Each
year Pista Sa Nayon recognizes a local couple within the Filipino American
community for their service and dedication to the community and for their
support of the annual festival. This year Pista is proud to honor Bert and Josie
Golla as the 2006 Hermano-Hermana Mayor.Bert and Josie were town mates from the small yet beautiful town of Baras, Rizal, which is located 25 miles east of Manila. Married in 1974, they immigrated to the United States that same year to explore and access the unique opportunities this country has to offer. Drawn to Seattle for its natural beauty of mountains and lakes, as well as its quality schools and other amenities, Bert and Josie quickly made Seattle their new home.
Bert was first employed by the City of Seattle as an auditor for the Seattle Model Program. He later joined a private manufacturing firm, then moved to the State Gambling Commission where he helped organize its auditing unit, and in 1980 joined the King County Auditor’s Office as a Senior Financial Auditor. The first known Filipino American licensed as a certified public accountant, Bert has kept busy since retiring from the county in 2004. He is currently a CPA practitioner in North Seattle and operates a number of other businesses.
Josie, a registered nurse, worked for Harborview Medical Center and Swedish. She now owns and successfully operates three adult family homes in the Wedgwood and Sand Point areas of Seattle.
Bert and Josie have one son, Earl. A graduate of the University of San Francisco with a degree in Physics, and the University of Southern California with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Earl currently works for Boeing as an engineer/scientist.
Actively engaged in a variety of activities, it is without hesitation that Bert and Josie share their time, talents and resources with countless Filipino American organizations and causes both locally and in the Philippines. Their involvement exemplifies the true spirit of Pista and community.
Bert and Josie are a caring couple who believe that the true yardstick of success is making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. “It is giving, sharing, and voluntarily taking the load to carry that lightens the burden for everyone,” Bert and Josie explained. “We believe that what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us, and what we have done for others and the community remains immortal.”
To that end, they have made community service and philanthropy staples of their lives. Bert’s service includes president and president emeritus of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, vice president of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, co-founder/past president/advisor of the Filipino American Association of CPAs, member of the board of councilors of the National Council of Philippine American and Canadian Accountants, former board member of the Filipino Nursing Home Society of Washington, Tahanan, FAPAGOW, FACL and of course Pista Sa Nayon.
In addition to Bert’s extensive service, together he and Josie established the J & B Golla College Scholarships Foundation in the Philippines. The foundation grants annual scholarships to eight to 10 poor and deserving students. The program has successfully generated 40 college graduates who are active in the fields of law, architecture, education, accounting and business. The foundation also recognizes High School Teachers of the Year. Under the foundation’s HOPE project (Helping One Person Elevate) interest free micro financing is offered to selected poor residents of Baras who are interested in starting their own small businesses.
Through their collective involvement, Bert and Josie have found contentment and believe that their lives have been blessed. Their volunteerism and dedication to communities here and in the Philippines speaks volumes of their desire to make a difference and enhance lives.
“As members of a community that seeks to grow we must bear our respective share in serving it,” said Bert and Josie. “With a decrease in outside resources, it is a call to every member to take his or her load of the burden. A burden of each is a comfort for all.”
As they take active role in community development they are also working to ensure Filipino culture and heritage is preserved for future generations through their support of Pista.
As they participate in the 17th year anniversary of Pista, their wish for Pista is continuing success every year and ad infinitum. They look forward to joining the community in a celebration and education of culture and traditions.
“We teach, share and show a segment of our beautiful culture to our young generation who will carry the mantle to transfer these legacies to their next generation,” said Bert and Josie. “Pista Sa Nayon is an example of pure and sound results of volunteerism. It is an event that means close-knit family, love for community, thanksgiving, giving back, sharing and responsibility.”
In their roles as Hermano and Hermana Mayor, Bert and Josie Golla added a new twist to the Friends of Pista fundraising effort, personalized pens that identify donors as officials Friends of Pista. Their fundraising effort has been phenomenal and exceeded the established goal.
“We are delighted to be this year’s Hermano-Hermana Mayor,” said Bert and Josie. “It is a wonderful experience. May Pista Sa Nayon grow as a wild fire.”
Bert and Josie Golla are the Hermano and Hermana Mayor for Pista Sa Nayon 2006. Their leadership and ongoing support of Pista and the local Filipino American community is to be applauded. Pista thanks them for their outstanding efforts to help make this year’s festival a success.