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.

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.

268. Post-Carnival Days: Miss Luzon 1936, AMPARO KARAGDAG, Actress

KARAGDAGANG TALENTO.  Acting became Amparo Karagdag's post-Carnival career. She had a short-lived sting playing leading ladies to movie icons Leopoldo Salcedo, Carlos Padilla and Pempe Padilla Jr.

After Amparo Reyes Karagdag doffed the Miss Luzon 1936 crown from her head, she chose a stellar path by becoming an actress of note, in a career that spanned for just a decade. Amparing was immediately snapped by Director Vicente Salumbides to appear in a starring role in the movie "Anghel sa Tukso", produced  by his own studio, Salumbides Film Co. Ltd.

Salumbides was known to have squired the Carnival for possible movie talents. He cast Miss Cotabato, 1926 in a movie, gave her the screen name, Sofia Lota, and turned her into a major star. He even married Rosario Panganiban, Miss Pampanga 1926, who also appeared in several of his movies.

Amparo starred alongside leading man, Carlos Padilla, with Dina Valle and Vilma Valle providing able support. It was directed by Nemesio Caravana.  "Anghel na Tukso" was already being advertised as early as 1939 but it only premiered the next year.

In late 1940, she and Leopoldo Salcedo headlined "Carinosa", a lavish musical from Sanggumay Pictures, with music provided by Constancio de Guzman and helmed by Carlos Padilla. Other movies from this period included: "Pasalubong" and "Ikaw at Ako".

In January 1941,  Amparo had second billing after leading lady Fely Vallejo in Dr. Francisco Santiago's glorious musical production,  "Kundiman" (1941) from Excelsior Pictures. She was paired with Ernesto de la Guardia, with Rampon Estella as Director. Miguel Velarde provided the music in this classic movie that premiered at the Grand Theater.

Post-war, she starred with Jose Padilla Jr. in Premiere's "Lihim na Bayani", released in 1949, and directed by favorite director, Ramon Estella. With Ely Ramos, she was featured in "Magkapilas na Langit", also shown in 1949. They were to be her last movies.

264. 1933 Miss Mindanao: AT THE RED CROSS INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT

 MINDA MORAS. Angelina Biunas, who was Miss Mindanao in the court of 1933 Miss Philippines, Engracia Laconico, as a special guest of the Philippine Red Cross.

Miss Mindanao 1933,  18 year old Angelita "Nina" Biunas, makes a personal appearance at a special charity event of the Philippine Red Cross with Marita Ubaldo. She is the daughter of Victor Biunas and Pilar Tronqued. The Philippine Red Cross organizing fund-raising events that included the selection of Miss Charity, in prestigious pageants that drew participation of high society belles. One of the oldest support institutions in the country, it was conceived as early as 1899 by Apolinario Mabini. The Philippine branch of the American Red Cross was established in 1905. Post-Carnival, Nina married businessman Melo Alonso.

263. THE 1924 CAPIZ PETIT CARNIVAL

CARMEN OF CAPIZ. The Queen of the 1924  Capiz Petit Carnival and her royal retinue, pose during the coronation night that duplicated the festive air of the national carnival in Manila.

Not to be outdone, the province of Capiz held its own carnival with opulence and gaiety that rivalled that of the capital city. It was a fortuitous event as their native son, Representative Manuel A. Roxas had, by 1921, married Trinidad de Leon, herself, a former Manila Carnival Queen. Roxas's political stature would soon rise, becoming a Speaker of the House for 12 consecutive years, and eventually elected as the country's fifth President.

The 1924 Capiz Petit Carnival had a certain Carmen I as Queen. There was to be another Capiz Carnival the next year, held on December of 1925. The next year, Capiz sent its first representative to the 1st National Beauty Contest of the Manila Carnival, in the person of Rosario Picazo.

261. Carnival Album: MISS MINDANAO 1936 & MISS MACABEBE

MACABEBELLES TWO. Miss Mindanao of 1936, Cleofe Balingit lends her royal presence to the Garden Day festivities in her town.

Reigning Miss Mindanao 1936, Cleofe Jayme Balingit, and her town mate, Miss Macabebe 1936, presided over the festivities of the Macabebe Garden Day, held on 29 February 1936.

Balingit, backed by her newspaper sponsor, "Ing Catimawan", barged into the winning circle by placing 4th to Miss Philippines 1936, Mercedes Montilla. She was a popular beauty official of her town, welcoming VIPs to participating in local events like this one.

After her reign, she made a name for herself as a Red Cross volunteer, and undertook many socio-civic causes.

260. Post-Carnival Years: MARIA KALAW AT THE PAN-PACIFIC PAGEANT

The Pan-Pacific Pageant was staged during the Commonwealth years as a symbol of goodwill and cooperation between America and its Pacific holdings and territories, including the Philippines. The highlight of the pageant was the ceremonial presentation of flags, carried by representative beauties from America and the Philippines. The Philippines was represented by former Miss Philippines 1931, Maria Kalaw.

Miss Maria Kalaw (right) dressed as Maria Clara  presented the Philippine flag on the same occasion.

