255. Her College Yearbook, PACITA DE LOS REYES, Miss Philippines 1929

PACITA DE LOS REYES, Miss Philippines 1929, in her gradutaion toga as an honors graduate of the University of the Philippines, College of Law.

Miss Philippines of 1929, Pacita Ongsiako de los Reyes was a law student when she represented University of the Philippines at the 1929 search for Miss Philippines.

The statuesque scholar won the title and had an enjoyable year fulfilling the obligations as Miss Philippines. But school had always been a top priority, and she went right back to her law course after her reign was over, distinguishing herself as an outstanding debater, orator and member of the honor roll. Her contemporaries included Ambrosio Padilla and Arturo Tolentino.

 Done with her law course, she took the bar and became one of the topnotchers in the 1934 Bar Exams, copping 7th place. On 10 November 1934, she was officially installed as member of the bar.

She had a brilliant career, and shared her legal mind by teaching subjects at U.P., Holy Ghost College and Far Eastern University. She unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in 1957 under Claro M. Recto’s party.

254. Carnival Beauties: LEONARDA OCAMPO, Miss Philippines 1934 Candidate

A PRETTY GIRL IS LIKE A MELODY. Leonarda Francisco was a music student of St. Scholastica when she made a bid for the Miss Philippines 1934 crown. This lovely Nueva Ecijana became a well-known concert pianist later in life.

 Leonarda Ocampo, was the first female graduate of Saint Scholastica College's Conservatory of Music. She was still a student when she was prevailed to run for the 1934 Manila Carnival search for Miss Philippines. She originally represented her province of Nueva Ecija having been born in Brgy. Bangad, Cabanatuan.The crown went to the Marilao beauty, Clarita Tan Kiang.

Leonarda became a well-known concert pianist. She passed on the musical genes to her descendants, which include the award-winning composer Louie Ocampo and Fr. Manoling Francisco S.J., composer of the well-known songs, "Hindi Kita Malilimutan" and "Tanging Yaman". A school that stands on a piece of land donated by the family in Cabanatuan City is named after this musical beauty.

253. Carnival Wedding: KALAW-KATIGBAK NUPTIALS

A ROYAL MARRIAGE. Maria Kalaw, 1931 Miss Philippines with husband, Dr. Jose Katigbak on their wedding day.

Maria Kalaw, 1931 Miss Philippines, was wed to Dr. Jose Katigbak on 2 June 1934. Sponsors at the wedding were Ramon Fernandez and Mrs. Francisco Tirona-Benitez, Rafael Corpuz and Mrs. Maximo Kalaw, Vicente Lopez and Mrs. Manuel Roxas, Dr. Baldomero Roxas and Mrs. Emilio Aguinaldo, Dr. Sixto Roxas and Mrs. Justa Kalaw de Katigbak, and Leoncio Aranda and Mrs. Arsenio Luz. 

Pacita Roxas and Evelina Kalaw with Ramon Katigbak and Teodoro Kalaw Jr., served as sponsors for the veil. Purita Kalaw was the maid-of-honor and Dr. Jose Reyes stood as Best Man.

The Katigbak couple went on to raise a brood of 4 that included: Marinela (Nela), Josefina (Pinkie), Purisima (Puri) and Norberto (+Butch).

252. A Carnival Yearbook: CHARITY CROW YGOA, UST Class of 1939

CHARITY CROW YGOA, Class of 1939, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, College of Commerce and Business Administration, University of Santo Tomas.

For many beauties, life after the Manila Carnival went on as usual. 1933's Miss Luzon, Charity de Ocampo Crow not only settled down in domestic bliss with La Sallite Rafael Ygoa in 1938, but also went back to school to finish her college education at the University of Santo Tomas. While there, she was voted as the "Most Beautiful College Girl", tantamount to being named "Miss UST".

As one can see from her yearbook information, she led quite an active student life. She was the Vice-President of the Freshmen's Class from 1935-36 and was a Representative to the Central Student Board from 1938-39. The listing also includes membership in the Commerce Club and the Faculty Club for 4 years. In 1939, already married, Charity successfully completed her Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree with Honors.

The family relocated to Colombia and then returned to the Philippines, only to relocate to Spain due to the exigencies of Mr. Ygoa's work. After retirement, the Ygoas moved to the United States. Charity lived long enough to celebrate her Golden Wedding Anniversary; the lovely Fil-Ilongga beauty passed away in 1988.

251. Carnival Beauties: ANGELINA VILLAFRANCA, 1929 Miss Philippines Candidate

ANGELIC ANGELINA. 1929 Miss Philippines Candidate.

When the 1929 Manila Carnival re-opened after a year in hiatus, the search for Miss Philippines was expanded to include colleges and universities, making the quest even more competitive. There were candidates from well-known schools like the University of the Philippines, Centro Escolar de Senoritas, Sta. Rosa College--and even Manila College of Pharmacy.

From a lesser-known school came Angelina Villafranca, Miss Filipino Academy. She was no match, however, for the state university's candidate, Pacita de los Reyes, who had the whole school's campaign machinery behind her.

250. Queen of the 1929 Tayabas Carnival: CONSUELO E. LIM

CHOLENG'S CHARM. Consuelo Lim poses for her official photo as candidate of the 1929 Tayabas Carnival.

 Inspired by the victory of their local girl, Luisa Fernandez at the 1927 Manila Carnival (she represented Manila though),  Tayabas provincial officials put up their own petit carnival in 1929 to show the progressive strides the large province has achieved since the start of the American colonization. It was also an opportunity to bring out the province's fairest for all the world to see.

The beautiful representative from the town of Calauag, 19 year old Consuelo "Choleng" Eclavea Lim, emerged victorious as the provincial queen of the Tayabas Carnival. She was a student of Centro Escolar de Senoritas when she was elected. She later became the 2nd wife of the first Quezon City mayor, Tomas Morato and former mayor of Calauag, Tayabas (now Quezon).  Manuel "Manoling" Morato is her son.

249. Queen of the 1939 Bacolod Carnival, VIRGILIA C. ARANETA

BACOLOD'S BELLE OF THE BALL. Miss Virgilia C. Araneta.

Virgilia C. Araneta of Bacolod City reigned as Queen of the 1939 Bacolod Carnival which was held from April 8-25, 1939.

The Aranetas of Negros are a prominent family of revolutionary patriots, government leaders, agriculturists and business maven.