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The majestic gowns and magnificent celestial thrones of Jaro Queens
Text by Ronelo S. Ladiao
Photos by Marichel Magalona
For centuries, the magnificence and prestige of Jaro as the center of religious devotion to the sacred Our Lady of Candles and its cultural relevance still embed in the hearts of the Ilonggos. Annually, Jaro picks a worthy ambassadress of goodwill who is hailed and crowned as a living symbol of unifying the people of Jaro during their much awaited fiesta every 2nd day of February. This year, Rita Carla Fernandina Opolencia-Peña was blissfully chosen as the Queen of Jaro Agro-Industrial Charity Ball 2005.
The radiant face of Queen Rita O. Peña that exudes compassion and gentleness. |
Indeed, Rita is destined to carve her name in the wealthy history of Jaro district. Queen Rita is truly notable for her academic excellence as Valedictorian and Salutatorian graduate of Assumption-Iloilo during her elementary and High School years. She is a recipient of various journalism and leadership awards including IWAG award in journalism by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and once chosen as Girl Mayor of Iloilo City for being an active student leader. The witty and pretty Rita who is in her senior years at the Ateneo de Manila University taking up BS Management, major in Legal Management and minor in International Business, is currently a Dean's Lister.
Rita is also known for her compassionate nature and for having a big heart for children in need. At the young age of 15, she put up and organized her own Foundation for the benefit of the children in Barangay Simon Ledesma, Jaro by providing them free school supplies and free summer classes. Queen Rita descended from the late Remegio Montilla-Peñ a and Yolanda Javellana Lopez vda. de Peña, daughter of the late Fernando Hofileña-Lopez, former vice president of the Republic of the Philippines , and Mariquit Javellana-Lopez. On the other hand, Rita's maternal grandparents were the late Cristino Villavicencio-Opolencia and Tarcila Lambot. She is the daughter of Rito Carlos “Judgee” Lopez-Peña and Sarah Lambot-Opolencia.
 J. Lloren's artistic sketch of Queen Rita's splendid European inspired gown. |
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| The stunning skecth of Queen Rica's stunning Venice motif gown by famous designer Bing K. Sanchez |
In preparation for her grand parade as an opening for the upcoming Jaro Fiesta, a magnificent and truly majestic European Medieval inspired throne float was built by some of the region's best visual artists, architects and landscapers to carry Queen Rita in her celestial destination as the glittering symbol of Jaro's wealthy religious tradition together with her handsome King Consort of Jaro for 2005, Oscar Reuben Martinez-Nava.
Little Queen Rica O. Peña, an innocent and fragile angelic beauty with a big heart. |
Rita's younger sister Rica Marie Isabel Opolencia-Peña, this year's Queen of Jaro Children's Fancy Dress Ball for 2005 will take her rightful place in her Fantasy Garden inspired float that will surely take the spectator's breath away. Little Queen Rica is an academic achiever especially in Math, Science, Language and Filipino and her leadership character often reflects her smartness amidst her young age during her Kindergarten studies at Iloilo Montessori International School. Currently, Queen Rica is a grade one student at St. Joseph Grade School where she continues to excel academically and in other extra-curricular activities such as her feat as first placer in math Wizard Team Competition, class chairmanship, consistent Outstanding Student of the school, good speaker and an accomplished athlete in swimming with gold medals under her name. Presently, she's into ballet class to boost and enhance her charming and amiable personality. Queen Rica is truly close to her grandmother, Yolanda “Bobbie” Javellana Lopez vda. de Peña. “Kookai” her nickname is definitely fashionable like her grandmother. Her wonderful and beautiful gown designed by J. Lloren that will add radiance to her innocent and fragile beauty.
The two queens' wonderful floats will definitely coincide andharmonize with this year's coronation concept that resembles European Royalties specifically the Masquerade Ball of Venice, Italy. Various floral ornaments, wonderful sculptured royal structures and featured violinists will add highlight to the Queen's throne float during the parade while her younger sister little Queen Rica will be showered in the bliss of huge orchid throne, waterfalls effect and multi-colored dragonflies' miniatures. The two magnificent parade floats were creatively built by famous designer and visual artist guru Rene John Peconcillo with assistance from his dynamic team of visual artists and floral specialists composed of Wandrilo Porras, Nestor Jimenez, Jose Melmar Galaogao, Janice Baulon, Grace Genanda and Art Pareño. They are also joined by other professional visual artists Lloyd Sumampone, Renan Salinas and Ross John Feconcillo with Rodito Bacolod, Arnel Matrimonio, Edward Talaman and wilder-mechanic Arnold Roa. The versatile performing artist Julius Sollesta will be the parade director of the event. On the other hand, Queen Rita's splendid and breathtakingly sophisticated European designed gown with dangling and flat beadwork with ostrich feathers on top, draped bias strips on the waistline and bouffant skirt with back gathers and short drag below was celestially weaved, conceptualized by famous wardrobe designer J. Lloren. Surely, Queen Rita's mesmerizing aura will captivate the spectators and the people of Jaro during the parade not only by her astonishingly expensive float but because deep within her adorable smile is a radiant big heart for the less fortunate and a character worthy of great emulation.
The display of grandeur and beauty during the opening parade in the afternoon of January 15 is just an introduction to a much bigger and most anticipated event leading to Queen Rita's grand coronation on the evening of February 2.
Hail Queen Rita, King Oscar and Queen Rica!!!
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