Youth ambassador Bryann Foronda advises young people to chase their dreams no matter what.

While everyone else is trying their luck outside the country, up and coming model/actor Bryann Foronda has opted to go back to his roots, find opportunities here, and rediscover being a Filipino.

An aspiring theater actor back in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bryann finds it more fulfilling to perform and share his talent with his kababayans here. “I know I’ll be more appreciated here because I am a Filipino,” proudly says the 21 year-old, 5’11” looker.

As the 2009 Department of Education (DepEd) Mr. Philippines Youth, Bryann represented the Philippines, together with 27 other performing artists, at the 13th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles, California, last July. He vied at the modeling events at WCOPA, which is dubbed as Hollywood’s World Talent Championships.

SAPPY COLLEGE JOCK

Bryann’s family moved to Las Vegas when he was 12 years old. He was bullied through high school but this did not deter him from excelling both in academics and extra-curricular activities.

“I don’t take discrimination personally. I never really felt bad about it, my parents didn’t really care either,” he says.

In high school, Bryann was a member of the National Honor Society and played for the football team of Desert Pines High School. He was also with the school’s Gospel Choir and played lead actor in theater productions.

“I honed my singing in the gospel choir where there were just three Filipinos, the rest being African-American. I’m into RnB and alternative pero kitang-kita din ang pagka-Filipino ko because I love OPM, especially the sappy love songs. My mom was a ballerina and a beauty queen, so that’s probably where I got my inclination to the arts,” Bryann says.

MODEL STUDENT

Bryann is currently dabbling in modeling while pursuing a Business Management degree at Community College Charleston through online classes.

“Online school is really hard. You still have a teacher but you have to do everything by yourself. I prefer the traditional schooling but since I’m trying to start a career here also, I’m putting up through online school. I still want my education,” says this former model for the popular clothes brand Abercrombie and Fitch.

This photo shoot for Students and Campuses, he admits, is quite a big deal for him because his younger sister is a big Twilight fan.

“It’s sort of my first real modeling gig here. I have a little sister, she’s 19 years old and taking up Nursing and she’s a huge ‘Twilight’ fan. I’m pretty sure she’s gonna be thrilled when she sees this,” he enthuses.

In chasing dreams, young people just have to have faith in God, Bryann advises. “Bibigyan kami ng maraming tests, but in the end, hindi ka pababayaan ni God. No matter what bad thing comes in the middle, for sure in the end, the rewards are gonna be amazing. Just keep trying until you achieve your goal.”