TORONTO, Canada — The Toronto Filipino community’s newly crowned “Ms. Paraluman 2014,” Rizzelyn Catequista, is a true product of the global village.

Catequista was born in the Philippines, grew up in Dubai, and came to Toronto as a teenager.

The “Ms. Paraluman” pageant is sponsored by the Filipino Centre of Toronto.  Begun in 2009, the annual event celebrates the achievements of Filipino Canadian women.

Smart, poised and articulate, Rizzelyn is active in several organizations in her professional, ethnic, and religious groups.

Rizzelyn graduated from York University with a nursing degree and “feels more than happy and blessed doing what she loves most — nursing patients in need of surgery” as a PeriOperative Registered Nurse at Toronto General Hospital.

She is Ambassador of the Filipino Nurses of Ontario, secretary of Zamboanga Hermosa Canada and a member of Singles for Christ, Friends of Dasmas, and the Legion of Mary.

Rizzelyn also serves as a lector and usher in her parish church and she is a volunteer for the Out of the Cold Program.

Traveling, baking, swimming and playing the piano are among her favorite things.

Rizzelyn’s motto is “live humbly and care generously;  no one has gone poor from giving.”

The other four finalists were Naisy Morota (first runner up), Angeline Failano (second runner up), Merlita Fernando (third runner up), and Cristina Servito (fourth runner up).