270. 1929 SAN PABLO PROVINCIAL FAIR

SCENES FROM SAN PABLO FAIR OF 1929

Proofs of provincial progress are depicted in these pictures from the community of San Pablo in Laguna, which celebrated its own fair in 1929. Here, one can see a representative San Pablo beauty. Extraordinary San Pablo pineapples and arrow root, and two specimens of San Pablo architectural skills: pavilions in the last fair held in that city.

179. THE 1924 LAGUNA PROVINCIAL FAIR

VICTORY FOR VALESCA. Queen of the 1924 Laguna Provincial Fair.

Ever since the inception of the first ever Manila Carnival of 1908, “La Laguna” had always been one of the more enthusiastic provinces ever to join the national fair. Its provincial government threw its all-out support by putting up one of the most outstanding booths in the pioneer exhibits that drew rave reviews from visitors and media men covering the fair. The award-winning 250 sq.m. booth was noted for its exquisite display of finely woven buri and uway hats, textiles, medicinal water from Majayjay, hats of cana muda from Liliw, sinaba (rice variety) from Sta. Rosa, varnished furniture made from narra, corchos, Japanese sandals and fishes from Laguna de Bay.

The people of Laguna were not disappointed too, in their quest to have one of their fair daughters crowned as the Queen of the carnival festivities. In 1923, Virginia Llamas of Pagsanjan copped the top crown, to the delight of the people of Laguna. Thrilled by her victory, the local government organized its first ever Laguna Provincial Fair (there had been town carnivals years before) in May 1924. The queen-elect was none other than a mestiza beauty, Valesca Calma, who reigned as Queen Valesca I. Two years later, the province had its first official Miss Laguna, in the person of Loreto Relova, who competed in the 1st National Beauty Contest for Miss Philippines.

160. THE 1912 SAN PABLO CARNIVAL

Another early supporter of the annual Manila Carnival was the province of “La Laguna”, whose people followed the happenings in the capital city with anticipation and excitement. Just like other provinces that caught the Carnival bug, Laguna also sought to replicate the spirit and the success of the national fair, by holding its own provincial carnival.

The rich coconut town of San Pablo was chosen as the site of the carnival, planned from March 28 to 30, 1913. The organizers put their energies to motion, vowing to compete with the Manila Carnival in terms of grandeur and gaiety. They sought to attract local tourists by drumming up the search for their own “Reina de Carnaval”, and early on, two formidable candidates for the crown loomed, which was played to the hilt in the national press.

The first frontrunner to the crown was the 16 year old beauty, Pacita “Paz” Paulino. The daughter of businessman Marcos Paulino, Paz, at such a young age, was an accomplished pianist, noted for her expressive interpretation of opera favorites and classical pieces, performed with heart and soul. Musically-gifted, highly cultured, Paz enchants, with both her beauty and talent, earning early approval from her provincemates.

Standing in her way is the mestiza beauty Rosario Fule, just 17 years old, but already a popular figure in her home province, famed for her good breeding, admirable personality, and a kind of facial beauty that never fails to fascinate.

We would never know who brought home the crown ( subsequent issues of El Renacimiento did not carry follow-up news), but for sure, the real winner was the province itself, which pulled off its first ever Carnival successfully—not on the same league as the Manila Carnival as ambitiously envisioned—but worthy enough to merit coverage on the country’s leading dailies of that time.