Historic town in Pampanga celebrates 243 years with a pageant
SANTA RITA, Pampanga—This 243-year-old town, known for its rich history and production of pinipig used by Magnolia Ice Cream in 2012, is celebrating its fiesta on May 22. Highlighting the fiesta was the Mutya and Lakan Ning Santa Rita 2013 on Monday night.
Celebrities and artists, including Brazilan-Japanese model and actor Daniel Matsunaga who was romantically involved with actress Heart Evangelista, acted as judges in the annual beauty contest known for its pomp and elegant costumes and performances since it was first organized by Mayor Yolanda Miranda-Pineda in 2008. The mayor is the wife of Pampanga Vice Governor-elect Dennis Pineda.
“They are very beautiful. They worked hard and they are all winners,” said Matsunaga shortly after 20-year-old Claudine Canlas of Barangay San Jose was crowned Miss Santa Rita 2013 at the jam-packed Freedom Park here.
Canlas, who also won the best in swimsuit and long gown awards, said, “I didn’t expect to win but I gave my best.”
She urged others not to give up on their dreams and “try again after failing.”
The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate joined the same contest in 2011 but lost.
Canlas, who bested nine other contestants, said she joined the contest this year as preparation for her plan to join the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant.
Canlas won the hearts and approval of the judges, including model-beauty queen Venus Raj and Ruston Banal Jr. who just arrived from London, England, to receive the Sony World Photography 2013 third-place award, when she said, “I want to be remembered for loving and not being loved, because it makes one a better person.”
A common question asked the five finalists was what they wanted to be remembered by: For loving someone or being loved instead.
The other winners were Mary Joyce Bation of Santa Monica, first runner-up; Janette de la Cruz of San Isidro, second runner-up; Erika Marie Syhongpan of San Juan, third runner-up; and Jrel Reyes of San Basilio, fourth runner-up.
In her speech said in native Kapampangan, Pineda said, “We want to produce in Santa Rita people who are beautiful inside and out. Help me make our town beautiful, as well.”
Larry Tolentino, head of the committee, said, “Mayor Yolly is investing much of time, resources and efforts to produce winners among our constituents.”
In 2010 Ritz Azul became Miss Santa Rita and, in the same year, was the runaway Miss Pampanga. She is now an actress and print and television model.
Pineda’s effort also produced a runner-up winner in 2009 and a finalist in the Miss Pampanga pageant held last December during the province’s founding anniversary.
“As early as December, we began preparing for the contest. We even held seminars and workshops for the betterment of the pageant,” said Tolentino.
Jaymar Cruz of Barangay Becuran was adjudged Lakan Ning Santa Rita 2013. The other winners were Adrian Jan Go, first runner-up; Mark Justine Sotto, second runner-up; Jestoni de la Cruz, third runner-up; and Sherwin Balbuena, fourth runner-up.
Asked what she could say about Canlas, Miss Santa Rita 2012 Anne Marie Claire Sahagun said, “She is more beautiful than I.”
The other judges are Miss Philippines-Earth Glenifer Perido, Paul Reiner Lim, choreographer Reden Caluag, event organizer Alain Roman, scriptwriter Randy del Rosario and director Jay Luna.
Santa Rita, which used to be a part of Porac until it became an independent town in 1770, is host to Santa Rita of Casia Parish Church, one of the oldest churches in Pampanga frequently visited by devotees and local and international tourists. Several old houses in Barangays San Jose and nearby villages were used in popular television programs and films.
In September 2012 San Miguel Corp.’s Magnolia launched an ice cream brand “Best of Philippines” products made of duman or pinipig, a rare variety of rice produced in the town and in few parts of the country.
The fiesta is in honor of Santa Rita de Casia, also known as the saint of the impossible. A relic of the saint is kept in the church believed to be built around 1835.
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