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.

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.

234. Carnival Weddings: ANDEREGG-BASTIDA NUPTIALS (1927 Miss Davao)

 SWISS MISS. Carmen Bastida, Miss Davao 1927, ties the knot with Swiss Hans P. Anderegg in ceremonies held at the Paules Church. Photo was taken in the home of Carmen's brother in Manila. From Graphic Magazine, April 1933.

Carmen Bastida, the mestiza beauty who represented Davao in the 1927 Manila Carnival, is shown with her groom Hans P. Anderegg, after their nuptials at the Paules Church in Manila on 17 April 1933.  From left to right are: Anton Alsobrook (best man); Blanquita Danon (maid of honor); the bride, Carmen Bastida; the groom Hans Anderegg; Mrs. Manuel N. Tuason (sponsor); Isidro Bastida, the birde's brother who gave her in marriage; and Dr. Manuel N. Tuason. The children are, from L to R: Manuel Tuason Jr., Rosemarie Tuason and Chiquita Ortigas. Paul A. Meyer Sr., one of the sponsors, does not appear with the group. The couple, who are popular members of the cosmopolitan community of Manila, sailed for Switzerland, the groom's homeland, on a honeymoon tour that lasted 6 months.

230. Carnival Beauties: ISABEL C. BOWERS, 1927 Miss Romblon

BOWERS BEAUTIFUL. The firtst and only known Miss Romblon, Isabel C. Bowers, who participated in the 2nd National Beauty Contest of the Manila Carnival, won by Luisa Marasigan. 

Little is known about Romblon's first and only representative to the Miss Philippines Beauty Contest of the Manila Carnival--American mestiza, Isabel C. Bowers.

There were several Bowers who came to the Philippines at the time of the American conquest who may have been her relatives: .two Thomasites with the Bowers surname came with the first batch of American teachers to the Islands in the early 1900s--Benjamin F. Bowers (assigned in Antique) and George Bowers (assigned in Batangas). They could very well be Isabel's forebears.

Isabel was related somehow to Brig. Gen. Clarence H. Bowers (1880-1943), the Philippine Constabulary head and a former superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy who married  Constancia Madrilejos of Romblon, daughter of Bonifacio Marron Madrilejos and Vicenta Manalon Maculang, on 31 August 1906.

This Bowers couple had two children, Elizabeth Maud Constance and Lejuna Bowers. (N.B. It is interesting to note that "Isabel" is the Spanish equivalent of Elizabeth; could she be one and the same person? Mother Constancia anglicized her name to "Constance Bowers" after her marriage to Clarence. In any event, this Elizabeth Maud Bowers returned to the U.S. in 1932 and took up Industrial Design at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pennsylvania. She married Engr. John Rice, had two daughters and eventually became a noted name in industrial and graphic design, one of only few American women to achieve such feat in a field dominated by men.)

222. Carnival Beauties, MANUKI MAKARIMBANG, 1927 Miss Lanao

THAT LADY FROM LANAO. Manuki Makarimbang, Miss Lanao 1927, made a splash at the national beauty contest with her colorful wardrobe of malongs and headgears that were a hit with the crowd. 

The first beauties to represent the Mindanao minority groups at the  very first Miss Philippines pageant of the 1926 Manila Carnival came from the provinces of Lanao and Sulu--Bala Amai Miring (Miss Lanao) and Scott Rasul (Miss Sulu). With Miss Zamboanga and Miss Davao, there were only 4 contestants from the predominantly Muslim region. It was clear that their chances of winning a regional title was rather high; back then, to win the regional titles of Miss Luzon, Miss Visayas and Miss Mindanao, one had to be a provincial delegate from that particular island group.

Emerging as the first ethnic queen of the Mindanao region was the moon-faced beauty, Bala Amai Miring of Lanao. Quick to smile and regalling the crowds with her exotic malong costumes, Bala Amai Miring edged provincemate Rasul for the title of the first Miss Mindanao 1926. In winning the title, Miring joined the court of Miss Philippines-elect Anita Noble in her year-long Carnival activities.

Next year, it was Miss Sulu's turn to hog the limelight, with the Manila-educated Nora Maulana copping the Miss Mindanao 1927 title. Miss Lanao 1927, Manuki Makarimbang,  had to take a back seat, but nevertheless, she stamped her presence with her regal bearing, her demure deportment and her fabulous Muslim wardrobe. Not much is known about Miss Makarimbang, although their clan is well-known all over Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

221. Carnival Beauties, CARMEN QUINTO, 1927 Miss Cagayan

CARMEN OF CAGAYAN. The first Miss Cagayan ever to compete in the Miss Philippines search of the Manila Carnival, Carmen Quintos, who reigned in 1927.

