276. 1911, Reina de Luzon, ELISEA G. TRONQUED, Manila

(NOTE: Perhaps because of the scarcity of press coverage of the 1911 Manila Carnival, it’s been widely believed that the event proceeded without the beauty contest component of the nationwide exposition. All eyes that year, it seemed, were focused on the American aviator James C. “Bud” Mars, who came to the Carnival as part of a Pacific exhibition tour. Together with Capt. Thomas Baldwin, they flew their bi-planes 5,000 feet above the carnival tower, to the sheer delight of the crowds. For his daring, record-breaking performance, J.C. Mars was awarded a medal and valuable gifts. The New York Times even reported his feat, to the exclusion of the other events of the fair.

ENTRANCE TO THE CARNIVAL CITY, Photo: Mr. Sandy Lichauco

Recently, a 1911 issue of El Renacimiento newspaper, owned by collector-blogger Mr. Sandy Lauchico, was shared on an FB site that featured a full page photo of  3 regional queens—one for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao—each presumably, of equal rank. They are reproduced on this page, with a short write-up of what we know about Elisea G. Tronqued.)

1911, Reina de Luzon: ELISEA GARCIA TRONQUED, Manila. 

Elisea Garcia Tronqued (b. 1885/ d.?) was the daughter of Ramon Tronqued and the former RosaGarcia. Her other siblings include: Matilde (wife of Jose Estella, and mother of film artist RamonEstella), Josefa, Ildefonso Sr., Maria (married to Manuel “Toto” Mañosa, and mother of National Artist, Arch. Francisco Mañosa), and Angel Tronqued.

As a child, Elisea and her sisters Matilde and Maria were into music early, and together they formed the trio “Los Hermanas Tronqued”. They enjoyed a measure of success on the local stage in the first decade of the twentieth century, appearing with the Compania Lyrica Infantiles, a repertory of musical and theatrical performers.The Tronqued sisters also provided entertainment numbers on stage during intermissions in between silent film screenings.

This led to her sister Maria to start a movie career, after being discovered by producer Dr. EdwardGross. On the other hand, Elisea was being noticed for her beauty. Photographs of her began appearing in national magazines, and the Spanish-Filipina became one of the featured beauties in book “Album de Bellezas Filipinas” published by Philippine Free Press, which compiled pictures of the most beautiful Filipinas of 1909 to 1911.

Elisea’s crowning glory was her selection as one of the three regional queens of the second annual Carnaval de Filipinas or Philippine Carnival. At age 26, Elisea Tronqued was bestowed the title “Reina de Luzon” (Queen of Luzon) and crowned alongside with the Reina de Bisayas, ConsueloGonzalez, and Reina de Mindanaw,Asuncion Manahan, attended by their court of little princesses and page boys.

Not much is known about the reign of the 3 queens, overshadowed by the appearance American aviator Bud Mars, whose daring aerobatic stunts awed carnival visitors and garnered more extensive press coverage, serving as the highlight of the 1911 Philippine Carnival.

MISS MINDANAO 1933, ANGELINA TRONQUED BIUNAS