BOARD OFFICER

Sammie Jo (She/Her) has over 20+ years of experience as an advocate, facilitator, community organizer/ event planner and youth worker working with the Filipino Diaspora in Metro Vancouver. She currently works for MOSAIC BC doing Special Youth Projects & a youth settlement worker at the New Westminster School District. Sammie Jo also operates Power of Threee, a wedding and events company with her 2 sisters and is a coordinator of the Joyce Street Action Network (JSAN). Recipient of the 2010 Kensington Community Leadership Award and 2011 Maharlika Community Service (Youth) Award from the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society.

CHAIR

Lester is a marketing communications professional with over five years of experience who is passionate about storytelling and analytics. In 2012, before immigrating to Canada, Lester holds a Bachelor's Degree in Entrepreneurship from Saint Louis University and a Master's in Business Administration from Renmin University of China. After upskilling with a Diploma in Marketing Communications at BCIT, he became heavily involved with several organizations, such as the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, BC American Marketing Association, and nabs West, in mentorship, leadership and volunteerism.

He worked for several private, non-profit, and government organizations in BC, helping develop integrated marketing campaigns and providing strategic solutions to business challenges. Now, he aims to share his knowledge and expertise in advocating for representation, governance, equity and leadership within the Filipino community in British Columbia, fostering impactful and meaningful change. During his free time, you can find Lester either drinking coffee or in the dance studio, training in ballroom dancing in the evenings and on weekends.

VICE CHAIR

COUNCIL OF LEADERS CO-CHAIR

Rudy has decades of experience in leading the community. As a former President of the Filipino Association in BC to which he is a concurrent member of the Board of Directors, and former Vice President of Pangasinan-Ilocano Civic Association, Rudy has been deeply involved in community events since first arriving here in B.C. An entrepreneur, a pioneer, and a family man, Rudy prides himself in upholding and maintaining a strong cultural foundation in his everyday life.

As the founder of MERD Antonio Group Ltd. Rudy's endeavours venture out into the greater community as he works within healthcare to provide guidance and support.

In his spare time, Rudy can be found in his garden with is ampalaya, chickens or following his other passions in construction and engineering. He has spent the better part of the last decades championing for better healthcare and stronger Filipino representation.

TREASURER

FINANCE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Angelie is the owner of Tax Angel® Consulting Ltd., a business in bookkeeping and financial services. Outside Mabuhay House, Angelie co-leads a local non-profit fitness group for moms and is actively involved in the fundraising committee for St Mary’s Church in Joyce Collingwood.

SECRETARY

William (he/they) sits on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Society (SEACHS) and the Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Collective Society. He is an active member of the Joyce Street Action Network (JSAN) and holds a Master's in Community and Regional Planning from UBC.

DIRECTOR

COUNCIL OF LEADERS CO-CHAIR

Khristine Cariño, DMD, PhD leads in the intersections of community building, science and tech, culture and heritage, diversity and inclusion—a changemaker who defies career categorization in a world that expects clearcut career paths and titles. From her early days as a dentist and educator in the Philippines to her transformative leadership across academia, non-profits, and STEM in Canada, Dr. Cariño embodies multi-disciplinary excellence.

As the President of Tech2Step Network Canada and Google Women TechMakers Ambassador, Dr. Cariño has built a thriving platform for newcomer professionals, fostering mentorship, peer support, and career development. Dr. Cariño made history as the first Filipino president of the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST), demonstrating her trailblazing spirit and dedication to supporting women in STEM. Her mentoring work through platforms like the Women's Economic Council, Locelle, and Immigrant Networks further highlights her passion for nurturing the next generation of leaders.

An advocate for digital equity, she founded East Van Kids STEAM to provide free and low-cost science and tech workshops, ensuring children from underrepresented communities have access to early STEM education. Deeply engaged in the Filipino community, she co-founded Alliance Philippines Filipino Language and Cultural Heritage School, and as the former Executive Director of Mabuhay House Society, worked closely with the BC provincial government to advance the Filipino Cultural Centre project.

Her commitment to community leadership and mentorship earned her recognition as a Canadian Immigrant Woman of Inspiration in STEM (2022). She has been nominated for the 2024 Immigrant Women in STEMM Journey Award, and the 2025 Women in Communications & Technology (WCT-FCT) Mentor of the Year Award. In 2025, Dr. Cariño was conferred the King Charles III Coronation Medal for leadership and community service.

