Beautiful women, songs at The Big Dome

Two big shows in one!

That was the billing of the Christmas Cavalcade (Dec. 15, 1962) at the Araneta Coliseum, then also known as The Big Dome. The attractions were ‘The world’s most beautiful women!’ and American balladeers Jerry Vale and Don Cherry. The beautiful women were led by 1962 Miss International Stanny Van Baer of Holland. The others: Miss USA Marlene Loren, Miss Iceland Sirigidur, Miss West Germany Renate Moller, Miss Bolivia Carmen Anze and Hollywood starlet Sharon Wiley.

The admission prices were ‘especially reduced’ by The Big Dome: 80 centavos for general admission, P2 for upper box and P4 for lower box and ringside. Real bargain, in a manner of speaking, but then it was circa 1962, when the exchange rate was P4 to a dollar.

Earlier in 1962, Miss International of 1961 Stella Marquez of Colombia led the world beauty queens who appeared in a show at the Araneta Coliseum. Señorita Marquez later married the scion of the Araneta family, George, fondly called Nene, at elaborate Catholic Church rites in the bride’s hometown, Cali, Colombia.

Señora Araneta is the lady behind Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant the past 40 years or so, held annually at The Big Dome. — RKC