Our 2019 - 2020 UPAABC Board of Directors
Mylene Lim
President
I completed my Bachelor’s Degree from the Asian Institute of Tourism in the 80s. I initially worked for the family business after graduating from UP. Then, I helped managed the businesses that my husband (Sherwin Lim, a UP Econ graduate) set up. The business continued on even after we moved to Canada in 2002, albeit partly remotely managed.
With both kids working and my husband dividing his time between Canada and Philippines, I found myself with more free time and thus went into a field that had always interested me while we were flipping houses here in Canada- being a licensed mortgage broker in BC. Since then, I have been dedicating time and effort to help borrowers (especially our kababayans) navigate through the ever-changing housing market.
And now I have UPAABC added into the mix. I do love being part of this dynamic and close-knit organization and I will try my best to help and be of service to the wonderful people in this group.
President
I completed my Bachelor’s Degree from the Asian Institute of Tourism in the 80s. I initially worked for the family business after graduating from UP. Then, I helped managed the businesses that my husband (Sherwin Lim, a UP Econ graduate) set up. The business continued on even after we moved to Canada in 2002, albeit partly remotely managed.
With both kids working and my husband dividing his time between Canada and Philippines, I found myself with more free time and thus went into a field that had always interested me while we were flipping houses here in Canada- being a licensed mortgage broker in BC. Since then, I have been dedicating time and effort to help borrowers (especially our kababayans) navigate through the ever-changing housing market.
And now I have UPAABC added into the mix. I do love being part of this dynamic and close-knit organization and I will try my best to help and be of service to the wonderful people in this group.
Leonora (Nora) C Angeles
Vice President
Leonora (Nora) C. Angeles is a UP-Diliman graduate (BA MA Political Science). She was researcher at the UP Third World Studies Centre and instructor at the UP Department of Political Science for five years before coming to Canada as an international student. She also taught Women's Studies courses at St Scholastica's College and De La Salle University. She finished her Diploma in Women and Development Policy at the University of Nottingham Institute of Planning Studies and PhD Political Science at Queen's University. She is currently tenured faculty member at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, with cross-appointment at the School of Community and Regional Planning and the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice.
Vice President
Leonora (Nora) C. Angeles is a UP-Diliman graduate (BA MA Political Science). She was researcher at the UP Third World Studies Centre and instructor at the UP Department of Political Science for five years before coming to Canada as an international student. She also taught Women's Studies courses at St Scholastica's College and De La Salle University. She finished her Diploma in Women and Development Policy at the University of Nottingham Institute of Planning Studies and PhD Political Science at Queen's University. She is currently tenured faculty member at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, with cross-appointment at the School of Community and Regional Planning and the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice.
Ahmed Tillah II
Treasurer, Information and Education Committee
I am a Muslim Sama-Tausug born and raised in Quezon City. I have always lived within close proximity to hallowed U.P. grounds – so it is indeed opportune that I have entrusted my higher education to U.P. – the only one in my immediate family to have done so. I have finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, U.P. Diliman on a State Scholarship Grant. I also completed one year of the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies program (with honors) and two years of the Juris Doctor (Philippine Law) program in U.P. Diliman.
I arrived in Vancouver in 2013 – after residing exclusively in the Philippines for a quarter century – in order to pursue higher education. I have thus successfully completed a Master’s degree in Administrative Science with Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2015. Upon conclusion of my studies, I have decided to remain here in Canada.
Having had work experience in proprietorships and high-profile non-profits in the Philippines, I helped found and incorporate the Canadian Good Life Foundation, a Vancouver-based educational advocacy organization, in 2015. I currently serve as its Director and General Secretary.
I also have experience gained from working with local establishments (including the world’s largest multinational quick-service restaurant and a vitally-important Crown corporation), gaining an underpinning in Canadian business processes and standards first-hand.
I am still very much attuned and interested in public, educational, and community service, having come from a family of distinguished civil servants and officials. In this spirit, I look forward to continuing to serve the U.P. Alumni Association in British Columbia as its Treasurer, with the same vigor as I have done for the past two years.
