It was a night of elegance, family, and history as the very first Ginang Filipinas New Jersey pageant crowned its grand winner: Carmela “Ella” Icamina.
The event went beyond the glitz of gowns and crowns. It shined a spotlight on women—many of them mothers—balancing dreams, careers, and the challenges of immigrant life in America.
A Historic Win
Icamina, a proud member of the Philippine Nurses Association New York, could not hold back her joy.
“We made history!” she declared on Facebook, calling the win a deeply humbling honor.
Her colleagues shared that pride.
“Ella already reflects the heart of our organization,” said Laarni C. Florencio MSN RN CNL, president of Philippine Nurses of America New York, Inc. “She is talented, engaged, and brings a strong commitment to service.”
More Than a Beauty Pageant
What made the night stand out was its message of empowerment. Unlike traditional beauty contests that focus on size, shape, or height, Ginang Filipinas celebrated the journeys of women—whether they are mothers, single parents, or even grandmothers.
For longtime supporter Jan Andrada Lane, the movement is nothing short of transformative.
“Ginang is not your usual beauty pageant. It’s about empowerment. It gives mothers of all ages the space to shine, not by meeting narrow beauty standards, but by embracing what makes them unique.”
A Movement is Born
Jan recalled how she was drawn to the advocacy after meeting director Buboi Asuncion, who earlier conceptualized Ginang Alaska—a pageant showcasing the creativity of moms in an unexpected place.
Since then, she has embraced Ginang as a personal journey. A fashion and culture enthusiast, she wore a Carl Andrada creation and fulfilled her dream of performing in traditional Igorot attire as part of her talent piece. That moment won her the title of Ginang Filipinas Tourism 2024 in Seattle-Tacoma, Washington.
For Jan and many others, Ginang is proof that pageantry can be more than a crown.
“Married women go through different phases in their lives,” she said. “Some feel isolated, some want to rediscover themselves. Ginang gives them that space—to shine, to express themselves, and to remind the world that true beauty is found in strength, culture, and individuality.”
More Than Just a Crown
In the end, the Ginang Filipinas New Jersey pageant was not just about who walked away with the title. It was about empowerment, cultural pride, and personal transformation.
And for Carmela Icamina, making history as the first-ever Ginang Filipinas New Jersey is only the beginning of a journey that inspires women everywhere to embrace their worth.
