| Nilda G. Jaynal White Plains, New York Moving Spirit Behind Westchester's Fil-Am Community |
Anyone who has worked with Nilda G. Jaynal can readily attest to
this lady's inspiring leadership. Her track record, which spans 25
years of socio-civic involvement, speaks eloquently of her
dedication in supporting many worthwhile endeavors. Whether at
the helm of a grand Independence Day celebration (a task she
was actually involved with in conjunction with the Philippine
Consulate in New York for two consecutive years) or simply
discussing a crafts sale for the benefit of a community school,
Venilda, or Nilda for short, has indeed been known to carefully
steer each project through to its successful completion with that
selfless enthusiasm that has been her trademark all these years.
Yet, this veteran of countless special events and fundraisers would
rather be referred to, first and foremost, as a housewife. In fact,
she has listed her occupation in this order: wife, mother,
volunteer, community leader.
The common denominator in all these roles is Nilda's caring
attitude, beginning with her family and radiating her immediate
community. In whatever she does, Nilda has only one basic aim:
to help, and help bring out the best in others in the process. This
also, in a nutshell, best describes Nilda's leadership style. Hardly
surprising for one who was originally trained to be a school teacher
this lady's inspiring leadership. Her track record, which spans 25
years of socio-civic involvement, speaks eloquently of her
dedication in supporting many worthwhile endeavors. Whether at
the helm of a grand Independence Day celebration (a task she
was actually involved with in conjunction with the Philippine
Consulate in New York for two consecutive years) or simply
discussing a crafts sale for the benefit of a community school,
Venilda, or Nilda for short, has indeed been known to carefully
steer each project through to its successful completion with that
selfless enthusiasm that has been her trademark all these years.
Yet, this veteran of countless special events and fundraisers would
rather be referred to, first and foremost, as a housewife. In fact,
she has listed her occupation in this order: wife, mother,
volunteer, community leader.
The common denominator in all these roles is Nilda's caring
attitude, beginning with her family and radiating her immediate
community. In whatever she does, Nilda has only one basic aim:
to help, and help bring out the best in others in the process. This
also, in a nutshell, best describes Nilda's leadership style. Hardly
surprising for one who was originally trained to be a school teacher
Nilda is married to Dr. Francis M. Jaynal, an internist-cardiologist, and they have two children, Frances Grace,
25 and Jason Francis, 18. Like her husband, Nilda hails from the Southern part of the Philippines. She was
born, the eldest of eight children, in Altavas, Aklan, to Miguel Diangson Gervacio, a teacher turned
businessman, and Alfreda Panadero Dalida, a dressmaker. It was almost expected therefore that Nilda
should show some sense of leadership at a young age, with so many younger siblings to help attend to. In
high school, she definitely made her mark by participating in various school activities. Nilda went on to
graduate from the Sto. Tomas University in 1961 with an Education degree. Four years later, she came to the
United States and settled permanently but continued to nurture a love for Philippine culture and traditions.
She subsequently found the appropriate venue wherein to pour out this interest. As a result, many of the
socio-civic projects she worked on, such as fashion shows, dinner-dance balls, fairs and exhibits, turned out
to be a beautiful blending of charity and cultural enhancement.
Nilda's efforts in this regard are best exemplified by her decade-long presidency of the Philippine American
Association of Westchester (PAAW). During this time, Nilda provided the community with a cultural agenda,
opening wide the door for various Philippine cultural groups to perform in the U.S. She brought the Philippine
Dance Company, Lahi Performing Arts, the Madrigal Singers, Father Reuter's 80 Ambassadors of Goodwill,
Michael Dadap and the Rondalla, the Amauan Kulintang Ensemble, The Gentle Version and Raul Sunico, and
painter Rene Robles to schools, nursing homes, parks, hospitals and private homes, including her own.
Indeed, "Open House" at the Jaynals would frequently include such cultural treats as a private viewing of a
play or an impromptu performance of the likes of Corrales or Valdez. In this way, Nilda was able to instill in
both her children, who were born and raised in the U.S., a keen awareness and deep appreciation for
Philippine culture.
The promotion of Philippine arts and crafts was also a recurrent theme in Nilda's benefit projects for schools
and hospitals. Among the beneficiaries of her various fundraising efforts are the Carmelite Monastery of St.
Therese for the launching of two religious books and the construction of a prayer house in Tagaytay, the
Oblates of Mary Immaculate Youth Team which plan to conduct retreats for the youth in the Philippines, the
Ursuline School in New Rochelle and the Sacred Heart School, Dobbs Ferry Hospital and St. Cabrini
Hospital. Nilda was also deeply involved in fundraising efforts to construct the first Filipino Catholic Center, an
effort which snowballed after she requested well-wishers to diver their gifts for the Jaynal's 25th wedding
anniversary to the Center instead.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Nilda frequently managed one event after another, and sometimes, even
several at one time. The same is true for the offices she has served. Aside from being the President of the
PAAW from 1980-90, Nilda has held various positions with the Philippine Communities Executive Council and
is currently its first vice president. She was on the Board of the Ursuline School for three years and from 1981
to 1985 served as president of the Sacred Heart Home-School Association. Since 1986, she has been
presidential advisor of the Aklan Association.
She was also treasurer of the Manhattanville College Parents Association. Other memberships include St.
Cabrini Hospital Auxiliary, Dobbs Ferry Auxiliary, Fordham Preps Mothers Auxiliary, and Ladies Auxiliary for
Philippine American Physicians.
The magnitude and quality of service she has contributed has not gone unnoticed in her community. Nilda
has had her share of awards and commendations. Foremost among these are as Outstanding Mother of the
Year in 1988 from Green-Up of New York, as Outstanding Fund Raiser from Dobbs Ferry's Sacred Hearth
School in 1990, for Outstanding Service from the Consul General of Australia, for Outstanding Leadership
from the Philippine-New York Jaycees for Outstanding Participation during the 1986 President Corazon
Aquino Official U.S. visit, recognition of outstanding service by the PCEC and this year.
In all of the planning, organizing and coordinating that Nilda has done, she has always tried to bring about
unity among Filipino groups, highlighting positive Filipino traits, and in particular, harnessing the "bayanihan"
spirit that she believes, we should really have more of, by networking Filipino services and resources, and
bringing together individuals with common goals and interests through shared leadership.
But the crowning glory of Nilda's accomplishments will always be the wonderful family she has been blessed
with, wherein, together with husband, Francis, she has played a significant role. Already, the two young
Jaynals are beginning to carve a promising future in their own areas of interest. Frances Grace is currently
Office Manager at the United Medical Center in Portchester, New York, and Jason Francis is finishing his
studies at New York Visual Arts School while at the same time doing volunteer work with the Amauan
Multi-Arts Center and studying Philippine culture and traditions.
There are really no substitutes for traditional home-grown values. Realizing this with such clarity was the best
thing Nilda did for her family and community.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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