New Pageants Co-Publisher Queen are Memes Vince Bagoyo, to Vie of Import Jr. Highlighted Who will be Editor expounds on crowned the new how Filipinos find in “Sakada Miss Maui Filipina? meaning in pageants. Offspring” Page 1 Page 4 Page 5 June 2019 · Vol 3 No6 FILIPINO AMERICAN VOICE • UPLIFTING OUR COMMUNITY FREE inside Breaking the bamboo ceiling in so many ways. p7 Mary Grace Basig - Contestant #1 Mary Eileen Varquez - Contestant #2 Amber-Lee Lana - Contestant #3 PHOTOS: RYAN PIROS PHOTOGRAPHY Celebrating Talent, Beauty and Scholarship … “Little man” stands up in Let’s Talk Pinoy. p9 The Miss Maui Filipina Scholarship Pageant Alfredo G. Evangelista, Assistant Editor “And the Miss Maui Filipina is ... ” o date, almost seventy pines to Batac City and Paoay, females on Maui have Ilocos Norte. Her favorite My Voice as Miss Tworn the crown of quote is “If you want light to Miss Maui Filipina. (See list on come into your life, you need page 13.) And one more will to stand where it is shining.” Maui Filipina: be added to that list on June Lana, 19 years old, is a What makes Filipino food 29 when the Maui Filipino graduate of the IBS School of uniquely “delicious?” Community Council hosts the Cosmetology and Massage, Be Empowered p15 2019 Miss Maui Filipina Schol- with a degree in Cosmetology Editor’s note: The Fil-Am Voice welcomes arship Pageant at the Maui and Massage. Her parents are Beach Hotel. (Admission is Jayson and Jennifer Bayudan. our newest writer, Vanessa Joy Baldos. $40 (no dinner) and the Pag- Lana traces her roots in the rush of emotions run eant will begin promptly at Philippines to Marcos, Ilocos through me. Excite- 7 p.m.) Norte and Pangasinan. Her fa- ment. Nervousness. Three contestants are vying vorite quote is “Focus on the A Listening to the crowd, I feel to succeed Miss Maui Filipina positive.” the anticipation between my 2018—2019 Vanessa Joy Bal- Varquez, 23 years old, is a pageant sisters and me. For dos: Mary Grace Basig, Am- graduate of University of one night, the stage is ours. ber-Lee Lana and Mary Eileen Hawai‘i Maui College, with a Countless hours of practicing Varquez. During Baldos’ reign, degree in Accounting and poise, grace, and confidence she held a school supply fund Business Administration. Her all led to this very moment. raising drive for schoolchildren parents are Wilson Pineda and I’m sure that this year, our in the Philippines. (See Baldos’ Rita Varquez Pineda. Varquez Miss Maui Filipina contest- story–right.) traces her roots in the Philip- ants will feel the same rush Basig, 26 years old, is a pines to Sarrat, Ilocos Norte of adrenaline. graduate of the University of and Davao City. Her favorite It was a daunting choice Hawai‘i at Mänoa with a Bach- quote is “All you need is faith, to put myself on stage again elor of Arts in Philippine Lan- trust and a little pixie dust.” for the 2018 Miss Maui Filip- guage and Literature with a Several past Miss Maui Fil- ina pageant. I was a contest- focus in the Ilokano dialect. ipinas offered their advice to ant in 2009, right after high Her parents are Reynaldo the three contestants. “My ad- 2018 Miss Maui Filipina school. Miss Celina Hayashi Valenti Taroma and Divina vice to this year’s pageant con- Vanessa Joy Baldos will pen was crowned as Miss Maui Gracia Basig Taroma. Basig testants is to approach it as a articles in the Fil-Am Voice. Filipina 2009 and I placed traces her roots in the Philip- see PAGEANT p.2 PHOTO: JULIO BAYEZ see THE QUEEN p.3 Pageant… from p. 1 challenge with yourself,” said Rochelle Amadeo, Miss Maui Filipina 1980. “What is it about yourself you want to change, improve, share or how can you be a blessing to others with this opportunity? It is not about competing with the other contestants. It is a com- petition with yourself. If you can un- derstand that, no matter what happens you will always come out ahead with or without a crown on your head.” 1961 Miss Maui Filipina Myrna 1964 Miss Maui Filipina Carol Galarita The thought the pageant was not Malaqui crowned by Chairman with her parents during the coronation about winning the crown was also Eddie Tam pageant at Wailuku Armory. echoed by Miss Maui Filipina 2000 IMAGES COURTESY IMAGES COURTESY MAUI FILIPINO COMMUNITY COUNCIL MAUI FILIPINO COMMUNITY COUNCIL Rowena Dagdag. “Be VERY OPEN to constructive criticism and use the feed- come a long way and have a scholarship funds raised. I don’t re- back you receive from the coaches to bright, promising future ahead of member how much I raised. I don’t improve your skills. The ultimate goal The first nine Miss Maui