Josie Moralidad Ziman

President/Founder (Alexandria, VA) – 2018 breast cancer survivor, a native of Iloilo City, Philippines, is a radio journalist and White House Correspondent for Radio Mindanao Network, Iloilo City, Philippines, and a staff writer for Manila Mail newspaper in the Washington DC area. She anchors a weekly radio program “Pilipinas sa Amerika” featuring the life experiences and success stories of Filipinos in the United States. The radio show is broadcast every Saturday from 10:30-11 pm (Eastern Time) and Sunday from 10:30-11 am (Philippine Time). It is live stream online and on Facebook. In 2018, she was given recognition and award for being an outstanding community leader by the United Federation of Filipino American Educators in the United States or the UNIFFIED. Josie arrived in the United States in May 2002. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband Barry Ziman who is a Director for Government Affairs at the College of American Pathologists in Washington D.C.​

​

David Bryant Freeman

Treasurer (Fairfax Virginia) - David is currently a resident of the DMV area having come from his home state of Alabama 4 years ago. David worked in the IT industry as a Program Manager for federal contracts and now is the Director of IT for Red Coats, Inc based in Bethesda, MD.  David attended Auburn University for his masters and doctoral degrees in Information Systems Management. David has experience not only in technology, but business requirements such as accounting and finance. David is happily married with his Filipina wife beautiful Shirley. He is excited to be involved with the Filipino-American Cancer Care; which he feels is an amazing organization assisting cancer patients and their families.

Maria Ransom (Alexandria, VA)
FACC Asst. Treasurer
Ms. Ransom was born in Manila, Philippines. She has over 35 years of Mortgage Banking experience and currently working at Credit Union in Washington DC as Loan Processing Supervisor. She has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. She came to the United States in 1984 and went to High School and College here in the United States. Maria is married with three children and three grandchildren. She lost two family members with cancer. She wishes to make a difference by joining FACC and to support the organization with her time and effort to battle this disease.

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.

Janette Andrada Lane

Communication Affairs Manager (Bronx, NY) – Ms. Andrada currently a Nursing Director for a newly formed company called The Nursing Office.Com which is located at the heart of Wall Street District in New York City. Ms. Andrada also works as a Newborn Care Specialist in Manhattan,  Tri-State area, Washington DC, California, and Florida taking care of what she enjoys as her most favorite nursing field - Maternal and Child Nursing. She is a proud graduate of Saint Louis University with a degree in BS Nursing which is located in Baguio, Philippines. She was a private duty nurse and took care of a stage 4 brain cancer patient in the Philippines and personally understands the challenges many cancer patients go through with this horrendous disease. Jan is a strong advocate in the promotion of WWII History in the Philippines particularly the battle of the Sibuyan Sea which took place in the Sibuyan Sea, Romblon, Philippines. Through the Friends of World War II Memorial, she participated during the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf by representing the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA in honoring the heroism of Filipino, American, and FilAm veterans. Currently, she is serving as the Treasurer of NaFFAA New York State Chapter.

​

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.

​

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.” 

​

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.
 

Maribel Bondoc
Herndon, VA- FACC Ambassador.  Maribel is 56-years-old who was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She completed her Bachelor of Science and majored in Economics in Saint Paul’s College of Manila. She immigrated to the United States 35 years ago and now resides in Herndon, VA. She has 2 children, and both happily married and a grandmother of 2 wonderful little boys. She loves to dance and hula hooping. Dog mama to 2 adorable little dogs (little guy Rossi and Mama Mia). 

Her father passed away from lung cancer 40 years ago in the Philippines.  Maribel is honored to have been selected to be the Health and Wellness Ambassador for FACC. She loves to dance and perform hula and Tahitian dance to different non-profit organizations. She works for Nacha for over 19 years. Nacha governs the thriving ACH Network, the payment system that drives safe, smart, and fast Direct Deposits and Direct Payments with the capability to reach all U.S. bank and credit union accounts. When nonprofits include electronic bank transfers as a payment method, it benefits your donors, your organization, and your mission. This trusted, secure payment method also is a great option for nonprofits to increase their donations and encourage ongoing electronic giving. Using electronic bank transfers, donors give to your organization directly from their checking or savings account, rather than using a check, cash or card. Maribel was a caregiver to James Saunders who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood plasma cancer, in 2021. Being a caregiver to someone diagnosed with cancer can be quite the juggling act. A cancer diagnosis often comes without warning and without regard for the demands of your time. It can be frustrating to try to fit in all the demands and expectations of what you want to, should, and need to do. As you try to support and help the person you love, you must also think about your own needs. Remember: It is not selfish to think about yourself. You can only do so much. There is only one of you and you can’t always do everything by yourself. Accepting limitations does not mean you are letting your loved one down. “As a caregiver, I require breaks, preferably without being criticized by others.”
 

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.
 

Dave Valeriano (Maryland)
FACC AMBASSADOR

DAVE VALERIANO is a singer/theater actor, host and fashion model.  He was crowned as MR. DC 2023 held at the MGM Hotel and Casino. The first Filipino to win the crown. He made his debut at a fashion model at the New York Fashion Week. He is also a World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 7x Gold, silver and bronze medalist and participated at the Manhattan International music competition. He released his debut  solo album in 2010 entitled KEEP IT MOVING. One of Dave’s single was featured in one of the episode of the CBS’s series THE SEAL TEAM. His latest filipino language single has now reached over 100k stream counts and made it to the TOP 50 VIRAL PHILIPPINES on spotify. 

Dave’s thoughts on Cancer:

“Our technologies has evolved and continuously improving when it comes to treating and detecting cancer. We have more resources now than before. However, not everyone has access to it. My hope is that soon, every cancer patient won’t have to worry about not get the treatment due to financial hardship. But for now, we as a citizen should lend our hands and help as much as we could.”
 

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.
 

Carl Andrada (Los Angeles, California) 
FACC Ambassador

Carl Andrada is the man behind “Carmelo Designs.”  He started as a costume designer/Stylist  for an all male Filipino acapella group  the Prime Note Ensemble. He learned how to make patterns and sew through YouTube videos and  textbooks, eventually he studied Fashion Design at the The Los Angeles Trade Technical College to honed his skills.

In 2015 he joined and won  the Metropolitan Fashion Week costume design competition which opens a lot of attention from international pageant community.  He then created national costumes and evening gowns for Miss Earth Suriname, 2017 Miss Universe Zambia, 2018 Miss Grand International Zambia (Top 10 Best National costume),  2019 Miss International Zambia, 2019 Miss Earth Zambia, 2019 Miss Globe USA , Miss Universe Mauritius as well as local pageants such as Miss Filipina International, Miss Asia USA and Miss Philippines USA.

Aside from that, Carl is known in the Filipino community for his Philippine inspired costumes using different types of  Philippine fabric  as well as eco friendly  materials  indigenous from the Philippines.  Recently, he presented a 15 pc. collection made from MUSA fabric- a handwoven fabric made from banana fiber by the People Deprived of Liberty of the DAvao del Norte Provincial Jail 

Currently, Carl is the creative director/designer for Miss International Zambia and Miss Universe Mauritius. Carl’s mother passed away from liver cancer and he knows exactly how it feels to lose someone because of this horrendous disease.  Carl is motivated to help and support FACC in the fight against cancer❤️

​