Treasurer, Information and Education Committee
I am a Muslim Sama-Tausug born and raised in Quezon City. I have always lived within close proximity to hallowed U.P. grounds – so it is indeed opportune that I have entrusted my higher education to U.P. – the only one in my immediate family to have done so. I have finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, U.P. Diliman on a State Scholarship Grant. I also completed one year of the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies program (with honors) and two years of the Juris Doctor (Philippine Law) program in U.P. Diliman.
I arrived in Vancouver in 2013 – after residing exclusively in the Philippines for a quarter century – in order to pursue higher education. I have thus successfully completed a Master’s degree in Administrative Science with Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2015. Upon conclusion of my studies, I have decided to remain here in Canada.
Having had work experience in proprietorships and high-profile non-profits in the Philippines, I helped found and incorporate the Canadian Good Life Foundation, a Vancouver-based educational advocacy organization, in 2015. I currently serve as its Director and General Secretary.
I also have experience gained from working with local establishments (including the world’s largest multinational quick-service restaurant and a vitally-important Crown corporation), gaining an underpinning in Canadian business processes and standards first-hand.
I am still very much attuned and interested in public, educational, and community service, having come from a family of distinguished civil servants and officials. In this spirit, I look forward to continuing to serve the U.P. Alumni Association in British Columbia as its Treasurer, with the same vigor as I have done for the past two years.
Luis Molina Pedroso
Assistant Treasurer
Luis graduated in BA History, (Cum Laude) and MA in Demography at UP Diliman. While studying at UP he was a recipient of the Presidential and Leadership Scholarship Grant. He also worked as a student assistant at the UP Main Library then became a Research Assistant of Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Camagay of UP History Department, then Dean Dr. Sylvia H. Guerrero of the UP Center for Women’s Studies and Dr. Josefina V. Cabigon of the UP Population Institute. Each of these renowned UP Diliman professors had published research reports and made him a co-author of their published works. After graduation, he worked as Researcher cum Data Analyst at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) funded Project Management Office at the Commission on Population Central Office for 8 years before coming to Canada.
His first job in Canada was in construction industry as Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician that build the Port Mann High Way 1. He got laid off after the project was finished and he transitioned to study practical nursing at Vancouver Community College. His decision to shift career into nursing is driven by his strong desire to help others in need of care and he wants to contribute in some way to the health and well-being of his clients. For him nursing is more than just a professional career but also a vocation or a calling where he finds his purpose and meaning in life. He finds it rewarding to provide genuine care and support to people in need and at the same time providing income that enables them to support their extended families back home in the Philippines
He is happily married to his beloved wife Reah. They are active members of Families for Christ Community in Vancouver where they find life and sustain their growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ to live out the life of a radical Christian.
As member of UPAABC Board of Directors, he is inspired to return the favor to the new scholars to ensure that bayanihan spirit lives on or being passed forward to the community where God placed us in. We will continue to work, carried by the profound belief that alone, working individually, we can achieve little – but that together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
Assistant Treasurer
Luis graduated in BA History, (Cum Laude) and MA in Demography at UP Diliman. While studying at UP he was a recipient of the Presidential and Leadership Scholarship Grant. He also worked as a student assistant at the UP Main Library then became a Research Assistant of Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Camagay of UP History Department, then Dean Dr. Sylvia H. Guerrero of the UP Center for Women’s Studies and Dr. Josefina V. Cabigon of the UP Population Institute. Each of these renowned UP Diliman professors had published research reports and made him a co-author of their published works. After graduation, he worked as Researcher cum Data Analyst at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) funded Project Management Office at the Commission on Population Central Office for 8 years before coming to Canada.
His first job in Canada was in construction industry as Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician that build the Port Mann High Way 1. He got laid off after the project was finished and he transitioned to study practical nursing at Vancouver Community College. His decision to shift career into nursing is driven by his strong desire to help others in need of care and he wants to contribute in some way to the health and well-being of his clients. For him nursing is more than just a professional career but also a vocation or a calling where he finds his purpose and meaning in life. He finds it rewarding to provide genuine care and support to people in need and at the same time providing income that enables them to support their extended families back home in the Philippines
He is happily married to his beloved wife Reah. They are active members of Families for Christ Community in Vancouver where they find life and sustain their growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ to live out the life of a radical Christian.
