Local woman named Mrs. Philippines America
Cecille Castillon-Weinstein, a New Paltz resident who was born in the Philippines and worked as a nurse in her home country and later in Thailand, has been named Mrs. Philippines America 2019.
She was selected from among nine contestants during a pageant in New York City in July.
Castillon-Weinstein, 31, said her one-year reign, which will take her across the United States and to Asia, will give her the opportunity to speak out on issues important to her.
“I know that this platform will allow me to pursue my personal advocacies, which are children’s education and environmental protection, and at the same time advocating for cultural heritage and supporting women empowerment,” she said.
Castillon-Weinstein met her husband, Ian, in November 2012, when they both were on holiday in Thailand. She said they “quickly fell in love” and that proposed to her atop the tallest building in Bangkok in February 2013. Six months later, she came to the United States through a fiancée visa, and they married in September 2013.
Since then, CastillonWeinstein has founded Castillon Lifestyle + Concierge in New Paltz and immersed herself in local organizations, including Hudson Valley Women in Business and the Wisdom of Women Committee of the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce.