Meet the Team
Meet our dynamic team at Gawad Kalinga NextGen! Committed to community empowerment and sustainable change, we're a diverse group united by a shared vision. Get to know the faces driving our mission forward and join us in building a brighter future for the Philippines!
Allyson Nepomuceno
GK USA NextGen National Program Director
National Ambassador
As the National Program Director and National Ambassador for GK USA NextGen, Allyson recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Health Sciences from UCF, at the age of 23. With aspirations to become a physician dedicated to serving underserved populations, Allyson embodies a commitment to healthcare and community service. Appointed as National Program Director by the former chairman, Dr. Jose Raffinan, Allyson was recognized for her potential and passion to uphold the organization's legacy. She has consistently endeavored to create platforms for amplifying the voices of young individuals, believing in the power of NextGen to empower and uplift. As a former athlete with 11 years of experience playing soccer, Allyson holds a deep-seated belief in the transformative impact of sports, particularly for youth development. Soccer has played an integral role in Allyson's life, instilling values of teamwork, perseverance, and camaraderie, and she is determined to give back to the sport that has enriched her journey.
Karol Szczygielski
GK USA NextGen Head of Administration
National Ambassador
As a 23-year-old aspiring physical therapy student, Karol serves as the National Ambassador and Head of Administration for Gawad Kalinga USA NextGen, working closely with GK Tampa. Karol's journey with Gawad Kalinga began at the GK USA Collegiate Summit in 2021, where he first learned about the scale of GK while also witnessing Allyson's passion for the project. Recognizing the immense potential to directly impact those in need, Karol was inspired to join the movement. He is particularly passionate about the SipaG program, driven by his love for sports and its potential to empower communities.
Hannah Dorado
GK USA NextGen Head of Marketing
National Ambassador
Area Team Leader - Orlando
Ignited by her roots of the Philippines, Hannah is a proud Filipino American who serves Gawad Kalinga as a National Ambassador. She graduated from UCF with a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences and will be pursuing a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant school. Hannah’s journey with Gawad Kalinga began at UCF’s GK Collegiate Summit in March 2023. During her presidency term for UCF’s American Medical Women’s Association, Hannah hosted an educational workshop at the GK Summit dedicated to shattering gender inequalities. Passionate about alleviating poverty in the Philippines, Hannah remains actively engaged with Gawad Kalinga by organizing fundraisers, participating in events, and overseeing the creative marketing strategies for GK’s social media platforms.
Kaitlyn Pamplona
GK USA NextGen Head of Outreach
National Ambassador
Miss Fil-Am Florida 2022
Kaitlyn is a 20 year old student majoring in Biological Sciences at Florida State University. Upon completing the GK Immersion Program in 2022, Kaitlyn got involved with GK USA NextGen as the Outreach officer. Kaitlyn initially joined the movement through philanthropy for the Miss Fil-Am Florida Pageant and ever since she learned the depths of GK’s work, Kaitlyn wanted to be a part of the mission to end poverty. Kaitlyn is most passionate about SEED because of the opportunity it gives to kids. Higher education is easier to come by in the U.S. in comparison to the Philippines, so this program gives students the chance to not only help themselves, but their community through agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Jude Pamplona
GK USA NextGen Team Member
Jude is an 18 year old student at the Galen College of Nursing. Jude represents GK USA NextGen as a Team Member, and will be instated as a National Ambassador in 2024. Jude first joined the movement in the summer of 2023 attending the Mindanao, Visayas, and 3-day medical mission. Seeing how much we can help those in need in the Philippines, Jude wanted to make more of an impact continuing his journey with Gawad Kalinga. The GK program Jude is most passionate about is the SipaG program, watching people coming together as one through sports.
Claire Pamplona
GK USA NextGen High School Liaison
Claire is a 14 year old student in the International Baccalaureate program at Palm Harbor University High School. She is currently the high school liaison officer for the GK Tampa. Claire felt inspired by Allyson to help and support the people in need in the local Filipino Community. Claire is most passionate about KnK kitchen because it helps feed the children who aren’t able to get food in the Philippines.