As member of UPAABC Board of Directors, he is inspired to return the favor to the new scholars to ensure that bayanihan spirit lives on or being passed forward to the community where God placed us in. We will continue to work, carried by the profound belief that alone, working individually, we can achieve little – but that together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
Mary Anthonette Tecson
Director of Membership, Fellowship and Membership Committee
Mary Anthonette Tecson is currently the Asst. Manager of Advanced Literacy and Essential Skills program at ISSofBC.
She arrived in Canada in 2007. Mary started her career with Landbank of the Philippines, as a teller and then became an Internal Auditor. She later moved to a Malaysian bank- Maybank, as the Head of Credit Review Department under the Audit Group. She was able to obtain her Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) designation before migrating to BC.
She initially started working as a Risk Analyst/Auditor with Overwaitea Group. Had fun going around Western Canada while conducting field audits of supermarkets and pharmacies. By 2010, she moved to the social service sector as a Micro-Loans Consultant and Pre-Arrival Program Advisor of the Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP) for BC. Later, she took the role of the Work Placement Facilitator to assist the youth find work and gain life skills, and then to manage several employment programs of BC at ISSofBC. Mary gets her motivation and joy in volunteering with the Parent Support Society of BC, the church and the community. She remains active with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of BC, Philippine Canada Trade Council and the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants of BC.
Mary loves outdoors, going to new places, trying authentic dishes and meeting people from various walks of life. Having 4 seasons, amazing landscape, and diversity are more reasons why she remains to live in Vancouver.
Director of Membership, Fellowship and Membership Committee
Mary Anthonette Tecson is currently the Asst. Manager of Advanced Literacy and Essential Skills program at ISSofBC.
She arrived in Canada in 2007. Mary started her career with Landbank of the Philippines, as a teller and then became an Internal Auditor. She later moved to a Malaysian bank- Maybank, as the Head of Credit Review Department under the Audit Group. She was able to obtain her Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) designation before migrating to BC.
She initially started working as a Risk Analyst/Auditor with Overwaitea Group. Had fun going around Western Canada while conducting field audits of supermarkets and pharmacies. By 2010, she moved to the social service sector as a Micro-Loans Consultant and Pre-Arrival Program Advisor of the Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP) for BC. Later, she took the role of the Work Placement Facilitator to assist the youth find work and gain life skills, and then to manage several employment programs of BC at ISSofBC. Mary gets her motivation and joy in volunteering with the Parent Support Society of BC, the church and the community. She remains active with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of BC, Philippine Canada Trade Council and the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants of BC.
Mary loves outdoors, going to new places, trying authentic dishes and meeting people from various walks of life. Having 4 seasons, amazing landscape, and diversity are more reasons why she remains to live in Vancouver.
Ron Lobigas Lonora
Board Member
Ron is married to Jeanie-vi S. Llonora, with two children – Matthew and Venna . He has a Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Management, University of the Philippines in the Visayas – Tacloban College, April 2003 .
Ron currently works in the UBC Food Services Division.
Ron Lobigas Lonora
Board Member
Ron is married to Jeanie-vi S. Llonora, with two children – Matthew and Venna . He has a Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Management, University of the Philippines in the Visayas – Tacloban College, April 2003 .
Ron currently works in the UBC Food Services Division.
Iris Radev
Board Member
Iris Radev is a multi-passionate social entrepreneur and medical doctor, who works with people from various professions, businesses, and careers.
In all that she does, she is guided by her purpose of helping others experience mindful, balanced, and purposeful living. She believes that when people live meaningfully, the world becomes a better place for all of us.
Iris graduated in 1999 from the University of the Philippines Manila with a BS Pharmacy degree, and in 2004 from the University of Santo Tomas with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. She garnered awards as a PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) Board Topnotcher in both the Pharmacy (3rd place) and Medical Board Examinations (10th place) in the years 2000 and 2005, respectively.
