On August 6, 2016, members of the Filpino community in Florida and their friends and families converged at the Osceola Heritage Park, to witness the coronation night of the 2016 Fiesta Mo Sa Florida Pageant For A Cause. 70 candidates from 6 different categories (Princess, Teens, Mrs. Queen, Miss and Mister Ginoo) took part in this exciting event, organized by the Fil-Am Movement International, to benefit ABS-CBN Foundation International and Bantay Bata 163.

The night before the pageant, the 10 Miss candidates showcased their talents during the Black & White Gala Ball. The event was hosted by Angelo “Gelo” Barga, star of Barangay USA on TFC. The candidates showcased and wowed the judges and the audience with their different talents, ranging from singing, hula dancing, and playing the ukulele. The crowd was also entertained with a song number by singer, Geneva Cruz, and music by Philip Mahoney. The Miss candidates, together with their family, friends, and guests, looked ravishing in their black and white gowns, with the men looking dashing in their tuxes and suits.

Winners in the Princess, Teens, Mrs. and Queen were determined by the amount of money they raised through selling of raffle tickets. Crowned Princess FMSF 2016 was Reanne Alyssa Capillan representing Tampa. Miss Teen FMSF 2016 was Serahline Orona from Port St. Lucie. Mrs. FMSF 2016 was Flordeliza Urban Laurente representing Melbourne, Crowned Queen FMSF 2016 was Angelina Christof from Tallahassee, and FMSF Miss Foundation was Miss Melbourne, Caitlin Suico.

This year also marked the crowning of the first ever Mr. Ginoo FMSF. 4 candidates competed this year. They competed in National Costume, Barong Tagalog, and Q & A. This year’s winner was Mr. Tampa, Marcus Kyle. He was also crowned Mr. Foundation.

And finally, 10 lovely candidates competed for the title of Miss Fiesta Mo Sa Florida 2016. The lovely ladies opened the show wearing their beautiful and colorful national costumes. They also paraded in their cocktail wear and swimsuits designed by Mr. Alexis Monsanto, with the Blaming Francis Band providing the background music. The ladies then changed into their lovely and elegant Filipinianas, and glided on stage to the music by saxophonist, Philip Mahoney. The top 5 then battled it out in the Question & Answer round, answering environmentally themed questions from the judges. This year’s big winner, who will be representing the Filipino community of Florida in next year’s Miss Philippines Earth pageant, was Ms. South Beach, Krista Beach, who also won Best in Talent, Cocktail Wear, Swimsuit, National Costume, and Ms. Photogenic. Miss Earth 2015, Angelia Ong, who was one of the judges, assisted in the crowning together with outgoing Miss FMSF 2015, Angel Branesky.

The evening was capped off by “TFC Hour,” hosted by Gelo and Balitang America’s Don Tagala, and featured performances by actor Enchong Dee and singer Geneva Cruz. 

It was another successful event and truly a night to remember. Pageant host Lloyd Fider summed it best when he said, “What was great about this event was that it was not only about seeing your favorite actor or singer perform, or seeing women in swimsuits and evening gowns. 

It was about bringing people together, raising money for a great cause, and showing our pride in being Filipinos.”

For more photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/floridafiesta/?fref=ts