Filipinas. us as we continue to strive to- know how we were judged. That was in this or any pageant isn’t the title or gether. Dios ti agngina, thank a long time ago. But I had to wear a IMAGES COURTESY MAUI FILIPINO COMMUNITY COUNCIL the crown. You are given an opportu- you 2019 Miss Maui Filipina terno and I also danced Salakot.” nity to refine your skills in interview- contestants for doing your part In 1970, the pageant was given a ing, public speaking, presentation, time heritage as much as you can. How did in serving our community!” new format that included different management, relationship building, your Filipino ancestors form your per- The Miss Maui Filipina pageant was phases of competition. “Nancy Andres and developing poise and confidence. sonal foundation, how does it person- first held in 1961 at the Wailuku Ar- and I went to the Miss Hawai‘i Filipina These skills are important in life and ally impact your present life and how mory with Myrna Malaqui crowned as contest and we got their criteria and will help you be successful in the fu- will you perpetuate it for future gener- the Miss Maui Filipina. Initially the decided to upgrade our Maui queen ture.” ations? We have a beautiful culture, pageant was based on popularity, i.e., contest,” said Agrifina “Aggie” Cabebe. Agnes Macadangdang, Miss Maui one that you can be proud of. Take the amount of funds the candidate “We started with three phases: the Ki- Filipina 1978 thanks the contestants this unique opportunity to immerse raised for the scholarship program. mona Formal Phase; the Talent Phase; for stepping forward. “To the contest- yourself in it wholeheartedly! As a Fil- Judith Dagdag, Miss Maui Filipina and the Terno Phase and Oral Ques- ants, I thank you for being involved ipina, know your past, incorporate it in 1968 recalls Mrs. Alice Ragasa going to tioning.” and having the courage to participate. your present and engage in leaving a their house to ask her parents permis- The year 1970 was a critical year To put yourself out there is by no worthy legacy for our future genera- sion for her to run. “I was eighteen for the Maui Filipino Community means an easy thing to do! Enjoy the tions. Here in Hawai‘i, the grit, stead- years old at that time. My parents de- Council. It was the first year of the journey and have fun with the experi- fastness and perseverance of our Saka- cided that I should run. There were Council’s Fiesta Filipina, with events ence! You will undoubtedly experience da ancestors are the cornerstones of two of us–me and Amanda Bio. It spanning from May 1 through July 11, tremendous personal growth and will our Filipino community. Our accom- was held at the Haole Club House in 1970, including an Introduction of the learn so much from this experience. plishments pale to what they have Pu‘unënë. In those days, the winner Queen contestants on May 1 with a More important, take this time to un- overcome. We would not be where we was determined by the amount of motorcade from Wells Park to the derstand and learn about your Filipino are today if not for them. We have see PAGEANT p.4 AWARD-WINNING STROKE & CARDIAC CARE ON MAUI Maui Memorial Medical Center was recently awarded the highest and most honors in the state by American Heart Association and featured in U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals 2019” for Gold Plus Quality Achievement and Honor Roll awards for stroke and heart failure care. Maui Memorial Medical Center is the only acute care hospital on the Valley Isle. Our 1400 physicians, providers and staff are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered, affordable care and exceptional service to all of Maui’s residents and visitors. BEST HOSPITALS 2019 www.mauihealthsystem.org 2 | Fil-Am Voice | June 2019 | Vol 3 • No 6 I volunteered for Habitat for Hu- I’m excited and proud to bestow the The Queen… manity to help build homes in Ka- crown to the next queen. This year’s homa Village in Lahaina and held a theme, “Be Empowered” rings so true from p. 1 fundraiser to raise money. I cooked for our people today. These ladies will 2nd runner up but won 1st place in over 50 servings of Kare Kare and learn throughout their experiences the Speech phase. Looking back, I sold them to friends and family to they are empowered to do all things know I’ve learned a lot about myself raise funds for donation. I love to they wish to accomplish. If there is since then. I chose to run again in cook Filipino food but I’m not sure change you want to create in the 2018 as part of my journey to take if I’ll attempt that again.