Wednesday, March 13, 2024

276. 1911, Reina de Luzon, ELISEA G. TRONQUED, Manila

(NOTE: Perhaps because of the scarcity of press coverage of the 1911 Manila Carnival, it’s been widely believed that the event proceeded without the beauty contest component of the nationwide exposition. All eyes that year, it seemed, were focused on the American aviator James C. “Bud” Mars, who came to the Carnival as part of a Pacific exhibition tour. Together with Capt. Thomas Baldwin, they flew their bi-planes 5,000 feet above 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. The New York Times even reported his feat, to the exclusion of the other events of the fair.


ENTRANCE TO THE CARNIVAL CITY, Photo: Mr. Sandy Lichauco

Recently, a 1911 issue of El Renacimiento newspaper, owned by collector-blogger Mr. Sandy Lauchico, was shared on an FB site that featured a full page photo of  3 regional queens—one for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao—each presumably, of equal rank. They are reproduced on this page, with a short write-up of what we know about Elisea G. Tronqued.)

 



1911, Reina de Luzon: ELISEA GARCIA TRONQUED, Manila. 

Elisea Garcia Tronqued (b. 1885/ d.?) was the daughter of Ramon Tronqued and the former Rosa Garcia. Her other siblings include: Matilde (wife of Jose Estella, and mother of film artist Ramon Estella), Josefa, Ildefonso Sr., Maria (married to Manuel “Toto” Mañosa, and mother of National Artist, Arch. Francisco Mañosa), and Angel Tronqued.


As a child, Elisea and her sisters Matilde and Maria were into music early, and together they formed the trio “Los Hermanas Tronqued”. They enjoyed a measure of success on the local stage in the first decade of the twentieth century, appearing with the Compania Lyrica Infantiles, a repertory of musical and theatrical performers. The Tronqued sisters also provided entertainment numbers on stage during intermissions in between silent film screenings.


This led to her sister Maria to start a movie career, after being discovered by producer Dr. Edward Gross. On the other hand, Elisea was being noticed for her beauty. Photographs of her began appearing in national magazines, and the Spanish-Filipina became one of the featured beauties in book “Album de Bellezas Filipinas” published by Philippine Free Press, which compiled pictures of the most beautiful Filipinas of 1909 to 1911.




Elisea’s crowning glory was her selection as one of the three regional queens of the second annual Carnaval de Filipinas or Philippine Carnival.  At age 26, Elisea Tronqued was bestowed the title “Reina de Luzon” (Queen of Luzon) and crowned alongside with the Reina de Bisayas, Consuelo Gonzalez, and Reina de Mindanaw, Asuncion Manahan, attended by their court of little princesses and page boys.


Not much is known about the reign of the 3 queens, overshadowed by the appearance American aviator Bud Mars, whose daring aerobatic stunts awed carnival visitors and garnered more extensive press coverage, serving as the highlight of the 1911 Philippine Carnival.


MISS MINDANAO 1933, ANGELINA TRONQUED BIUNAS

Twenty two years later, the Tronqued name would be remembered again when Elisea’s niece, Angelina Tronqued Biunas, and daughter of her first cousin Pilar Decena Tronqued, was crowned as Miss Mindanao at the 1933 Manila Carnival, in the court of Miss Philippines Engracia Laconico.

 

Reina de Bisayas: CONSUELO GONZALEZ


 

Reina de Mindanaw: ASUNCION MANAHAN

 

SOURCES:

Album de Bellezas Filipinas 1909-1911, Philippine Free Press

Pictures, courtesy of Mr. Sandy Lichauco as indicated,

Elisea Tornqued's bio: geni.com,

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

THE CARNIVAL ENDS.


It's been a long journey from the day I picked up my first Manila Carnival photo--in Bangkok,Thailand, of all places, to starting this blog--and which culminated in the publication of a pictorial history book of titled Pampanga beauties. I hope, dear readers, that you have been entertained and informed through my postings. But alas, even good things have to end. Thank you to all my blog visitors and friends whom I've met along the way, including descendants of beauty queens featured here, fellow collectors, historians and beauty fans.

My Manila Carnival writing will live on, not just in this blog, but also in my book--"ARO, KATIMYAS DA! A Memory Album of Kapampangan beauties 1908-2012", a finalist in this year's National Book Awards, Leisure Category. It is available at the Holy Angel University, Angeles University (0458888691, ask for Center for Kapampangan Studies), or you can course your book orders through me

Again, salamat po, it's been 6 wonderful, beautiful years!


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

275. Carnival Beauties: MAGDA I, Queen of the 1928 Pasay Carnival

QUEEN MAGDALENA I. 1928 Pasay Carnival

Pasay was one of the 4 original cities of Manila. Due to its proximity and strategic location to Manila, it enjoyed brisk economic and commercial growth during the American Occupation. Spurred by the petit fairs held everywhere in the big city of Manila, Pasay launched its own Pasay Carnival on December 1928, with Queen Magda I, reigning as royalty at the fair.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

274. Carnival Memento: 1933 MANILA CARNIVAL POSTER

 CARNIVAL TIME! Cast your work aside and get ready for the masked revelry at the Manila Carnival of 1933!!

A colorful 1933 Manila Carnival poster, printed on the front cover of The Sunday Tribune Magazine, possibly drawn by renown artist, Fernando Amorsolo. The Manila Carnival Commercial and Industrial Fair was held from 4-19 February 1933, climaxed by the coronation of the 1933 Miss Philippines, Engracia Laconico.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

273. Queen of the 1929 Negros Oriental Carnival: VICTORINA ANTONIO

 V FOR VICTORY. Queen Victorina I, the fair queen of Negros, as she looked at her coronation night.

In 1929, Negros Oriental held a provincial fair to celebrate their foundation day and to mark their prosperity and progress, primarily driven by their sugar industry. Chosen to reign as was the lovely Victorina Antonio. As Queen of the Negros Oriental Carnival Fiesta, she ruled over 70,000 people for two week of festivities.


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

272. Carnival Activities: 1929 MISS PHILIPPINES AT THE ILOILO CARNIVAL

FULFILLING HER DUTIES. Pacita de los Reyes, queen-elect of the 1929 Manila Carnival, is feted at the 1929 Iloilo Carnival.

Miss Philippines of 1929, Pacita delos Reyes, was honored at the Iloilo Carnival in La Paz, Iloilo. Forming her court are members of the younger set of the Iloilo and Negros “Four Hundred”. Pacita’s September visit was auspicious as a few months later, she was succeeded by a young Ilongga beauty, Consuelo Acuña, 1930 Miss Philippines.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

271. Carnival Beauties: CARMEN REESE, 1923 Baguio Carnival Princess

REESE AND FAMOUS. Mestiza-beauty, Carmen Reese of Baguio was part of the royal retnue of the Baguio Carnival of 1923.

Carmen Reese was a princess in the court of Queen Martina Salming, the reigning royal of the 1923 Baguio Carnival. Six years later, with her beauty in full bloom, Carmen was named as among Baguio’s candidates to the annual “Filipina Beautiful” of the Philippine Free Press. Other entrants were Adela Romero, Corazon Custodio and Rosita Moldero. Moldero, a Kalinga beauty from Labuangan, eventully clinched the 1929 Miss Luzon title of the prestigious newspaper contest.