Miss Oahu Filipina Pageant celebrates 50 years of empowering women, sharing heritage

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Miss Oahu Filipina Pageant celebrates 50 years of empowering young women while celebrating their Filipino roots.

On June 21, four young women will compete for a $1,500 scholarship and a chance to win represent the island for the title of Miss Hawaii Filipina.

Dawn Hillary Oka with the Oahu Filipino Community Council and contestants India Ching and Jeraldine Milla joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about the event

“Its mission is founded on perpetuating traditions and heritage of the Philippines and its people through the Filipina women living in Honolulu,” Oka said.

The women will be judged on their pre-pageant interview, swimsuit, talent and Terno, traditional Filipino attire known for its “butterfly sleeves.”

“I have always strived to model the way for those that look up to me, the same way important figures in my life have modeled the way and contributed to where I am now,” said Ching, a Soil Health Lab Technician from Moiliili who is passionate about supporting local farmers. “I love embracing my Filipino roots and sharing my culture with others.”

“Being Filipina means embracing my rich culture of resilience, warmth, and strong family values,” said Jeraldine Milla, a software engineer from Moiliili who wants to promote Filipinas in STEM. “It’s about being proud of my roots, carrying the spirit of bayanihan, and staying strong in the face of challenges.”

The other two contestants are Elyssa Abigail Pangdan Gallego and Marivic Joaquin Agustin.

The pageant takes place on Saturday, June 21, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Dinner starts at 6 p.m., followed by the show at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available for dinner and the show ($140) and show only ($90) at the door or by contacting missoahufilipina@gmail.com. For more information, visit missoahufilipina.wixsite.com/website.

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