She immigrated to Canada in 2008 and started her Family Medicine residency at the University of British Columbia in 2011 as one of the thirteen applicants who were accepted to the program from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants. She became Co-Chief Resident of that program and continues to serve as associate faculty, mentoring residents and medical students alike. She then worked as an emergency room doctor in Sechelt Hospital for 2 years, after which, she decided to focus mainly on community medicine.
In 2016, she realized she had a different purpose in life outside of medicine, and decided to go into entrepreneurship to fulfill her purpose. She is fortunate to be able to work for herself and have the ability to spend majority of her time being a hands-on mom to her 9-year old son, Martin, and a wife to her husband, Gradimir, a BC Ferries Captain.
Her working hours are spent mostly growing her various businesses which are all aligned with her multiple passions. She is launching an online school in early 2019 which will offer courses on meaningful living, success, and digital entrepreneurship (Ivolve School and Consulting). Her other businesses are in the various sectors of beauty and wellness, financial services, and ecommerce. Her other working hours are devoted to working part time as a family doctor in her own community medical practice in West Vancouver.
She is a Mindfulness practitioner. She loves reading/listening to non-fiction books and finishes 1-4 books per week, and thus, has quite an extensive library. She also loves training in the gym and doing yoga regularly, loves to cook healthy meals, and is a fashion eclectic . She also recently started nurturing plants, and as of this writing, they are surviving.
Board Member
Iris Radev is a multi-passionate social entrepreneur and medical doctor, who works with people from various professions, businesses, and careers.
In all that she does, she is guided by her purpose of helping others experience mindful, balanced, and purposeful living. She believes that when people live meaningfully, the world becomes a better place for all of us.
Iris graduated in 1999 from the University of the Philippines Manila with a BS Pharmacy degree, and in 2004 from the University of Santo Tomas with a Doctor of Medicine Degree. She garnered awards as a PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) Board Topnotcher in both the Pharmacy (3rd place) and Medical Board Examinations (10th place) in the years 2000 and 2005, respectively.
She immigrated to Canada in 2008 and started her Family Medicine residency at the University of British Columbia in 2011 as one of the thirteen applicants who were accepted to the program from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants. She became Co-Chief Resident of that program and continues to serve as associate faculty, mentoring residents and medical students alike. She then worked as an emergency room doctor in Sechelt Hospital for 2 years, after which, she decided to focus mainly on community medicine.
In 2016, she realized she had a different purpose in life outside of medicine, and decided to go into entrepreneurship to fulfill her purpose. She is fortunate to be able to work for herself and have the ability to spend majority of her time being a hands-on mom to her 9-year old son, Martin, and a wife to her husband, Gradimir, a BC Ferries Captain.
Her working hours are spent mostly growing her various businesses which are all aligned with her multiple passions. She is launching an online school in early 2019 which will offer courses on meaningful living, success, and digital entrepreneurship (Ivolve School and Consulting). Her other businesses are in the various sectors of beauty and wellness, financial services, and ecommerce. Her other working hours are devoted to working part time as a family doctor in her own community medical practice in West Vancouver.
She is a Mindfulness practitioner. She loves reading/listening to non-fiction books and finishes 1-4 books per week, and thus, has quite an extensive library. She also loves training in the gym and doing yoga regularly, loves to cook healthy meals, and is a fashion eclectic . She also recently started nurturing plants, and as of this writing, they are surviving.
Athena Baquizal-Adan
Board Member
Athena considers herself to be maroon-blooded, having studied in UP from nursery through to elementary, high school, and university. After getting her Economics degree, and as a true Iskolar ng Bayan, she worked for NEDA for 15 years, along the way picking up a master’s degree from… where else??
Her career had been about monitoring and supervising anti-poverty projects; both in NEDA and, later, for the European Union delegation. Both jobs gave her the good fortune of having criss-crossed the country; from Laog to Siasi and from Mactan to Rio Tuba meeting the locals; the part of the job she enjoyed the most.
