Fiesta in America (FIA) launches the first ever international beauty and talent search this side of the eastern seaboard in connection with its 16th year of celebrating the grandiosity of diverse culture, trade exhibits, business to business networking plus world-class entertainment.
Young male and female hopefuls of different ethnicities ranging from 18 to 25 years old took their chance of a lifetime in joining the recently launched Fiesta in America International King and Queen 2014 pageant. After a series of up-close interviews and judicious screenings of close to a hundred applicants, a total of eight finalists (four males and 4 females) made their way up to the final round.
In its well-determined effort to raise the bar of the annual beauty and talent search common among local communities, FIA has decided to welcome interested parties from different countries and ethnicities to broaden the elaborateness of the event while simultaneously offering the rare opportunity to a great number of youth to further develop their personalities and the pageant to serve as a venue to showcase their innate capabilities.
To be formally introduced via a choreographed presentation at the Grand Ballroom of Double Tree by Hilton in Newark Airport, New Jersey on Friday, August 15, as one of the main features of the People’s Ball, the eight finalists of four males and four females are made up of a Fil-Am, Fil-Egyptian, Dominican, Fil-Irish, Jamaican, Egyptian, Senegale, and a Filipino.
As a majestically conceived coronation ceremony will be staged on Sunday, August 17, at the Meadowlands Expo Center, a grand prize of cash, crown, sashes, gift certificates and impressive items await the winners.
Get to know the eight finalists who all turned out to be much more glitz and glam through Mileth Marieski’s Midas-gifted hands, Velzon Velez’s keen lens works, and videographer Moses Sharma’s nearly faultless camera angling.
International Queen Finalist # 1
Full name: Angie Talavera
Nick/pet name: Angie
Ethnicity: Hispanic (Dominican)
DoB: August 3, 1993
PoB: Jersey City, New Jersey
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Citizenship: American
School: School of Visual Arts
Course: Advertising
Profession: Advertising copywriter
Hobbies: cooking & baking
Sports: volleyball
Special skills: painting, drawing, acting, modeling
Height: 5’ 6”
Weight: 118 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Busts: 33
Waist: 24
Hips: 35
Dress size: 2 or 4
Shoe size: 7 ½
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining): Beauty pageants never fail to fascinate me so I grabbed the opportunity when one came along. Without any doubt from this experience I will develop self-confidence, improve my communication skills and be able to meet people…and not to mention the huge prizes at stake.
Goal in life: To gain as much experiences and knowledge in life and eventually open a business of my own. When I have saved enough I want to travel around the world and find who would be the best deserving of the little aid that I could afford.
International Queen Finalist # 2
Full name: Olivia Vanessa Yee
Nick/pet name: Olivia
DoB: May 7, 1992
PoB: Kingston, Jamaica
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Ethnicity: Jamaican-Asian
Citizenship: American
School: Westchester Community College
Course: Merchandising & design
Profession: part time employee
Hobbies: fashion sketching & sewing
Sports: tennis
Special skills: painting, drawing, acting, modeling
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 128 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Busts: 34
Waist: 24 ½
Hips: 36
Dress size: 0 – 2
Shoe size: 9
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining): It has always been my dream to join a beauty pageant and experience the thrill and excitement the contest brings. Joining FIA 2014 International King & Queen is worth every effort and learning diverse cultural heritage.
Goal in life: To help improve the lives of the less fortunate in my own little way.
International Queen Finalist # 3
Full name: Lara Hirshenson
Nick/pet name: Lara
Ethnicity: Filipino-American
DoB: September 21
PoB: Livingston, New Jersey
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Citizenship: American
School: Fairleigh Dickinson University
Course: BA Math & MA in Education
Profession: Math Teacher
Hobbies: Baking, cooking & practicing yoga
Special skill: coaching basketball
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 128 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Busts: 34
Waist: 26 ½
Hips: 35
Dress size: 2
Shoe size: 9 ½
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining): I thought this is a perfect avenue to expand my horizons and to view ideas from other vantage points. The inter-personal relationship among candidates offers the biggest prospect for open communication and self-expression.
Goal in life: To open a school for underprivileged kids or an orphanage.
