Josie Moralidad Ziman

President/Founder (Alexandria, VA) –

Josie Moralidad Ziman is a 2018 breast cancer survivor and a symbol of strength and kindness. Overcoming breast cancer, she didn't let tough times hold her back. Instead, she started the Filipino American Cancer Care to help others facing cancer both in the Philippines, United States and beyond. 

As a broadcast journalist and White House Correspondent representing Radio Mindanao Network, Iloilo City, Philippines Josie shares stories of success and survival, highlighting the resilience of Filipinos. She previously worked as a writer for the Manila Mail newspaper, contributing her talents and insights to its publications until its closure. Hosting the weekly radio program "Pilipinas sa Amerika," Josie highlights the life experiences and success stories of Filipinos in the United States. The show airs live every Saturday from 10:30-11 pm (Eastern Time) and Sunday from 10:30-11 am (Philippine Time), accessible via online live stream and Facebook and “On The Air With FACC” on PHLV RADIO in Las Vegas, a cancer advocacy show.  Her book, "The Filipino-American Journey," not only captures the essence of a community but also tells inspiring stories of hard work, faith and togetherness.

 

Josie's leadership and journalism skills have earned her many awards, including the 2023  International Golden Globe Achievers Award, Outstanding Community Leader in 2018 by the United Federation of Filipino American Educators in the US (UNIFFIED), 2022 Outstanding Excellence in the Field of Journalism awarded by Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL). From Iloilo City to the United States, her journey exemplifies the power of perseverance and the pursuit of a meaningful life. 

 

Josie, alongside her husband Barry Ziman and their beloved dog General Ziman radiates warmth and love in their home. Her passions for photography, gardening, and literature reflect a life well-lived, reminding us all that strength, purpose and joy can be found in even the smallest moments. She proves that even in tough times, we can inspire others with our stories.

Allan Gadia
Treasurer (Fort Washington, MD) – is a native Washingtonian and seasoned telecommunications professional, currently is a Network Planner and oversees the Field Services team at Allied Telecom. In 2019, he achieved the distinction of earning a Master of Science in Financial Management and Information Systems from the University of Maryland.

Before his tenure at Allied Telecom, Allan held the role of Deputy Director of Finance & Technical Services at The Koba Institute. Notably, during his time with Koba, he took on the additional responsibility of serving as their Computer-Based Learning Specialist. In this capacity, Allan played a pivotal role in establishing educational programs tailored for adolescents with special needs, facilitating their journey to earn a high school diploma.

Allan currently resides in Fort Washington, Maryland, where he shares his life with his devoted wife, Laarni, and together they are parents to two wonderful children, September Leeh and John Audrey Paul. In his spare time Allan enjoys activities such as fishing and bowling with friends. Remarkably, since 2010, he has also served as a Professional Wedding Planner, dedicated to creating joyous and memorable experiences for couples on their special day.

A significant source of inspiration for Allan is his father, a survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This profound familial connection and his father's resilience serve as major motivators for Allan's enthusiasm in contributing to FACC, underscoring his commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
 

Mary Ann Marave (Cockeysvile, MD) 
FACC Auditor

Mary Ann Marave is a widow from Cockeysville, MD, originally from the City of Davao, Philippines and a graduate of B.S. Accountancy at Holy Cross of Davao College.  She has faced life's ups and downs. Having experienced the challenges firsthand, Mary Ann found purpose in joining groups dedicated to fighting cancer. Her personal journey includes her late husband triumphing over cancer, only to face other health issues. Losing relatives to cancer intensified her determination to make a difference. She decided to become a cancer awareness and support advocate, choosing to connect with Filipino American Cancer Care. The organization's commitment to helping people combat cancer with compassion reflects a fighting spirit that inspires those facing challenges.

To those battling cancer:

* You're not alone in this challenging journey. Your strength is commendable, and each day you face with courage is a testament to your resilience. Embrace the support around you—friends, family, and the medical team. Your diagnosis doesn't define you; your incredible strength does.

* Celebrate small victories, find joy in the present, and maintain hope for the future. Your journey inspires others, and your determination motivates. Be kind to yourself; this is a journey, not a sprint. Your courage shines through each step.

* You're not just a survivor; you're a warrior, and your story inspires us all. Don't lose hope. Have faith and believe that God is the healer of all.
 

Enriqueta Espanola (Woodbridge, VA)
FACC Assistant Auditor

Enriqueta Española, 47, possesses extensive experience in various medical roles, including caregiving, training management in nursing homes, physical therapy, and registered medication aid. She is a dedicated single mother of three children, two of whom pursue careers in the medical field, specializing in psychology and nursing. Before immigrating to the United States, Enriqueta actively participated in community activities within her barangay and municipality in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines. During her time there, she dedicated herself to serving her community, holding roles as Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman, Auditor and Treasurer.