Zurielle Basuil
GK USA NextGen Hope Advocate
Zurielle is a 20-year-old student at the University of South Florida majoring in Social Sciences and Communications. She currently serves as a Gawad Kalinga NextGen Hope Advocate for the Tampa Bay Area. As president of USF’s Association of Filipino Students (AFS), Zurielle has helped raise more than $4,000 (and counting) for Gawad Kalinga through the 2023 APIDA pageant at USF, the 2024 AFSxPDPsi (Chi Chapter) Volleyball Tournament, and various cultural fundraisers. She is looking forward to the annual AFS philanthropy showcase We Got Soul, the proceeds of which go to Gawad Kalinga SipaG. After living in the Philippines in high school as a first-generation Filipino-American, Zurielle learned the importance of staying in touch with her roots and giving back to the culture that shaped her. GK enables her to fulfill these goals through uplifting Filipino communities. Seeing how sports positively impacted the youth in her childhood inner-city neighborhood, Zurielle holds GK SipaG close to her heart. She believes that the youth are the key to uplifting communities, and that sports are a crucial tool to empowering the youth.
Shan Baldos
GK USA NextGen Hope Advocate
Currently serving as a GK NextGen Advocate for the Tampa Bay Area, 21-year-old Shan graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelors in Applied Linguistics. She is currently an MA student and graduate assistant at USF. As a part of USF’s Association of Filipino Students, Shan has helped raise thousands of dollars for Gawad Kalinga through pageants, sports tournaments, and various cultural fundraisers. She has also given workshops at various Filipino collegiate conferences, including GKUSAxUCFFSA, on the role of Filipino-American youth in connecting with their culture through education and philanthropic work. As a young immigrant from Negros Occidental, Philippines, Shan sees Gawad Kalinga as a powerful outlet to give back to her country. By leveraging her skills and her passions, Shan wants to encourage Filipino diaspora youth to take action and make a change. As an educator, she is particularly passionate about GK’s Maleta Library and Aral programs. Shan believes that literacy and education are revolutionary tools for empowering communities, and that children hold the key to a brighter future.
Fidel Galaura
GK USA NextGen Hope Advocate
Area Team Leader - Tampa
Fidel Galaura is currently a third-year Honors Pre-Med Student at the University of South Florida. Fidel shares a deep-rooted connection with Gawad Kalinga that traces back to his childhood. While GK was a familiar presence throughout his formative years, Fidel initially perceived it as an endeavor reserved for adults, its significance somewhat elusive to his youthful perspective. However, everything changed after Fidel's transformative experience at the inaugural GK Collegiate Summit. Immersed in an atmosphere brimming with passion, purpose, and unwavering dedication to social change, Fidel underwent a profound shift in perspective. It was here that he unearthed a newfound sense of his own agency—a realization that his youth did not preclude him from making a meaningful impact. Guided by the inspirational leadership of Ally and fueled by an unwavering commitment to effecting positive change, Fidel made the resolute decision to embrace GK NextGen wholeheartedly. Recognizing the immense potential within himself and his peers, he embarked on a journey marked by purpose-driven action, eager to harness the collective power of young minds united in their pursuit of a better tomorrow.
Therese Buado
GK USA NextGen National Ambassador
Therese Buado, also known as Reese for short, is an 18 year old senior at St. John XXIII College Preparatory. In addition to being involved in multiple clubs and honor societies, Reese is planning on majoring in engineering in college. As a Next Gen Ambassador from Texas, she attended an immersion trip along with several other members of the Next Gen program in the summer of 2023. She visited several GK villages on the island of Tacloban, distributing food packages and, ultimately, bringing hope to the people. The group also attended a medical mission in Cabanatuan City where Reese worked at the optometry station and distributed free reading glasses. After visiting several GK communities, one village in particular stood out to Reese due to their perseverance and strong faith in God even after so many years of hardship. As a result, she became inspired and started a fundraiser with her cousin, Mary Uyenco, in order to build a home in the GK Vergara village. Currently, they are nearing their goal after co-hosting a basketball and volleyball tournament with the PHBL Club in Houston as well as various social media raffles. Reese looks forward to reaching their goal and plans to take on another fundraiser in the near future. The opportunity to give back to the people of the Philippines drove Reese to join this movement. Furthermore, she joined Gawad Kalinga to contribute towards the selfless acts of charity in hopes of helping those who are in need. The GK platform that Reese is most passionate about is the SEED program since it focuses on the next generation of individuals in the Philippines. As part of the younger generation, she believes it is import to educate the youth as they are to become the future leaders of society. The SEED program takes action by providing education that is focused on agriculture and development of the countryside. Therefore, she is most passionate about the this program because of the opportunities it will create for the next generation of agri-entrepreneurs in efforts to address poverty.
