Jean Paulette Cuano Alarcon, 22
College Student, University of San Francisco | Tutor
Bay Area Camarines Norte Association
Jean enjoys tennis, baking, biology and helping people in need through medicine and education.
"I am proud to be a Bicolano because Bicolanos are good-hearted, compassionate, religious, and unpretentious people. My parents were both born and raised in Camarines Norte. They taught me to treat people with kindness and love and to have strong faith in God.
Being a Bicolano was a gift given to me by God and should be held with the utmost respect. Bicolanos believe that if nothing works, prayers will. They're ready to sacrifice when necessary and remain humble after giving.
The Bicol Region is full of natural beauties and wonders that are enjoyable for all. It is home to the Mayon Volcano, as well as the Calaguas and Maculabo Islands white sand beaches.
I'm proud that Bicolanos have also made a name for themselves in the culinary world with famous dishes like bicol express and natong. My favorite pasalubong from relatives who return to the US from Bicol is pili candy.
Furthermore, I'm also proud of the Marian devotion of Bicolanos, especially the devotion to our Lady of Penafrancia. Known as the "Ina" in Naga City, many healing acts and miracles have been associated with her. I did not have a choice to be a Bicolano, however, after learning my culture and being able to admire the wonders that nature offers in the Bicol region, I can honestly say that I'm proud to be one, and to win the Miss Penafrancia TriCentennial would be a great honor."
Elaine Celebrado Denina, 22
UC Berkeley Alumni | Pre-Physician Assistant Student
Nabua Bay Area Club
Elaine enjoys performing, singing, dancing, music, spending time with family and friends, singing at church, going to the beach, food, broadway musicals, learning about health particularly in the Asian American Pacific Islander populations, living simply.
"I'm proud to be Bicolano because I take pride in the homeland of my parents, my parents' parents, and my ancestors before them. My life have always revolved around my Bicolano heritage, as both my parents come from Nabua, Camarines Sur, from barangay Sta. Elena Baras, and I take pride in being named after this village and its yearly fiesta.
For as long as I can remember, I've been involved in learning about my culture, particularly within Nabua, through dances, songs and prayer. Celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia, the annual fiestas and novenas has always been something I looked forward to every year.
I've learned that being Bicolano means being united in community and family through faith--faith in each other, faith in the community, faith in family and friends, and faith in God.
I'm inspired by the fact that in good times or bad, Bicolanos are always united in faith that God will always be there and that God will always lift you and our community up from the darkest moments. I'm proud because our faith humbles us and drives us to lend out hearts and to always help those who are less fortunate, especially those who are back home. It is from this faith that my pride grows. When I first began my involvement in the Penafrancia festival as a child, I didn't truly understand why I was there and why we celebrated. Now that I'm older, I understand that this celebration in honor of Our Lady Virgin of Penafrancia is the uniting of our community in faith, and through that, I've developed my own identity in the morals and ideologies that I want to carry with me for the rest of my life."
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Faith Faye Fausto, 22
College Student, California State University-East Bay
Naga Metropolitan Society
Faith enjoys reading, singing, dancing, baking cupcakes, playing tennis, running, volunteer work, and teaching preschoolers recreation and gymnastics.
"When I think about my Bicolano roots, the first thing that comes to mind is the strong devotion for Our Lady of Penafrancia. The Penafrancia Fiesta at Our Lady of Good Council has not only been an important tradition in my family for many years, but has also become an important aspect of my life. For as long I can recall,
my family has been active devotees in the community, which has naturally led me to be involved as well.
Even before I was born this tradition was already a part of my family. My father began the Penafrancia choir in 1988 and throughout my life I have played many roles in preparing for the fiesta each year. As a child, I was a flower girl giving offering to Ina. In my teenage years, I altar served every Third Sunday Penafrancia
mass and occasionally was a lector. Until now, I continue to assist my father in preparing Third Sunday songs, Responsorial Psalms, and PowerPoint slideshows for worship during service. My involvement in this Bicolano community has continued to strengthen my faith and has helped me overcome obstacles everyday. I am grateful that my parents have encouraged me to be active in this special tradition. It is essential for the youth get involved so that we can continue this devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia for many years to come. I have received many blessings through strong prayer and devotion of Our Lady of Penafrancia. Without the influence of my Bicolano heritage I would not be where I am today.
What I also love about being Bicolano is the culture’s sense of hospitality and importance of family. The last time I visited Bicol was when I was twelve years old. My fondest memory about visiting Naga City was how my family and friends that I had just met for the first time were so welcoming and hospitable. Although I was in a setting with unfamiliar faces, I felt comfortable with everyone around me. This is also the feeling that I get from the Penafrancia Fiesta. The celebration brings together not only the Bicolanos from the different regions but also the whole Filipino community. Even my friends look forward to this event because everyone is treated like family.
my family has been active devotees in the community, which has naturally led me to be involved as well.
Even before I was born this tradition was already a part of my family. My father began the Penafrancia choir in 1988 and throughout my life I have played many roles in preparing for the fiesta each year. As a child, I was a flower girl giving offering to Ina. In my teenage years, I altar served every Third Sunday Penafrancia
mass and occasionally was a lector. Until now, I continue to assist my father in preparing Third Sunday songs, Responsorial Psalms, and PowerPoint slideshows for worship during service. My involvement in this Bicolano community has continued to strengthen my faith and has helped me overcome obstacles everyday. I am grateful that my parents have encouraged me to be active in this special tradition. It is essential for the youth get involved so that we can continue this devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia for many years to come. I have received many blessings through strong prayer and devotion of Our Lady of Penafrancia. Without the influence of my Bicolano heritage I would not be where I am today.