With a rich academic background, including a PhD from Tokyo Medical and Dental University and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Cariño's scholarly achievements underscore her lifelong commitment to learning and innovation.

Now calling Vancouver home for two decades, Dr. Cariño and her husband Rey are raising their three children to be inclusive global leaders rooted in the values of equity and community service.

DIRECTOR

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Hussein Elhagehassan (he/him) is an experienced community planner and engagement specialist currently living and working in the unceded traditional homelands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Hussein's experience includes work in private development and public relations, and he is currently a strategic advisor for planetary health at Vancouver Coastal Health. Hussein's identity as a mixed-race individual informs his community work and excitement in joining Mabuhay House Society’s Board of Directors.

DIRECTOR

ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Josephine Rose Estrada-Fard, known as "JR," is a Civil Engineering graduate from Mapúa University and the CEO of IRAH Trading Corp., where she focuses on delivering innovative products and solutions to clients.

A former finalist in the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant, JR uses her experiences to support meaningful causes. She has also contributed to the engineering community as a former board member of the MIT CE EnSE Alumni Association.

As an active member of the National Association of Mapúa Alumni (NAMA) in British Columbia, JR is excited to be involved in the initiative to build a cultural center that aims to unite the Filipino community and create opportunities for cultural exchange. A dedicated mom of four boys, she balances her career and family life while inspiring young minds in engineering and entrepreneurship. JR's commitment to her community and family drives her efforts in both her professional and personal life.

DIRECTOR

Amado Mercado has a rich background in both academia and community service.

Driven by a passion for community welfare, Amado has been actively involved in volunteer work since 1990. He has been instrumental in mentoring new immigrants through various activities such as seminars, info sessions, and fellowship events.

He served as the Vice President of the Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS) and played a pivotal role as the project manager for the extension of the MHHS building. Amado studied at UST College of Architecture and is a founding president and adviser of the Filipino Canadian Construction Society of BC.

Currently, he holds an advisory position for the Circulo Pampangueno group,and is a member of various organizations such as the CanFil Golf Club, Richmond Bayanihan, Knights of Columbus, One Phil Co-op, and the UST Alumni Association.

Professionally, Amado is a Construction Consultant at Mag Construction Corp, specializing in project management, sales, marketing, estimating, and design.

Recognized for exemplary contributions, Amado is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Canada 150th 2018 Volunteer Awardee, the Maharlika Award for Community Service, the Bamboo Network Canadian Government Volunteer Work Award, the Knights of Columbus Membership Award, and the King Charles III of Canada Emblem Award for Volunteerism.

DIRECTOR

Dehara Sarao September is a dedicated community builder and Director at Mabuhay House. With a Canadian background and Filipino-South African heritage, she is committed to uplifting communities, particularly the Filipino community in BC. She is the Executive Director of She Plays Sports Society, a Sport and Recreation Inclusion Advisor for the BCRPA IDEA Project, and the Secretary/Treasurer of ARC Vancouver, where she is also a Co-founder of Black Shirt Day. Previously, she was Chair of Volunteer Logistics for the BC Summer Games, PAC Chair at Pinetree Way Elementary, and a 2023 Vancouver Park Board candidate. Dehara brings a wealth of leadership experience to Mabuhay House, focusing on empowerment, inclusion, and community development.

DIRECTOR

Dexter Tarampi, currently a registered Professional Engineer, brings extensive expertise in Engineering, Asset Management, and Project/Program Management. He holds the position of current director and former President of the National Association of Mapua Alumni in B.C. (NAMABC), receiving recognition from his alma mater as one of “The Outstanding Mapuan” (TOM) in 2006 for outstanding contributions to the engineering community.

Dexter served as a former director of the Multicultural Helping House Society, where he spearheaded the society’s coaching and mentoring program for new immigrants. Passionate about leveraging his skills, Dexter is dedicated to establishing and expanding our cultural and community center. Firmly believing that this center will strengthen bonds within the Filipino-Canadian community, Dexter has a proven track record of effectively engaging stakeholders and implementing public relations activities to enhance positive visibility and relationships.