Looking back at the 1953 International Fair

While sorting out my memorabilia, I came across this brochure of the Philippine International Fair, held in Manila from Feb. 1 to April 30, 1953. That was many decades back, but I still remember those wonderful and enjoyable days. I was then a high school student at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, not too faraway from the site of the fair. Which was at the back of the Rizal monument, extending up to the walls of Intramuros.

Booths from all over the world dotted the fair, showing their commercial and cultural products. There were also rides and shows, Ferris Wheels and Rollet Coasters, Holiday on Ice and the band of Xavier Cougat.

 But in the mind of this starstruck teener, the biggest attraction of the international fair was the presence of the reigning and first Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela of Finland, truly a goddess of beauty. Armi flew to Manila to crown the Miss Philippines, Cristina Galang of Tarlac.

All the provinces, plus Manila, were represented in the pageant, where Miss Luzon, Miss Visayas, Miss Mindanao and Miss Manila were chosen via popularity ballots for a charitable cause. Aside from beauty and personality, social background also was considered in naming the winners. Cristina won as Miss Luzon and later named Miss Philippines by a panel of distinguished jurors which included painter Fernando Amorsolo and sculptor Guillermo Tolentino (much later named National Artists) and Vicky Quirino, then First Lady of the Country, the daughter of President Elpidio Quirino who was a widower.

The court of Cristina Galang were: Violeta Villamor (Miss Visayas), Hilda Walstrom (Miss Mindanao) and Norma Jimenez (Miss Manila).

I had the chance to talk to Cristina years back and she recalled that Amorsolo was her No. 1 backer, reasoning that in a field of American and Spanish mestizas, she stood out because of her Filipina features.

Cristina then 19, stood at 5’4 1/2” and measured 35-22-35. ‘But we didn’t wear swimsuits.’

Of course, Cristina remembered very well her escort during the coronation night, her dashing provincemate, Ninoy Aquino, then with Manila Times, famous for being the youngest correspondent to cover the Korean War.

Cristina recalled that Armi was ‘rather aloof or simply shy’ — obviously bothered by the hot climate and ‘terrified by the huge crowds that followed whenever she went.’ The whole country was excited when Armi fell in love with and married a handsome and rich Filipino, Virgilio Hilario. Armi didn’t finish her reign as Miss Universe.

A product of Assumption Convent, Cristina was first year law student at Lyceum of the Philippines when she was crowned Miss Philippines at elaborate rites held at the Philippine International Fair. Her law studies were interrupted when she was sent to the United States for further studies. She failed to crown her successor, Bessie Ocampo, as she remained in the US.

She wore a white terno, with panuelo, during the coronation rites. There was a cash prize, but she received a car (blue Chevrolet convertible, ‘Which I never got to use’), and a year’s supply of consumer products like Colgate, Palmolive, Cashmere Bouquet. Her hair and make-up was by the noted Pat Limjoco House of Glamor.

Cristina married a doctor, Jose ‘Pepito’ Caedo, with whom she had five children, three girls and two boys. She was widowed a few years back. She’s into cultural and social activities.

— RKC