Enriqueta is deeply honored and humbled to be a valued member of the Filipino American Cancer Care community. With a heart full of compassion, she stands alongside fellow members in the fight against cancer. Enriqueta is driven by the conviction that every individual facing this formidable adversary deserves support and solidarity. She wholeheartedly embraces the organization's mission, knowing that together, they can provide strength, comfort, and hope to those in need. Enriqueta's dedication to this cause exemplifies her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones, making sure that no one faces this journey alone.
 

Hannah Cuyugan Belstler
FACC Secretary (Chantilly, VA)

Hannah is currently residing in Northern Virginia but a true Californian at heart. She was born in the Philippines and came to San Francisco, CA when she was 7. She spent most of her childhood and adult life there until she recently moved to Virginia 3 years ago with her 2 boys. She enjoys hula/tahitian dancing, traveling, expanding her network of friends, binge-watching hit series and movies, and watching football as a faithful 49ers fan. She is an avid advocate for spreading positivity and giving back to the community which is why she dedicated her career in the public sector working for the federal government.

She loves to do things that matter, hence the reason why she is honored to be part of the F.A.C.C. and walk on the runway among peers who share similar sentiments about cancer. Participating in this great cause is a tribute to her late biological father who was taken away too soon by this terrible illness. She knows we can’t remedy all cancer patients but she encourages everyone to assist in any way they can, this is her way of offering her assistance by helping spread the word on cancer awareness and raising funds to assist those in dire need. She believes life is too short and people should strive to take full advantage of what life has to offer and promote kindness and positivity to achieve reciprocity and unity.

WENDELL GAA
FACC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF for News Releases and Media Affairs. 
Wendell has been assigned with the Philippine Embassy in Ankara as an Attaché-Assistant for Economic and Administrative matters for over two years now since February 2021.  He previously worked as a Desk Assistant for Socio-Cultural Matters at the Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Home Office in Manila.  Prior to that, he had his first international diplomatic posting at the Philippine Consulate General in New York from 2011 to 2017, where he served as an assistant for the Political/Economic section, as well as a consular assistant.  He had also previously served with the DFA’s Office of ASEAN Affairs from 2006 to 2011.  

Born in San Francisco, California, U.S.A., he was raised in the diplomatic service.  He is the son of the late Philippine Ambassador Willy C. Gaa and Mdme. Linda C. Gaa, and has a younger brother named Warren.  His father, a career diplomat, had served as Philippine envoy to Libya, Australia, China and the United States.  

Being a diplomat’s child, he spent much of his formative years growing up in his father’s U.S. posting assignments: San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles.  In his later years, he enjoyed visiting his parents in their foreign diplomatic assignments in Tripoli, Libya; Canberra, Australia; Beijing, China; and Washington, D.C.      

Wendell graduated from Glendale Adventist Academy in Southern California in 1994, and went on to pursue and attain his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Media at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan in 1998.  In 2020, he successfully earned his Master of Laws (LLM) degree in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy from the University of Galway in Ireland, where he was based during his scholarship leave from Sept. 2019 to April 2020.

Wendell unfortunately knows all too well the feeling of losing a loved one to cancer when his father had succumbed to health complications caused by lung cancer, a disease he was originally diagnosed with back in 2010.  After receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment, he had been in remission for 5 years before passing away in late 2015 when the cancer returned and metastasized to his back.Two years later, he had sadly lost another relative to cancer, his aunt Laida Concepcion, who had passed away from pancreatic cancer in Florida in 2017.  Despite these sorrowful losses, his father and aunt had lived their lives to the fullest, refusing to allow cancer to deprive them of their innate ability to enjoy their lives to the fullest.  Wendell believes that with a combination of teamwork, research and prayers, we as a people and an extended global community can overcome cancer in any form.  He asks us to remember the words of the late sports journalist Stuart Scott, the same words which he had uttered at his father’s memorial service back in Manila in 2015…”you beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live.”
 

