To walk in a dramatic self-designed gown with a long canvas train rendered in textile and acrylic paint, then embellished with beads upon beads and appliques upon appliques of flora and finished by crown glitter, Mrs. Universe South Asia 2017 Joyce Penas Pilarsky escorted by Cian Fider is Queen Helena in the SantaCruzan of the 60th anniversary of Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish in Philam Homes on May 28, 2017. The procession starts at 6 p.m. and goes around the residential village.
Pilarsky is the statuesque and people-oriented Jocelyn Javellana Penas who graduated Bachelor of Science in Education Major in English at St. Paul’s College Manila in 1976. Apart from her stint in Practice Teaching at St. Paul’s Pasig, Penas never became a teacher.
The local fashion world claimed her as model, and then she worked as a cabin attendant with Philippine Airlines and Saudia Airlines.
Penas is a woman for others. She shares, “My younger years were not easy as people know it. I faced so many challenges and trials when Dad passed on at 52. I am where I am now because of hard work. It was not given to me. When everybody had good time, I worked and studied from morning until night. I took care of everybody especially my family. I am a very loving and caring person; I give a lot of love and passion in all that I do.”
She married German national Gunter Pilarsky, though she improved her finances and accumulated properties through sheer hard work even before this happened. She even turned visual artist and sold her paintings to multinational passengers to augment regular earnings.
Pilarsky, like every woman, loves looking beautiful. With her impeccable taste for clothes and accessories, she does not go out unless she is dressed properly.
She won Mrs. Philippines Germany 2000, Mrs. Philippines for Mrs. Asia International 2014, Mrs. Asia International Global 2014, and now as Mrs. Ecotourism International 2017. And that’s not counting the no-crown victory at the Miss MBA Ateneo Graduate School for Business 1982.
And she is working to add another one as Mrs. Universe South Asia 2017 with the title to be awarded in Durban, South Africa between Aug. 26 and Sept. 3. Pilarsky will compete with over 80 beauty queen mothers from all over the world.
As champion of the Toastmaster International District 75 Annual Convention Next Top Model held on April 29, where she stood out among candidates, will be a plus factor in the public and private interviews.
The role in director Anthony Hernandez new advocacy film, New Generation Heroes, came at the right time. She wanted to show that behind her success is God’s order to love one another and share one’s blessing, pure hard work, being unafraid to pursue herself, the good of others and her dreams.
Produced by Tiger Films, the drama feature tackles the lives of four teachers as played by Aiko Melendez, Jao Mapa and Anita Linda. Pilarsky plays a widowed model public school science teacher in Tarlac.
Meanwhile, The SantaCruzan’s splendid glory and pageantry with 36 traditional characters and biblical personifications in eye-catching costumes and carrying symbols that contribute to the religious ambiance, the real queen is Blessed Virgin Mary. Her image consistently occupies the final spot while a choir continuously chants Dios Te Salve (Hail Mary) throughout the colorful procession.
Queen Helena and Queen Emperatriz, second and third to last of the long row before Virgin Mary, are the same biblical personalities who have distinct characters. Queen Emperatriz is another representation of St. Helena alluding to the imperial Roman title of Agusta, which her son Constantine bestowed upon her. Queen Helena is the actual personification of St. Helena who carries a crucifix in her arms escorted by the young Constantine dressed in princely raiment.
Sta. Rita de Cascia, patroness of impossible causes, abused wives, and heartbroken women, was an Italian widow. Rita married at an early age that lasted for 18 years. She is remembered for her Christian values as a model wife and mother who converted her husband from abusive behavior. Upon his murder, she dissuaded her sons from revenge.
Originally a community chapel built for the homeowners of the Philam Homes, the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish Church is a fully air-conditioned church.
To give importance to this well-loved annual celebration to commemorate the feast day of Sta. Rita celebrated on May 22, the Organizing Committee under Rev. Msgr. Daniel Sta. Maria, Parish Priest and Vicar General of the Diocese of Cubao, decided to hold a grand celebration entitled “Sta. Rita @60” with the theme “Maturing as a Communion of Communities” that began on May 14 and ends on May 28.