance under a rain of rose petals, barefoot and dressed in Ibizan white. The girls danced in what was their most free and personal moment, with a wardrobe that allowed them to move without problems and show themselves naturally before the jury and the rest of the public. They wore long white skirts, Ibizan style, adorned with simple belts and very much in line with this season, of medium sequins or forming a chain of circles, which reminded of the gypsies. Each one wore it in a different color, there were green, blue, orange... all very summery colors. For the top part, different models of white tops were chosen, all with thin straps that left the belly and a large part of the back uncovered. The accessories were also very simple, necklaces and bracelets matching the belts and for the hair loose flowers or white scarf.
Once this surprising presentation of the candidates was finished, it was time for the arrival of the jury. It was not a conventional appearance, the members of the jury entered the venue as true stars, aboard some brand new cars that were entering the stage and "unloading", three by three, all the judges and the two winners of last year's contest, Miss Lanzarote and Queen of the San Ginés 2004 Festivities.
With the members of the jury sitting in the front row, came the most complicated parade, the swimsuit parade. It was the second time that the jury saw the girls in bikinis, and this time they did it with a black-based model with pink, yellow and orange stripes, very modern and flattering, which the aspirants wore on very high heels.
After the parade came another of the novelties of the night: the delivery of the titles of Miss Congeniality, Miss Elegance and Miss Photogenic, which in other years were given in a different ceremony. The big surprise was that the votes to choose the most friendly were made live by the girls themselves. One by one they paraded, still in bikinis, in front of the urn that was guarded by two burly sailors. There they deposited their vote and among all of them they decided that this year Miss Congeniality was Patricia Barambio Navarro. The sash and the trophy were given to her by Encarna Páez, councilor of festivities of the Arrecife City Council.
The title Miss Photogenic was deliberated and chosen by the photographers present at the gala, who finally decided to award it to Xenia González Cabrera. Our colleague and photographer Sergio Betancort was in charge of delivering this award.
Finally, but no less important, the title of Miss Elegance went to Sandra Barco Cabrera, and was presented by Nuria Cabrera, councilor of Urbanism of the Arrecife City Council.
Once three of the most important awards of the night were given, came the musical performance of the young Lanzarote native Juanjo, known by all thanks to his participation in the Arrecife City Festival held in the Valterra neighborhood during the Carmen Festivities last year. Juanjo left his mark on said festival, in which he was awarded as the best voice, the best interpretation and the best choreography together with his colleagues. He took the stage willing to give the best of himself despite suffering a slight hoarseness.
Later, the presentation videos of the 16 candidates were broadcast, with personalized images made to measure for each of them, taking into account their hobbies and tastes. In these videos the hobbies and passions of the girls were discovered, ranging from the "cars" of the now Miss Lanzarote 2005, to skating, through scuba diving, motorcycles, hairdressing, dancing and even the microphone in hand report. These videos are important because they show the ability of the girls to perform in front of a camera, something they will have to do often if they are crowned.
Once the sixteen videos were broadcast, the surprise was for the mayor of Arrecife, Mª Isabel Déniz, whom the presenters surprised by revealing that it was her birthday that day. There was a general applause in honor of the birthday girl, and even some spontaneous people from the public were encouraged to sing "happy birthday" to her.
After this episode, came the parade of the girls in evening dress. The design was created by the director of the contest, Wily Díaz, who also chose white for this occasion. The upper part was a body with a single strap that left the other shoulder uncovered, partially printed with flowers and leaves in green, red and orange tones. The skirt, long, opened on one side revealing the inner part lined in green. They wore their hair up with a flower. The girls paraded, but also danced accompanied by some male dancers.
One of the most anticipated moments came around midnight, when the jury asked each of the candidates a question live. The questions addressed topics as varied as the impact of César Manrique's work on the Island, what they would value most in a beauty contest, the humiliating lyrics for women in Reggaeton songs, the convenience or not of having surgery for a contest like that, the representation of Lanzarote abroad, the killing of animals in the festivities, anorexia and bulimia, the problem of immigration on the Island or hunger in the world.
Finally, the performance of the Cuban boys and their group Santa Fe, before the stellar moment of the night: the election of the ladies-in-waiting and Miss Lanzarote and Queen of the San Ginés 2005 Festivities.
They began with the titles of the ladies-in-waiting of the Queen of the San Ginés 2005 Festivities. To put the sash on the second Lady-in-Waiting, Luis Morales, councilor of Arrecife, took the stage, who imposed it on Beatriz Marrero Gil. The first Lady-in-Waiting was Diana Santana Alfonso, who received the award from Encarna Páez.
Then came the turn of the companions of Miss Lanzarote 2005. The second Lady-in-Waiting was Diana García Toledo, who received the title from Carmen Ramos, councilor of Parks and Gardens. And the first Lady-in-Waiting was Sandra Barco Cabrera, who received the award from Nuria Cabrera.
These were the most intense and nervous moments for the candidates, as aspirants were being discarded for the two big prizes of the night.