Miss Anne Alger (left) dressed as Miss Liberty presented the American flag to Gov. Gen. Frank Murphy during the Pan-Pacific Pageant. Alger is a descendant of two U.S. presidents, the Adamses. 

259. Carnival Wedding: LIM-DEVLIN NUPTIALS

A EURASIAN MATCH. Rosalina Cispon Lim, Miss Luzon 1932, with her new husband Claude Martinez Devlin, at their 1934 wedding. Rosalina has Chinese-Filipina-Spanish-Portuguese bollod courtesy of her parents, while Claude is of British-Scottish-Filipino extract.

Miss Luzon of 1932, Rosalina Cispon Lim came from a multi-cultural background; his father a Chinese mestiza and her mother of Portuguese-Pangasinense descent. She went further by marrying half-British, half-Filipino Claude Devlin Martinez, just a year or so after her reign.
The couple briefly settled in London for some 15 years before returning to the Philippines. Rosalina and Claude had an only daughter, Tita Martinez Sicat, a Ph.D. holder and a U.P. professor.

258. REMEDIOS FERRER, Miss Mindanao, 1934 Cebu Carnival

MUSE OF MINDANAO. Remedios Ferrer and her Consort, in authentic Muslim costumes at her coronation.

The Carnivals of Cebu replicated everything that the big carnival of Manila had, right down to the naming of the runners-up as Miss Luzon, Miss Visayas and Miss Mindanao, respectively. In 1934, the Miss Mindanao title was awarded to Remedios Ferrer.

Remedios Ferrer, Miss Mindanao of the 1934 Cebu Carnival and Fair. Miss Ferrer is well-known in Visayan society circles. She wears the typical Muslim costume in this photo from Graphic Magazine.

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.

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.

248. Carnival Beauties: LULU SUZARA, Candidate, 1939 Miss Philippines

LUCK'S ON LULU. Lulu Suzara, one of the official candidates of the Miss Philippines search of the 1939 Philippine Exposition.

Miss Lulu Suzara, a favorite for the Miss Philippines title, was one of the leading candidates of that year's quest for the country's fairest. At the 1939 Floral Parade of the Philippine Exposition, she was honored to ride the float sponsored and designed by a certain Miss Uy Yet, which garnered the Most Artistic Award, an ominous start for the chinita beauty.

At the finals, however, it was the lovely Iluminada Tuason who was crowned Miss Philippines--the last royalty of the country's longest-running fair.

243. Carnival Beauties: VICTORIA L. LOPEZ, Candidate to the Manila Carnival 1922

VICTORY FOR VICTORIA! Candidate to the Manila Carnival 1922, Victoria was one of the long list of Ilongga beauties that competed for the beauty cup, which included Pura Villanueva, Lilia Lopez, Consuelo Acuna, among others.

 In 1922, University of the Philippines took pride in announcing their chosen contestant to the annual carnival. She was no other than Victoria Lopez y Ledesma, from Iloilo. 

The Ilongga beauty, born 6 March 1907, was born to parents, hacendero Eusebio Lopez and Ana Ledesma, both from powerful and affluent families from Jaro. Victoria went to Assumption Convent for her education and was active in school plays, music and dance recitals. She was also a popular member of the exclusive Smiles Club and the Kahirup social club.

She married Atty. Salvador Araneta on 14 August 1927, the son of Gregorio Araneta and Carmen Zaragosa. Salvador was known for being a “relentless advocate for the homeless, the unemployed and for the industrialization of the Philippines”. 

The couple made their home in Mandaluyong, where they built the majestic Villa Victoneta, designed by 3 architects –Juan Arellano, Domingo Lerma and Andres Luna de San Pedro. It was the site of many grand events, drawing dignitaries like Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, Dennis Cardinal Dougherty, High Commissioner Paul V. McNnutt, Apostolic Delegate Guglielmo Piani, among others.

The couple had 4 children: Carminia, Ana Marie, Maria Lina, Maria Victoria and Regina. Victoria shared her husband’s deep involvement involved in advocacies and socio-civic causes. She set up a school for children living around the Mandaluyong area. She was the leading light of White Cross, a project which took care of children of parents afflicted with the dreaded TB. Her husband was wanted by Marcos during the Martial Law years, but by then, they had flown to America and settled in Canada, with the help of the Vatican. Victoria passed away of cancer on 16 February 1988.

242. Carnival Beauties: LYDIA TINZON, Candidate, Miss Philippines 1939

LOVELY LYDIA. Miss Lydia Tinzon (or Tingson) of Far 
Eastern University, was sponsored by Graphic Magazine. 

The 1939 Philippine Exposition was to be our last national fair, and, as a gesture of final support, the esteemed Graphic's Magazine fielded the accomplished Lydia Tinzon as its official candidate to the 1939 search for Miss Philippines.

Miss Tinzon, from Canlubang, Laguna was a co-ed of Far Eastern University at the time of the contest, and was one of the beauteous muses of the university ROTC. The last Miss Philippines title, however, went to Iluminada Tuason.

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.

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.