The Philippines was ablaze with the best of everything during the mid-century. It stood out among other Asian countries as a modern, developed hub booming economically and at par with, or even above, its neighbors.
Fashion was one outstanding field where we led the way with elegance, style, and class. The Filipina was the leader in the region’s female equality and no boundaries stopped her from entering any social, business or political arena.
Conchita Sunico, a well-loved socialite-beauty queen, was one of these women with a fine social pedigree. And with her best friend Luis Araneta, she put up fashion and cultural shows in international fairs and expositions as well as local top charity events that made her the “hostess with the mostest.” Everyone who was anyone was sure to be present if invited or asked to support a worthy fundraising social.
Karilagan shows became a byword with outstanding innovative ideas that featured the best in Philippine fashion and culture in the daily shows as well as the Hollywood-style productions at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, hotel ballrooms and in international shows. She personally handpicked her models and made sure that they not only looked good and came from the right families but had good manners and reputations as well.
At times, a shy gawky girl would eventually end up with an international beauty title because of Conching’s ability to see the unpolished gem together with the keen eye of top couturiers Pitoy Moreno, Ben Farrales, and Aureo Alonzo, among others.
Because of this wonderful lady who has discovered so many young ladies, bonds have been forged that make them want to meet often in their golden years. One such reunion was the recent visit of Yogi Dominguez Zaragoza who now resides in California and Paris. She represented us in the 1972 Miss International contest when she had just graduated from UP with a degree tucked under her belt, placing second runner-up and winning best in National Costume. She eventually earned her masters in Psychology and Pastoral Counseling, and recently retired as a doting grandmother to her grandson.
It was a six-hour dinner reunion filled with friendship and laughter that continued despite the rains and flooded streets.
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