International Queen Finalist # 4
Full name: Sydney Thornell
Nick/pet name: Sydney
Ethnicity: Filipino-Irish
DoB: August 23, 1993
DoB: New York, NY
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Citizenship: American
School: Fordham University
Course: Dance & English
Profession: not applicable
Hobbies: Dancing & traveling
Special skill: Dancing ballet
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 139 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Busts: 35 ½
Waist: 26 Hips: 38
Dress size: 4 or 6
Shoe size: 8 ½
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining); I love challenges and by way of this pageant I’ll be able to gauze my capabilities while simultaneously learning a whole new perspective and get adapted to new situations.
Goal in life: To travel the world and learn about different cultures and dances along the way.
International King Finalist # 1
Full name: Mark Joseph Nabong
Nick/pet name: Mark
Ethnicity: Filipino
DoB: September 21
PoB: Livingston, New Jersey
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Citizenship: American
School: Essex County College
Course: Business Administration
Profession: Retail store manager
Hobbies: Hiking, archery, running
Special skill: Tap dancing
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Chest: 37
Waist: 32
Pants: 32 / 32
Suit size: 38R
Shoe size: 9
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining): I think pageants and talent search are good moral-boosters so I want to find it out for myself. Joining this contest is one rare opportunity not every guy is given the chance.
Goal in life: To find something I’m passionate about and build my own business around it.
International King Finalist # 2
Full name: Malick Diaw
Nick/pet name: Malick
Ethnicity: Senegale
DoB: April 11, 1995
PoB: Paris, France
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Citizenship: American
School: Dickinson High School
Course: High School graduate
Profession: food store crew
Hobbies: reading and practicing soccer
Special skill: defense technique in my favorite sport Sports: soccer
Height: 6’
Weight: 168 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Chest: 38
Waist: 32
Pants: 32 / 34
Suit size: 38R
Shoe size: 9
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining): The International King & Queen pageant seems like an exciting activity I never imagine myself to be involved with…and surely, it is! I want to try new things, experience the thrill, and I’m enjoying every single moment of it.
Goal in life: I study diligently to be successful in life to help my family and make a difference in our social and economic status.
International King # 3
Full name: Paully Awad
Nick/pet name: Paully
Ethnicity: Filipino-Egyptian
DoB: September 5, 1991
PoB: Staten Island, New York
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Citizenship: American
School: La Guardia Community College
Course: B S Psychology
Profession: Bartender
Hobbies: Hiking, archery, running
Special skill: songwriting & performing
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Chest: 40
Waist: 34
Pants: 33 / 34
Suit size: 38R
Shoe size: 11
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining): I always welcome every opportunity that could bring change and joining this pageant is more than the change I was expecting. I also want to learn more about different cultures and later be an asset to other community organizations that might need my talent.
Goal in life: To be successful in life to be able to help my family and relatives in need.
International King Finalist # 4
Full name: Ahmed Hamed
Nick/pet name: Ahmed
Ethnicity: Egyptian
DoB: February 5, 1995
PoB: Egypt
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Citizenship: American
School: Rutgers College
Course: Bachelor of Arts
Profession: part time crew in a NYC Deli
Hobbies: getting into active sports
Sport: Soccer
Special skill: songwriting & performing
Height: 6’0” Weight: 170 lbs.
Tale of the tape:
Chest: 40
Waist: 33
Pants: 33 / 34
Suit size: 40R
Shoe size: 12
Raison d’ etre (Reason for joining): I just thought joining such pageant would give me the opportunity to meet people, go places, and develop my social faculties.
Goal in life: I have simple needs and never been ambitious. I just do the best I could in whatever I do for self improvement and advancement. I just wish I could be an instrument to a harmonious global set-up and make this world a better place to live.
Come and witness the maiden coronation rites of Fiesta In America International King & Queen 2014 and be part of its historical unfolding when the first ever winners are crowned at the Meadowlands Expo Center on Sunday, August 17.
Incidentally, Concert King Martin Nievera, dramatic actor-singer Jericho Rosales, funny-bone tickler comedienne Fe de los Reyes, together with a bevy of Asian and Latino talents, will perform live and sign autographs on Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, respectively, during the two-day largest east coast indoor festival of music, entertainment, culture, food, and business networking at the 16th Fiesta in America festival.
To sponsor, exhibit, attend or for ticket information, pls. call 212.682.6610 or email: [email protected] or visit: www.philippinefiesta.com
For comments and suggestions: please email [email protected] or [email protected]
