Josie Moralidad Ziman
President/Founder (Alexandria, VA) –
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Josie Moralidad Ziman is a 2018 breast cancer survivor known for her strength, compassion, and commitment to helping others. After facing cancer herself, she chose to turn that experience into something meaningful. Instead of allowing hardship to define her life, she founded Filipino American Cancer Care (FACC), a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that provides support and financial assistance to individuals and families affected by cancer in the Philippines, the United States, and other parts of the world. Josie is also a broadcast journalist and representing the Radio Mindanao Network in Iloilo City, Philippines. Through her reporting, she shares stories of survival, achievement, and determination among Filipinos here and abroad. Earlier in her career, she served as a writer for the Manila Mail newspaper in Washington DC, contributing articles and features until the publication closed. She is the host of the weekly radio program “Pilipinas sa Amerika,” where she highlights the life experiences and success stories of Filipinos living in the United States. The program airs live every Saturday from 11:30pm-12 midnight Eastern Time and Sunday from 11:30-12pm Philippine Time through online streaming and Facebook. Josie also hosts “On The Air With FACC,” a cancer awareness and advocacy program on PHLV Radio in Las Vegas, where patients, families, and advocates share their journeys. In addition to her work in broadcasting, Josie is an author. Her book, The Filipino-American Journey, tells stories of hard work, faith, and unity among Filipinos building their lives in America. Her personal life has included many challenges. Each experience has strengthened her determination to continue her work and serve others who may be facing difficult moments in their own lives. Over the years, her leadership and work in journalism have been recognized with several honors, including the 2023 International Golden Globe Achievers Award, the 2018 Outstanding Community Leader Award from the United Federation of Filipino American Educators in the United States, and the 2022 Outstanding Excellence in the Field of Journalism Award from the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League. From her early days in Iloilo City to her life and service in the United States, Josie continues to share stories that bring hope and encouragement to others. At home, Josie lives with her husband, Barry Ziman, and their Goldendoodle, General. She enjoys photography, cooking, gardening, and reading. Through her writing, journalism, and advocacy, she continues to show that even during difficult seasons of life, a person can still help others and make a difference.​
Melanie Dua
Board Director/ VP External Affairs (Bristol, VA)
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​Melanie Dua (Board of Director/VP External Affairs) from Bristow, VA is a military wife, mother of three, and a highly respected community leader with over four decades of service in government, healthcare, education, and humanitarian work. She currently serves as Administration Coordinator and Manpower Manager at A.T. Augusta Military Medical Center and is known for her advocacy for women, children, veterans, and cancer awareness through her involvement in numerous organizations including Filipino American Cancer Care and We Model USA. Crowned multiple times in global pageants like Mrs. Washington DC Philippines World and Global Humanitarian Ambassador, Melanie uses her platform to raise awareness for causes such as human trafficking, child abuse, and the challenges faced by military families. Her dedication has earned her multiple honors, including the 2025 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and commendations for her lifelong volunteerism and leadership. A fashion model and educator at heart, Melanie sees service as her purpose, striving to lead by example and leave a legacy of compassion, strength, and love.
​Carl Abella
Board Director/VP External Affairs (Bethesda, MD)
Carl is the CEO and Owner of Alpha Travel Services for more than 4 decades, graduated with a Master's degree in Business Administration with HONORS @ George Washington University In Washington DC. He is the first Filipino to become a member of Amadeus which is the worlds leading travel technology to power better journeys for billions of people. He is a multi-awarded community leader and had been one of the recipients of various Filipino-American awards. Carl was born and raised in Sampaloc, Manila. At a young age, he lost his mother to ovarian cancer. Deprived of funds and food Carl became homeless and worked odd jobs to feed and clothe himself. Some good friends and their families took him in and even helped him go to school. He came to the U.S. in 1972 after graduating from high school with the intention of making his life better so he can also help the people who were once hungry like him. Often times at the gift-giving activity, Carl would carry big and heavy bags of chocolates and other snacks to give to the poor kids in the Philippines. “You don't know how it feels to be hungry and long for food or for something as simple as a chocolate.” Carl would always say that and would travel all over the Philippines including remote places like Calauit, Palawan, the slums of Manila, and the mountains of Luzon and Davao. He is always excited to meet the locals and wanted to tell them that Filipinos abroad haven’t forgotten them. That they should strive to better themselves and pay forward what they have received.
