The future Miss Mindanao of 1939, Nieves Paz Eraña is seen in this photo taken from her Sta.Catalina High School yearbook, from where she graduated with the highest honors (Class Valedictorian) in 1933.
A year later, she enrolled at the Centro Escolar de Señoritas where she earned a reputation as a "brain and beauty" colegiala. No wonder then that in 1935, at the annual Centro Escolar Foundation Day, she was elected as Queen of the Students’ Night held from Jan. 18-21, 1935.
Four years later, the fresh graduate was chosen as Miss Mindanano in the court of Miss Philippines 1939, Iluminada Tuason. She, however, relinquished her title and was replaced by Adela Planas.