What I also love about being Bicolano is the culture’s sense of hospitality and importance of family. The last time I visited Bicol was when I was twelve years old. My fondest memory about visiting Naga City was how my family and friends that I had just met for the first time were so welcoming and hospitable. Although I was in a setting with unfamiliar faces, I felt comfortable with everyone around me. This is also the feeling that I get from the Penafrancia Fiesta. The celebration brings together not only the Bicolanos from the different regions but also the whole Filipino community. Even my friends look forward to this event because everyone is treated like family.
This year will be the first time in twenty‐two years that I will not be able to attend the Penafrancia Fiesta. It is with great regret because I anticipate it every year. I always look forward to spending time with friends and family, being a part of this devotion, and not to mention eating the delicious Filipino food, especially the laing. I feel in my heart that I will not be completely missing out because I will be traveling to Nicaragua on a Medical Mission volunteering to help others in need as the Bicolano community has taught me. I am proud to be a Bicolano because they put others before themselves and reach out those in need, which has inspired me to become a nurse so that I can make a difference in peoples lives and the world today."
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Jasmine Larguna Pante, 21
College Student, UC Davis | Library Supervisor
Iriga Bay Area Association
Jasmine loves spending time in the outdoors, hiking, running, traveling, Hip Hop and Tahitian dancing, going to music concerts and learning about microbiology.
I'm proud to be Bicolano because of my personal connection with the land through the culture and values of my family.
I was born and raised in America, while my parents were born and raised in Bicol. Although I do not share the same experiences or perspectives as my elders did in their lifetime, I share an understanding of the lives they lived, especially those of my grandparents Gregorio and Claire Larguna.
My vision of being Bicolano is having a strong foundation of family bonding, dedication to one's work to take care of the family, and the modesty and loyalty carried by a person. I also can't forget the authentic food and majestic sights that come along with our culture and values, because those are essentially what bring the whole family together. I grew up listening to my grandparents' stories about their hardships, accomplishments, and the fact of just living life in Bicol and eventually in America.
I am at the time in my life where I must take responsibility in all that I do and make mature decisions on my own. I don't think I'd succeed in being an adult if my parents and my grandparents didn't reveal to me their values as Bicolanos. I have carried on the values of dedication, strength in family and relationships, modesty and loyalty onto my college career and soon, my own family. I would eventually pass on our Bicolano family tradition to my children in the future."
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Hannah Luares Prasad, 21
College Student, UC Davis
Nabua Circle USA
Hannah enjoys reading, playing tennis, cooking and traveling.
"My mom came from a small village within the Bicol region and made her way to America so that her children could live a more fulfilled life. She has worked so hard to help shape me into the person I am today and I am very proud of her and her values for that. This is something I greatly appreciate since I was brought up to learn those same values that my mom grew up with."
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Rose Odena Dela Cruz
Student, Milpitas High School
Ateneo De Naga Alumni Association of Northern California
Rose enjoys being active, doing sports such as cross country and competitive wrestling. She loves to learn about Astronomy, Ancient Egypt and Anthropology. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family.
Vote for Rose
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Jasmine Larguna Pante, 21
College Student, UC Davis | Library Supervisor
Iriga Bay Area Association
Jasmine loves spending time in the outdoors, hiking, running, traveling, Hip Hop and Tahitian dancing, going to music concerts and learning about microbiology.
I'm proud to be Bicolano because of my personal connection with the land through the culture and values of my family.
I was born and raised in America, while my parents were born and raised in Bicol. Although I do not share the same experiences or perspectives as my elders did in their lifetime, I share an understanding of the lives they lived, especially those of my grandparents Gregorio and Claire Larguna.
My vision of being Bicolano is having a strong foundation of family bonding, dedication to one's work to take care of the family, and the modesty and loyalty carried by a person. I also can't forget the authentic food and majestic sights that come along with our culture and values, because those are essentially what bring the whole family together. I grew up listening to my grandparents' stories about their hardships, accomplishments, and the fact of just living life in Bicol and eventually in America.
I am at the time in my life where I must take responsibility in all that I do and make mature decisions on my own. I don't think I'd succeed in being an adult if my parents and my grandparents didn't reveal to me their values as Bicolanos. I have carried on the values of dedication, strength in family and relationships, modesty and loyalty onto my college career and soon, my own family. I would eventually pass on our Bicolano family tradition to my children in the future."
CLICK TO VOTEHannah Luares Prasad, 21
College Student, UC Davis
Nabua Circle USA
Hannah enjoys reading, playing tennis, cooking and traveling.
"My mom came from a small village within the Bicol region and made her way to America so that her children could live a more fulfilled life. She has worked so hard to help shape me into the person I am today and I am very proud of her and her values for that. This is something I greatly appreciate since I was brought up to learn those same values that my mom grew up with."
Vote for Hannah
Rose Odena Dela Cruz
Student, Milpitas High School
Ateneo De Naga Alumni Association of Northern California
Rose enjoys being active, doing sports such as cross country and competitive wrestling. She loves to learn about Astronomy, Ancient Egypt and Anthropology. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family.
Vote for Rose
