Kythe Board of Trustees
Ms. Malu Dy-Buncio
President
About Ms. Dy-Buncio
Ms. Malu Dy-Buncio is currently Mansmith and Fielders Inc.’s Chief Business Development Strategist, having previously served in Avon worldwide in a span of twenty years as Executive Director for Regional and Business Development in the Asia Pacific Regional Office, opening Avon Vietnam; General Manager of Avon Cosmetics, Inc. in the Philippines; President Director in Indonesia; and Business Development Manager at Avon Pacific (Regional Office) and Avon Products Manufacturing in the Philippines. She is an active management and business consultant for some of the country’s most prominent corporations. Ms. Malu completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts at Assumption College and the Business Management program at the Asian Institute of Management. She has been the recipient of a number of business and management awards throughout her career.
Ms. Maria Fatima "Girlie" Garcia-Lorenzo, MA CCLS
Vice President
About Ms. Lorenzo
The co-founder of Kythe Foundation Inc., Ms. Lorenzo finished her graduate studies in Child and Family Psychology at the Ateneo De Manila University and completed her Child Life internships at the University of California San Francisco Hospital, allowing her to become a professional Child and Family Psychologist and a Certified Child Life Specialist through the Child Life Council.
In addition, she holds experience in Human Resources, Organizational Diagnosis, and Counseling, and conducts training seminars and research studies on Team Building, Leadership Training, and Strategic Planning.
Ms. Lorenzo is the First Filipino Fellow chosen by Ashoka, a global network that recognizes the achievements of social innovators who create systemic change.
Mr. William Bayot
Treasurer
About Mr. Bayot
Mr. William Bayot is a graduate of Business Administration at the De La Salle University. An entrepreneur by heart, Mr. Bayot started his own events management company called Fun Factory Philippines in 2004. He is also the co-owner, Systems Analyst and compliance officer at the Uniwin Multi Printing Corporation and is a Financial Advisor of Sunlife of Canada.
Ms. Carmela Sison
Trustee
About Ms. Sison
Ms. Carmela Sison graduated from De La Salle University with a degree in Liberal Arts, majoring in Broadcasting. She further pursued her education by obtaining a Masters in Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management.
Throughout her career, Ms. Carmela has held valuable positions at esteemed corporations and organizations such as the Philippine Plaza Hotel, IBM Philippines, UNISYS Phils, and Business Computer Australia. Additionally, she is the owner of the Nutshack Franchise (Australia) and Chocomella Cafe (Australia).
Currently, she serves as the General Manager of Stone House Hotel Quezon City.
Ms. Carmela’s media presence is notable, having served as a TV Host on PTV4, a radio broadcaster at 3ZZZ Multicultural Broadcasting Melbourne, and a newstringer at TFC Australia.
Atty. Arnel Jose S. Bañas
Trustee
About Atty. Bañas
Atty. Bañas is currently the Deputy Secretary for Administrative and Financial Services of the Senate of the Philippines. He attended the University of Warwick for his Master of Laws degree as a British Chevening Scholar in 1996. He went to the University of Washington (Seattle) as a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow in 2007, an award given by the US State Department. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism at the University of the Philippines Diliman and completed law studies at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. He received the 2009 Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela.
Mr. Teodoro del Mundo
Trustee
About Mr. del Mundo
EON Chair and Chief Executive Teodoro del Mundo believes that communication is the most valuable gateway to building trust–a belief he holds with such fervor that it became the cornerstone of a venture he founded with two of his closest friends almost two decades ago. From its pioneering roots as a stakeholder relations firm, The EON Group has expanded into an integrated communications company committed to the vision of truth-telling as an instrument for meaningful and lasting change, blazing trails in public relations (EON PR), reputation management and public affairs (ENGAGE), creative technology (DiG), and experiential marketing (TANGERINE). Recognized as one of the world’s most influential people in public relations by PRWeek in its annual Global Power Book since 2014, Junie continues to participate in industry associations and foreign chambers where he drives conversations that help shape national policy and public opinion, particularly on country branding and ASEAN Integration.
Mr. Joselito Ortega
Trustee
About Mr. Ortega
Jos Ortega is the Chairman and CEO of Havas Ortega.
He is a Board Member of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines and an Advisor of the Bike Scouts Philippines. He was also the Golden Year President of the Philippine Marketing Association.
Jos is the Strategic Advisor of the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde MMA Program. He is also the Co-founder and Senior Advisor of the Philippine Junior Marketing Association MadWorld Conference.
