I cannot believe that it has been a year as Miss Oahu Filipina. It is such an honor to represent our community as your Miss Oahu Filipina 2018. When I look back at my three years in competing for this title, I would have never imagined actually being crowned and representing not only the Filipino community but the entire Filipino American community. Competing at Miss Hawaii Filipina 2018 was the most exciting experience I have ever had. Meeting each of the island queens - Marli, Lexi, Joy, and of course Kim, Miss Hawaii Filipina 2017 - was the highlight of pageant week. People often think that pageants are all about competition, but it is so much more. In that one week at states I learned how to balance myself as both a queen and a contestant, to communicate my thoughts when under pressure, and how much I loved my culture and this community. Though, I did not bring home the crown, I gained new sisters and an experience I will never forget.
My platform: Perfectly Imperfect is all about embracing ourselves for who we are and chasing our dreams no matter how crazy they seem. I wanted to use my year sharing my journey to Miss Oahu Filipina because that was my dream and encourage the youth to chase their dreams. I tried my best to encourage and give resources that they needed to reach these dreams. Although, my year is ending tonight, my platform will not stop.
Thank you to my parents for always believing in my dreams. Thank you for supporting me and screaming for me whenever I walk on that stage (even if it isn’t loud). Thank you Jerrick for training me year after year. You definitely taught me to look at the bigger picture. Without you I don’t think I would’ve been able to make these waves happen. Thank you Lovely and Kayla for being my supportive sisters. You two always look out for me and keep me grounded with the crown on my head. To Aunty Ellen, Aunty Glo, and Uncle Roli I would never have made it through all my appearances without you guys. Thank you for being there and treating me like family. To Calvin, I wouldn’t have run for the title this year if you didn’t ask me after crowning in 2017. Thank you for encouraging me and listening to my rants throughout the year. To Marnelli and Raizza thank you for supporting me. I know you guys are always behind the scenes, but I know you’re there. Lastly, thank you Clarence for being my biggest cheerleader. Because of my crazy pageant dream you waited 5 years to get married, 6 months can’t come soon enough.
To Dessa Lyn, Nicole, Dawn, and Khrizz it has been such an amazing couple months getting to know you girls. Keep the friendships you guys have made in this journey. I am so proud of how much you have all grown. You guys are all queens with or without the crown.
To the next Miss Oahu Filipina, get ready. From tonight to States to the rest of your year you will be busy. If there was one piece of advice I could give you it would be to be you. Don’t let anyone tear you down, hold your head up, an when you feel overwhelmed remember that you have people behind you. Call your family, the committee or any of the 45 queens in your sisterhood.
To everyone here tonight and those who couldn’t make it. I hope that I made you proud. I know I didn’t win states but I tried my best to be the best Miss Oahu Filipina I could be. Remember that when your canoe flips on your journey to flip it back over and “stroke, stroke, stroke.”
Signing off,
Maricelle Heather Redona, your Miss Oahu Fiipina 2018
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