Hail to the Queen of the South
Queen Andrea Aileen Vinco-Montelibano
Iloilo City to this day honors its recognition as "Queen City of the South."
With its noble past and rich history, the legacy lives on with the people all geared up and ready to become the Philippines' "next big thing."
A legacy of greatness as witnessed anew by thousands in this month's crowning of the city's Queen, Her Majesty Andrea Aileen Marie Vinco-Montelibano.
The biggest and grandest celebration for the Ilonggos, Queen Andrea is Jaro Festival Queen 2008, a fitting throne to a scion of the Lopezes and Montelibanos, two of the most-loved and revered families of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
Her Majesty's crowning formed part of the highlights in the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Candles, the Patron Saint of Western Visayas. Thousands came to be part of the event, taking pride of yet another Queen of real Ilonggo descent.
Queen Andrea took over the reign left behind by a cousin, 2007 Jaro Queen Maria Katrina Lopez Abello. No less than Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. with wife, Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. and son Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas assisted in the crowning ceremony.
The Queen with the Mayor and the
Congressman
Queen Andrea is the eldest daughter of Leandro Fernando Montelibano and Asuncion Vinco of Negros Occidental. She is the great-granddaugther of former Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Fernando Lopez and former Agriculture Secretary Alfredo Montelibano Sr. And the beloved grandchild of statesman, Alfredo Montelibano Jr. who served the Province of Negros as governor for almost two decades and mayor of Bacolod City.
A consistent honor student, she finished a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University. Queen Andrea now shines in the prestigious Tullet Prebon Philippines as Foreign Exchange broker.
Queen Andrea was most regal and most gracious in the arms of her escort Mark Aguilar-Villar, son of Senate President Manuel Villar.
And fit to be a Queen, the city's officials came in a celebration that brought together the close-knit yet diverse Ilonggo community alongside national dignitaries.
The Queen and the Lopezes with Senator Manny Villar
Another Ilonggo pride, Jose Marie Chan serenaded Queen Andrea in an evening filled with the magical performances of the University of Iloilo Performing Arts and Choral Group.
"It is my pride to uphold the great traditions of the Ilonggos. My heart is with them wherever I go," the Queen in her message to the people.