LIHU‘E — Faye Tangonan, Ms. Universe International from 2018 to 2019, is entering a new pageant as she tries to obtain her eighth title should she move on to the finals on Aug 3.
Tangonan said she will represent Hawai‘i at the Fourth annual Mrs. Tourism International Pageant virtually. Public voting for her and other candidates on social media ends July 20.
“This pandemic is really a great example to show what is really important in life — spreading the love that is within us,” Tangonan said. “It is the antidote to the great suffering experienced all around the world.”
The virtual pageant is headed by Ovette Ricalde of MegaStar Productions. Tangonan will be joined by 29 other advocacy women from all over the world.
The Lihu‘e mom of three keiki is also a philanthropist and humanitarian. Tangonan has her own foundation, the Faye Tangonan International Youth Foundation. Its mission is to spread compassion and kindness around the world.
She also owns a restaurant and resort business alongside her father, Judge Eugenio Tangonan, in Claveria, Cagayan, Philippines, from where she hails. Tangonan is also active with different Filipino associations in Hawai‘i. She is currently working as a Realtor at Kaua‘i Realty, and is the Ambassador of Goodwill for the Filipino Community for the state.
Tangonan received seven other titles: Ms. Philippines Earth 2018, Mrs. Hawai‘i Filipina 2017, Mrs. Kaua‘i Filipina 2018, Ms. Earth Saver Hawai‘i 2019, Mrs. Gawad International 2017 and Ms. Queen AmerAsia Universe 2019.
She is also an actress. She won three International Best Supporting Actress awards from the Festigious Film Festival in Hollywood, the Oniros International Film Festival in Italy, and Tagore International Film Festival in India.
Tangonan is also a recipient of multiple other awards, such as the Philippine Empowered Woman of the Year, Philippine Faces of Success, Manila’s Best Dressed, Forbe’s Ambassador of Style, Gawad America and Outstanding Woman of the Year, along with other prominent people, and the Iconic International Women Awards in India.
According to Tangonan, she is also bound to receive the Laguna Excellence Award this coming November, and was appointed by the United Nations as the Ambassador for International Women Empowerment.
“I am so thrilled to take on this new title and journey while sharing my advocacy and inspiring others,” Tangonan said. “To all the dreamers out there, keep pursuing your dreams, believe in yourself and never give up.”
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Stephanie Shinno, education and business reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
