by Linda Dela Cruz
Hands clasped tightly, hearts racing, and eyes closed—the top two finalists wait for the life-changing words: “And the winner is…”
In that breathless moment, a dream is about to come true.
This year, the Miss O’ahu Filipina Scholarship Pageant celebrates its 50th anniversary, a golden milestone for the O’ahu Filipino Community Council, steeped in tradition.
This year, young women from Maui, Kaua’i, and O’ahu united in honoring their heritage.
The crowning of Miss Hawai’i Filipina 2025, Khiani Garcia from the Garden Island, continues a legacy of grace, culture, and community service. Mrs. Universe 2023 Meranie Gadiana offers guidance to the next generation.
Governor Josh Green calls the 50th anniversary of the Miss Oahu Filipina Pageant “a spotlight on Filipino heritage, leadership, philanthropy, and empowerment in our community.”
50th Anniversary of the Miss O’ahu Filipina Pageant June 21, 2025
“If you believe you are a queen, you will become a queen.” Those were the words whispered to a group of hopeful young women by the pageant coach, Gloria Ursal of the O’ahu Filipino Community Council (OFCC).
These words would shape history. One of the young women, Carmella Barut, says she acted on it. She became the very first Miss O‘ahu Filipina crowned at the Ala Moana Hotel on April 1, 1973.
The 1972 graduate of Waipahu High School is a self-described Americanized Filipina stepping into the pageant world – rich with culture and honor.
“I had so many firsts,” Barut recalls. “I wore a terno gown. I traveled to Manila during the Marcos regime. I learned more than how to eat the food — I learned what it meant to be Filipina.”
In that inaugural year, under the leadership of OFCC President Gene Albano, the pageant’s influence continues until today.
Barut returned — alongside past queens — for a golden anniversary celebration at the Hilton Hawaiian Village this June.
One of the evening’s most emotional moments? A procession of queens — from 1973 to now — celebrating the pageant’s theme of
“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” With music, lights, and applause, each queen took the stage, honoring five decades of beauty, resilience, and heritage in a procession that honored all the winners.
All the Miss O’ahu Filipina title holders touched lives, changed communities, and inspired generations.
Miss O’ahu Filipina 2001 Lori Lamug-Bonner, who co-emceed this year’s pageant with KHON2’s Justin Cruz, is the talent development manager for The Queen’s Health Systems.
Miss O’ahu Filipina 2009 Rachel Paccaro is a co-host of the HI Now Daily TV show on Hawaii News Now.
“Pageants offer them a way to be leaders in their community for their platform,” said OFCC President Calvin Bagaoisan. “We want to uplift them through our organization, the way our parents uplift us.”
This year’s chair, Stephanie “Penny” Chung, and directors Dawn Oka and Raizza Pulido brought the legacy to life.
The prizes included $1,500 scholarship money, regalia including a crown and sash, inter-island travel vouchers, meal prep, and activities and appearances with OFCC.
India Ching emerged as the winner of the 2025 Miss O‘ahu Filipina pageant, as contestants Abigail Gallego, Jeraldine Milla, and Marivic Agustin also represented the culture with pride, poise, and purpose.
Ching’s platform combines her love of food, agriculture, dance, and the performing arts.
“Coming from humble beginnings, I have experienced my household being food insecure and having a lack of resources growing up,” says the McKinley High School graduate. “I will ensure that I am providing opportunities that empower our youth, bring families together, and bridge the gap between generations in our Filipino community.”
Through her platform, she conducts cooking workshops in public schools, field days, and dance workshops. Ching is half Filipino, Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Maori, Spanish, Irish, Scottish, and English. To find out what she is up to, follow her on Instagram at @missoahufilipina and @oahufilipinocc.
Of the 50 past Miss O’ahu Filipina titleholders – more than half – 29 to be exact, have earned the statewide Miss Hawai‘i Filipina crown, including Barut.
The title opened doors for her to be an actress on Hawaii Five-0, Magnum P.I., and the Island Son TV series with Richard Chamberlain, among many other wonderful opportunities.
Miss Hawai’i Filipina 2003 Aureana Tseu went on to win the Miss Hawaii USA 2009 title, which feeds into the Miss USA pageant. In addition, she also competed in the Merrie Monarch for the Miss Aloha Hula title with Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela under the direction of Na Kumu Kunewa Mook and Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo.
Meanwhile, Miss Hawai’i Filipina 2005 Ruthchelle Melchor co-hosted the DIS-N-DAT TV show with fellow Filipino Derrick “Spaz” Bulatao for more than 10 years.
