'Lakambini ng Las Casas' pays homage to fabled Carnival Queens

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar staged a night of glitz and glamour with the "Lakambini ng Las Casas," held last May 28 at the heritage collection houses in Bagac, Bataan.

Now on its second year, Lakambini ng Las Casas is a local beauty pageant that pays homage to the fabled Carnival Queen pageant. Historically, the beauty competition unconsciously sparked a tradition lasting for more than three decades and paving the way for modern-day beauty pageants in the Philippines.

“Living up to the mission of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, we are dedicated to bringing the best of Filipino heritage and culture back to the consciousness of the modern world. Among our efforts is reviving the glory and pride of Manila Carnival Queens which greatly played a role in the Philippine history of local pageantry,” Las Casas Marketing Director Erwin Dona said.

Nineteen-year-old Lakambini ng Balanga Trisha Martinez was a stunner in her Ferdinand Sayo gown as she was crowned Lakambini ng Las Casas 2018. Barely new to pageantry, she admitted that the numerous challenges in the competition made her win even sweeter.

Asked whether she sees herself joining national pageants, Martinez was quick to answer that she’d want to stay committed in pursuing her academics. The 5'8" mestiza beauty is currently in her sophomore year of Doctor of Medicine at the University of the East-Manila.

Judges New San Jose Builders Affiliates President MJ Yamomo and Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry both agreed that Martinez is a total package. Yamomo explained, “From the looks to her beautiful gown and to her being an advocate for women, of course I think she deserves it.”

Henry added, “I think what she has is really the stage presence, the form the moment she went out in the production number, she already caught our eye.”

Eighteen-year-old Mariveles representative Christine Torres finished as Reina del Oriente. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Bagac native Alyssa Nojadera got the Reina Occidente title.

Special awards went to Lakambini NLEX (Miss Congeniality) Alyssa Nojadera, Lakambini Fotographia (Miss Photogenic) and Lakambini Ruel Rivera (Best in Long Gown) Martinez, and Lakambini Victoria Skin Care Clinic (Best in Swimsuit) Torres . They received sponsors’ gifts, sash and certification.

Completing the impressive line-up of this year’s board of judges were Honarary Consul for the Republic of Angola Helen Ong, ABS-CBN News Anchor Ambet Nabus, Bataan Peninsula Tourism Council Foundation Inc. Board of Trustee Racquel Francis Garcia, Ms. Earth Philippines - Air 2017 Kim de Guzman, Region 3 Supervising Tourism Officer Criselle May S. Yambao, Ms. World Philippines General Manager Bessie Besana, NCCA Sub-Commission on the Arts and Cinema Chairman Teddy Co, and Fashion Designer Association of the Philippines president Gil Gardana.

An exhibit titled “Ang Debosyon Kay Maria” welcomed the beauty pageant guests at the Hotel de Oriente before dawn. Headed by Dr. Jerome Navarro of Recamadecos de los Santos Imagenes de Pulilan, the exhibit featured 35 of most- sought after Marian pieces which came all the way from Pulilan, Bulacan.

The following day, May 29, newly-hailed queens Lakambini ng Las Casas (grand winner), Lakambini Reina del Oriental (first runner-up), and Lakambini Reina del Occidental (second runner-up), along with the other candidates, participated in the festivities of Grand Santacruzan as Reyna Elena, Reyna Emperatriz, and Reyna de las Flores respectively.

The three well-dressed lovely queens played stars in the traditional sunduan drama where they were escorted by a marching band from different casas.  At Casa Candaba, Reyna de las Flores, Reyna Emperatriz, and Reyna Elena gave the cross to the Hermano Mayor, Mr. Amor Salud. The day was also celebrated with a mass and a grand parade that finished with a two-minute fireworks display at the Hotel de Oriente.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the continuous support of our sponsors namely NLEX, Jewelmer, Kagitingan Project, Fotographia, Victoria Skin Care Clinic, and Haute Couture fashion designer Ruel Rivera and Crossover 105.1 Manila.

Houses of heritage

Home to Jose Acuzar’s collection of restored Spanish-Filipino houses, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar showcases the best of Filipino heritage and culture. Each casa comes from an elite and notable accesoria that has its own story to tell. Marvel at the unique Filipino craftsmanship used in the restoration of each house through an interactive heritage tour.

On June 12, Las Casas is commemorating the Philippines’ 120th year of Independence with a trip down memory lane. It is giving out an exciting treat for everyone:  a one-day free heritage walking tour titled Freedom Access. It will also be giving out an overnight stay in their deluxe room with breakfast to three lucky guests from those who availed the Freedom Access offer.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is part of the Historic Hotels Worldwide, Conde Nast Johansens Luxury Global Collection, and Peninsula Hotel’s Pencities Luxe Guide. This Bagac Bataan beach resort is also the Asia Awards of Excellence winner for Asia’s most excellent destination for 2017 and is a project of the New San Jose Builders, Inc. in consultancy with Asian Grand Legacy Hotels.