ANAK KO History & Legacy

These Rio Grande Valley-based founders of ANAK KO lost their first baby, Angel Nevaeh, during their first year of marriage, followed by their oldest cat, Asia Felina Catalina, and their second unborn child. Divine Mercy, during the pandemic and while they established their foundation. As they honor their Heavenly angels, Elaine cares for their feline family, Annie, Leonidas and Lilo, while teaching for the University of Maryland Global Campus as a veteran educator. Dave is Corporate Executive Chef of El Santuario Tacos & Cocktails in Olmito, TX. 

Dr. Jaime Rodríguez, also known as “Coach Rdz.,” is an education administrator and the Chief Executive Officer of MGR Pathfinders, LLC, a leadership consulting firm. He has backgrounds in natural and social sciences, including specializations in biology and psychology, as well as has served as head tennis coach at one of his school districts. “Doc Rod” knows all too well about experiencing loss and can empathize with bereaving families, having lost his father, two brothers, and his Ima Southern Belle miniature schnauzer. 

Bernadette Aniag is the mother of two Earthly children and a Heavenly son, EJ, whose memory of kindness and positivity forever is cherished by her, their family and his friends. EJ had so much to live for, and his mom leads her life to preserve his legacy. 

Linda Johnson, CPA, wears many hats as a proud mother, grandmother, wife of her Heavenly husband, alumni president and many committee leadership roles. She has led a career in accounting and business that took her all around the world, including Barcelona for the 1992 Summer Olympics. Two of her prides-and-joys include her daughter & son-in-law, who both are Air Force Commanders. 

 Christine López García is the mom to her Heavenly daughter ~ Savannah Elizabeth (a.k.a. “Mona”) ~ & 2 lively boys, she knows what it’s like to have a baby born & buried way too soon. Her & her family’s faith inspired ANAK KO founder’s family in its losses, as they all honor theirs forever… Christine brings her experience of recording meeting minutes, including when she did them for her & her husband, José’s Engaged Encounter. 

Dr. Ronilda Henson, also known as “Nildz,” holds her Doctor of Philosophy and profession in early childhood education, with expertise in special education. Dra. Nildz is a proud grandmother and mother, including to a son and daughter-in-law who both follow in her footsteps with their doctoral degrees pursuits. Nildz is a leader in the Filipino-American community, including as a multiple-term/-position officer with the Fil-Am Association of Brownsville (an ANAK KO sponsor) and the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce at the Texas state level. 

Ida Serna is a happy and humble servant of GOD, plus wife and mother of three children on Earth and two babies in Heaven. She is an educator and chair of her department who she always encourages. 

Hector Burnias comes from an influential family in his hometown, which he helped put on the map with both of his restaurants: El Santuario Cocktails & Tacos + Flying Pig Grill & Cantina in Olmito, Texas, where the ANAK KO founder’s husband, David Rendón is Corporate Executive Chef. As a hardworking husband and father, Hector also has resident dogs and cats around his gastropubs, where he hosts arrays of events, including raising money for food at no-kill animal shelters and awareness of pet adoption needs. 

ANAK KO Board-of-Directors will meet virtually on a quarterly basis (four times per year, every three months) — likely on the second Monday every third month, at 5PM Pacific/6PM Mountain/7PM Central time, or at a mutually-agreed time that’ll work for all board members. The Board has an odd amount of members for voting purposes, and each Director’s term is different, to stagger time between elections. Board members who’ve contributed financially to ANAK KO are denoted by asterisks, according to their tier levels: *Bronze, **Silver, ***Gold and ****Platinum.