Atty. Virginia Viray
Trustee
About Atty. Viray
Atty. Virginia Viray is a Partner at Puyat Jacinto & Santos Law Offices (“PJS Law”). Shespecializes in the fields of Taxation, Corporate & Commercial Law, Mergers andAcquisitions, and Finance & Capital Markets.
She received her Bachelor of Laws (LI.B.) degree from the University of thePhilippines.
She is a member of the Philippine Bar, a Certified Public Accountant, and a CertifiedAnti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). She is a senior lecturer of Taxation Lawand Corporation Law at the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Atty. Ian Carlo D. Benitez
Corporate Secretary
About Atty. Benitez
Ian is a current Junior Associate and a former Paralegal at Puyat Jacinto & Santos Law Offices.
He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and finished Juris Doctor in Far Eastern University-Institute of Law.
Ian was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2023.
Atty. Kaera Conanan
Assistant Corporate Secretary
About Atty. Conanan
Kaera received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman – College of Law in 2023 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in the same year. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a Minor in Management from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2017. Kaera is an Associate of PJS Law and is heavily involved in Corporate and Commercial Law, Labor, Data Privacy, and Energy transactions.
Kythe Core Team
Ms. Lourdes D. Magno
Executive Director
About Odette
Odette recently joined the development sector after more that 30 years corporate experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Community Development at the University of the Philippines College of Social Work and Development in Diliman. She also serves in the board of BUILD Pilipinas.
Nina Nerissa Sumpaico-Jose, MFLCD, CCLS
Child Life Services Manager
About Ninin
Ninin has built her experience in Kythe as former Child Life Coordinator in the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and as the President of Kythe Inc.’s student arm, Kythe-Ateneo. She graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and completed her Masters in Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. She is a Certified Child Life Specialist by the Association of Child Life Professionals, a US-based organization that advances the field of child life worldwide.
Ma. Victoria Balbido-Aguilar
Finance and Administrative Officer
About Bec
Bec holds 18 years of experience in treasury and accounting for the pharmaceutical, trading, and land development industries. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
Rhenzel Aivy A. Fausto
Communications and Data Protection Officer
About Aivy
Aivy graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree, majoring in Laboratory Technology from the Technological University of the Philippines, Manila.
Surviving her illness with the help of Kythe inspired her to join the foundation and serve in the best way possible.
She works in Kythe’s Communications Department, managing the organization’s social media and website platforms. Additionally, she oversees the implementation of Kythe’s Data Privacy and Protection policies, ensuring confidentiality for the beneficiaries’ profiles.
In 2023, Aivy completed a Digital Marketing course at CIIT College of Arts and Technology.
Carolyn T. Tongco, REACE
Child Life Officer for Training
About Carol
Carol’s passion is to use expressive arts, mindfulness practice, storytelling, and life coaching to connect, empower and bring healing to individuals, groups and communities. This is why she prefers to be called a “heartist.” She loves art and helping others.
She started volunteering for Kythe in 2005 and in 2018 she joined Kythe core team as the volunteer program coordinator. She is Registered Expressive Arts Consultant and Educator granted by the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA); Certified Expressive Arts Coach granted by Certified Coaches Alliance (CCA); a Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®) Facilitator granted by the Focusing and Expressive Arts Institute (Santa Rosa, USA) and also a Certified Focusing Trainer with Specialization in Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts (FOAT®) granted by The International Focusing Institute (New York, USA). She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Arts from University of Santo Tomas, Manila. She is currently taking Masters in Clinical Psychology in the same university.
She’s a mother to 3 dogs. In her free time, she enjoys being a “Plantita”.
Amalia De Jesus
Child Life Officer for Luzon Hospitals
Philippine Children's Medical Center
About Mye
Mye has extensive years of experience in sales, advertising, public relations, and marketing gained from positions held in diverse industries including transportation, media agency, and publishing among others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Prior to joining Kythe, she held a senior post in Philippine Daily Inquirer. Her passion for children led her to Kythe.
Shalom Rea V. Bernales
Child Life Officer for Visayas and Mindanao Hospitals
Perpetual Succour Hospital – Cebu Cancer Institute
About Shao
Prior to her involvement in the Cebu Cancer Institute, Shao worked in Telecare Global Solutions, Inc. as Customer Representative, and the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Compound as Registry Assistant and Program Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in Biology units from the University of San Carlos.
Jem Marie Benzon
Communications Technology Officer
About Jem
Jem started as a Kythe volunteer in 2007 doing hospital visits and art murals.
In 2012, she designed and developed Kythe’s website and maintains this until the present. She ensures the stability and efficiency of Kythe’s digital processes and online presence and helps design Kythe’s online and offline media.
Jem graduated Magna cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Advertising Arts from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila.
