Rudy
and Lucy Francisco Bautista exemplify the best in husband and wife team, working
side by side to reinforce each other in every civic and community project they
undertake. In the Tampa Bay Area where they live, Rudy and Lucy involve Morong
High School alumni and fellow Moronguenos in their civic events and community
projects, thus making our hometown of Morong, Rizal, known and respected by
many.
This dynamic couple is actively involved in the Philippine Cultural Foundation Inc. (PCFI), a non-profit organization that operates as the umbrella organization of different ethnic and non-ethnic communities in the Tampa Bay Area. Supported by the State of Florida, PCFI received half a million dollars in cultural grant to build a cultural center, now known as the Bayanihan Arts Center. Completion of the Center required serious fundraising activities by highly dedicated people like Rudy and Lucy.
In 1999, Rudy and Lucy engaged in an all out effort to help raise additional funds to finance the Center. They let their son join the Mr. & Miss PhilFest competition and made sure he won by raising funds that broke the previous records in proceeds. It was followed by the 2000 Sampaguita Ball, an annual gala fundraising event, chaired by Lucy, once again garnering record-breaking attendance and net proceeds. The grand opening of the much-awaited “Bayanihan Arts Center” was done at full scale before 750 guests in 2001, with Lucy holding the ceremonial chair of the big event.
In 2002, Rudy chaired the Foundation’s three-day premier fundraising fiesta, called the Philippine Festival or PhilFest. Lucy co-chaired the event, attended by not only Floridians but also kababayans from different states, politicians, and ambassadors from U.S. and the Philippines. It was a resounding success! The 2003 festival that they chaired broke the all-time records in attendance and profit. Their upcoming project is the 2006 PhilFest to be held from April 7 to 9 which again will require teamwork and leadership.
Rudy, who was PCFI’s vice-chairman of the board from 2000 to 2005, was voted as chairman of the Foundation at an election held in April 2005. Other affiliations include vice president of the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce since its inception in 2003, and several other local organizations. Lucy sits as one of the permanent members of the Board of Directors of PCFI, chair of the Sampaguita Committee of the Foundation, In charge of social, cultural and civic events in the community. She was a vice president of Fil-Am Club of Pinellas County from 1992-1994, and is at present the vice-president of the MHSAAINC, Florida Chapter.
Rudy was one of the founders and the first president of the Morong High School Alumni Association, Florida Chapter. He and Lucy nurtured the association by encouraging participation of alumni in Florida and the east coast. With a lot of courage and encouragement from fellow alumni, they co-chaired the third MHSAAINC Grand Alumni Reunion in August 2003 in Tampa, Florida, held at the Bayanihan Arts Center. The event was highlighted by three days of continuous activities; the spirit of unity and friendship was illuminated due to the Morong Bayanihan-style of hospitality from fellow alumni and kababayans in Florida.
Under the leadership of Rudy and Lucy, PCFI continues to sponsor programs and events that promote Filipino culture and heritage. Well-known and aspiring performers from the Philippines are regular entertainers at the Bayanihan Arts Center promoting Philippine arts and culture. The many successful civic and community projects that Rudy and Lucy have undertaken are testaments to their unwavering dedication, leadership, humility, sincerity and generosity, making them role models in the community. •