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Maria Zenaida Deza Steinhauer
Board of Director/Chair Financial Assistance Committee (West Orange, NJ)
Zenaida came to the United States in 1986 with her twin sons Patrick and Cedric. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Ernesto C. Deza, a psychiatrist who practiced both in Iloilo, Philippines, and in the United States. He died in the early 70s in the Philippines a year after he retired. Zenaida’s mother was from Banate, Iloilo from the Brillantes family. She passed away in 2012 in the Philippines. Zenaida is an alumna of St. Paul College Iloilo, a nurse by profession, and married to William Steinhauer, a retired CPA. Zenaida received her MPA degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. in 1997. She worked for NJ Department of Health as a nurse consultant for 17 years before retiring in 2019. As a retired nurse, Zenaida wishes to make a difference in the life of every cancer patient by serving the community. She believes that Filipino-Americans should be united in the battle against cancer.
Allan Gadia-
Treasurer/ Board of Director (Fort Washington, MD)
Allan 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.
Aissa Encomienda
Board of Director/VP Internal Affairs Operations (Baltimore, Maryland)
Aissa, currently works as a Senior Loan Mortgage Officer, Area Director of Wise Lending (Commercial Loans) Real Estate Investor, Minority Business Licensed, Small Business Licensed, PE Dance Teacher at Royal International Christian Academy and most of all, she’s a loving Mom for 2 Boys. She loves to dance and help other people. She has been a Zin or Zumba Instructor for 6 years now. Aissa participated in various Zumba Fundraising events like Breast Cancer, Youth for Christ and started her Yearly Fundraising for the School of the Blind in the Philippines. This is very close to her heart because she’s also Legally Blind. In 2007, Aissa’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and seeing her going to couple of surgeries and treatments including the double mastectomy Aissa became a full time caregiver and took it as a blessing to take care of her loving Mom. Aissa also witnessed her mother’s roller coaster emotions & depressions and it was not easy for their family.
In 2008, her Mom was declared cancer free but she passed away in July 2010 because of a stroke. Aissa’s aunt in Canada lost her battle on breast cancer in 2008 fighting for 4 years. She was only 46 years old and her uncle in Canada is currently fighting colon cancer. Aissa is a big supporter of FACC!
Shirley V. Tanuyan
Board of Director BSN RN CDP (Anaheim, California)
Shirley is the Founder & CEO of Origins Home Health Care & Origins Home Health Care Plus that has generated over 7 figures income & has created more job opportunities merely within a short 2 years of founding home care despite challenging situation & fierce competition. She started her nursing career at a very young age. Coming from a big family and a culture of love, care and respect for their parents, she helped them take care of her younger siblings while they went to work to meet their financial needs. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing to start her formal nursing career in a government medical center. In 2003, Shirley was diagnosed with breast cancer. For her, it was a shame and stigma to have cancer. She did not want to tell her friends what she was going through thinking they would feel pity on her and she was ashamed. Even after she went back to work, when her colleagues asked her if she is okay, and if she was ready to go back to work, it made her upset and angry. She always tells them that she’s okay and they should not be soliciting or asking confidential information. She survived her oral chemo treatment and radiation went well. She went for every 6 months to follow up mammogram for several years after and was followed up by her surgeon. Shirley is thankful for the gift of life that God gives her. She believes that nobody should be alone in their struggle and giving hope and encouragement to others through sharing your own story, may be what they need to hear that makes a difference between hope and despair.​
