JEDDAH, 30 Sept. – She has all the qualities of a star. She’s an outstanding student and youth leader, she’s a superb singer and performer, and she has the looks. She has plenty of experience onstage that if she goes full-time now as a singer and entertainer, she would easily build up a following.

But for 14-year-old Jeanette Cerbito, stardom can wait. A junior at the Al-Hekma International School in Jeddah, she is a serious student who won’t even think of skipping her classes.

The secret of Jeanette is that she has a seemingly endless patience and is hard-working and energetic. And most of all, she has parents who are of very supportive as she continues to develop her talents.

In her latest project, Jeanette proved to be a good fund-raiser when she topped this year’s Search for Miss Peñafrancia contest of the Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah.

An annual project coinciding with the biggest celebration of the Bicol Region’s Peñafrancia Festival held in Naga City every third Sunday of September, the BBSJ’s search this year started with eight candidates two months ago.

After the first canvassing, four backed out. Jeanette topped the first canvassing, winning the "Face of Night" and ‘Miss Talent" titles.

From there, however, it was hard work for the young girl, whose singing voice has wowed many OFWs.She and her dad would grace various OFW activities. There she would render a song or two and appeal for help for BBSJ’s project. Obviously, her appearances to these activities paid off. "I feel fulfilled because all the efforts of my dad, mom, and I paid off," said the beaming Cebuana shortly before she was crowned Miss Peñafrancia on Friday at the Philippine Consulate grounds.

Such a character, the pursuit of something big, has been the trademark of Jeanette. Since she was 6, she has been entertaining OFWs with her singing, recalling that by then, her front teeth were yet lacking. No front teeth and all, she was a hit.

Just like when she sang in a rally led by Mike Planas in Quezon City some years ago. After her stirring performance, Pat Daza of ABS-CBN was so impressed with her talent that she hugged her and offered her a recording stint.

But her parents wisely said she has to finish high school before she gets into any recording contracts, a future she is "enthusiastically looking forward to."

During the coronation ceremony, she looked poised and prim in a red, silk gown as she received the crown from Lynette Santos, the Miss Peñafrancia for 2001.

Consul General Kadatuan P. Usop assisted in the crowning ceremony amid a round of applause from spectators. For winning the title, Jeanette received a round-trip ticket to Manila, courtesy of Gulf Air, and a gift pack from Nivea. Her court included Camille Zysa C. Cruz, Miss Bicolandia, (1st Runner-up); Sally P. Ceriola, Miss Bag-ong Bicol Saro (2nd Runner-up); and Jasmin A. Pantojo, Miss Daragang Magayon (3rd Runner-up).

Spicing up the coronation night were the presentation of indigenous songs and dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, inspiring Consul General Usop to point out in his speech that "the Filipino culture is uniquely Filipino, not borrowed from any races, and that Filipinos must look into the diversity of our culture and traditions and derive strength from diversity."Now on its 6th year, the BBSJ’s "Search" is among the numerous activities of OFW groups in the Kingdom that are considered worth supporting.

Explaining what the fund-raising was all about, BBSJ president Evelyn Santos said: "Proceeds of the popularity contest will be used to fund a two-year computer scholarship program for a deserving dependent of a Bicolano OFW. Other portion of the proceeds will be donated to charities in the Bicol Region, especially those that cater to helping victims of calamities."

The Bicol Region – composed of the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon – is within the "typhoon belt" of the Philippines, which explains why it has one of the highest incidence of poverty in the country.

Further spicing up the night was singer Virgilio Ravino, who serenaded the beauties. Desil Manapat was the program’s master of ceremonies, while Gregorio Ritual Jr directed and choreographed the production numbers. The performing artists were Marie Angelica J. Uson, Barbara Christine I. Cadiz, Angelica E. Cadiz, April Lynn M. Penaflorida, Kevin Anthony S. Dumpit, Gabriel Lester E. Limjoco, Mazan B. Khayat, Teddy Martin G. Bea, Mike Pablico, Richard Marcelino, Elmer de Castro, Floreza Flores, Maricel Garcia, Aileen Nunes, Mark Santos, and Jose Fortuna, Jr.Sponsors of the event included Ronald Mangua, Pepsi Cola, Gulf Air, ABS-CBN, Skyfreight Forwarders, Telemoney-PNB, Nivea Cream, and IPSJ