In a post by Mayor Jerry P. Trenas, he shared that Pura Villanueva Kalaw was a journalist and beauty queen who challenged people’s ideas of what women could achieve, a testament to the courage of the Ilonggo blood. Her monument replaced the then area of Maria Clara which was transferred to the fountain area of Molo Plaza. Ilonggo artist Harry Mark Gonzales created this beautiful masterpiece.
PURA VILLANUEVA KALAW (1886-1954). Born in Molo, Iloilo City to Emilio Villanueva and Emilia Garcia. She is a suffragist, feminist, and journalist and considered as first Miss Philippines (1907 Queen of Manila Carnival).
