Victoria Manzano Perreira was named the 2023 Miss Kaua‘i Filipina on Saturday night, said Elizabeth Kawamura, the contestant coordinator for the scholarship pageant presented by the Kaua‘i Filipino Community Council at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
“The past 48 hours have been surreal for me,” said Perreira in an email on Monday. “It is an incredible privilege to be crowned Miss Kaua‘i Filipina 2023. The honor is personally profound since I had never competed in a pageant prior to this experience.”
En route to receiving her new crown, Perreira also copped a bunch of special awards that included Best in Terno Speech Phase, Best in Talent, Best in Interview, Most Spirit Award for the most tickets sold, Most Photogenic, the Social Media Award and the People’s Choice Award.
“I am certain that my genuinely surprised reaction when the award winners were revealed said it all,” Perreira said. “During my reign, I will proudly perpetuate our vibrant Filipino culture, and encourage others to embrace their beautiful heritage. I also plan to be an advocate for mental health by creating a support group because it is so important to destigmatize mental health care.”
The First Runner-Up is Khiani Taylor Garcia, who also captured the Best in Terno Design special award during the pageant that was also livestreamed for people unable to attend the pageant in person.
The first runner-up award is important because the first runner-up assumes the queen’s position if the Miss Kaua‘i Filipina becomes the Miss Hawai‘i Filipina, a situation that repeated itself twice since the pandemic.
Kawamura said the stream is available for people who could not attend the Saturday night pageant by looking for Miss Kaua‘i Filipina 2023 on YouTube.
Madelle Yadao Florendo earned the Most Congeniality special award on the way toward being announced the pageant’s second runner-up.
Shai-Lein Acosta rounded out the leaderboard as third runner-up.
Perreira, with the new crown on her head, will be advancing to the state Miss Hawai‘i Filipina competition that will take place July 22 on Maui.
“As I anticipate an exciting year of being a humble and grateful ambassador for our Filipino community, I would like to thank those who made my pageant journey a huge success,” Perreira said. “I extend love and appreciation to Malisa Pegeder, Donovan Pegeder, Salisa Pegeder, Saebrie Pegeder, Jacob “Smilie” Punzal, Faith Dabin, Chantel Aban, my entire family and everyone who believed in my true potential.”
The reigning Miss Hawai‘i Filipina is Xarika Felicia Casticimo, who earned her title after being named Miss Kaua‘i Filipina in 2022. Kiele Rose Casillas, the first runner-up in the 2022 pageant, replaced Casticimo as the Miss Kaua‘i Filipina until Saturday night.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
