August 19, 2017 is a date to remember because new beauty queens of FACO were crowned. It was an event to remember with the participation of regal beauties in the Fil-Am community and great entertainment. There were six (6) Miss Teen Fil-Am candidates and six (6) Miss Fil-Am candidates who competed to vie for the title. The program started with the parade of beautiful national costumes of the candidates, then cultural dance presentation of FACO’s cultural dance group as they joined the candidates in their Philippine attire showcase and the dazzling performance of the Lazarus Dance Company. Aside from those top caliber acts, a great show of talent was rendered by Maireen Barnachea (Miss Teen Fil-Am 2016) and Jeanelle Serquina (Miss Pre-teen Fil-Am 2016), Luleth Alpuerto (vocalist Sign-up 5 Band) and Jojo Bondoc. The master of ceremony was the talented Jun Guzman and Mrs. Philippines Virginia 2017 Tricia Ann Orpilla. Some videos of professional press photographer Mr. Rahesh Shah were included in this website for you to enjoy.

Five board of judges were former beauty queens Giselle Boone, Christina Fandino, Veronica Eikamp and renowned fashion designers. Kenneth Barlis and Carl Andrada.

Winners of the Pageant are:

Miss TEEN FIL-AM 2017 – Fiona Baumhogger
1st Runner-up – Avalynn dela Rosa
2nd Runner-up – Soleil Graham

SPECIAL AWARDS:
Best Talent – Fiona Baumhogger
Best in National Costume – Soleil Graham
Miss Photogenic – Jaymie Lyn Best
Best in Swimwear – Soleil Graham
Best in Evening Gown – Soleil Graham
Viewer’s Choice Award – Jaymie Lyn Best
Miss Social Media – Nathaniel Andrei Barry

Miss FIL-AM 2017 – Mariah Grace Fulinara
1st Runner-up – Jesamea Batister
2nd Runner-up – Princess Joy dela Pena

SPECIAL AWARDS:
Best Talent – Mariah Grace Fulinara
Best in National Costume – Jesamea Batister
Miss Photogenic – Jesamea Batister
Best in Swimwear – Princess Joy dela Pena
Best in Evening Gown – Princess Joy dela Pena
Viewer’s Choice Award – Princess Joy dela Pena
Miss Social Media – Mariah Grace Fulinara’

National Costume Competition and Awards Ceremony – 2017 Miss Fil-Am and the 2017 Miss Teen Fil-Am pageant presented by THE Filipino American Cultural Organization (FACO) of northern San Diego

Beautiful dance performance during 2017 Miss Fil-Am and the 2017 Miss Teen Fil-Am pageant presented by THE Filipino American Cultural Organization (FACO) of northern San Diego – Credit to Rajesh Shah

Another beautiful dance number by Lazarus dance group – 2017 Miss Fil-Am and the 2017 Miss Teen Fil-Am pageant presented by THE Filipino American Cultural Organization (FACO) of northern San Diego

Farewell Walk – Maireen Barnachea – 2017 Miss Fil-Am and the 2017 Miss Teen Fil-Am pageant presented by THE Filipino American Cultural Organization (FACO) of northern San Diego

And the winners are...2017 Miss Fil-Am and the 2017 Miss Teen Fil-Am pageant presented by THE Filipino American Cultural Organization (FACO) of northern San Diego

Media Night

Candidates Training

VICTORY PARTY

Media Night

On August 12, 2017 at the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort and Hotel, the candidates were presented to the media. Press people, guests and donors of the pageant were present. It was a fully packed club room and numerous media people were present. The candidates introduced themselves in their casual attire and then exhibited their talents as well as their beautiful form in bikini attire. This is a pre-talent show of the candidates wherein the Miss Talent will be awarded on August 19th during the Pageant.

THE NAMES OF THESE BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED CANDIDATES ARE:

MISS TEEN FIL-AM Candidates (13-17 years old)

Jaymie Lyn Best, 16 Miss Teen Filam 2017 Candidate No. 1
Fiona Baumhogger, 15 Miss Teen Filam 2017 Candidate No. 2
Soledad Cielo, 16 Miss Teen Filam 2017 Candidate No. 3
Natalie Andrei Barry, 16 Miss Teen Filam 2017 Candidate No. 4
Soleil Graham, 15 Miss Teen Filam 2017 Candidate No. 5
Avalynn dela Rosa, 17 Miss Teen Filam 2017 Candidate No. 6

MISS FIL-AM CANDIDATES (18-27 years old)

Jesamea Batister,19 Miss Filam 2017 Candidate No. 7
Heather Salanga, 21 Miss Filam 2017 Candidate No. 8
Tiare Willams, 18 Miss Filam 2017 Candidate No. 9
Mariah Grace Fulinara, 18 Miss Filam 2017 Candidate No. 10
Carol Cabrera, 27 Miss Filam 2017 Candidate No. 11
Princess Joy dela Pena,24 Miss Filam 2017

INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES IN CASUAL ATTIRE

CANDIDATES IN SWIMSUIT ATTIRE

PRE-PAGEANT NIGHT TALENT COMPETITION

GLAMOUR SHOTS of CANDIDATES with GUESTS and COMMITTEE MEMBERS

CANDIDATES TRAINING

One of the benefits of joining the FACO’s Miss Fil-Am and Miss Teen Fil-Am Pageant is undergoing training provided by the organization to enhance the candidates’ beauty, projection, talent and confidence. It was fulfilling to see how these beautiful ladies blossomed and acquired more grace and confidence during the short training.

2017 Miss Fil-Am / Miss TEEN Fil-Am MFA VICTORY PARTY AND FAREWELL PARTY FOR THE LAZARUS BOYS

On August 26th, a victory party for the winners and candidates of the MFA was given. It was also the farewell party for the Lazarus Boys who worked hand in hand with the organization during its events in June until August. Contract signing, awarding of cash prizes to the winners and certificates of appreciation to all candidates were executed. The Lazarus Boys again shared their talents and after which, tearful farewell messages abound. It was a celebration of victory for the pageant winners and that of good ties with the Lazarus Boys who were like adopted sons to some members of FACO.