Fil-Am ‘Miss America’ breaks silence

By: 10 years ago

LOS ANGELES – There was fame and romance, but also depression and a brother’s suicide. Angela Perez Baraquio, the first Asian-American and first teacher to be crowned Miss America in 2001, breaks her silence in her first book, Amazing Win, Amazing Loss . . . Miss America Living Happily, EVEN After.

Baraquio resides in Los Angeles County, is married to singer/composer Tini Grey, and is a mother of four. She is a vice principal at a Catholic elementary school and sought-after worldwide motivational speaker.

For years, fans have asked her to write a book telling her amazing story as the first Asian-American in the history of the organization to wear the crown.

How did the O’ahu-born, small-town island teacher and basketball coach become a national figure seemingly overnight? Thinking her beauty pageant days were over, her basketball students dared her to try for the crown, just one more time.

Baraquio tells the story of her “fairy-tale” adventure ― complete with romance, twists, horrors, shattered dreams, and dreams that came true. Through faith, family, and friends, the author reveals life as one of ten talented Filipino children in Hawai’i, and how she turned to her faith in God to try to stand out within the large family.

She prayed for guidance through her triumphant wins and turned to God when she faced fears, abandonment, her brother’s suicide, and the 9/11 tragedy in the public eye. Baraquio shares with women how they can handle life’s challenges with grace and dignity.

“While Hollywood writers eagerly develop new ideas and twists for the next blockbuster movie, Angela’s amazing story is a true winner,” writes Pastor Tui Letuli, CEO/founder, Pacific Talent Academy of the Arts. With faith, inner strength, and perseverance, Angela stayed true on the path to win in life, allowing her to be one of the most inspiring and uplifting motivational speakers today.”

Baraquio will formally launch her debut book on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the Cerritos Library, 18035 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, California with a press conference at 2 p.m. followed by a meet-and-greet and book signing.

The launch is sponsored by the City of Cerritos and will be hosted by Cerritos Mayor, the Honorable Mark Pulido. “We are honored and thrilled that we can be a part of Angela’s book launching,” said Mayor Pulido.

“As an Asian-American, more specifically as a Filipino-American, Angela brings pride to our communities and is an inspiration to young women to develop their personality and leadership skills.”