FANHS HTX Launched Go-Out-To-Vote Initiatives in TexasEngaging FilAms to Make an Impact in the National Elections

By Ryan Tejero

For the first time in Houston’s Filipino American community, the Filipino American National Historical Society Houston Texas (FANHS-HTX) organized and launched a series of pioneering phone banking events in the Houston area. The goal of the Go-Out-To-Vote (GOTV) initiatives was to encourage Filipino Americans to exercise the right of suffrage in this year’s national elections, and head to the polls to vote. FANHS-HTX believes that the FilAm community has a voice, and its voice makes a difference.

Pinky Catalla Buscano, President of FANHS-HTX stated that “This is the first civic engagement and community education project that we organized for the community. We are thankful to the community organizations and their volunteers for making this possible. We are going to do this again next time!”

One Philippines witnessed and provided coverage of the phone banking event held at the Philippine Community Center on November 1, 2024. Numerous community organizations sent their representatives to volunteer for the event. Each volunteer who completed an entire phone banking party, FANHS HTX donated $100 to their organization. There was no limit of volunteers per organization. There was a total of 6000 phone calls made on November 1st alone and PCCI, with 12 volunteers, was awarded $1200 for the hard work of its volunteers.

Other community organizations that joined the phone banking event in other locations were PNA of Metro Houston, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Texas, Houston FilAm Lions Club and Knights of Rizal. The volunteers received their free T-shirt, a lunch and the chance to win some fabulous raffle prizes.

Publisher and CEO of One Philippines, Bhong Zausa, in his post event statement said that “We are so proud of this election-related initiatives for the Filipino American community here in Texas. We strongly support this kind of project because it will increase the level of awareness of Filipino Americans in the impact of their voice during elections. Congratulations FANHS HTX for this huge accomplishment and thank you for involving One Philippines in this project.”