First Fil-Am Miss Florida hopes to be second Asian Miss America titlist

KRISTINA Janolo, the first Filipino-American to win the title of Miss Florida in its 76-year history, hopes to be the second Asian to be crowned Miss America.

Janolo wants to follow in the footsteps of 2001 Miss America Angela Perez Baraquio, a Hawaii-born Filipina.

Curiously, Baraquio and Janolo share many similarities. Both 24 when they entered the Miss America pageant, they were born in the United States, with their mothers hailing from Manila. Their fathers both lived in the provinces — Baraquio’s, from Pangasinan while Janolo’s, from Mindoro.

Also, their talent presentation for their respective state pageants involved music, with Baraquio playing the drums and Janolo singing the 1980s hit “Gold.”

In a phone interview with Inquirer Entertainment, Janolo’s 74-year-old grandmother, Myrna Castillo, assured Filipinos that the titlist is undergoing an extensive training program from the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant Inc.

“She has a personal fitness trainer, and the organization has been teaching her everything she needs to know to become a ‘Miss’ in a pageant,” Castillo said.

Castillo also confirmed that Kristina has an illustrious pageant experience, having joined beauty contests since she was 14. “Two years ago, she was first runner-up in the Miss Florida pageant. This year, she became the first Filipino to receive the title.”

Scholarships

Unlike the Miss USA pageant which sends its winners to the Miss Universe, Miss America titleholders do not compete in international contests. Instead, it offers scholarships to its titlists.

Contestants are also required to log in at least a year of community service before joining any preliminary district competition. The state winners are also expected to work for an advocacy, which they will promote in the national arena.

“Kristina has been serving in nursing homes to care for the elderly. She also enjoys singing to them,” Castillo revealed. “She got her musical talent from my side of the family. All my children sing. Her aunt, Veronica Castillo, was a member of the Rage Band.”

With environmental protection as Janolo’s chosen platform, the titlist hopes to promote the preservation of Florida’s Everglades, one of the largest wetlands in the world. “She was invited to Washington DC to talk about her platform,” Myrna added.

Janolo is currently earning her degree in marketing at the University of Central Florida and hopes to become an executive director for a nonprofit organization.

“Kristina is very jolly,” revealed her grandmother. “She is often called ‘sunshine’ like Florida, the ‘Sunshine State.’ She’s very charming and kind.”

In an e-mail from Florida, Janolo’s mom Lorna appeals for online votes for her daughter. “Please help Kristina on her road to the crown,” she wrote. “You can go online at www.missamerica.org/videocontest/ and search for Miss Florida and vote. The young lady with the most votes will be named the People’s Choice and will advance as a Top 15 semi-finalist.” She said voting ends on Jan. 12.

Last year’s winner, Teresa Scanlan of Nevada, will relinquish her title on pageant night, which takes place at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on Jan. 14.