Cagayan held its own provincial fair in 1926, but it was not until a year later that it sent its first beauty delegate to the 2nd National Beauty Contest of the 1927 Manila Carnival.

That honor went to education student Carmen Quinto from Aparri, Cagayan. She, however, failed to land in the winners' circle, with Miss Manila, Luisa Marasigan topping the beauty tilt.

220. Carnival Beauties, CARMEN CAMPOS, 1927 Miss La Union

UNION MAID. Miss Carmen Campos, Miss La Union of 1927.

The second Miss La Union to join the Miss Philippines tilt of 1927, was the comely Corazon Campos, who succeeded Manuela Ortega. The Camposes, from Bauang, are also related to the political Ortega clan.

The crown was won by Miss Manila, Luisa Marasigan, who was actually from Tayabas, but based in Manila as a colegiala.

216. THE CARNIVAL BEAUTIES OF CENTRO ESCOLAR DE SEÑORITAS

CENTRO OF ATTRACTION. Miss Centro Escolar of 1934, lovely Nene with escort Jose, during the college day celebration.

During the Carnival years, one school that became one of the most ardent supporters of the national event was the Centro Escolar de Señoritas, a Spanish-influenced private institution founded in 3 June 1907 by two women educators, Librada Avelino and Carmen de Luna.

In fact, a fortuitous event at Centro Escolar in 1907 had resulted in the meeting, courtship and eventual marriage of the first Carnival Queen, Pura Villanueva with El Renacimiento editor Teodoro Kalaw of Batangas.

The all-girls school offered women education from kinder to college--with degrees in law, pharmacy, liberal arts, education and business. In its inaugural year, it attracted 250 students, but by 1927, it had had attracted over 1,500 girls, many from prominent families from all over the country.

A most-awaited school activity is the “Feria de Centro Escolar” or College Fair that began in the mid 20s, capped by the selection of a Miss Centro Escolar. Some of winners are still known to us; in 1929, Susana Casimiro reigned as Señorita de Centro Escolar and a certain Queen Nena in 1934.

Soon, the school was earning a reputation as the home of the most beautiful and accomplished ladies in the city, if not, the country. It was now wonder then that many of these campus beauties were always recruited as candidates to the yearly Manila Carnival Queen search. In fact, even the School Director, had a direct hand in the selection of the school representative.

Some of the Escolarina beauties who became Carnival Queen candidates included: Iluminada Perez (Princess at the 1929 Manila Carnival) Blanquita Opinion (Miss Visayas 1933 and a former 1925 Queen of Charity) and Luisa Marasigan, who was selected as the 2nd Miss Philippines in 1927.

Centro Escolar de Señoritas became a university in 1933 and became known as Centro Escolar University. CEU, as it is known today, has three campuses--the main Manila campus on Mendiola street, Malolos campus in Bulacan (1978) is in and the Makati Campus in the Makati Central Business District. The Parañaque campus was phased out in the early 1990s. CEU Cebu will be the first CEU campus outside Luzon. In 2007, Centro Escolar University—producer of some of the most beautiful Carnival beauties ever to grace the national fair—celebrated its centennial in 2007.

214. Carnival Beauties: LEONOR BUSTAMANTE, 1927 Miss Cavite

CAVITE'S CHARMER. Leonor Bustamante, the first Miss Cavite, competed in the 1927 Manila Carnival search for the second Miss Philippines.

The province of Cavite was another staunch supporter of the Manila Carnival undertakings, contributing its own commercial, agricultural and industrial exhibits for the fair. It also held its own Carnival versions--and at least one petit carnival, held in Imus, was organized in the mid 20s. In the 2nd National Beauty Contest of the national fair, Cavite sent the winsome 16 year old Leonor Bustamante as its official delegate, the first known Miss Cavite. Miss Philippines for that year went to Luisa Marasigan, who came in as Miss Manila.

213. Carnival Beauties: BEATRICE SANUP, 1927 Miss Baguio

BEDIMPLED BEATRICE. The first official representative of the Pines City to the Manila Carnival beauty contest was Beatrice Sanup, Miss Baguio 1927 who fascinated the crowds at the fair not only with her dusky beauty but also with her traditional wardrobe.

Like Ilocos and Cebu, the province of Benguet has a rich carnival tradition that began in 1915 with the election of Ibaloy schoolgirl Eveline Chainus Guirey as its first queen. Its premier city, Baguio, held its first ever carnival in 1923, with Martina Salming reigning as queen. The beautiful mestizo Carmen Reese also was a royal-elect and other famous beauties who made national headlines included Corazon Custodio, Adela Romero and Rosita Moldero, originally from Lubuagan, Kalinga, who made it as Miss Free Press Luzon of 1929.

