From the Social Media Desk:
I enjoyed interviewing all the candidates for Mrs. Arizona 2025. Your stories and presence reminded me of the deep roots of pageantry in Filipina culture, where women have long been symbols of strength, wisdom, and grace. From pre-colonial babaylans to the queens of Flores de Mayo, and even the modern beauty queens like Pia Wurtzbach, pageantry has been a powerful expression of identity, resilience, and representation.
Today, you continue that legacy not just as candidates, but as leaders breaking stereotypes and inspiring others with your voice, courage, and dedication. In every answer you gave, I saw the heart of a true queen: strong, modern, and unstoppable. Congratulations on this empowering moment. Laban lang! With pride, Santi
Patino Social Media Manager
Best of luck to all the candidates. The journey to the crown is never an easy one it demands resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment. Throughout this process, each of you has shown that true strength lies not just in talent or charisma, but in dedication, discipline, and the courage to keep moving forward despite the challenges.
Your efforts re ect not only your individual ambitions but also your ability to inspire others around you. By embracing this experience with grace and determination, you have already proven that success is not just about the destination, but the growth and learning that happens along the way.
No matter the outcome, take pride in how far you’ve come. Your mission is not only possible it is already unfolding. Continue to shine, lead, and believe in the power of your purpose.
Fleur Magbanua-Mansur MSN RN Chair, CFO
Mrs Arizona 2025 Candidates
The face of Fmagazine. Congratulations Christina Laguna Kelly!
From Runway to Arizona Barangay: What the Pageant Says about Filipinos
By: Santi Patino
On July 12, 2025 the Mrs. Arizona stage wasn’t just a spotlight — it was a re ecton of the empowered community fueled by strong women professional women of poise and talent. Each candidates sharing their stories, walking on stage and performing on stage is a re ection of Filipina women's unique strength. A modern Filipina is a new version of womanhood: graceful, grounded, and ambitious. Gone are the days when pageants were only about women displayed as ornaments or only about their gown. Today, Filipino pageants are platforms for women who balance motherhood, business, advocacy, and style — all while making it look effortless.
Resilience in heels, and stories that stretch beyond the crown. As — the contestants, the crowd I realized we’re witnessing the rede nition of traditional femininity transform into boss ladies. These women weren’t competing to be seen. They were claiming space that always belonged to them. Proof that they can do anything in spite what the patriarchal culture would set limitations on a Filipina
I observed the unique qualities of each contestant: glam but grounded, witty but observant. She moved through the event not just as a guest, but as a woman who has built something a life, a brand, a legacy without asking for permission.
Mrs. Arizona wasn’t just a title that night. It was a stage that said, “This is who we are now.” Wives, leaders, healers, fashion lovers. And yes, we’ll take the crown but we’ll also write the rules.
Courage in Heels: Ailyn Shirk
Crowned Mrs Arizona Philippines
By: Santi Patino
MeettheMrs. Arizonacandidatewho'smasteringtheartofbeingmom, dad, andabsolutesuperhero allwhilekeepinghersenseofhumorintact
If you've ever wondered what a real-life superhero looks like, let us introduce you to Ailyn Shirk She doesn't wear a cape (though we're pretty sure she could pull one off), but she does have the uncanny ability to be in three places at once, make life-changing decisions before her morning coffee, and somehow still nd time to compete for Mrs. Arizona
When life handed Ailyn the ultimate plot twist becoming a widow with two children ages ve and six she didn't just survive the storm She learned to dance in it, laugh through it, and emerge stronger than ever Now, as a Mrs Arizona candidate, she's proof that sometimes the best stories come from the most unexpected chapters.
The Art of Being Everything to Everyone (Especially Your Kids)
Ask Ailyn about her biggest challenge, and she'll tell you it's “the parent aspect disciplining the children, and decision-making for them.” She balances her children creating chaos while maintaining her sanity and sense of humor
Being the sole architect of her children's upbringing means every choice lands on her desk No co-pilot, no backup plan just pure, un ltered mom power. And honestly? She's absolutely crushing it.
The Great Balancing Act (AKA How to Be a Working Mom Without Losing Your Mind)
Imagine you're a single parent trying to build a career while making sure your kids don't burn the house down Ailyn's solution? Get creative with career choices “I started real estate to have a schedule that works around my work with my children”
“It's hard to think my kids are by themselves at home, especially right now since they don't go to school because it's summer,” Ailyn shares Every working parent just nodded knowingly
The beauty of Ailyn's journey is how she's adapted to different situattions. When her kids got older, she shifted to a nine-to- ve job because, as she puts it, “they're a little older, and I can leave them at home” It's not just about nding work it's about nding work that works for your family's ever-changing needs
Here's where Ailyn's story gets truly inspiring. When asked how she embraces her authentic self and personal power, her answer is pure gold: “I think as a solo parent, I don't play games I know what I want, and I know what I can do I know my potential and capabilities”
This isn't just con dence this is the kind of unshakeable self-assurance that comes from proving to yourself that you can handle anything life throws your way When you're making every decision for your family, managing every crisis, and still showing up as the best version of yourself, you develop a certain clarity about what you're capable of.
“Because of that, I am very con dent that whatever decision I make is what's best for me and my children,” she says with the kind of conviction that makes you believe she could probably run a small country while simultaneously helping with homework.
The Solo Parent Superpower
What makes Ailyn's story so compelling isn't just that she's managing it all it's that she's thriving while doing it
She's taken the challenge of solo parenting and turned it into her greatest strength. No games, no nonsense, just pure authenticity and determination.
Her children, now older and more independent, have watched their mom navigate every challenge with grace and grit They've seen her build careers around their needs, make tough decisions with con dence, and somehow still nd time to pursue her own dreams. That's the kind of role modeling that creates future leaders.
Ailyn's journey to the Mrs. Arizona stage isn't your typical pageant story, and that's exactly what makes it so powerful. She's not just representing beauty and poise she's representing the thousands of parents who are rewriting the rules, making it work against all odds, and proving that strength comes in many forms
Her story is a reminder that sometimes life's biggest challenges become our greatest teachers. Solo parenting taught her to trust her instincts, embrace her capabilities, and never underestimate what she can accomplish. Now, she's taking that wisdom and con dence to the Mrs Arizona stage, crown or no crown
The Real Victory
Whether Ailyn wins Mrs. Arizona or not, she's already won at life. She's raised two children with love and intention, built a career that serves her family, and maintained her sense of self through it all. She's proven that you don't need a traditional path to create an extraordinary life
Her message to other parents navigating their own storms? Trust yourself. You're more capable than you know, stronger than you think, and de nitely deserving of that crown whether it's rhinestones or just the invisible one you wear every day as an amazing parent
Sometimesthemostinspiringstoriescomefromthemostunexpectedplaces AilynShirk'sjourneyfromsolo parenttoMrs. Arizonacandidateprovesthatwithenoughdetermination, humor, andcoffee, anythingispossible.
