Every year, the Fil-Am Cultural Association of North San Diego County gives scholarships to five (5) bright and talented Filipino-American high school senior students in North San Diego County who want to pursue college education. Any major or field of study is acceptable. In order of importance, applicants will be judged on academic excellence, essay written, commitment to community and social concerns, and personal attributes. Applicants must have at least a GPA of 3.0. His/Her family should be a member of the association but he or she cannot be an immediate family member of any officer, director or scholarship committee member.
The committee members are :
BELLE LIMOGE – Chairperson
NELLY TAGUBA – Co-chair
ZUCETTE LUMABAS
ROSEMARIE PERALTA
JAMES VIADO
For more information, please email or
1. Recipient of $1,000 scholarship is ANNA GABRIELLE F. ISORENA. Anna was born in 1994 in Manila, Philippines. She has both Filipino parents and moved to the United States five years ago. She is graduating from Vista High School with a total GPA of 4.64. She is in Principal’s Honor Roll since 9th grade up to the present, a full International Baccalaureate Diploma Scholar, a student athlete and was chosen Panther of the Month (May 2012). She is in the AVID Club since 2009 up the present, has been doing unpaid tutoring, character Leaders Volunteer up to the present, to name a few of her involvement in the community and extra-curricular activities.
She plans to go to University of California San Diego (UCSD) this coming Fall to get a Bachelor’s Degree major in International Studies – Economics. We hope to see you around and aim high with flying colors!
2. Recipient of $500 scholarship is BLAINE R. VALENCIA – Blaine is a senior high school student of Mission Vista High School. Both of his parents are immigrants from the Philippines and he was born in La Jolla, California in 1995. In school, he was an Outstanding Delegate for Model United Nations, in the Academic Honor Roll and International Thespian Honor for Drama. He is also a recipient of scholarship from Tri-City Hospital and Scripps La Jolla and has California Scholarship Federation Membership.
One of his leadership achievements is being the Founder and President of Asian Pacific Student Union. He participated in school productions, honored by internationally recognized Thespian Society; drama club, Book club, Tae Kwon Do tournaments, regional competitions playing snare drum, marimba and xylophone, providing Morning Announcements to students in school and many others. He plans to go to University of Irvine this Fall.
Good luck Blaine! We hope that you achieve your goals and continue to lead others!
3. Recipient of $300 scholarship is JULIA C. CANDELARIA– Julia is graduating from El Camino High School, ranked 3rd in her class with a total GPA of 4.41. She was born in Torrance, California in 1995. Her mother is a Filipina, Dulia Gabriento-Candelaria, and her father Bob is an Italian-American. She became the Academic League’s Most Valuable Player for 2 consecutive years, Academic League Team Captain (Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity). She is the National Honor Society Treasurer, a National Merit Scholar Qualifier, AP Scholar with Honors, and Honors English Persuasive Essay Contest Winner.
She has been a volunteer in Oceanside Public Library, Casa de Amparo, Mission San Luis Rey, Baja Christian Ministries and many others. Julia is going this Fall to University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) to get a Bachelors in Science degree in Biology. Soar high Julia! We are very proud of you!!
4. Recipient of $100 scholarship is KAHRYN V. PEDROZA – Kahryn was born in 1995 in Escondido, California. Her Filipino ancestry is traced back from her grandfather and great grandparents. Kahryn is a senior student from Rancho Buena Vista High School who has been an AP Scholar of College Board, a National Society of High School Scholars member, won the 4/20 Awareness Award by Senate and All Academic Player Award by Union Tribune. To name a few of her extra-curricular activities, she did social work missionary in Dominican Republic, had been a team captain of Junior Varsity water polo and swimming, became Public Policy Club Leader and many others.
Aside from being a hardworking and active student, she maintains two jobs as a clerical assistant and cashier in one of big restaurants in California. She plans to go to University of San Francisco to get a degree in Sociology. Way to go Kahryn! We wish you all the best in pursuing your dreams!
5. Recipient of $100 scholarship is ANDREW JABASA – Andrew has both Filipino parents but was born in Poway, California in 1994. He will be graduating from Westview High School. He is an AP Scholar with Honor, CSF 100% Life Member and got “Superior” Rating for Solo and Ensemble Clarinet performances this year. He has been a leader at local church’s Awana program and also serves as Bible Quiz coach. Andrew is a Clarinet player for Westview Gold Band Program and also became its Fundraising Leader and VP for Publicity and Information. He was also involved with Bayanihan (Westview’s Filipino-American club) and many other organizations in the school and community.
This Fall, he plans to go to University of California San Diego to get a Bachelors Science Degree in Computer Science. Good luck in your college studies. May you reach all your aspirations!!