Catherine and Sean.

It’s been quite a season for Asian women on reality shows: Katherine Kish on Top Chef: Seattle and Celeste of King of the Nerds both won on their respective shows. Add Catherine Giudici to the list – as she was proposed to by Sean Lowe (29) on the 17th season of The Bachelor. The twenty six year old Filipina Italian graphic designer from Seattle was chosen over 24 year old Lindsay Yenter, a substitute teacher from Fort Bragg. The filming took place in Thailand. On their date, Catherine and Sean share their final date riding elephants (while Lindsay and Sean had a rafting date on the Mekong). In the end, Sean gives his final rose to Catherine.

And then they ride off into on the sunset….on an elephant. Yes, not kidding on that one.

We were rooting for Catherine all season – and we glad she won! Congrats Sean and Catherine!

This season of The Bachelor is nearing its end and with only three contestants left, we are able to get a much closer look at all of the girls. This is certainly true for Italian-Pilipino contestant, Catherine Giudici. On the most recent episode, Sean visited the home towns of the last four girls which gave Catherine time to show Sean the ins and outs of Seattle as well as some knowledge on Pilipino culture. With a middle name like Ligaya (Tagalog for “happiness”) and a mother who’s a Pilipino historian,  we were not surprised to see that she was quite connected to her roots.

Before meeting her family, Catherine prepped Sean with a few helpful hints. She taught him to call her grandmother “Lola” which is the Tagalog equivalent. She then taught Sean the polite and formal method for greeting an elder- mano. This gesture is one that is performed as a sign of respect to the elders. The person bows towards an elder’s offered hand and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand. After the proper introductions (as well as gestures of Mano), Sean was asked to help make Lumpia with the family- a popular Filipino roll.

In the past, this show has been criticized for its lack of ethnic diversity so we were delighted to see this 26 year old graphic designer bring some of her culture into the mix. To watch full episodes of The Bachelor, click here and be sure to watch the final episodes!