Katherine Justiniani

Name: Katherine Justiniani

Age: 17

Nationality: Filipino

Sponsor: The Philippine American Association of Greater Lorain County

Parents: Ronald and Jennifer Justiniani

High school: North Ridgeville High School Future plans: I plan on going to college to major in Animation and minor in Psychology. Costume: My Maria Clara dress was handmade for me by Natividad Bangcoy, a professional dressmaker in The Philippine American Association of Greater Lorain County. The Maria Clara dress is a traditional Filipino gown that has been worn for formal events for hundreds of years. The red color represents the red in the Filipino flag; standing for patriotism and valor. The flowers on my dress represent the abundant, tropical nature of the Philippines. Favorite traditions: Though my mother is not a Filipina, she has helped me celebrate my culture. My favorite tradition is making

lumpia during the holidays. Lumpia is a spring roll, filled with pork, eggs, shrimp, raisins, peas, and potatoes. Preparing the filling, rolling the rolls, and frying them is a rather extensive process. However, the time and dedication my mother put into learning these Filipino customs helped me both celebrate my culture and bond with my mother. Favorite dish: Pancit Bihon (Rice noodles with shrimp, pork, and vegetables). I was 6 years old when I first saw the International Princesses. Their beauty and kindness left such a significant impression on me and I decided that when the time came, I would represent my culture with the same pride and I would do my best to carry myself with the same level of refinement.

It is a great honor to represent the Philippines in the Lorain International Festival. The people of the Philippines are an incredibly strong people, facing countless hardships, yet never lacking the strength to overcome these many adversities in their paths. My grandparents, Usaffe and Lilly, came to the United States and gave my father and aunt the best lives they could. Being Asian people during the seventies in America did cause some hardships for my family, as racism was very prominent. However, nothing ever stopped my family from celebrating their culture and keeping traditions alive; these traditions that have been passed down to me and will be passed down to my children as well.