Gypsy Kaye Pineda, a registered nurse and single mother, was crowned the first-ever Ginang Filipinas Tri-State New York winner at a glittering coronation night held June 23 at Melrose Ballroom (in New York), marking a milestone for a pageant dedicated to married women and mothers in the Filipino diaspora.
The event brought together eight candidates from across the New York–New Jersey–Connecticut region, who took the stage in traditional Filipino ethnic wear, evening gowns and swimwear, celebrating beauty, resilience and purpose before a packed ballroom of family, friends and community supporters.
The lively program, hosted by Edynne Baclay-Loquellano, featured performances from singers and musicians including Marcus Oche, Kim Flores and saxophonist Kevin, keeping the energy high as the candidates moved through multiple segments.
Ginang Filipinas is a beauty and empowerment pageant for married, separated, divorced and single-mother Filipinas, with the term “ginang” translating to “Mrs.” or “Madam” in Tagalog to emphasize its focus on mature women and their life experience. More than a traditional pageant, it positions itself as a platform for advocacy and community-building, highlighting causes that uplift women and support communities in the Philippines and overseas.
The Tri-State debut showcased that mission most clearly during the question-and-answer round, where finalists spoke candidly about their journeys, offering heartfelt stories that honored motherhood, migration and recovery from personal trials.
Pineda, who described turning pain into purpose after miscarriage, divorce and trauma, framed her participation as part of her healing and as a way to encourage other women, especially single mothers, not to be defined by setbacks.
Behind the scenes, founder and international director Ruben “Buboi” Asuncion III and Tri-State director and producer Pia Pascual led the production, drawing praise for the event’s choreography, lighting and smooth pacing.
Asuncion created Ginang Filipinas to honor the strength and grace of Filipina wives and mothers and to provide an international stage where their sacrifices and successes are recognized. Pascual, a singer and community organizer, has helped expand the pageant’s reach on the East Coast, overseeing tryouts, sponsorships and coronation nights that sell out venues such as Melrose Ballroom.
The Tri-State coronation also named additional titleholders across several categories: Mymy Cage (Ginang Filipinas World), AG Ga (Ginang Filipinas Global), Paul-Feua Morgia Pahang (Ginang Filipinas Tourism), and Marijane M. Torres (Ginang Filipinas Supranational), along with first runner-up Cajipe Smitheman Lorreine, Lira Mae Luft (second runner-up) and Jenny Moak (third runner-up), underscoring that organizers see the candidates as a sisterhood rather than competitors.
In post-event messages, Pascual and the production team thanked the queens, staff, sponsors and volunteers for creating a night they described as “unforgettable,” and emphasized that “beauty with purpose” remains central to the Ginang Filipinas brand.
With Pineda now serving as the inaugural Ginang Filipinas Tri-State New York queen, organizers say the regional pageant aims to become an annual platform for married and mother Filipinas in the area to share their stories, advocate for causes close to their hearts and proudly represent the modern Filipina onstage.
