The Reign of Rosaly Pacia LaBelle, Mrs.Philippines-USA 2011

Winning a prestigious pageant for married Fil-American women in cosmopolitan New York City was the farthest thing from her mind while growing up in rural Luyang in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

Rosaly Pacia LaBelle, Mrs Philippines-USA 2011, experienced abject poverty and has survived and weathered this condition with her determination to make a difference in her family’s life. She saw how her parents worked hard daily yet still struggled to make both ends meet - this served as a challenge for her being the eldest of six siblings. Sheer determination and perseverance were her tools in attaining the change she envisioned as a young child. Her mother, who she considers her role model, instilled in them the importance of hard work. She and her siblings continuously saw their mother’s passion in her work and how determined she was and how she never wanted to stop working in order to provide their daily needs. Despite all the hardships the family has faced, the maternal figure was also able to instill in them the value of sharing whatever little things you can spare to make a difference in the lives of others. Perhaps this was one of the main reasons why Rosaly decided to join the glamorous world of pageants in the Filipino-American community in New York City.

Rose, as she is fondly called, is a thirty-nine-year- old stunner who currently works as a Medical Assistant in a private clinic in Queens, New York. She served as an ambassadress of goodwill for The Filipino Social Club of New York Inc. “I am very honored and grateful for every opportunity that came my way. It is indeed my responsibility to serve others in need, especially to those who are less fortunate in the Philippines. I am really blessed with great friends and family that supported me every step of the way.”

For someone who is always focused on her career, joining a beauty pageant would mean entailing a lot of time and effort in pursuing the crown. It is not a one day event wherein you are suddenly placed in the limelight. The main difference of a fund raising pageant from your usual pageants is the length of time it takes a candidate to raise funds for an organization’s advocacy.

Margie Wisotsky, a trusted friend and Mrs. Philippines-USA 2010, asked Rose to be one of the candidates for the 2011 edition of the search. Skepticism filled her mind, how can she come up with the means to bolster a campaign whilst maintaining her career? Being a reliable friend, Margie assured her that she will be her most ardent supporter and campaigner.

Rose began her exciting journey towards queenship! The simple, naïve and determined provincial lass prepared herself for an unforgettable and enjoyable sojourn in the world’s toughest concrete jungle. The fundraising process was not easy! It all became worth the tedious effort when she saw who benefited from her hard work. The fundraising period became the time wherein she was able to do her passion for fashion. As a little girl she always played with paper dolls and tremendously enjoyed designing clothes for her “paper” clients. Having new clothes during those days would happen not so often, so she valued and took very good care of her belongings, a trait she possesses till now. If ever you have a chance to peek in her closet, you would notice how tidy and well organized she is. During the exhilarating campaign for the crown, she almost always designed her outfits which were carefully executed by Mrs. Minerva Nantes.

After months of hard work, during the last canvassing, she was proclaimed Mrs. Philippines-USA 2011!  She immediately called her mother and shared the good news. “My mother was very happy and proud for what I have accomplished. She told me she had always wanted to do humanitarian work if she only had the means to do it. What she said struck me because I realized we both have shared the same goal and because of my accomplishment, we were able to make it a reality. A moment like this, only comes once in a lifetime for most of us. It is a very exciting and rewarding experience. “

Her reign was filled with numerous personal appearances among the different charitable Fil-American organizations in the tri-state area aimed to raise funds for the needy in the Philippines, and the enviable position of being the central figure on the float of the Filipino Social Club of New York during the 2011 Philippine Independence Day Parade on Madison Avenue attended by one hundred thousand people. In jest, the greatest and most rewarding event she has attended were the ones held in the Philippines last August 2011. Participating during Davao City’s Araw ng Kadayawan and having her own float amidst thousands of people was indeed very thrilling for her. She was able to meet several local and national government leaders and even celebrities.

Bantay Bata 163 Foundation also received a donation during her visit. The experience was very fulfilling because she was able to meet the children who are the beneficiaries of the organization.

The most endearing project she has done by far was her visit in her native Luyang in Cauayan, Negros Occidental. It was a different homecoming for her this time. Since her last visit several years ago, nothing much has changed in her town. There were still a lot of impoverished families all over, but the distinct Filipino character of helping one another was still prevalent. Seeing her town mates during her charity outreach program gave her the impetus to further her charitable endeavors beyond her reign. The smiling faces she has seen made her truly feel how fulfilling it is to be able to help people who are in need.

She fondly remembers how she articulated “This is my moment!’’ after she was crowned. For somebody who unselfishly sacrificed a lot during her childhood, it is still her concern for others that takes priority. The value of helping those who are in need is something that she has passed on to her only child as well, especially now that she is currently studying in the Philippines.

Her year-long reign may have ended after crowning her successor, but the events she has experienced are forever embedded in her heart. She is grateful for the unwavering love and support of her daughter Christy Pacia Olpenda and immediate family, her parents Julio and Helen Pacia. She is thankful to Mrs. Joann Carman, President of the Filipino Social Club of New York Inc., beauty pageant expert and journalist Felix Manuel R.N. and to her beauty architects Joel Adriano and Oscar Duenas.

She also hopes 2012 will be another year dedicated to helping others as she fulfills her role as Second Vice President of the Wonder Girls and Boys of New York Inc., a non profit organization that has recently been established here in New York City.

Photos by BOYET LOVERITA
MakeUp by JOEL ADRIANO; Hair by OSCAR DUENAS