WHEN is a woman too old to rock? When a Filipina becomes a lola, should she stop taking care of her self as she used to in her younger years when to look good and feel good? Is there a new “life” that awaits a woman when she becomes old and gray, and has earned the term of endearment lola?
These are the questions I have been asking my self as I co-emcee the Queen Lola Pageant 2013 with Erick Esteban, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Theater in Long Beach California today, October 19, 2013.
The beauty pageant has been created by Insider Productions to be a memorable cultural event for the community, that will showcase not only the beauty, grace, talent and substance of the ten lola contestants, but also the rich Filipino heritage through dance, music, including the serenading of Kundiman King Ric Manrique, Jr.. Also showcased are visual arts, and fashion design, highlighting Pinoy couture and indigenous Filipino fabric.
The pageant hopes to raise funds to benefit the charitable works of ABS-CBN Foundation, that has been helping kababayans back home, those who have been victims of disasters and national calamities, as well as the poor and abused children in the Philippines.
Queen Lola 2013 will also assist the needs of kababayans in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, through the advocacy of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA). This organization has been helping Filipinos in the area in the past 40 years.
The winner will bring home not only the crown, but also round-trip plane tickets to the Philippines, a chance to be on Philippine television and film, jewelry, and skin care treatment. Queen Lola 2013 will have the honor to serve as Official Ambassador and Spokesperson of ABS-CBN Foundation International, and will also be Official Goodwill of Ambassador to the Philippine Department of Tourism Los Angeles.
Tonight’s contestants are the following gorgeous lolas:
1. Luz Marcos. Luz is a 62-year old lola who hails from San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. She believes being a lola is about nurturing, guiding, and loving her grandchildren, so that they may grow up to be outstanding citizens. She said her proudest achievements were putting all her children to school, and becoming a minister after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. She joined the pageant to support ABS-CBN Foundation and SIPA.
2. Teresita Olivar. Teresita is a 75-year old grandma who came from Mauban, Quezon. She intimated that she joined the pageant because she was inspired by the pageant’s slogan “Never too old to rock.” For Teresita, being a lola means having the wisdom to provide counsel to her apos, to guide them and keep them safe. She would always be proud to see her children succeed in school, including youngest son Anthony who graduated summa cum laude in college.
3. Cari Ramos. Cari is 62-years old, and is a beauty from Olongapo City. She believes being a lola is like being a queen, she is in charge of her family’s emotional well-being. Cari joined the pageant to call attention to the accomplishments of “women of a certain age.” She had received many awards and recognition for her community leadership, but she said she treasures her role as a lola the most.
4. Lilia Lao. Lilia is a 70- year old lola from Polomolok, South Cotabato. She says she joined the pageant to leave a legacy of remembrance to her loved ones, especially her her 15 grand kids. For Lilia, being a lola is all about setting a good example to her apos, including teaching them about the Filipino culture so that they will always remember where they came from. She also takes pride in her hometown Polomolok winning the “cleanest and greenest town” for three consecutive years, during her tenure as “purok president.”
5. Brenda Baraquil. This 54-year old Cebuana believes that being a lola means being the moral compass for the family. She says she reminds her sons to always do the right thing. Every moment that she does a good deed is a source of great pride for her. She joined the pageant to represent the loving, enduring and understanding virtues of the Pinay lola.
6. Reby Labuni. This 61-year old Cavitena says she joined the pageant to highlight the contributions that a lola makes everyday to the family and the bigger community. For Reby, being a lola means being the “glue” that holds the family together; the voice of wisdom and reason for the family, something one earns through lifetime of experiences. Reby’s proudest achievement is having raised children who are now productive contributors to society, who all have good hearts and concern for others.
7. Harriet Veloso. Harriet is a 70-year old beauty from Borongan, Eastern Samar. She joined Queen Lola to show the world that lolas can be active, vibrant, and fun, and can do anything they set their mind to, doing things lolas of previous decades would never have imagined before! She believes lolas play an important role in passing to their grand kids the history and traditions of the family, teaching religious values, along with character and citizenship training. Her proudest moment is when she earned her MBA in Executive Management in 2008, the same year her daughter got her Bachelor’s degree.
8. Susie Rose. This lovely Bulacena who now lives in Utah may be 71 years, old but Susie can still lift and bench press 200 lbs in the gym. She says she joined the pageant to set an example not only for her children and grandchildren, but to all people her age to be healthy and active so they can enjoy their apos more. Susie believes she is the kind of lola her grand kids can turn to in good and bad times. An accomplished hula dancer and an awardee of American Field Service Scholarship, Rose still considers giving birth to each of her seven children as her proudest moments.
9. Zeny Craigo. Zeny is a 53-year old Manilena who joined the Queen Lola pageant to promote Philippine tourism, and to have the honor of representing her family and friends in the Fil-Am community in Arizona. She defines her role as a lola as being the greatest mentor and role model to her kids and grand kids, especially when it comes to teaching them Filipino tradition and family values. Her pride and joy are her two daughters, whim she raised to be be wonderful children, parents, and human beings.
10. Wilhelmina Sebastian. This 66-year old beauty from the province of Negros Occidental joined Queen Lola beauty pageant because she wants to explore more opportunities as they present themselves, especially now, which she says is the prime of her life! She feels most proud of her accomplishment as a mother, having raised her children and grandchildren to be productive members of society. She has also received many awards and recognitions for her oratorical and declamation skills.
The esteemed Board of Judges consists of:
JoAnn Kyle – Managing Director of ABS-CBN Foundation International, one of the beneficiaries of tonight’s event;
Joel Jacinto – Executive Director of SIPA, the largest community service organization of its kind in our community;
Janet Nepales – the only Filipina member of the prestigious Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which presents the annual Golden Globes awards;
Benito Miranda – Past President of SIPA’s board of directors and longtime community leader who’s active in several community organizations;
Ramona Haar – the official jewelry designer for the Miss Earth pageant;
Alan del Rosario -one of the very rare Filipino-American designers to have made it in Hollywood, having dressed many A-list actresses and celebrities;
And Prosy dela Cruz –a writer and columnist with Asian Journal Publications, a former board member of SIPA and many other community organizations.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
