Where have all Manila’s Prettiest gone?

Back then, before all sorts of beauty contests proliferated like mushrooms, there was the annual selection of Manila’s Five Prettiest spearheaded by the Bachelors Club.

The Bachelors Club? Yes, the Bachelors Club (no such clubs these days, are there?) which, according to the research by Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas, was established in 1921 by a group of single professionals and businessmen headed by Francisco Limjap, brother-in-law of President Sergio Osmeña.

“The Club was actively involved in civic-socio affairs and charitable endeavors,” said Celso. “Notable bachelors who became members of the Club included the Araneta brothers Antonio and Salvador; Gil J. Puyat, the pre-war Club’s secretary (who became a senator); Marcial Lichauco (later appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. James); and film producer/director Nick Osmeña.”  

The Club existed until before the outbreak of World War II and was revived in 1956 by a new batch of bachelors that included Serapio Canceran, Art Hidalgo, Johnny Gutierrez, Tony de las Alas and Beniting Legarda. Starting in 1960, the Club selected five young girls (based on intelligence, talent, good moral standing in the community, beauty and personality) and named them Manila’s Five Prettiest. Nominations were submitted by the entire membership and selection was made through secret balloting by the board of directors. The five winners received a mahogany carving of a roster, the club’s emblem. The beauties didn’t parade in bathing suits nor endorsed any commercial products. The Club’s search prided itself in having produced national and international beauty titlists, renowned fashion models, showbiz personalities, an international celebrity and many more.

Let’s meet them (through Celso’s thorough research):

• 1960-61: Diana Carlos, Anna Maria “Bambi” Lammoglia, Criselda Lontok, Carmelita Reynoso and Melinda Schultz. The first set of winners was proclaimed during a formal 14-course dinner, Scandinavian Gourmet Night held at the Manila Hotel Petal Room by 1952 Miss Universe Armi Kuusela, Norwegian Consul O. Paulsen and Club president Serapio D. Canceran.

Diana and Bambi were already top fashion models at that time. Bambi was crowned as the first Filipina Maid of Cotton in 1960. She’s one of the Karilagan models (along with Amalia Fuentes and Barbara Perez) in Seattle’s 1962 World Fair. Bambi is an author (of the book Agueda: A Ballad of Stone and Wind), a columnist, a member of Committee on Heritage of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and former head of the Intramuros Administration. At 14, Criselda started to model for Ben Farrales, Pitoy Moreno and Aureo Alonzo; and in 1983, she became a full-pledged ready-to-wear designer after launching her signature line.

• 1961-62: Toni Serrano, Conchitina Araneta, Maritina Llamas, Yet Severino and Conchitina Sevilla were feted at a Scandinavian Gourmet Night at La Parrilla, Dewey Boulevard. They won over 18 other nominees.

Sevilla was abroad at the time of proclamation. She, along with Gloria Romero, Chona Kasten, Mary Prieto, Joji Felix-Velarde, modeled for Karilagan ’63 in five US cities. She’s currently a member of Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) executive committee. One of the Top 10 Models of 1967, she hosted The Pleasure of Your Company, a cultural and social affairs program, aired over Channel 5 in the mid-‘60s. 

• 1962-63: Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz, Rose Marie Villanueva, Josine Loinaz, Julia Pilcher and Maria Paz Muñoa. They were honored in a dinner-dance at Capri International.

Gemma was crowned Lakambini ng MOPC 1963 and Miss Philippines 1964.  She represented our country in the Miss International 1964 contest and made history as the first Filipina winner. Josine was fourth runner-up to 1966 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Ma. Clarinda Soriano (who was a Miss UE). Julia is the daughter of former British Ambassador to the Philippines, Sir John Pilcher.

•  1964-65: Bettina Herrero, Tessie Aurelio, Mariella Lorenzo, Maria Rita “Baby” Santiago and Nora Linda “Baboo” Mondoñedo were honored at a Scandinavian Gourmet Night held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Joseling Tambunting in Cambridge Circle, North Forbes Park.

Bettina was crowned Filipina Maid of Cotton 1964. Baby was one of the Top 10 Models of 1967 and became the first Filipina Queen of the Pacific (held in Melbourne, Australia) in 1968. Bettina, Baby and Baboo became Karilagan models.

• 1966-67: Maita Gomez, Margarita Romualdez, Melinda Rodriguez, Mila Lichauco and Maria Violeta Delgado. They beat nine other nominees and were honored in a black-tie ceremony at the Nile on Aug. 14.

Maita won a 16-week scholarship at the June Dally Watkins Modeling School in Sydney, Australia, when she beat 11 other ramp models in the search for Calendar Girl of 1966. She was one of the Top 10 Models of 1967 and on the same night she was chosen to be our entry to the Miss World 1967 pageant in London. Margarita was crowned Miss Philippines 1967 and was our delegate to the Miss International 1967 contest. Maita also hosted The Pleasure of Your Company over Channel 5 in the late ‘60s.

• 1967-68: Monina Arnaldo, Evelyn Camus, Isabel Preysler, Consuelo “Connie” Gonzales and Margarita Sison won from a field of 39 nominees. They were honored in a black-tie reception at the Nile Supper Club.

Monina was voted as one of the Top 10 Models of 1968 and was one of the semi-finalists in the 1971 Bb. Pilipinas pageant. Evelyn was crowned Bb. Pilipinas International 1971 and finished second runner-up in the Miss International pageant that same year in Tokyo. Connie was the leader of an all-girls combo, the Bombshells, that played on TV and in jazz concerts. Isabel became a journalist of Hola! Magazine and a TV host of Hoy en Casa and other programs in Spain. In 1970, Isabel’s first interviewee was Julio Iglesias, then a football player (later a recording artist) who became her husband.

They have three children: Chabel, Julio Jr. and singer-recording artist Enrique. Isabel was voted Spain’s Most Elegant and Best Dressed for 1991, 2002, 2006 and 2007. Along with former US First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Yoko Ono and Shakira, she received the Woman Together Award in 2007, which honors women for their philanthropic contributions to the United Nations in New York.

• 1968-69: Hannelore “Ann” Schwarz, Maria Regina “Regie” Igiduez, Requilda “Riqui” Raymundo, Cynthia “Denden” Quirino and Patrice “Gigi” Montañer who beat 21 other nominees. They were honored at a black-tie reception and ball at the Nile. 

Riqui was an Auggie Cordero signature model. In 1969, Denden finished second runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Gloria Diaz and Bb. Pilipinas International Binky Montinola.

• 1969-70: Simonette “Monette” de los Reyes, Carmencita “Cita” Avecilla, Marissa Gonzales, Cita Barretto and Elizabeth Jalbuena.

In a separate pageant in 1970, Monette was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Universe and Cita as the first winner of Miss Young Philippines.  Monette was also Soap Derby Muse 1971 and Baron Travel Girl 1972. Cita placed second runner-up in the first Miss Young International pageant held in Tokyo. She was Dolphy’s leading lady in Rodolfo Valentino (released on Nov. 21, 1970).

• 1971-72: Maricar Zaldarriaga, Marianne de la Riva, Baby Corcuera, Emmeline Veloso and Malu Leuterio, who beat 26 other nominees. They were honored at a black-tie reception at the Manila Polo Club and were formally inducted as members during a dinner-dance party held at Dasmariñas Village.

Maricar was Miss Young Philippines 1971 and one of the 15 semi-finalists in Miss Young International 1971 held in Tokyo. Marianne entered showbiz via Love Song opposite Victor Laurel. She became a household name when she played Luisa in the hit soap Gulong ng Palad opposite with Ronald Corveau (as Carding) whom she married in 1979.

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