ILOILO City – The coronation of the designated fiesta queen – usually handpicked from well-to-do families – has been a Jaro fiesta tradition. Not this year, however.
The Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Jaro which oversees the annual district fiesta junked the tradition for this year’s celebration. It instead staged a competitive beauty pageant and crowned the winner as Miss Jaro.
According to ABC-Jaro president Edwin Divinagracia, 11 young ladies from Jaro barangays vied for the crown.
The coronation night was held on Jan. 31 at the Jaro plaza covered gym. Maraya Veronica Alcoran of Barangay Simon Lesdesma was crowned Miss Jaro 2023. She also bagged the Best in Interview award.
Gemmah Rose Gulmatico and Taryna Estelle Julls Oquias were the first and second runners-up, respectively.
The coronation of the Jaro fiesta queen and the Jaro Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair were among the traditional activities scrapped this year despite the face-to-face celebration after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.
Meantime, religious activities such as candle lighting procession and masses at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral continue./PN
