Meet the 2027 Miss Fil-Am Nevada USA Queens, Crowned at Sam’s Town Live

Reported by Jo Han Sayson, PHLV Radio, with Virgilio “Bing” P. Longakit Jr., president of the FACAI Foundation, and News in Photos by Sol Felipe D. Llasos · Adapted for the web by the PTSNV newsroom · Masthead

A teenager and a senior shared one stage in Las Vegas, and both went home wearing crowns. Fil-Am Civic Action International (FACAI) crowned the five winners of the 2027 Miss Fil-Am Nevada USA pageant on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Sam’s Town Live. PHLV Radio’s Jo Han Sayson called it one of the nonprofit’s most vibrant cultural showcases to date. The story leads the front page of the October 5, 2026 Philippine Times of Southern Nevada.

The 2027 Fil-Am Nevada USA Queens

• Maria Pacturan — Teens Winner
• Anne Valin — Miss Winner
• Richel Ann Farrales — Mrs. Winner
• Mary Blaire Abarquez — Mrs. Elegance Winner
• Agnes Dockery — Senior Winner

Thirty-seven candidates competed across five divisions: Miss Teen Fil-Am Nevada USA, Miss Fil-Am Nevada USA, Mrs. Fil-Am Nevada USA, Mrs. Fil-Am Nevada USA Elegance and Ms. Senior Fil-Am Nevada USA. Coronation night capped preliminaries held in the weeks before.

A Pageant Night Built on Heritage

Pageant director Alexis Somers, a Filipino fashion advocate, gave the show more than glitz. She wove FACAI’s mission of community upliftment into every segment, PHLV Radio’s Jo Han Sayson reported.

National Costume: Philippine history on the runway

The National Costume competition was a highlight of the night. Contestants wore intricate ensembles inspired by Philippine history, regional traditions and indigenous craftsmanship. The segment earned its own special award and showed FACAI’s push to teach younger Fil-Ams their heritage through culture.

Evening gowns, special awards and former queens

The Evening Gown segment drew thunderous applause. The night also brought awards for Best in Production, Casual Wear and National Costume, plus division honors for creativity, performance and stage presence. Reigning and former titleholders joined the program, along with musical numbers and raffle draws.

Why FACAI Crowns Five Women, Not One

FACAI President Ron Sumbang welcomed the crowd. He framed the pageant as part of FACAI’s work to strengthen Filipino American identity and civic participation in Nevada. Executive Director Dr. Philip Paleracio laid out the mission behind it: education, economic empowerment, cultural pride, civic engagement and humanitarian outreach.

FACAI Foundation President Atty. Bing Longakit tied the night to the foundation’s philanthropic work. Events like the pageant, he said, help sustain programs for youth, seniors, families and underserved communities. In his column on page D-7, he put it plainly: “The coronation was about more than crowns and gowns.”

Each title, Longakit wrote, is both an honor and a chance to serve. The five queens begin their reign as ambassadors of culture, leadership and civic action.

The Team Behind the Crowns

Event chair Bernie Benito, one of FACAI’s founders, worked alongside President Ron Sumbang, Vice President Olympia Ramones, Executive Director Dr. Philip Paleracio, board members, committee chairs and advisers. Somers received special citations for her creative direction of the annual project, which FACAI has run for about four years.

Organizers thanked community leaders, government officials, the board of judges, sponsors, patrons, raffle-ticket buyers, guests and the Sam’s Town staff. Months of work by volunteers, candidates and their families made the night possible.

What Comes Next for the Queens

Expect to see the new queens at community events across Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas. FACAI’s titleholders already showed what that looks like at the third annual Walk for Mental Health and Breast Cancer on September 5. Read the pre-pageant preview of the five categories, or visit filamcivicaction.org for pageant information.

More photos run in Section C, News in Photos with Kuya Sol, in the full October 5 edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Miss Fil-Am Nevada USA 2027?

Anne Valin won the Miss division. The full slate of 2027 Fil-Am Nevada USA queens is Maria Pacturan (Teens), Anne Valin (Miss), Richel Ann Farrales (Mrs.), Mary Blaire Abarquez (Mrs. Elegance) and Agnes Dockery (Senior).

When and where was the 2027 coronation?

Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.

Who organizes the Miss Fil-Am Nevada USA pageant?

Fil-Am Civic Action International (FACAI), a Las Vegas nonprofit focused on education, cultural preservation, civic engagement and humanitarian service, together with the FACAI Foundation.

How many candidates competed?

Thirty-seven candidates across five divisions, after preliminaries held in the weeks before coronation night.

How can I join next year’s pageant?

Watch filamcivicaction.org and the Philippine Times community events calendar for the next call for candidates.

Related in this issue: The full October 5, 2026 edition · City Hall glows red for Filipino American History Month · Jo Koy’s mom Josie Harrison honored · Golden Pearl Awards honorees · Asian Lantern Festival, Oct. 24

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