by Carlota Hufana Ader
West Oahu resident Rosalie Pascual was named Mrs. Hawaii Filipina 2025 on June 7 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Last year’s pageant queen Glorey McCaleb was on hand to crown the winner.
Pascual is originally from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Divine Word College. She owns a private care home business and has three children.
Pascual emerged victorious from a field of four other hopefuls, which included First Princess Glory Den Sanchez (Mrs. Leeward Filipina); Second Princess Geraldine Golobic (Mrs. Ewa Beach Filipina); Third Princess Jasmine Therese Esquerra (Mrs. Maui Filipina); and Fourth Princess Eriberta Calatrava (Mrs. Honolulu Filipina).
Sponsored by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH) Foundation, the Mrs. Hawaii Filipina Scholarship Pageant celebrates the role and success of the Filipina in Hawaii.
“The Pageant is the celebration of the Filipina in Hawaii who has worked hard for her family and community,” says UFCH president Benymar Sadumiano.
“Each of our contestants symbolizes the modern Filipina–hard working, independent and determined.”
Special Awards
The contestants competed for special recognition in the following categories:
Congeniality: Eriberta Calatrava
Photogenic: Glory Den Sanchez
Spirit Award: Glory Den Sanchez
Most Tickets Sold: Rosalie Pascual
Best Runway: Geraldine Golobic
Social Media Favorite: Glory Den Sanchez
Terno Design: Rosalie Pascual
Talent: Geraldine Golobic
Terno Speech: Rosalie Pascual
Popularity: Rosalie Pascual
While the 400-plus attendees had their own personal favorites, Sadumiano said that from a broader perspective, they were all cheering for the Filipino community.
“In actuality, we were there to cheer and support the entire Filipino community, and that is how we preserve our culture, relish our values and celebrate our heritage,” he says.
“These lovely ladies are all winners. I have witnessed how they have developed bonds of sisterhood to last a lifetime and how each has been able to gather and lead people. I hope that they will continue to do so in the years to come.”
Sadumiano also honored long-time community advocate and Pageant chair emeritus Maggie Domingo, who has long supported the event over the past 38 years.
She, in fact, started the very first Mrs. Hawaii Filipina Scholarship and Charity Pageant held on Mother’s Day in 1988 at Farrington High School’s auditorium.
Out of the eight original contestants, Kalihi resident Acela Garcia took home the coveted crown. She unfortunately passed away last year at age 79.
Sakada Scholarships
A total of 21 scholarships were awarded this year–the most in UFCH’s illustrious 38 years of pageant history–to graduating high school students to encourage them to pursue a college education instead of directly entering the workforce.
In total, the amount of scholarships and grants was $28,000.
Applicants were required to submit essays on the importance of leadership, a highly after skill that Sadumiano needs among more Filipino youth.
“We need more Sakada scholars who will pursue higher education and become future leaders in the community,” he says.
“It is important that we share more of our resources, time and effort to support our youth to become more involved and to look out for the interests of the Filipino community in Hawaii.”
The scholarship awardees:
– Luke Nadatani Gandeza, Kauai High School
– Jazlyn Corpuz, Kauai High School
– Princess Hannah Rose Tabon, Waipahu High School
– Adrian Sean Barsatan, Waipahu High School
– Breanne Battulayan, Kauai High School
– Meldge Julzea Ponce, St. Anthony School
– Brooke Peiler, Kamehameha Kapalama
– Eunica Glydene Espiritu, Lana’i High & Elementary School
– Zhymmore Rheign Paguirigan, College Scholar
– Maming Bacxa, Kealakehe High School
– Jbmhar Trinidad, Kauai High School
– Angelica Arabiana, Pahoa High and Intermediate School
– Atyanna Z. Dagulo, Campbell High School
– Jericho C. Galzote, Waiakea High School
– Heart S. Mendoza, Keaau High School
– Austin I. Green, Kapaa High School
– Jan Faith Caragon, Lahainaluna High School
– Aaron-James Santa Cruz, Waipahu High School
– Maren Rose Salomon, Waipahu High School
– Jose Tomas Gianno Velasco, Waipahu High School
– Lathan Guzman, Waipahu High School
According to Pageant chair Adela Salacup, funds raised by the evening’s event go towards the Foundation’s scholarship programs.
“The crown represents not just personal achievement but a platform to champion the cause of education,” she says.
“So tonight is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to education. The UFCH Foundation’s mission is simple yet profound–to provide opportunities for deserving young Filipinos in Hawaii to achieve their dreams through education.”
In addition, the UFCH Foundation gave a $5,000 grant to the Filipino Curriculum Project, which promotes Filipino history and culture at local high schools.
The initiative was made possible by House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 56, approved by the 2022 Legislature, which requested the Hawaii Department of Education to “implement a Filipino history, culture, and identity social studies course for high school students.”
Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, CHR 2300 Filipino History and Culture was offered at Farrington, Waipahu, and Maryknoll high schools.
Lastly, the Foundation provided a grant for a young person from Hawaii to join the Filipino Young Global Leadership Program, which provides the opportunity to explore one’s Filipino identity and heritage, engage with other young leaders, and participate in an immersive experience in the Philippines.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Samiweng Singers, a youth choir from Ilocos Norte National High School, which has performed and competed in a number of international festivals, including the 2023 World Choir Games held in South Korea, where they won gold medals.
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