Trans woman Cassey Arrobang from Albany crowned Ms. PAFCOM LGBTQ 2026
By Elton Lugay
Every time Cassey Arrobang steps into the spotlight, she carries more than a microphone. She carries a story.
“As a performer, my greatest goal is to tell a story through every performance,” Cassey, a transgender woman, singer, dancer and community leader from Albany, shared in an interview with this writer. “Whether it’s a story of sadness, hope, love, or triumph, I want my audience to feel every emotion with me.”
That commitment to authentic storytelling recently earned her the Ms. PAFCOM LGBTQ 2026 crown, presented at the annual LGBTQ pageant organized by the Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc. (PAFCOM).
For Arrobang, also known by her stage name Cassey Fierce, the crown is an opportunity to use her visibility to advocate for a community that has often struggled to be seen, heard and accepted.
“As Ms. PAFCOM LGBTQ 2026, this title serves as a powerful platform to amplify my voice, inspire resilience, lead with compassion, and advocate for equality, inclusion, and hope within our community,” she said.
Cassey was born and raised in Metro Manila, the third of five children of Dominico Arrobang Jr. and Liberata Bernales Arrobang. She describes her childhood as simple but filled with love. Her family lived close to relatives, and her earliest memories include playing in the streets with her siblings and cousins, many of whom were also her neighbors.
Her parents, she said, recognized from an early age that she was different.
“But instead of judging me, they embraced me with unconditional love and support,” she recalled.
At 16, the Arrobang family made a life-changing move to Upstate New York. Leaving the Philippines was difficult, but the United States eventually became home and, in her words, “a land of opportunity.”
“My journey from a simple childhood in the Philippines to building a life in America has shaped who I am today and taught me to embrace who I am, work hard, and always dream big,” she said.
Finding her voice
Music has always been central to Cassey’s life. She credits her father, the family singer, as the person who first inspired her to embrace her own voice. Over the years, she developed into a multifaceted performer –singer, dancer, choreographer and digital creator — using each discipline as another way to connect with audiences.
As a volunteer performer, she has supported The Outstanding Filipino Americans (TOFA) and LGBTQ community events, bringing her energy and talent to stages throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond.
But her path, in her own words, has not always been an easy one.
“I’ve faced many challenges, and sometimes the harshest criticism came from people within my own community.”
There were moments, according to her, when she felt judged, humiliated and made to believe that there was no place for someone like her in the entertainment industry or in the Filipino community where she rightfully belongs.
“Those experiences were painful, but they never defined me,” she said.
Instead, they became part of the story she now brings to the stage.
A profession in healthcare
Cassey is a dialysis nurse at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center catering to veterans in the community. Her commitment to service does not end at the clinic. She founded the Albany Kidney Walk-Veterans Albany Medical Center in 2023. According to VAMC nurse manager Nora Okoren“the initiative grew because of Cassey,” from 150 participants doubling after one year. (There is a similar AKW organization founded years earlier in the region, but is not to be confused with AKW-VAMC.) She has also served as vice president of the Bayanihan Association of the Capital District, one of the oldest Filipino American organizations in Albany celebrating its 60th year. She has raised awareness about kidney disease in her community and supports efforts to combat it.
“As a healthcare worker, I have the privilege of caring for our veterans and serving the community with compassion, dedication, and respect,” she said. “Every day, I strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those I care for.”
Her years of community involvement have shaped her understanding of leadership.
“Being a good leader isn’t about having the loudest voice—it’s about listening,” she said. “A great leader listens to their people, values their ideas, understands their needs, and leads with compassion, integrity, and respect.”
A crown with a purpose
Now, with the Ms. PAFCOM LGBTQ 2026 crown, Cassey hopes to turn her visibility into advocacy. Her greatest ambition is to challenge the stereotypes that continue to surround transgender people and the broader LGBTQ community.
“I want to live in a world where we are recognized not for our gender identity, but for our character, abilities, and the positive impact we make in society,” she said. “If my journey can inspire even one person to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams with confidence, then I know I have made a difference.”