Charm Mercado
Child Life Coordinator
Philippine Orthopedic Center
About Charm
Charm has shown that despite his disability, he is able to motivate pediatric patients and provide hope. After surviving cancer, Kuya Charm studied a short course at ALS (Alternative Learning System) – a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction.
Maryan I. Sanchez, RM, MPA
Child Life Coordinator
National Children's Hospital
About Maryan
Maryan is a registered midwife and a graduate of both the Masters program in Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in Psychology program from Trinity University of Asia.
Eileen Silvestre, LPT
Child Life Coordinator
Tarlac Provincial Hospital
About Len
Len is a compassionate nursing aide who obtained her certification from the Philippine Women’s University. In 2007, she served as a volunteer in the OB/GYN, Medicine and Pediatric wards of the Tarlac Provincial Hospital, where she provided care to patients of all ages.
Len holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the Tarlac State University and passed the licensure examination for teachers.
Ma. Stephanie Joy Ranoco, RSW
Child Life Coordinator
Bicol Regional Hospital Medical Center
About Steph
Steph is a graduate of Belen B. Francisco Foundation Inc. in Daraga Albay, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
Prior to joining Kythe, Steph worked for a year as a Behavioral Therapist for kids with special needs at Shaping Milestone Learning Center-Legazpi. She was also a former Admin and Finance Officer for the TY Rolly Housing Project located in Guinobatan, Albay.
Additionally, Steph previously served in the Philippine Red Cross Albay Legazpi City Chapter as a Red Cross Youth and Volunteer Service Focal Person.
Jirah Mae D. Gealon, RPm
Child Life Coordinator
Perpetual Succour Hospital – Cebu Cancer Institute
About Jai
Jai has extensive experience in academia and clinical settings, being a registered Psychometrician and having a background in Guidance and Counseling.
At Kythe, she ensures that chronically ill children receive appropriate therapeutic play, educational preparation for medical procedures, and emotional support. Jai also facilitates family support through interventions that are both developmentally appropriate and centered around the family unit.
Presently, she is pursuing her Masters in Clinical Psychology at the University of San Carlos and shares her knowledge with others by giving talks on mental health in various settings.
Dexter R. Panes, RSW
Partner Relations and Events Coordinator
About Dex
Dex graduated from the College of Social Work and Community Development at the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a degree in BS Social Work, earning Magna Cum Laude honors
During his college years, he actively participated in academic organizations, gaining knowledge and practical experience in the field of Social Work.
Dex completed fieldwork at Molave Youth Home, a residential facility for children in conflict with the law (CICL), driven by his deep interest in this field.
In the future, Dex aims to pursue a career in Forensic Social Work.
With his bubbly and active personality, he also seeks to enhance his hosting skills, which will enable him to effectively handle and facilitate public events.
Kaye Magsombol, RSW
Kythe Social Worker
About Kaye
Kaye holds a degree in BS Social Work under the College of Social Work and Community Development at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, is a Cum laude graduate, and a registered Social Worker.
During her undergraduate years, she served as a medical social work intern at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, conducting case management, group work sessions, and giving psychosocial support. She likewise gained valuable experience in Malasakit Centers, conducting case studies and bedside assistance for PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) patients.
In addition to these, she was a Peer Support Volunteer in the University’s Ugnayan ng Pahinungod-Psychosocial Support Program.
While she currently focuses on social work, Kaye aspires to pursue a career in the medical field, aiming to become a Pediatrician or Neurologist in the future.
Cyndie Soliano, LPT
Family Support Coordinator
Perpetual Succour Hospital – Cebu Cancer Institute
About Cyndie
Cyndie serves as our Family Support Coordinator in Cebu, ensuring that the families of Kythe kids receive comprehensive support.
She conducts interviews with parents of chronically ill children to assess their eligibility for financial assistance funded by partners and sponsors. Cyndie also ensures fair and transparent disbursement of assistance while monitoring the treatment status of our beneficiaries and providing regular updates to stakeholders. Additionally, she actively assists during online, and in-person activities, and medical procedures for the children.
Marie Enriquez
Communications Coordinator
About Marie
Marie is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philippine Studies, Major in Education and a certificate in Filipino Creative Writing.
She has a passion for serving children and since her college years, she has been actively involved in children’s organizations that aim to educate and provide recreational and psychosocial support to those in need.
Ranzel C. Posillo
Admin Assistant
About Ranzel
Ranzel has had 10 years working experience at Greenwich Corporation as part of the service crew and at Careworx Services, as part of their pool of employees. Ranzel assists the Kythe Finance Officer and is responsible for maintaining order and cleanliness at the Kythe office.