Cecil Pabellan was crowned Ms. CDO-Mis-Or NY 2026 on Aug. 23 as Kagay-anons and Misamisnons gathered in Queens to celebrate Higalaay, a hometown tradition centered on friendship, culture and community.
Mabel Salatan Moore was named first runner-up, and Rhea Sofia R. Luis placed third.
Pabellan is an active member of New York’s Filipino American community, where she participates in cultural and civic activities.
For many attendees, the pageant was part of a larger homecoming. The CDO Mis-Or Association of New York Inc.’s celebration offered people with roots in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental a chance to reconnect with a festival observed each August in the Philippines, where it is known as Higalaay or the Festival of Friendship.
In Cebuano, higalaay means friendship. The term reflects panaghigalaay, a value closely associated with Cagayan de Oro, often called the City of Golden Friendship. In the Philippines, the monthlong celebration combines cultural presentations, civic events and religious observances honoring St. Augustine, Cagayan de Oro’s patron saint. Major festivities traditionally culminate around Aug. 28.
The New York event, held days before the festival’s peak celebrations in Cagayan de Oro, gave immigrants and their families an opportunity to mark that connection from thousands of miles away. Music, performances and fellowship created a setting in which regional traditions could be shared with younger Filipino Americans and friends outside the community.
Singer Rasmin Diaz was the featured performer. The contestants were judged by Reagan Rada, chief executive of RJP Gems and Jewelry; attorney Elizabeth Cueva, president of Ladies for Rizal New York; and Ramesh Buzeta, chapter commander of the Knights of Rizal New York.
The pageant was directed and emceed by Sheldon Frias. Binggo Bings served as overall event chairperson, Baltax was technical director and Nash Naganga designed the stage.
Founded in 2001, the CDO Mis-Or Association of New York Inc. serves people with ties to Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental. The nonprofit organization describes its work as a bridge for Kagay-anons and Misamisnons in New York and beyond, promoting regional culture, unity and community participation.
The group is led by President Cayetano Paderanga, with Wennie Illana as vice president for Cagayan de Oro, Marilou Gales (vp for Misamis Oriental), Sec. Jerico Ebabacol, Eddy Casino Aranez as treasurer, Faith Labis as asst. treasurer, Auditor Aurora Levin, PRO Baltazar Laborte;
Nash Naganga, Alice Manacay, Zenaida Blum, Darlene Bushell, Mae Bacan, and Maria Alona Mabao as board of directors, and Prof. Mike and Josie Neri Jampayas (advisers).
While the pageant recognized individual contestants, the larger celebration focused on the relationships that have sustained a regional community far from home. Pabellan’s coronation became one moment in a gathering built around the meaning of higalaay: friendship and the enduring ties between New York, Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental.
