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100 Years of Filipino Men And Women’s Beauty Captured In Vintage Photographs

100 Years of Filipino Men And Women’s Beauty Captured In Vintage Photographs

Since the advent of photography in the Philippines in the mid-19th century, different faces showing a gamut of emotions and stories have been preserved for us to marvel at.

Photography has also provided us with a virtual gallery of Filipinos–prominent or forgotten–whose beauty remains captivating despite the many generations that came and went. These faces reflect our history–the struggles we went through and how colonization left a mark on the way we dress, look, and perceive ourselves.

Also Read: These Century-Old Photos from National Geographic Bring The History of Filipino Tribes To Life

Call it superficial, but feasting your eyes on these vintage photographs is a good way to explore how Philippine fashion and beauty have evolved over the years. So, for the benefit of the millennials who think Instagram is the only place to find anything beautiful, here are some of the most fascinating eye candies from the archives of Philippine history:

 

Table of Contents

 

100 Years of Filipino Men And Women’s Beauty Captured In Vintage Photographs

Here are some of the most fascinating eye candies from the archives of Philippine history.

1. Gloria Romero, Filipina actress from the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema (circa the 1950s)

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2. A “mestiza de sangley” in a photograph by Francisco Van Camp (1875)

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The term “mestiza de sangley” was used by the Spaniards to refer to women in the Philippines of mixed Chinese and ‘Indio’ (Filipino) ancestry.

3. Susan Roces, one of the queens of Philippine movies in the 1960s

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4. Jose Mari Gonzales, Filipino actor and the poster boy of the 1960s

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He is the father of actresses Cristina Gonzales (wife of Mayor Alfred Romualdez) and Ana Margarita Gonzales.

5. Filipina actress Sharon Cuneta at 14 (1980)

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6. A young Filipino Infantryman under the Spanish Army, photographed by E.M. Barretto (1885)

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7. A beautiful Filipino girl (circa the 1900s)

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8. A studio portrait of a beautiful Filipina with a “spiral” hairstyle (circa the 1930s)

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9. A Tinggian girl in mourning, photographed by Dean Worcester (circa the 1910s)

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10. César Fernando Basa, a WWII Filipino pilot (circa 1940s)

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Lt. César Basa was the first Filipino fighter pilot casualty during World War II. Learn more about his life and heroism here: http://www.filipiknow.net/young-philippine-heroes/

11. A portrait of a “Manila Girl” from the book “The Inhabitants of the Philippines” by Frederic H. Sawyer (circa 1890s)

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12. Leopoldo Salcedo, a two-time FAMAS award-winning Filipino film actor (circa 1950s)

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13. The cast of the youth-oriented comedy movie “Bagets”: William Martinez, J.C. Bonnin, Herbert Bautista, Raymond Lauchengco, and Aga Muhlach (1984)

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14. A well-dressed Filipino man (circa 1920s)

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15. Karilagan models Trina Yuhuico, Maita Gomez, Tono Serrano Parsons and Baboo Mondonedo (circa 1960s – 1970s)

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Karilagan was one closely knit “family” of fashion designers and models from the early ‘60s to the late ‘80s. It was founded by Conchita Sunico, a former beauty queen

16. Fernando Poe Sr., Filipino matinee idol (circa 1930s)

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17. Filipina woman, WWII battle for Baguio Philippines (1945)

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18. A portrait of a “Manila Man” from the book “The Inhabitants of the Philippines” by Frederic H. Sawyer (circa 1890s)

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19. Pacita Ongsiako De Los Reyes (1929)

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Pacita de los Reyes y Ongsiako was a law student at the University of the Philippines when she was crowned 1929 Miss Philippines of the Manila Carnival, an annual festival held during the early American period.

20. Christopher De Leon, a Filipino actor (circa 1970s)

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21. Filipino men wearing tartan piña Chinoy barongs (circa 1910s)

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From the book “Fashionable Filipinas: An Evolution of the Philippine National Dress in Photographs 1860-1960” ed. Gino Gonzales, Mark Lewis Higgins.

22. A Filipino tribesman photographed by Dean Worcester (circa 1900s)

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Dean C. Worcester was an American appointed to the Philippine Commission at the dawn of the 20th century. During his stay on the islands, Worcester amassed a rich photographic collection of the “non-Christian” tribes. To view some of these photos in full color, please click this link: http://www.filipiknow.net/color-photos-filipino-tribal-life-1900s-national-geographic/

Written by FilipiKnow

in Facts & Figures, History & Culture, Nostalgia

Last Updated

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