Arielle Keil is the half-Pinay transgender who will represent New Zealand at Miss Intercontinental

Bow down, because we have another proudly Pinay queen taking on the global stage.

Meet Arielle Keil, the first transgender woman to represent New Zealand in the upcoming Miss Intercontinental pageant.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online,  Ari (as everyone calls her) introduced herself as a proud “Dabawenya.”

She was born in Matina, Davao City, but grew up in Auckland, New Zealand.

This gorgeous 26-year-old beauty queen of German descent has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and she’s currently studying creative advertising.

As a proud transgender woman, Ari bravely fought many battles filled with discrimination and prejudice.

Though hard work and dedication, the half-Pinay queen is now living her childhood dream.

“It feels surreal. I have to pinch myself every day. I’ve wanted this for years! It’s a dream that was almost a decade in the making!” she told GMA News Online.

“I sacrificed a lot and worked super hard to be where I am so I am so grateful more than anything,” she added.

Ari has a Filipino father, who is supporting her on her pageant journey, and she is very proud of  her Pinoy roots.

“I am the proudest Dabawenya you’ll meet!” she said.

She speaks Bisaya, loves Bilo-Bilo, and follows a Pinoy food truck around Auckland so she could get her fill of taho.

In fact, Ari would love to visit Davao once the travel restrictions due to COVID-19 are lifted.

But, in the meantime, she’s gearing up to represent her country New Zealand in the upcoming Miss Intercontinental pageant. – RC, GMA News