20. 1911, MANILA CARNIVAL

The Manila Carnival of 1911 went on as scheduled on 21 February 1911, with the usual industrial and commercial exhibits of products as well as the various sports and athletic competitions.

This year’s affair was Queen-less, but this did not dampen the collective excitement of Filipinos, Americans and their guests as the Carnival centerpiece were the exhilarating exhibition flights—a first in the Philippines.

THAT DARING YOUNG MAN ON THE FLYING MACHINE. Lt. Bud Mars, a flight trainer, showed off his flying skills at the 1911 carnival and merited front page news on The New York Times.

As part of a Pacific exhibition tour, aviators James C. “Bud” Mars and Capt. Thomas Baldwin flew their bi-planes 5,000 feet above the the carnival tower, to the sheer delight of the crowds. For his daring, record-breaking performance, J.C. Mars was awarded a medal and valuable gifts.

FLIP AND TUMBLE. American avitaors wowed the crowd at the auditorium with their aerial stunts 5,000 feet up. The show spectacle was a first in the Philippines.

Also making an appearance at the 1911 event was Brig.Gen. Frederick Funston, the newly-installed commander of the Department of Luzon, who received a warm welcome from members of the Army.

GENERAL ATTENDANCE. Frederick Funston (1865-1917) is largely known as the general responsible fro the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo in March 1901.

The 1911 Manila Carnival officially ended on March 4, and “The New York Times” declared in a front page report that it was Manila’s most successful Carnival by far..”profitable from a financial standpoint and also of advantage industrially”.