241. Carnival Beauties:PACITA RODRIGUEZ, Candidate, Miss Philippines 1930

PRETTY PACITA. Sampaguita -sponsored Pacita Rodriguez strikes a pose for her official 1930 Manila Carnival photo.

1930 was a most competitive year for the Miss Philippines quest of the annual Manila Carnival. Major publications, Chinese newspapers and even university publications named their own candidates to the search for the country’s fairest.

Towards the homestretch, 15 top contenders remained, headed by the eventual winner, Consuelo Acuña, supported by no less than 3 papers—Taliba, La Vanguardia and La Defensa. Not far behind were Estrella Alvarez (The Independent Intelligencer), Luz Villaluna (Excelsior) and Rosario Zorilla (The Philippine Herald) who finished in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places respectively. 

Rounding out the Top 15 were two candidates sponsored by two Chinese papers(Pua Ya Jueng and Liong Ngo Kim). Virginia Lejarde, Elisa Dalmacio, Violeta Lopez, Corazon Campos, Lourdes Aunario, Pilar Liwanag, Eladia Eugenio, Loreto Zapanta and the winsome Pacita Rodriguez who was the bet of the Manila daily, Sampaguita.

240. Carnival Wedding: DE SANTOS-MALOLES NUPTIALS

Alicia Cabarrus de Santos was the original Miss Luzon in the court of Maria Kalaw, 1931 Miss Philippines. She had also reigned as the Queen of Charity in her teenage years. At the Manila Carnival, the popular socialite was leading all the way when Kalaw overtook her with a deluge of votes, in the final minutes of the contest.

Declaring foul play, de Santos resigned her post, which Lina Araullo assumed. She remained unperturbed after her not-so-pleasant Carnival experience; her family, in fact, continued to support the Carnival. In the next year’s festivities. Alicia’s doctor-brother, Arturo de Santos, provided escorting duties to Queen Emma Zamora. On 29 August 1934, Alicia married Dr. Octavio L. Maloles at lavish ceremonies held at the Santo Espiritu Church. They had a son, Octavio II.

239. Crowning Moment: CONSUELO VILLAMOR, Miss Mindanao 1934

SEE YOU IN COURT. The official coronation picture of Miss Mindanao 1934, Consuleo Villamor, with her own retinue of beauties in regal Muslim costumes. She is escorted by her brother, Domiciano.

The tradition of having separate coronation nights for the princesses of Miss Philippines began in 1929, with the election of Pacita de los Reyes of U.P. Not only was the new Miss Philippines given her own Coronation Night, but there were also separate affairs for Miss Luzon, Miss Visayas and Miss Mindanao, which were no less fabulous.

The picture above shows the crowning moment of Abra beauty, Consuelo Villamor (b.1911/ d. 2009), who was Miss Mindanao in the court of 1934 Miss Philippines, Clarita Tan Kiang. True to the title she won, her whole court came in signature Muslim costumes. One of her attendants was Evelina Kalaw, sister of Miss Philippines 1931, Maria Kalaw. Consuelo is shown here with her Prince Consort, Domiciano Villamor, her brother.

238. Carnival Beauties: ELVIRA MANALO, 1927 Miss Palawan

PANALO SI MANALO.  Elvira Manalo, Miss Palawan of 1927, was just the 3rd Palawan beauty to represent her province at the Manila Carnival search for Miss Philippines.

1924 was a very good year for the province of Palawan and its people, for it was in this year that a beautiful Palaweña from Cuyo, captured the prestigious Manila Carnival Queen crown. Trinidad Fernandez was also different from the winning beauties she succeeded, for she was no high society girl—she belonged to the working class, and her victory gave new meaning and purpose to the beauty title.

 It was evident that hers was a tough act to follow; Trinidad was succeeded by her sister, Carmen Fernandez in 1926, but failed to advance in the finals. In 1927, another worthy candidate was found to represent the island province. Her name: Elvira Manalo of Puerto Princesa.

 Like most Carnival beauties, Elvira came from a prominent political clan. Her father, Anastacio Manalo served as Governor of the province from 1922-1925. Anastacio was a prolific builder; he constructed the present wharf of the capital city and, under his tenure, northern and southern roads leading to Iwahig Penal Colony were laid out. The Capitol Building near the wharf was also attributed to his administration.

 Elvira, however, failed to take home the crown that her compatriot had won two years before; an Escolarina co-ed representing Manila—Luisa Marasigan—emerged victorious. Thus, Trinidad Fernandez remains the only Palaweña winner in the 31-year history of the Carnival Queen contest.

 After the pageant, Elvira Manalo, became Mrs. Maslog.

237. Carnival Wedding: MAURICIO-CUENCA NUPTIALS (1934 Miss Visayas)

Marcelina Cuenca was a former Miss Manila and The Philippine Free Press' representative to the  1934 search for Miss Philippines. She won Miss Visayas (3rd place) after Luisa Laconico (Miss Luzon) and Clarita Tan Kiang (1934 Miss Philippines). A year after the contest, she wed Dr. Conrado Mauricio on 16 June 1935. Shown along with the newlyweds in this picture are: L-R: Lourdes Mauricio (bridesmaid), Julita Cuaderno (maid of honor) and Dr. Leon Ma. Guerrero Jr. (Best Man).

236. Carnival Memento: 1908 SOUVENIR PORTRAIT

A 1908 souvenir photo of a young carnival visitor by the name of Mary Helen. The dedication at the back reads: "Mary Helen and I attended the Carnival last evening. Be well. Albert.". It is addressed to a certain Mris. Robeson of Seattle, Washington, postmartked 4 March 1908, from Manila. The oval picture of Mary Helen in sepia was taken separately then pasted on a window on the postcard, that features the famous light tower that lit the Carnival grounds. Photo studio booths made good business taking snaps of Carnival scenes and revelers, making for good souvenirs of the country's national fair.

235. Carnival Beauties: ROSIE MCGUIRE, 1927 Miss Samar

SAMAR'S SWEETHEART. Rosie McGuire, the first and only known Miss samar to represent her island province at the 1927 edition of the Manila Carnival.

The American Mcguires settled in Borongan, Eastern Samar and the lovely Rosie McGuire could very well be from this landed family. Don James McGuire was a prominent citizen of the place, and his magnificent McGuire Bldg., built in 1931, still stands restored in Borongan. A McGuire St. can be found in this town, (now a city, and capital of the province). Other than that, not much is known about this fair mestiza beauty, the only known Miss Samar to grace the carnival of Manila where Manila's Luisa Marasigan triumphed as Miss Philippines of 1927.