By Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine Staff
Photography courtesy of Project Publicity

When Kendall Jecky Sonquipal Cailing steps onto the Miss International Queen–USA stage this March, she will be carrying far more than a sash or a crown-in-waiting. She brings with her a story shaped by immigration, survival, faith, and a fierce commitment to visibility; one that reflects the very heart of what MIQ-USA was created to celebrate.

A proud Filipina transgender woman and recent immigrant, Kendall arrived in the United States in July 2024 with dreams rooted in resilience and purpose. “I’m a survivor,” she says simply. “What drives me is purpose. I want to be visible, to be honest, and to help others, especially trans women and immigrants, feel supported in their own journeys.”

Kendall Jecky Sonquipal Cailing

A Journey Defined by Love and Survival

Kendall’s understanding of herself began early, nurtured by the unconditional love of her grandmother in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. “She saw me before I had the words,” Kendall recalls. “She supported my transition with love and patience and showed me the kind of woman I wanted to become: kind, grounded, and strong.”

Later, surviving domestic violence would become another defining chapter, one that forced Kendall to reclaim her voice. “That moment changed everything,” she shares. “I stopped shrinking and started choosing myself.” That choice continues to guide her today, shaping both her personal healing and her public presence.

Finding Freedom in Las Vegas

Relocating to Las Vegas marked a turning point. Where safety and self-expression once felt limited, Kendall found a city alive with queer visibility and possibility. “Vegas gave me freedom,” she says. “Here, I see trans women celebrated in art, fashion, and nightlife. That visibility gave me confidence. Vegas helped me believe that I can take up space and be proud of who I am.”

It’s also where she found community. Kendall speaks warmly of the trans sisterhood she’s built in the city; women who are “bold, loving, and unapologetic” and who helped make Las Vegas feel like home.

A Return to Pageantry On Her Own Terms

Kendall’s participation in Miss International Queen–USA feels less like a debut and more like a homecoming. “I’ve missed pageantry for years,” she says. “I always knew I’d come back, but only when I was ready. This year feels right.”

She arrives not to prove herself, but to honor how far she’s come. “I’m here as a survivor of domestic violence, as a transgender immigrant, and as a woman who reclaimed her voice. MIQ-USA feels like a return to myself.”

Produced by the nonprofit Be the Transformational Change Fund, MIQ-USA is widely recognized as more than a competition. For Kendall, that distinction matters. “It’s a celebration of trans women; our stories, our strength, our beauty, inside and out. It’s sisterhood.”

Authenticity on Stage

Preparing for the pageant has been deeply personal. After time away, rebuilding confidence has been the greatest challenge, and the greatest reward. “My confidence now comes from within,” Kendall says.

Every category holds meaning, but Evening Gown stands out. “That’s where I feel calm, powerful, and fully myself.” Her personal style, which she describes as “authentic elegance,” blends bold colors with strong details, always grounded in truth.

Her talent presentation tells a story of reclaiming expression. “It’s about finding my voice again,” she explains. “Choosing expression over silence.” Throughout it all, her Filipina heritage remains present. “My warmth, my humor, my heart; that’s home, no matter where I am.”

Inspired Leadership and Shared Purpose

Kendall draws inspiration from reigning Miss International Queen Midori Monet, who will crown the next MIQ-USA winner in Atlantic City. “She represents leadership with intention,” Kendall says. “Her reign shows that trans women can lead with grace and purpose.”

Still, her greatest role model remains her grandmother, alongside trans women who live honestly and create space for others simply by being themselves.

Advocacy Rooted in Unity

Kendall is especially excited for MIQ-USA’s empowerment workshops, which focus on leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. If crowned, her first priority would be unity. “We are stronger together, always,” she says.

To Kendall, transformational change begins with grace, both from the world and within the community itself. “Let trans people express themselves freely, without judgment,” she says. “Even within our own community.”

Looking Ahead

The Sashing Ceremony will mark a powerful moment for Kendall. “It will feel like a return. A comeback. A new introduction to the woman I’ve become.”

As she prepares to meet her fellow contestants in Atlantic City, what excites her most is connection; learning each woman’s story and building sisterhood. And for the audience watching, Kendall hopes her presence sends a clear message: “That the American Dream includes people like me (immigrants, survivors, trans women) who show up with heart, resilience, and hope.”

For Kendall Jecky Sonquipal Cailing, transformation and triumph mean standing proudly after being silenced, owning her voice, and knowing, without question, that it matters. And as she represents Las Vegas on the MIQ-USA stage, she does so with grace, purpose, and a crown already forged through courage.

This article was originally published in the 2026 New Beginnings Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.