By Ryan Tejero, Editor-in-Chief
Tagalog Association of Texas (TASTE) organizes the annual Miss Rizal Texas fundraiser to benefit its scholarship project. TASTE had established scholarships to support poor but deserving students (TASTE Scholars) in the Philippines. Through the years, the Miss Rizal contest is always a big hit to Tagalogs residing in Texas. From zero funds to over $10,000 in its coffers, TASTE had built its strong network with other FilAm community organizations to pursue and sustain its projects here in the US and back home in the Philippines.
One unique feature of Miss Rizal contest is each of the beautiful contestants is being toasted with tula or poems in Filipino by pretend-suitors. This is a reminiscent of the Balagtasan or poetical jousts in the olden days. Each candidate is assigned by a manager who helps in the solicitation and raising the funds.
and members of a committee who arranged for fund raisings. The conduct of Miss Rizal contest had brought special bonding to the Tagalogs in Texas and their supporters in the community. The preparations for Miss Rizal Coronation Night is scheduled on January 6, 2024 at the Philippine Community Center. Please contact Belle Datu at 832-420-3701, and Gilda Genova at 832-606-4398 for dinner tickets.
Currently leading the group is Leovigilda A. Genova. Gilda as she is fondly called by friends in the community is a lawyer and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the Philippines prior to migrating to the US in 1990. She retained her being a CPA in the US.
Gilda enjoys her retirement. She retired as Budget Officer from Harris County where she worked for 20 years from 2000 to 2020. She was involved in several projects that include Capital Projects, Toll Roads Funds and Budget. She also retired from the State of Texas as Tax Examiner for 6 years in the Texas Workforce Commission from 1994 to 2000.
As an outstanding community leader, Gilda was received the Hall of Fame Leadership Award in 2023 from the Filipino American Council of Texas (FACT). Her recognition is based on her various active involvement in community organizations which include Tagalog Association of Texas, Filipino American Council of Texas, National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants, Filipino American Accountants of Texas, Knights of Rizal Texas Area Foundation, Kababaihang Rizalista, People Caring for the Community Inc., Bicol USA Houston Chapter Inc., Missionary Family of Christ, Notre Dame Catholic Church.
As a transformational leader, Gilda believes in TEAM –Together Everybody Accomplish More. She said, “I do not insist as I value the volunteer system because each of us has different priorities and needs. We are hoping to get the support of our generous donors to make our coronation night a huge success. We thank One Philippines for the publicity and reaching out the general public to introduce our advocacies.”
One Philippines Publisher and Owner, Bhong Zausa said “We believe in the scholarship project of TASTE. This is the kind of event that we want to support. I wish the officers and members of TASTE the best of luck in the success of the coronation night. Congratulations in advance.”
Please reach out to Tagalog Association of Texas (TASTE) if you want to become a member or you want to simply support the scholarship project of the group. Please email Gilda Genova at gilda.ganda@yahoo.com.
Comentarios