The Manila
Carnivals were, writes Alex Castro in his blog Manila Carnivals 1908-1939, ,
"the greatest annual event in the Orient."
He goes on
to say that, "Perhaps,
no other event has piqued the interest and stirred a nation’s imagination
more than the fabled Manila Carnivals. Held from 1908-1939, the 2-week fair
was organized as a goodwill event to celebrate harmonious U.S.-Philippine
relations and to showcase our commercial, industrial and agricultural
progress. Spectacular parades, lavish shows, firework displays and the
crowning of the Manila Carnival Queen highlighted the "greatest annual event
in the Orient".
(Visit Manila Carnivals 1908-1939)