Wilfredo “Willy” De Jesus and Ana Gene “ Diane” De Jesus

Spiritual Advisors (Queens, NY)
The DeJesus are a couple of ministers. They both graduated with a Bachelor Of Science In Biological Sciences in Iloilo Doctors’ College at Iloilo City and a Bachelor Of Science in Physical Therapy at Riverside College, Bacolod City, Philippines. Both are Chaplain and Minister of the State of New York. Registered and Licensed Physical Therapist in the Philippines and in the US. He works as RPT in different facilities in the US since 1996 until now while she works as Home Health Care Personnel. They have been ministering to the elderly in the Nursing Home for 18 years. A senior pastor of Christ The Living Hope Church in Queens for almost 3 years and presently a senior pastor of International Fellowship Church in Queens. Together with IFC church, they’ve been actively supporting independent pastors, missionaries, churches, and organizations in the Philippines and also have done Philippines Mission Trip every year since 2016 with his family to support his daughter, Excelsa’s advocacy helping less privileged, critically sick, and special needs children. Believing that “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,” Colossians 3:23 NASB Recently Ptr. Willy faced his health’s greatest challenge when he got sick of Covid 19 which almost took his life and also infected his wife Diane and children (Christian and Excelsa). God is always good, faithful, and true to His promises according to His word, that He is in control of everything going on in their lives. Testing is inevitable and necessary but His presence is always with them to help them. Again, been strengthened by their faith in God as they put their trust and struggles into the hands of God Almighty that healed them and restored their health as well as strengthen their relationship with Him stronger than ever. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 NASB.

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Raymund Remo 

Spiritual Advisor (Waldorf, MD) - Pastor Remo was born and raised in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, Philippines.  He is a COVID-19 survivor and the original composer/writer of the popular Christian song “Ang Tanging Alay Ko.” Pastor Remo wrote the song in 1978 when he was studying at a bible school in the Philippines. “My life as a Christian has grown so much being involved in Bible Studies and singing in the church choir.  Pastor Remo graduated Valedictorian and was offered a full scholarship in Chemical Engineering but before he finished his first year of studies he decided to dedicate his life to full-time ministry and went to Manila to attend Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute in Quezon City. It was there that the Lord started stirring within him the talent of songwriting. Pastor Remo would write Tagalog songs and teach them in youth choir.  During Pastor Remo's senior year, he was assigned to Nueva Ecija for his internship. It was there that Pastor Remo wrote one of his compositions “Ang Tanging Alay Ko (Salamat Sa Iyo) in July of 1978. A schoolmate of his taught it to one of his friends who joined the “Tagis Himig” competition sponsored by DZAS. This is how this song gained so much popularity. It was included in the very first Papuri edition and was chosen as one of the top ten Filipino Gospel Songs of all time by FEBC. Pastor Remo doesn’t take credit for this - He gives our Lord the glory and countless have been blessed by this song. I’ve been told even Manny Pacquiao sings it.” 

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Easter Jeannette Abella

​Co-Chair of the International Volunteer Outreach (Bethesda MD) - Born and raised in the Province of Davao de Oro. She graduated BSN from San Pedro College Davao City. Jeannette worked as a nurse in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for 10 years before migrating here to the US in 2002. While working in different countries, she met a lot of people from different parts of the world. Jeannette loves to learn about the many cultures and traditions of people from different parts of the globe. “ This world is beautiful because we accept each other's differences and we learn to co-exist.” She and her husband (Carl) are both very passionate about helping the poor, especially the kids in the Philippines that they join Feed the Hungry, Progressive Alliance for Filipino- American, Inc, Bayanihan of Metro DC, AAA Lions Club International, FilAm Ministry of St. Michael the Archangel Church and Philippine. Nurses Association and many more. It is their intention to help and make a difference in the lives of our “ Kababayans” especially the poor and sick that need assistance. Jeannette had joined many medical missions, gift-giving and typhoon relief assistance in the Philippines. She also volunteered to accompany sick and terminally ill Filipinos on their final flight from the USA to the Philippines. She currently works as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse in Medstar Washington Hospital Center and Holy Cross Health. Being a nurse during this pandemic is taxing yet very rewarding. She feels fortunate to be on the frontlines and to always have the opportunity to help and be there for the sick and their families.


Cristina Tionson-Zaldivar (Woodbridge, Virginia)Member, FACC Financial Assistance Committee Cristina Tionson-Zaldivar is native of Iloilo City Philippines. She is a registered nurse who graduated from West Visayas State University. Landed in USA last July of 2002 and worked as a Nurse manager in a skilled unit at JB Johnson Nursing home in Washington DC. She was honored as an Outstanding Employee of the year (2003) Tina is currently working at Virginia Hospital Center in Surgical Unit. At the same time, working at George Washington Hospital for 17yrs. She has been a Charge nurse/Team leader since 2005 in General Surgery unit(Bariatric/Renal transplant/Plastics/ENT/CRS/Urology) Tina was nominated for Daisy award during Nurses week 2018 and took the role of Clinical Supervisor in the same unit since 2019. Tina is married to Philip Zaldivar, currently an Electrician and Instrumentation Technician at Covanta Alexandria. Blessed with 2 children, Eli 15yrs old and Zyrah, 8yrs old. Before her journey in USA started, Tina took care of her dad who was a cancer patient. He died from Lung cancer (Apr 24, 2002 ) 3 months prior to her scheduled flight. Tina was thankful that she got to spend time with her dad and provided him the care and emotional support during his tough time. On the other hand, she felt unfulfilled that she was not able to support him financially with his treatment. Now, in return of her success here in the US, she is willing to support the FACC fundraising events and to extend nursing care to US base beneficiaries when needed
 

