2009 Jaro Queen coronation tonight
For hundreds of years, the heritage rich District of Jaro, the center of religious devotion to the miraculous Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria celebrates its fiesta today February 2. This world -famous event, better known as the “Candelaria” is the biggest and the most opulent religious pageantry in Western Visayas. The highlight of the celebration is the gathering of pilgrims at the Jaro Cathedral to have their candles blessed during the day and the crowning of the Queen of Jaro at the famous Jaro Plaza in the evening.
The Queenship of Jaro is perhaps the most prestigious title ever, to be bestowed upon an Ilongga lass. Chosen from daughters of illustrious families of Iloilo City, this young lady will represent the district for the whole year and is expected to lead in civic and charitable works in the area. Some of the past queens were Celine Lopez, Rita Fernandina Peña, Camille Villar, Allana Montelibano, Maria Katrina Lopez Abello, Martita De Los Santos, Zsa Zsa Montinola, Elena Jison and many more, all from highly respected families of Iloilo City.
This year's Queen of Jaro is Marie Angelica A. Chan. Gel as she is fondly called by many is the youngest daughter of renowned singer-songwriter/ businessman, Jose Mari Chan and the charming Mary Ann Ansaldo. She is the youngest granddaughter of Florence “Inday” Chan and the late Industrialist Antonio “Tony” Chan. The Chan family is very prominent in Iloilo. Jose Mari Chan is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILEDF) a group of Ilonggo tycoons, economists and industry leaders whose main purpose is to help boost tourism, businesses and bring back the economic glory in their home province.
Angelica is a student at the Ateneo de Manila University and is majoring in BS Biology. She hopes to become a marine biologist to be able to help in the conservation efforts to protect the country's marine resources and biodiversity. She has been a member of the Ateneo Women's Football team for the past five years. In 2004, she was also a part of the U-19 Women's National Team. She has been playing the sport of football for eleven years and hopes to continue in the sports even after she graduates.
For tonight's presentation, the Jaro Auditorium will be transformed into a lush garden complete with bamboo backdrops and colorful topiaries. The whole auditorium will be dressed up with white draping fabrics with thousands of cascading lights to create the best lighting effects and ambiance. The Queen will be in a Filipiniana inspired gown by Iloilo's Czar of Fashion Alberto “Bing” Sanchez, no less. Dance numbers were choreographed by Annie Divinagracia -Sartorio. The Queen will be serenaded by singer Gian Carlo Magdangal. Expected to grace tonight's affair are guests from Bacolod and Manila, notable politicians and businessmen and so with the civic and social circles of the city. The Queen shall be escorted by the dashing Leandro V. Torre. Queen of Jaro 2008, the statuesque Andrea Aileen Marie Vinco Montelibano, daughter of distinguished couple Andy and Sony Montelibano will turn over and assist in the coronation.
The princesses are: Margaret Javelosa, Ginger Carmela Diamante Orais, Nhatalie Karen Castro Calibara, Willielyn Jane Indiano.
The Association of Barangay Captains in Jaro headed by the energetic Jonas Antonio A. Bellosillo and event coordinator Boni Gaverza also helped in the preparations for the grand affair.
Tonight's affair will definitely be an evening of elegance and grandeur. Hail to the Queen.