Mary Uyenco
GK USA NextGen National Ambassador
Mary Uyenco, a freshman majoring in Computer Science at The Honors College at University of Houston, is dedicated to pushing herself beyond her comfort zone in every aspect of her life. From a young age, she was taught by her elders, particularly her grandparents, Carol Tulud and Albert Tulud, about the importance of alleviating poverty in the Philippines, instilling in her values of finishing her food and donating her belongings to those in need. As she grew older, Mary became increasingly involved with Gawad Kalinga (GK), participating in galas and fundraising events. Her passion for the cause deepened after visiting GK villages in the Philippines in 2018, sparking a desire to return annually to volunteer. Despite disruptions caused by the pandemic, she remains committed to her mission and looks forward to continuing her volunteer work this summer. Through her experiences with GK, Mary came to recognize the significance of respecting human dignity and ensuring that the assistance provided addresses genuine needs, both spiritual and physical. Engaging with the children in the villages allowed her to gain valuable insights into their lives and struggles. Transitioning into college life, Mary joined the Filipino Student Association (FSA), the largest organization at UH, boasting approximately 1000 paid members. Eager to further her commitment to service and enact meaningful change, she ran for and won the position of community service chair. Now an officer within FSA, she plans to integrate GK initiatives into the organization's activities, extending their impact to communities in Houston and the Philippines. Grateful for the opportunity to serve as a GK ambassador, Mary is determined to devote her time and energy to providing assistance and care to those in need in the Philippines.
Jill Cinco
GK USA NextGen Hope Advocate
Jill Cinco, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Central Florida, is pursuing her dream of becoming a physician assistant while also serving as a GK USA NextGen Hope Advocate, based in the Orlando to Tampa area. Her journey began when she competed for the Asian Student Association Scholarship Pageant, which partnered with GK for the Community Involvement Award. Representing ASA, Jill attended the GK Summit as a contestant and was deeply moved by the cause, prompting her to focus on fundraising for GK. Winning the GK Community Involvement Award at the pageant was a proud moment, reflecting her gratitude towards her homeland. Among GK's initiatives, Jill is particularly passionate about the Housing program, recognizing the astonishing affordability of building houses in the Philippines at just $5,000 each, a goal she is determined to achieve as she is already halfway there.
Kristina Biglete
GK USA NextGen National Ambassador
Kristina Biglete was a Gawad Kalinga U.S. Ambassador from 2019-2022 due to winning the Miss Fil-Am Florida 2019 pageant. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2022 and traveled to the Philippines for her promised Immersion in early 2023 where she traveled to 6 various villages. Kristina joined the Gawad Kalinga movement because she recognized how fortunate our lives in America are compared to some in the Philippines. She wanted to be a bridge for younger generations to aid less fortunate populations in any way that she could. Kristina is most passionate about GK USA’s Health & Wellbeing program as she believes that health is a right, not a privilege. Access to clean water to ensure proper sanitation and healthcare is something that people should not have to worry about; with GK’s mission, more people will have the opportunity to live their lives rather than just survive them.
Carol Tulud
GK USA NextGen Program Head
Meet our Tita Carol Tulud, the dedicated Executive Director of GK USA since 2022, leading the charge against poverty with Gawad Kalinga (GK). Tita Carol's journey with GK started long before her current role. She began as a humble volunteer and advocate, driven by a passion for social change. Her commitment to uplifting marginalized communities earned her recognition as a cornerstone of GK USA - Texas, where she poured her heart into organizing various events and fundraisers like HOPE BALLs to be able to provide homes and restoring the dignity of vulnerable families in the Philippines. She also started the HOPE Ambassadorship Program in Texas, a program that empowers the young Filipino Americans to rekindle their Filipino heritage while as they pay it forward. In addition to her work with GK, Carol founded the Prayers of Day Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing educational opportunities for deserving Filipino young adults. Through scholarships, she's helping break the cycle of poverty and create brighter futures for families. What sets Carol apart is her ability to forge genuine connections and her unwavering dedication to serving others. As Executive Director, she ensures that no one is overlooked in GK USA's mission to build resilient communities. Under Carol's humble leadership, GK USA continues to thrive as a beacon of hope and empowerment. With her strategic vision and hands-on approach, she's leading the charge towards a world where everyone can thrive. So come and join us the GK USA Next Gen and Tita Carol on this journey of making a difference. Together, we can create positive change that lasts a lifetime. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!
