NEW YORK — Ara Maristela, a towering 6’2” Filipina working as a registered nurse in Staten Island, was crowned Miss Gorg 2019 at The Triad Theatre last week, promising an activist reign with her vow to foster acceptance and not just tolerance of minorities of all kinds.

“I wanted to send a signal to other trans women of my age that you’re never too old to scale that summit of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: self-actualization,” says Maristela. “I am 45-years-old, but my dreams are as valid as those of another person regardless of his or her gender, orientation, age and skin color.”

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Believing that it’s never too late to live your best life, the new Miss Gorg transitioned two years ago. Transphobia is part and parcel of her new life, including some serious and alarming harassment incidents in her job as an RN, one of the reasons she dusted off her 11-year-old pageant shoes and joined the Miss Gorg pageant this year.

“Being a trans woman, I confront sexual, racial and religious biases head-on. Every single day, I go out there without batting an eyelash. I have no choice but to be strong, not just for myself but for other people like me,” Maristela says.

Miss Gorg 2018 Alana Dillon crowned Maristela during pageant night last March 28. Rachelle Black Summers was awarded first runner-up and Best in Gown while Ruffa Fuertes was named second runner-up and Best in Swimsuit. Miss Gorg 2019 candidates included Allain Yap, third runner-up; Angel Valmorida, fourth runner-up; and finalists Ella Schmidt and Joy Borja.

Jen Furer – author, lifestyle and fitness advocate, and host of Makilala TV – set the tone for the evening with a personal tale. “I want everyone here to know that I am a proud mother of a transgender woman. My 27-year-old child came out four months ago. Although we support her with all our heart, her revelation came out as a surprise. It took a few months for the sobs to fade away, and then I realized there is nothing for me to understand. It is not a choice. This is who she is, and we love her for who she is,” she said upon opening pageant night as the host of Miss Gorg 2019.

Katherine Creag, who hosted last year’s Miss Gorg, served as a judge this year. Joining her in the judge’s panel were J.R. Cehonski of the Queens LGBT Center, TransModels NYC founder Pêche Di, fashion designer Boogie Musni Rivera, and Chelle Lhuillier of the Human Rights Campaign.

Tanya Asapansa Walker of the Transgender Advocacy Group, Mikaela Lagman representing the Office of New York State Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, and Bima Baje of NYC Regenerative Medicine were the evening’s keynote speakers.

Transgender recording star Mila Jam enthralled the audience with her hit singles “Better Days” and “Twilight Zone” – and was well-applauded. Regene Odon’s performance of “Proud of Your Boy” from “Aladdin: The Musical” was likewise well-received. The evening’s performing artists included FilAm balladeer Alain Echem, Dr. Allan Renier Mendez and Berniece Abquilan.

“The fight for equality continues, and the Miss Gorg pageant is one with the LGBT community in promoting the viability of transgender women. Once again, our goal is to extend our celebration to one whole month rather than just a few hours in one night. And whether we take baby steps or giant strides along the way, I am just so happy and grateful to all of you for taking this journey with us,” Elton Lugay, founder and executive producer of The Miss Gorg Pageant, said in his remarks.

This year’s pageant was directed by Miss Gorg Pageant co-founder Usher Turek. He joined Lugay and co-founders Toni Gado and Rasmin Diaz at the pageant board.

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Donors and community partners for Miss Gorg 2019 were Madison Cathy, Marla Vera Faulkerson, M Events, TOFA LLC, Philippine Independence Day Council Inc., CDO-MISOR, TAUSA and INQ.net. RJ Ensalada was the evening’s official photographer while EJ Fernandez Hormillosa served as tabulator and moderator for the pageant.