Laurine Onza 

Health and Wellness Ambassador- Falls Church, VA

Laurine Onza was born in Aparri, Cagayan Philippines in 1981.  She immigrated to the United States with her father in 1991 to reunite with her mother, who had come earlier to establish a solid and productive way of life for her family.  Laurine attended Murch Elementary School, Alice Deal Junior High School and Wilson Senior High School in Washington D.C.  She started working at the age of 15 and after graduation, immediately enrolled in VMT Nursing School. She currently works for the Fairfax County Health Department.  She is assigned to a school clinic where she cares for sick and injured children;  and her other duties include directing families to resources for further care. Laurine continues the health and wellness mindset she has adopted for her life, and encourages others to do the same. She has been a licensed Zumba instructor for 16 years and running her own class for 13 years.  Her class is known as “L.O’s Groove Therapy Zone” where she teaches 3 times a week with other instructors.  She offers a safe and non judgmental environment for participants, new instructors and instructors who are in need of a space to refresh their skills.  She has touched the lives of several of her Zumba students, many of whom have been attending her class for years. Through dance they have taken an active stance towards improving their lives, both physically and mentally. Laurine’s beloved mother Aileen Onza was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2020. Laurine was her mother’s primary caretaker throughout her mother’s illness and in the final stages of life before her mother’s death in 2021. Laurine’s experience with her mother fuels her passion for the fight against cancer, and she was honored to be selected as a Wellness and Health Ambassador for the Filipino American Cancer Care (FACC) in June 2022. Laurine plans on using her skills as a Health and Life Coach to help people overcome their fear of going to preventive care appointments, screenings, and following up on abnormal findings with their doctors. Her coaching skills enables her to help people on a deeper and more professional level.  She has helped clients discover their best selves, cope with anxiety and depression, lose weight  and even have a baby! Laurine is married to Robert Childs, whom she has known since middle school.  They currently reside in Falls Church, Va. with their two sons, Umar and Niko; and two fur babies- Kit Kat and Lucky.  Laurine loves to spend her time with family and friends and being out and about in nature, and taking care of nature.  She loves music, dancing, writing and crafting, these are therapeutic to her.  She enjoys giving back to the community by hosting fundraising events for people in need, and organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental  Illness), Fighting Wildfires for Australia, the Flint, Michigan water crisis, the local animal shelter, CCUMC Youth Group, typhoon and earthquake victims in the Philippines, and friends who battled cancer.  Laurine is honored to have been selected to be a Health Ambassador for the FACC and is passionate to contribute to advancing its cause every way she can.

 

Odessa Kay Tata Habana (New York)

FACC Ambassador of Music - ODESSA TATA KAY HABANA is one of New York’s most sought-after Sopranos; dubbed as “The Songbird” by her avid listeners— she is no stranger to the world of Classical music. She started singing in public at the tender age  of 4 and began singing professionally at 13 where she graced various prestigious stages in Canada, Philippines, and the US, including Lincoln Center and the famed Carnegie Hall in which she debuted a solo concert in 2015. She is constantly booked to sing on different stages in different states.  Kay studied in Canada where she took up Mass Communications, major in Journalism and minor in Italian Language. Her writing prowess is inarguably remarkable, but fate seemed to have chosen a different career path for Kay. To this day, music and singing consort her everywhere she goes.  Happy and content with what she's achieved in her singing career, Kay simply hopes to be able to coach or train young kids who wish to develop a path in singing, especially those who have no means to pay for professional voice culture.  Kay is also the owner/CEO of SweetHabana Corporation: a thriving, top-tier catering company in New York that has been around for almost two decades.  In gratitude for her blessings, Kay promotes her original recording entitled “Thank You, Lord” which is available for purchase on Amazon, Googleplay, and iTunes. The song was composed for her by the world-renowned concert pianist, Ms. Rowena Arrieta. She specially dedicates this to God for His faithfulness in her life.


Jona Bray - FACC Digital Editor -Orange, VA

Jona Bray is a full-time housewife and mother of two boys.  She loves photography, fashion, and hiking. Jona studied Associate in Information Technology at ACLC in Hong Kong. A year ago,  her best friend lost her battle against cervical cancer. It was devastating and an awakening call that life is too short. Jona Bray supports the Filipino American Cancer Care and believes this great cause benefits people battling cancer. Through her lens, she hopes to inspire people.

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