For the first time in the festival’s
history, Pista sa Nayon is proud to honor three distinguished women whose years
of dedication and service to the community is awe inspiring. This year's Tres
Hermanas Mayores are Remedios Bacho, Dolly Castillo and Zenaida Guerzon.
Without hesitation our tres hermanas share their time, talents and energy with
the International Drop In Center (IDIC) and countless other Filipino American
community organizations. At the IDIC, Remedios dedicates her time to the New
Citizens Initiative and Veterans Affairs programs, Dolly coordinates activities
for the seniors and Zenaida is the executive director. They are three gems with
unique characteristics and personalities yet they all share a common love for
the Filipino community and providing service to its seniors. We honor each
hermana for their enduring enthusiasm and gifts.
Remedios Bacho. Active in her church and a Sunday
school teacher, it was 1949 when Remedios met and married her husband Vincent in
Cebu, the Philippines. Remedios journeyed with him back to his home in Seattle.
Uncertain of what she would encounter in a foreign land, it was with initial
hesitation that Remedios made the journey across an ocean. Once settled in her
new homeland, Remedios became involved in activities and social causes within
the Filipino community and dedicated her life to raising her three children.
Remedios’ community involvement reached the young
and old. Serving along with her husband as board members on the ID Youth
Council, Remedios worked to provide opportunities for youth. “Then and now, I
have always believed that our younger generation has so many bright ideas,” says
Bacho. “It is up to us as a community to recognize and encourage them.”
Remedios has also worked on behalf of the
community’s seniors. In 1971, Remedios became involved with the IDIC and worked
closely with local church leaders to help find housing for seniors. Remedios
also helped new immigrants arriving in this country and she continues to provide
assistance to new immigrants through the New Citizens Initiative, a program
sponsored by the City of Seattle. Remedios has also been a staunch advocate of
our community’s veterans, dedicating countless hours towards fighting for their
rights and benefits.
Dolly Castillo. An educator by profession, Dolly Castillo immigrated to the
United States in 1967 along with her husband and two children. Initially
teaching at Immaculate High School, Dolly would go on to teach for the Seattle
Public School District for 20 years. A physical education teacher, Dolly
nurtured the health and minds of our region’s children.
While teaching, Dolly also became actively involved in the Filipino Community of
Seattle (FCS). Serving as vice president of the FCS for eight years and as a
member of the Cultural Youth and Education Committee, Dolly went on to become
only the second female president. During her presidency, Dolly successfully
obtained tax-exempt status for the FCS and encouraged the cultural development
of Filipino youth through joint projects with the Filipino Youth Activities.
After retiring as a teacher, Dolly began volunteering at the IDIC in 1993 and
would eventually join the staff as the activities coordinator. Bringing her
energetic spirit, Dolly has spent the last 10 years supporting our seniors and
providing a wide array of activities that nurtures their bodies, minds and
spirits.
Always encouraging people to appreciate others, Dolly believes that doing
positive things for the community will inspire people and it is something that
everyone can do. “I enjoy my involvement with the Filipino Community,” says
Dolly. “The FCS must continue to recognize the positive things about our youth
and not forget our seniors. There are so many role models and potential leaders
out there – both young and old. We must continue to find ways to motivate them
and celebrate them.”
Zenaida Guerzon. A graduate of the University of
Santo Tomas and operating a ladies dormitory, in 1958 Zenaida Guerzon was
selected as a Philippine delegate to the International Trade Fair in Seattle.
She, along with her mother and business partners came to the United States to
exhibit products from the Philippines. Initially intending to open up a store in
Honolulu, they decided to stay in Seattle and opened the Philippine Emporium,
which they operated for five years.
In 1960 Zenaida met her husband, Amor, here in Seattle. Involved in the labor
movement (ILW Local 31), Amor shared his love of involvement and giving back to
the Filipino community with his wife. Married and with two children, Zenaida
continued to operate her import/export business and traveled to state fairs and
did so for 20 years. After 20 years of operating the import/export business,
Zenaida turned to a career in education and dedicated 15 years teaching ESL and
foreign languages for the Seattle Public School District at both the elementary
and high school levels.
A board member of the IDIC from the very beginning, Zenaida was involved and
witnessed the establishment of a variety of other Filipino American
organizations including FAEW, FAPAGOW, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce,
just to name a few. Drawn to the needs of our community's seniors, Zenaida
eventually joined the IDIC staff and currently serves as executive director. Day
in and day out, Zenaida, the IDIC staff and a host of volunteers work diligently
to bring a variety of recreational, social, educational and health related
programs to our older residents – programs that enrich the quality of their
lives and their overall well-being.
"There are so many services and organization that need help," says Zenaida.
"From seniors, youth and cultural organizations, there are so many that can
benefit from our involvement."
Remedios, Dolly and Zenaida are true leaders and
role models. Through their involvement they are working to ensure that the needs
of their fellow Filipinos are met and that the Filipino culture and traditions
are preserved for the next generation. While focusing on the seniors at the
IDIC, they look to the younger generation with hope for what they will bring to
the community.
Remedios Bacho, Dolly Castillo and Zenaida Guerzon
are this year's Tres Hermanas Mayores. Joining the community for the 14th annual
Pista sa Nayon, they look forward to coming together to celebrate the richness
of the Filipino heritage, a revival of our culture and the unity of family and
friends. Pista sa Nayon thanks them for their commitment to making this year’s
festival a success and for their ongoing dedication to the Filipino community.