At the second National Beauty Contest, the Pines City was ably represented by local lass Beatrice Sanup, who, together with Juliet Linney (Miss Mountain Province) made waves at the fair with their exotic looks and fascinating local costumes. The bedimpled Beatrice took pride in wearing a traditional Igorot costume consisting of a ‘kambal’ (woven blouse top), “divit” (woven skirt) and "panjet" (headband), recorded for posterity in her official studio pictures.

212. Carnival Beauties: CONSOLACION PURUGGANAN, 1927 Miss Abra

CONSOLACION PRIZE. The first and only known Miss Abra, Consolacion Purugganan, went to Manil to compete in the 2nd National Beauty Contest of the Manila Carnival, a beauty competition won by Miss Manila, Luisa Marasigan.

The first time that the province of Abra sent its beauty representative to the Manila Carnival search for Miss Philippines was in 1927. The honor went to the lovely Consolacion Purugganan of Bangued, who came from the large Purugganan clan that settled all over the Cordillera and the Ilocos region. The Purugganans count many prominent politicians in the family who figured in shaping the political history of the Ilocandia--like Don Severino Purugganan and Bangued municipal mayor, Ramon Purugganan.

211. Carnival Beauties: MISS SAMPALOC 1927 and MISS QUIAPO 1927

In 1927, the Manila Carnival quest for Miss Philippines continued its format of having official provincial delegates for the national contest. While some provincial bets were directly selected by high-ranking officials like the governor or the head of the local Carnival committee, the search for Miss Manila was more systematic. Manila's district heads were mandated to name their own "Miss District" which saw the selection of 17 beauties: Nitang Moreno (Gagalangin), Lourdes Baltazar (Malate), Herminia Guerrero (Malate), Beatriz Concepcion Puzon (Sta. Ana), Presentacion Perez (Singalong), Rosario Flores (Sta. Mesa), Severina Narciso Mendoza (Pandacan), Josefina Conde (San Miguel), Leonila Mat. Castro (Tondo), Evarista Laconico (Trozo), Pacita Legarda (Binondo), Luisa Fernandez (Intramuros), Salud Austria (San Lazaro), Erlinda Villarica (Sta. Cruz), Conchita Tusaon (Sampaloc) and Amparo Trinidad Papa (Quiapo).


The two beauties on this page are the official representatives of Sampaloc and Quiapo, Conchita Tuason and Amparo Papa, respectively. Three finalists were picked from the line-up--Miss Binondo (Pacita Legarda), Miss San Lazaro (Salud Austria) and Miss Intramuros (Luisa Marasigan). Emerging as the overall winner was Luisa Marasigan, who swept competition away by winning two titles--Sultana de Pasig and the top title of Miss Manila. She went on even further in the national competition by winning the plum Miss Philippines 1927 crown, succeeding Anita Noble of Batangas.

210. Carnival Beauties: SOL JALANDONI SORIANO, 1927 Miss Surigao

O SOL MIO. Sol Soriano, the 1927 Miss Surigao, was the daughter of Atty. Francisco Soriano and Rosario Jalandoni of Iloilo. Her father served as the provincial fiscal of Surigao, and member of the 1st Philippine Assembly representing Surigao and Misamis.

The first Miss Surigao was selected only in 1927 with the crowning of Sol Jalandoni Soriano, a most worthy representative of the province to the 2nd National Beauty Contest of the Manila Carnival. None were more elated than her fellow Surigaonons who knew of her distinguished lineage and stature in their society.

Sol was born on 28 July 1905 to Francisco Soriano, a lawyer, and Rosario Jalandoni. Her parents both come from prominent families from Iloilo. During the Philippine Revolution, her father was named Secretary – General of the federal government of the Visayas. He moved his family to Surigao when he was appointed as the provincial fiscal of Surigao in 1901, and of Surigao and Misamis from 1902 to 1907. He relinquished this post when he ran successfully for the First Philippine Assembly as delegate for Surigao under the Progresista Party.

Sol, whose unique name means “sun”, was a bright presence at the Manila Carnival contest and she was expected to perform well. The title, however, went to Miss Manila, Luisa Marasigan. Nonetheless, a bigger title awaited her the next year with her marriage to her beau, Carlos Soriano on 29 December 1928. Carlos, the son of Leonardo Soriano and Joaquina Ganzon, could have even be her relative. The couple had an only child, Leonardo, born on 12 March 1933.

