SERENA ROSECER VANTES ARANDIA
PROFILES
SERENA ROSECER VANTES ARANDIA
BAKER AND PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND ESL
NOLA SOURDEUX, MADERA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
BOARD MEMBER
PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF LOUISIANA
she/her
FAMILY ORIGIN
PAMPANGA + BICOL
EDUCATION
MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH LITERATURE
MERCED JUNIOR COLLEGE AND STANISLAUS STATE UNIVERSITY
ACHIEVEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL FRENCH BREAD FESTIVAL COMPETITION RUNNER-UP
TYPING CERTIFICATE HOLDER, FIRST AID/CPR CERTIFIED
"KEEPING US ENGAGED..." CONTRIBUTION FOR PUBLICATION
Being Filipino means having roots deep enough to handle the intersection of two worlds-- theworld in which I come from and where I am.
I identify with my Filipino culture in my everyday life through community, food, and language. Being a part of PAWAL and Bayou Barkada allows me to see, support, and grow with a community of people interested in doing the same. My business is my way of preserving a taste of home through sourdough pandesal and other filipino breads and thus filling the absence of Filipino bread in my community while embracing a healthier lifestyle shaped by my own close call with diabetes.
As an English and ESL Professor, my desire to teach English comes from my belief that the context-rich and abstract nature of Tagalog nurtures creativity andflexible thinking, allowing me to use students' cultural and linguistic strengths as a bridge—not a barrier—to English learning.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN NEW ORLEANS?
I believe it's larger than we'd like to think, but it's fragmented somehow. I think what makes the Filipino community here special is the ability to honor where we come from while adapting to the environment around us—much like the city itself which has always been shaped by different cultures coming together. The coming together of communities is never an easy feat, but what makes our own Filipino community, which I am a part of, so special is that we welcome those who are simply curious with no expectations. There is a strong sense of pride in sharing our heritage, whether through food, dance, language, or simply the Filipino value of welcoming others as family.
WHAT DOES BEING FILIPINO IN NEW ORLEANS MEAN TO YOU?
It means honoring my roots through the food I create, students I foster, relationships I build, and the communities I contribute to. New Orleans reminds me that culture is something that grows when it is shared, and being Filipino here means adding my own story to a larger tapestry of people who celebrate where they come from while embracing the people around them.
WHAT MAKES THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN NEW ORLEANS UNIQUE COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES?
Unlike larger Filipino communities in other cities, there is an intimacy and closeness that comes from being a smaller group. It's almost like the traditions are not only preserved but also re-created or reimagined through personal connections, family gatherings, and sharing our culture with others. In a city known for its food, music, and hospitality, Filipino culture naturally becomes part of the conversation. In a way, too, the very habitat of New Orleans makes it unique compared to other cities. There is something almost spiritual about the connection between the Philippines and New Orleans. Both are places shaped by water, weather, and resilience; moreover, heavy rains, powerful storms, and coastal living have taught generations the importance of adaptability and community. The same warmth found in the climate is reflected in the warmth of the people: the hospitality, the celebration of food, and the belief that neighbors can become family. To really hit home on what being Filipino in New Orleans means is embracing the ability to recognize that home is not only a place you inherit, but also a place where your roots can naturally take hold.
