Family Affair

Leticia Ruiz throws a solid left jab.

And she’s developed a wicked right cross, too.

Competing for the title of 2013 Hawaii Mrs. Filipina will do that.

“My husband is a fan of boxing,” the Eleele resident said. “He’s my trainer, too.”

Since Ruiz applied for the program in August, she’s been prepping for the pageant on Oct. 13 on Oahu.

Her diet has changed — no more carbs; proteins only, please. Yoga, walking, running and lifting weights are part of her weekly regiment.

“I exercised before, but now it’s more,” she said.

And it’s made a difference.

“I feel healthier and stronger since I started my training and changed my diet,” she said.

The mother of four, grandmother of one, who recently turned 40, has always been busy. Besides caring for a family, she works full-time at Health Management Program in Lihue.

Friend and fellow HMP employee Carey Fujimoto said Ruiz loves to sing and dance, and has been in local commercials, too.

Entering the pageant started as a kind of a joke, with Fujimoto kidding around, sort of, that Ruiz should go after the Hawaii Mrs. Filipina title.

She’s a gifted singer, Fujimoto said, and doesn’t mind the spotlight.

“She’s a people person,” Fujimoto said. “She can go up to anyone and is able to relate to them, talk with them.”

Ruiz decided, ‘why not?’

“One day she came to work, and said ‘Carrie, I’m going to apply for this.’ I said, ‘OK, Let’s do it.’”

Ruiz began singing when she was 3 years old. When she was in elementary school in Badian, Cebu, Philippines, she was a school choir member. She was a soloist in the church choir at the age of 7, singing for about four years.  

In 1986, she migrated to Kauai at the age of 12 with her mother, Fely, and three siblings, Rosalyn, Marjie, and Silvino. In 1987, she was in the Waimea Canyon Middle School Chorus and continued in chorus at Waimea High School. Her senior year, she placed first in the “Brown Bags to Stardom,” singing “If Wishes Came True” by Sweet Sensation.

Her talents will serve her in the Hawaii Mrs. Filipina contest.

Any married, divorced or widowed woman between ages 21 and 65, a resident of Hawaii and of Filipino ancestry can apply for the event, which is being held at Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom.

Ruiz will compete with representatives from other islands.

“I think this is a good opportunity,” Fujimoto said.

The competition’s categories include talent, and naturally, she’ll sing. No worries, either.

“I just like performing in front of people,” Ruiz said.

The winner of the Mrs. Hawaii Filipina 2013 will be awarded a crown, trophy and bouquet, and a  subsidy for attending functions.

The Waimea High School graduate hopes to support local youth by raising scholarship money should she win the title.

 “I wanted to share my talents and ultimately help contribute to the scholarships that will be rewarded to two promising young adults from Kauai,” she said.

Husband Noel is her biggest fan.

“He knows from way back I always wanted to be in a pageant,” she said. “My husband is always very supportive since the day I  decided to represent Kauai for the Mrs. Hawaii Filipina. He encourages me to work out more and reminds me to watch what I eat.”

Her four children, Lexie, Zyron, Nyra, Lasaya, help her train when she’s returns home from work. They walk, run, even box together.

“My children are my motivators. I put my youngest baby Lasaya on my legs when doing my sit-ups and crunches to use as my weight resistant. My son is my boxing partner, he holds the mitts for me when I do my boxing workouts. Nyra is my cheerleader. She cheers “Come on Mommy you can do it!”

She trains around seven hours a week, including zumba and Birkham yoga.

“I work with diabetic educators Mary Rousch and Danielle Hill. They have formed a basic diet for me to follow. I do not eat rice and deserts.

My portions are limited. I indulge in more different types of salads. If I do decide to cheat on my diet than I add more time to my work out. However, my manager Carey Fujimoto consistently monitors my daily intake,” she said.

 Birkham yoga is her favorite workout because it helps total body stretching.

“It is good medicine and also supports preventative care for any injuries,” she said.

 Boxing is a great cardio workout, too, she said.

“My husband teaches me how to bounce, block, and utilize different techniques of punching and combinations,” she said. “Boxing is another workout that I love the most because it is a family affair. My husband and kids work with me to become stronger in my executions.”

The 2013 Hawaii Mrs. Filipina program, she says, is her chance.

“When I was young, I always heard about the Miss Island Philippines. I always wanted to try.”

But family and work, she said, happened.

“Now, it’s my moment again,” she said.

Ruiz could still use help with sponsorships.

Tickets to the program are $65, which includes dinner. For tickets: (808) 639-7654 or Lettynoelxz@yahoo.com