Dr. Jose and Dr. Maria Raffinan
GK USA NextGen Program Head
Dr. Jose Raffinan, former Chairman of GK USA, is renowned for his unwavering dedication to engaging youth in Gawad Kalinga's (GK) mission and expanding its reach. His pivotal role in the inception of GK USA NextGen underscores his commitment to empowering the next generation of changemakers. Driven by a passion for social change, he catalyzed the formation of NextGen, recognizing the vital role of youth in driving sustainable impact. Dr. Raffinan's influence extends beyond administrative duties; he has personally invested in the development of GK initiatives, notably sponsoring the transformative immersion trip of 2023. This experience left an lasting mark on participants, instilling in them a profound sense of purpose and igniting their dedication to GK's cause. Now serving as a mentor for NextGen alongside his wife, Maria, Dr. Raffinan continues to inspire and guide emerging leaders, offering invaluable insights, advice, and unwavering support. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to GK's mission ensure a legacy of positive change that resonates far into the future.
Erica Untaran
GK USA Core Group Member - Tampa
Miss Fil-Am Florida Co-founder and Director
GK USA NextGen Tampa Leader
Erica's heart is for the NextGen and God has placed a purpose in her to help bridge the gap between the generations to help our mother country through good works with a team that is faith-based and community-led. Erica is also the Miss Fil-Am Florida Co-founder and director, organizing the Miss Fil-Am Pageant. Leading the group has been a great service for her, as she is able to inspire younger Filipinas/Filipinos to dig deeper into our culture and discover the richness of their family’s history. Erica is most interested in raising up the Next Generation with the immersion program. She wants to be involved in the GK villages being built from ground up, and to be a part of those legacies for the families that get to thrive from nothing to something is such a great reward.
Our Official Affiliates
Filipino Student Association - UCF
Official Affiliate
FSA UCF successfully hosted the inaugural FSA UCF x GK USA Collegiate Summit, bringing together sister FSA organizations from across Florida, local grassroots organizations, and GK USA representatives nationwide. The summit aimed to explore solutions for poverty alleviation in the Philippines under the theme of "Breaking Down Barriers". With two summits held to date and expanded outreach to other educational institutions, FSA UCF proudly became the first official affiliate of the new NextGen chapter.
Association of Filipino Students - USF
Official Affiliate
The University of South Florida's Association of Filipino Students (AFS) is a vibrant community dedicated to promoting Filipino culture, education, and philanthropy. Through a variety of initiatives and events, AFS actively supports Gawad Kalinga NextGen's mission of community empowerment and sustainable development. AFS members have played a crucial role in organizing and participating in numerous fundraising activities, including pageants, sports tournaments, and cultural fundraisers, which have collectively raised substantial funds for Gawad Kalinga. Additionally, AFS is committed to fostering cultural awareness and philanthropic engagement among Filipino-American youth, as demonstrated through their participation in workshops at Filipino collegiate conferences. By contributing proceeds from their annual events, such as the philanthropy showcase We Got Soul, AFS continues to make a meaningful impact in supporting Gawad Kalinga SipaG and advancing the goals of Gawad Kalinga NextGen.
Miss Fil-Am Florida
Official Affiliate
The pageant is something near and dear to Erica Untaran's heart as a first generation Filipina American growing up in the states. Leading the group has been a great service for her, as she is able to inspire younger Filipinas/Filipinos to dig deeper into our culture and discover the richness of their family’s history. Each year MFAF sends their winner to the Philippines to be a part of the GK Immersion program so that they can get a front row seat of GK’s involvement to help eradicate poverty. It’s been a life changing experience for each Queen.