Indeed, Surigaonons must have felt very proud with the way their very own Sol captivated Manila with her beauty, charm and achievements. In 1929, the province was inspired to organize its first and only petit carnival, sponsored by local government bureaus. The first and only known Miss Surigao passed away on 16 September 1947, at age 42.

209. Carnival Beauties: PACITA LEGARDA, 1927 Miss Binondo

BINONDO BEAUTY. Pacita Binondo as the 1927 Miss Binondo, competed for the title of 1927 Miss Manila and emerged as a runner-up to Luisa Marasigan.

In 1927, Manila conducted an area-wide search for their bet to the 2nd national search for Miss Philippines. Local officials of each district (e.g. Tondo, Sta. Cruz, Malate, Sampaloc, Quiapo, etc.) were encouraged to name their own beauty bet. Binondo was represented by the well-connected Pacita Legarda, who wore the Miss Binondo sash at the national finals.

True enough, Pacita finished in the top 3, along with Salud Austria and the winner, a provinciana beauty from Tayabas studying at the Centro Escolar de Señoritas, Luisa Marasigan.

204. Carnival Beauties: SALUD AUSTRIA, 1927 Miss San Lazaro

SALUTE TO SALUD. San Lazaro's beauty bet to the search for Miss Manila 1927. She ended up as a runner-up to Luisa Marasigan, who was named Miss Manila, and later, the 2nd Miss Philippines.

After the success of the 1st National Beauty Contest which sort of refreshed the Manila Carnival, a more comprehensive search for Manila's delegate to the next year's Miss Philippines contest was launched city-wide.

In 1927, local district officials were encouraged to select and name their own muses to compete for the title of Miss Manila. The official list included the following names, culled from the most distinguished families of Manila's various districts:

Nitang Moreno (Gagalangin), Lourdes Baltazar (Malate), Herminia Guerrero (Malate), Beatriz Concepcion Puzon (Sta. Ana), Presentacion Perez (Singalong), Rosario Flores (Sta. Mesa), Severina Narciso Mendoza (Pandacan), Josefina Conde (San Miguel), Conchita Tuason (Sampaloc), Leonila Mat. Castro (Tondo), Evarista Laconico (Trozo), Pacita Legarda (Binondo), Amparo Trinidad Papa (Quiapo), Erlinda Villarica (Sta. Cruz), Salud Austria (San Lazaro) and Luisa Marasigan (Intramuros).

As early as the first counting, San Lazaro's bet Salud Austria--she, with the deep-set brown eyes and fine mestiza features--emerged as a frontrunner, together with Pacita Legarda and the Tabayasin beauty, Luisa Marasigan. In the end, the crown of Miss Manila was awarded to Luisa, who was also given a special title, Sultana de Pasig. Salud, as a runner-up copped the "Rosa Malaya" title, a minor award, but a well-earned one, nonetheless.

197. Carnival Beauties: MANOLITA C. VILLAESCUSA, 1927 Miss Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGUEÑA HERMOSA. Manolita Villaescusa y Camins, the second Miss Zamboanga, was a popular hometown beauty whose Spanish ancestry is evident in her strong mestiza features.

Zamboanga made a strong showing in the 1st National Beauty Contest for Miss Philippines when local lass, Carmen Fargas, almost won the title, after tying with Miss Batangas, Anita Noble. So close was the race that after a second voting, it was decided that Carmen, too, deserved a crown, so a new title--Miss Pearl of the Orient Seas--was awarded to the comely mestiza.

The local Zamboanga government stuck to the winning formula in fielding their next Miss Zamboanga—another pedigreed Filipina-Spanish mestiza by the name of Manolita Villaescusa y Camins. Her mother was Valeria Fuentebella Camins, who traced her ancestry to one Francisco Camins who served in the Spanish Navy stationed in Zamboanga. Another relative would be a future governor of Zamboanga (1931-34), Carlos Hernandez Camins.

Coming on the heels of Carmen’s victory, Manolita went to Manila to join other provincial delegates and was quickly installed as one of the favorites for the crown. She failed to clinch a place in the finals, however, but went back home to Zamboanga where she was feted and was asked to participate in that year’s Rizal Day festivities, along with former Misses Zamboanga. She later married an Antonio.

167. Carnival Beauties: JULITA MATIAS, 1927 Miss Nueva Ecija

CROWN JEWEL JULIE. Julita Matias, the 1927 Miss Nueva Ecija, the second from the province.

The first time Nueva Ecija fielded a representative to the Manila Carnival quest for Miss Philippines was in 1926, when the first official Miss Nueva Ecija was crowned. This sparked interest in the national carnival promoting the provincial government to hold its own petit carnivals.