She came to Canada with her husband and son in 2002 and right away fell in love with Vancouver, where they still live. She currently works for the Province of British Columbia in the field of economic immigration. She views being on the Board of UPAABC as an honor and an exciting challenge for the next two years . In her private life, she still indulges the travel bug, for pleasure this time, with short trips to the US and the Philippines’ neighbours with her family and BFFs-fellow Iskas-from way back when. At home, she enjoys swimming, reading, movies, and long walks with the family’s new baby; a Pomeranian named Astro.
Board Member
Athena considers herself to be maroon-blooded, having studied in UP from nursery through to elementary, high school, and university. After getting her Economics degree, and as a true Iskolar ng Bayan, she worked for NEDA for 15 years, along the way picking up a master’s degree from… where else??
Her career had been about monitoring and supervising anti-poverty projects; both in NEDA and, later, for the European Union delegation. Both jobs gave her the good fortune of having criss-crossed the country; from Laog to Siasi and from Mactan to Rio Tuba meeting the locals; the part of the job she enjoyed the most.
She came to Canada with her husband and son in 2002 and right away fell in love with Vancouver, where they still live. She currently works for the Province of British Columbia in the field of economic immigration. She views being on the Board of UPAABC as an honor and an exciting challenge for the next two years . In her private life, she still indulges the travel bug, for pleasure this time, with short trips to the US and the Philippines’ neighbours with her family and BFFs-fellow Iskas-from way back when. At home, she enjoys swimming, reading, movies, and long walks with the family’s new baby; a Pomeranian named Astro.
Rosette Correa
Board Member
I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from UP Diliman, and while at UP, I was a member of the UP Concert Chorus, an agitprop writer of SAMASA at one point, a features writer for the Philippine Collegian, and a Yakal resident.
After a few years working in the advertising world, I decided to pursue my first love - teaching - and went and got my credits to teach, my Master's Degrees in English and Special Education, and my PhD in Educational Management at The University of Perpetual Help -Rizal. I was working as the English Department Head of Southville International Schools and Colleges in Las Pinas before my family, a husband and two girls, moved to Canada in February 2006.
My first job in Canada was at an English as a Second Language school in Downtown Vancouver and Sylvan Learning Centre. After appealing my case for certification as a BC Teacher, I was certified in January 2008 and began teaching in the Catholic Independent School Board as a classroom teacher, and I have been loving it ever since!
As a UP graduate, I have always had service to others as a lifetime goal, be it on the musical stage performing to raise money for Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP), or writing and featuring Filipino-Canadians who have worked hard to be where they truly shine. As a member for Couples for Christ, I believe service to others is where God has directed me.
Nawa'y matupad namin ang mga layunin ng samahan, at nais namin kayong anyayahang lahat na makisanib sa aming mga minimithi para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga miyembro at ng sambayanang Pilipino sa Canada at sa Inang Bayan!
Board Member
I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from UP Diliman, and while at UP, I was a member of the UP Concert Chorus, an agitprop writer of SAMASA at one point, a features writer for the Philippine Collegian, and a Yakal resident.
After a few years working in the advertising world, I decided to pursue my first love - teaching - and went and got my credits to teach, my Master's Degrees in English and Special Education, and my PhD in Educational Management at The University of Perpetual Help -Rizal. I was working as the English Department Head of Southville International Schools and Colleges in Las Pinas before my family, a husband and two girls, moved to Canada in February 2006.
My first job in Canada was at an English as a Second Language school in Downtown Vancouver and Sylvan Learning Centre. After appealing my case for certification as a BC Teacher, I was certified in January 2008 and began teaching in the Catholic Independent School Board as a classroom teacher, and I have been loving it ever since!
As a UP graduate, I have always had service to others as a lifetime goal, be it on the musical stage performing to raise money for Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP), or writing and featuring Filipino-Canadians who have worked hard to be where they truly shine. As a member for Couples for Christ, I believe service to others is where God has directed me.
Nawa'y matupad namin ang mga layunin ng samahan, at nais namin kayong anyayahang lahat na makisanib sa aming mga minimithi para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga miyembro at ng sambayanang Pilipino sa Canada at sa Inang Bayan!