Alex Eduque
I write this on the 100th birthday of someone very special to me. My grand-aunt, Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal. Last year, I wrote a memoir of sorts as a tribute to her to celebrate this milestone which was published by the Ateneo de Naga University press. On the occasion of her one 100th birthday, we received the news that the book has been invited to be featured at Filipino American International Book Festival this coming October, to be hosted by the Philippine American Writers and Artists (PAWA) together with the San Francisco Library. Truly, even in heaven, she is making sure that her legacy is continued and that she is remembered. So today, I am sharing with you but snippets and tidbits from this memoir, in the hopes that you consider getting a copy for yourself as well to support the work of the Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation (CCMF) Bikol, whose work is extensively written about in the book as well.
There were many covetous labels attached to Tita Conching, a term of endearment for Conchita Sunico. She was the original “It Girl”, the Hostess with the Mostest and the first Patroness of the Arts and Fashion. Born on 18 December 1913, the youngest of four daughters, she captured Manila’s attention when she won the title Carnival Queen. She gave the most exquisite of parties that it became a status symbol to be on her guest list, writes Marge Enriquez in a Tatler interview in March 2003.
In the Sixties, she organised the Karilagan International fashion, cultural and dance troupes that travelled the world to promote Philippine culture. She also has been attributed to helping the careers of numerous designers and fashion models because of the luncheon fashion shows at the Manila Hilton. She had a friendly rivalry with good friend Chito Madrigal who became the social directress of the Hyatt and produced lunch fashion shows as well that eventually overshadowed her Hilton shows.