In 1927, Nueva Ecija again named its second queen to compete in the 2nd National Beauty Contest. She was none other than 21 year old Juliana "Julita" Matias, born on 11 December 1904. After her carnival campaign (the title went to Tayabasin Luisa Marasigan), "Julie" married Manuel Serrano Maronilla Sr., with whom she had 7 children: Manuel Jr., Jose, Irene, Norberto, Julian, Ramon and Mary.

164. Carnival Beauties: ROSARIO J. IMPERIAL, 1927 Miss Albay

IMPERIAL BEAUTY. The second Miss Albay, Rosario Jaucian Imperial, belongs to a very influential family in the region known for their vast land holdings and prosperous abaca business.

Rosario Imperial y Jaucian, Albay’s bet to the 2nd National Beauty Contest belongs to the most affluent clan from Daraga with a most interesting history from both sides of her family. The earliest forebear of the Jaucians is a Christian Sangley from Molo, Iloilo whose grandson, Mariano, relocated to Daraga where he strated a family with a native Bicolana. His descendants made a fortune in abaca and, until the mid 20th century, the Jaucians were the biggest and richest landowning family in Bicolandia.

The Imperials, on the other hand, traces their roots to two brothers shipwrecked in San Bernardino Strait in the 1800s. After settling in Manila, they moved to Daraga where succeeding members married into the Jaucian family. Rosario is a product of this Jaucian-Imperial union, which consolidated the two families’ wealth, power and influence.

Well-known Imperials include the brothers Carlos (1907 Albay representative to the Philippine Assembly), Leoncio (senator, 1916-22) and Jose (Albay governor). To this list, we can now add Rosario, who ably represented her provincemates in the national quest for Miss Philippines.

162. THE 1927 KALIBO CARNIVAL

HALA, BIRA BEAUTY. Queen Crisanta I, the carnival royale of the Kalibo Fair, dated March 1927.

Kalibo, the capital of the province of Aklan, was not to be outdone by its Visayan neighbors when it came to holding its own petit fair. Nearby Capiz had already started its own local carnivals as early as 1924, and Cebu’s own versions of the national event were the talks of the whole Western Visayas region. Besides, Kalibo has had a long tradition of rambunctious revelry and unparalleled merrymaking with its annual Ati-Atihan Festival held in honor of the Sto. Niño.

It was said that in the first Catholic Mass held in the island, ‘sangka libo’ Aeta natives attended, giving the town its name and starting the Ati-Atihan fiesta tradition. Held during the 3rd Sunday of January, this festival never fails to draw devotees, visitors and tourists from all over the Philippines.

And so, in 1927, Kalibo put up its first and only known carnival. Details of the petit carnival remain obscure, and we only have this sole photo as a visual document of that event held in March 1927. Also only the first name of the Carnival royal is known to us, the lovely “Queen Crisanta I”. It would be safe to assume that the people of Kalibo, with their penchant for merrymaking, pulled no stops in making sure that their carnival would be one of the best in the Visayas.

157. Carnival Beauties: CONSUELO A. ROA, 1927 Miss Misamis

COMELY CONSUELO, the bet of Misamis in the 1927 Miss Philippines search of the Manila Carnival, comes from a family of means, supporting her province with her philanthropic acts, long after her marriage to a Cebu businessman.

The Roas are an old family from Cagayan de Misamis, and their family tree is well documented from as early as the 18th century. They are related to the foremost Filipino painter, Damian Domingo, whose marriage to Luisa Casas resulted in 10 children. Two of them, Jose and Anastacio moved to Misamis from Manila, where their two maternal aunts—both married to Roas, resided. The two brothers also married Roas—Jose married Catalina Roa, while Anastacio married Romana Roa.

Miss Misamis of 1927—Consuelo Roa—was descended from this large and artistic family. She was born on 20 June 1902 in Cagayan de Oro to parents Ramon Roa and Andrea Abejuela. She had a sister, named Carmen. Consuelo studied in local schools but did not finish her secondary education. She found herself the toast of her province when she was selected to succeed Amparo Nery and represent Misamis at the 2nd National Beauty Contest of the annual Manila Carnival.

After the national pageant (won by Miss Manila, Luisa Marasigan), Consuelo met and married a businessman from Cebu, Jose Suico Almario. She settled in her husband’s home province and their union was blessed with 5 sons and 2 daughters (Nemesio, Jose Jr., Alicia, Mario, Sylvia, Antonio and Benjamin). Consuelo, however, kept touch with relatives in Cagayan, starting a prosperous real estate property business there. She and her sister, Carmen Roa-Villarin were known for their philanthropic works in their beloved home province.