Khiani Garcia Crowned 2025 Miss Hawai’i Filipina
A lifelong dream came true for Khiani Garcia of Kauaʻi, who was crowned Miss Hawai’i Filipina on Aug. 9 at the Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall.
“This crown is something I dreamed of since I was seven years old,” the Kauaʻi High School graduate shares. “I looked up to all of the winners and the runner ups.”
Garcia, who is 19 years old, deepened her understanding of her Filipino roots while bonding with fellow contestants Miss Maui Filipina Bernadette Acaso and Miss O’ahu Filipina India Ching.
With the crown, the Kauaʻi Community College student receives a $1,500 scholarship, her first round-trip ticket to the Philippines, and the honor of carrying the torch from Kauaʻi’s own Jaslen Valdez.
This is the first time ever for two Kaua’i winners to both be crowned on their home island.
“I want to be someone who becomes part of the change,” she explains. “Language is significant to each culture. In Filipino, ‘bayanihan’ is the oneness of family and wider of the community.”
Garcia hopes to become a kumu (teacher) for middle or high school students, possibly at a Hawaiian immersion school, after studying Hawaiian history at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa next fall. She enjoys lei-making, cooking multicultural dishes, and lifting weights.
Organized by the United Filipino Community Council, led this year by Benymar “Beny” Sadumiano, the Miss Hawai’i Filipina Pageant celebrates leadership, culture, and identity.
“Thank you to all the pageant organizers,” she says. “There are many people who make it happen, including volunteers.”
Garcia proudly traces her roots to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. “I am giving back to the leaders that raised me and the youth that inspires me,” she says. Follow her journey on Instagram @themisshawaiifilipina.
Pageant Coach Meranie Gadiana Champions the Power of Authenticity
With nearly two decades of experience in the pageant world, Mrs. Universe 2023, Meranie Gadiana, has turned her passion into purpose. Now a sought-after pageant coach, she channels her 18-year journey into helping others find their voice—and their crown.
Her most powerful piece of advice?
“Always be authentic,” Gadiana says. “True beauty is not just about appearance. It’s about purpose, passion, and authenticity. When you walk on stage as your most genuine self, people connect with you—and your message.”
Crowned the 46th Mrs. Universe 2023 at the Newport World Resorts in Pasay City, Philippines, the Honolulu resident’s victory was the result of six years of unwavering dedication.
“Winning Mrs. Universe is more than wearing a crown,” she explains. “It is a mission. To me, it represents empowerment, resilience, and the opportunity to inspire women globally. It’s about using my voice and influence to encourage others to rise above challenges, embrace their true worth, and lead with grace and strength.”
One of her heartfelt missions is to be a voice for survivors of domestic violence. Her compassion for others shines in everything she does, including rushing to Lahaina, distributing medical supplies to those devastated by the fires.
The next Mrs. Universe pageant takes place October 1-9 in Manila. For more, visit mrsuniverseltd.com
Her mission is to always be positive. Gadiana’s pageant titles also include 2019 Mrs. Hawaii Transcontinental. She is an international model and a mom. Her journey proves that pageants are more than glamour—they’re platforms for purpose.
During Gadiana’s reign as Mrs. Philippines World (2019–2021), she had the opportunity to speak at her alma mater, Talisayan National High School in the Philippines. She told the students to have a dream.
“Never let go of your dreams,” she said. “My journey has been amazing but not without challenges. Never stop working hard to fulfill your dream.”
To Gadiana, pageantry is transformative.
“It is about personal growth, discipline, and confidence,” she shares. “Guiding women through this journey allows me to help them unlock their full potential and shine on and off the stage.”
To find out more about her pageant coaching, visit mrsuniversemeranie.com.
Writer’s note: This article is dedicated to my mentor, Rose Eileen Tibayan. She was an award-winning Filipina broadcast journalist who worked in television stations in Guam, Florida, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Milwaukee before settling down in Chicago with her husband, Don Villar. She also served as the Director of Public Affairs for the City of Chicago’s Department of Budget, Management, and Finance under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
She passed away in June last year after a 14-month battle with cancer. She empowered me to live my dreams of being a multimedia storyteller in Hawaii.
She wrote “The Resume Tape Book” in 2003. This guide tells you how to get a job in the news. She was also a pageant queen with several titles, including Miss Philippines USA.
In August 2025, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian American Journalists Association posthumously at the national convention in Seattle, where her husband accepted the award on her behalf.
The Rose Tibayan Scholarship Fund with the AAJA Chicago Chapter continues her work to help people. For more information, visit aaja.org or email chicago@aaja.org.
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