Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J.

Chairman

Father Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J., is a Jesuit priest and the 30th president of the Ateneo de Manila University. He is a multifaceted individual; he also works as a scientist, and environmentalist. He finished his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1980. He then obtained his Master’s Degree in Physics from Marquette University in Wisconsin, USA in 1987 and a Doctorate in Atmospheric Sciences from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, USA in 1997.

He has won several awards for his contributions in the field of global warming in climate change. Among these awards are Best Graduate Student Research Award during his time as a PhD student in the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Outstanding book award for Disturbing Climate; and the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change together with Al Gore

Father Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J.

Chairman Emeritus

Father Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J. is a scientist, mathematician, and Jesuit who served as President of the Ateneo de Manila University. He completed both his Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, at the Jesuit Scholasticate, Berchmans College in Cebu City.

Among his many accomplishments he was the founding president of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines in 1972 and he was one of the founding officers of the Southeast Asian Mathematical Society (SEAMS) and served as its president from 1977 to 1978. From 1992 to 1998, he was Chairman of the Project Advisory Group for a World Bank- and OECF-financed Engineering and Science Education Project of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology. Throughout his career he has been devoted to high-quality and inclusive education and it shows through his many contributions to science and math education initiatives in the country.

Dr. Antonio N. Torralba

Vice Chairman

Dr. Antonio N. Torralba finished his Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy, with specialization in Pedagogy, sobresaliente, at the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain in 1977, his Master of Arts in Education at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1974, his Master of Arts in Economics Education at the Center for Research and Communication in 1974 , and his A.B. Philosophy and English at San Beda College in 1968. Throughout his professional career he has always worked in the field of education. He was the founding dean of the School of Education in University of Asia and the Pacific, the founding executive director of EDUCHILD Foundation, Inc. the Founding Director of Southridge School for Boys in Alabang; the founding director of Westbridge School for Boys in Iloilo; the founding director of the Institute for Development Education of CRC; and the founding director of the Master of Arts in Values Education, also of CRC

Among his accomplishments was winning the Catholic Authors Award for 2001 (Catholic Asian Publishers), for his book Joys of Teaching, Universal-Aperture 2000, and the Bedans of the Century Award (San Beda College) in 2001. He is an adopted son of Batanes and recipient of the Outstanding Ivatan Award.

John Aloysius Bernas

Treasurer

John Aloysius Bernas currently works for LeapFrog Investments/Lifebank Foundation/Experian and is also Chairman of Transnational Education Solutions.

He finished his Bachelors degree in Economics in the Ateneo de Manila University in 1982. He then went to finish his MA in History/East Asian Studies in the University of Virgina in 1986, as well as an MBA in the same university in 1987. His previous experience involved being part of the country’s largest non-profit organization, the Ayala Foundation. There, he conceptualized, developed, and launched the GILAS Project, a nationwide initiative to raise the resources needed to deliver free internet access to all the public high schools in the Philippines. Although he has returned to the private sector since leaving the Foundation in 2006, he remains deeply involved as a Trustee or a Director in a number of non-profit organizations pushing his favorite advocacies: Universal Literacy and Sustainable Food Practices.

John L. Silva

Corporate Secretary

John L. Silva is the Executive Director of the Ortigas Foundation. He attained his MA in Philippine-American History in Goddard Cambridge MA, USA . Before this he worked as a senior consultant in the National Museum of the Philippines as well as the executive director of Geronimo B. de los Reyes, Jr. Foundation. He is also an author and writes on various historical matters, his articles, essays, and short stories, have appeared in Arts of Asia, Filipinas Magazine, Philippine News, Mabuhay Magazine, Philippine Inquirer, and Philippine StarWeek Magazine.

Dr. Milwida M. Guevara

General Counsel

Dr. Milwida Guevara is the Chief Executive Officer of the Synergeia Foundation. She served as Undersecretary in the Department of Finance. She finished her Ph.D. in Public Finance at the Lyceum of the Philippines. She obtained her Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific as a Ford Foundation scholar and a Master of Arts in Fiscal Studies, University of Bath, UK as a British Council Scholar.

Throughout her career she has won many awards such as the 2nd Gawad Haydee Yorac Awardee for Outstanding Public Service. Ph.D Honoris Causa, Humanities, Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier University), 2012 for Her public service and dedication to the people of Muslim Mindanao. She was part of the Economic Team of President Ramos that brought four years of budgetary surplus and economic stability. Her contribution was mainly in the formulation and legislation of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program that included the expansion of the VAT, the cigarette and beer tax reform, and the excise tax reform. She has had much experience with civic involvement such as being the Commissioner for UNESCO, Philippines. Chair for the Movement for Good Governance, and Chair for the Galing Pook Foundation. Throughout her career she has always been devoted to the cause of education and development work.

Solita C. Monsod

Member

Solita C. Monsod is a broadcaster, host, economist, and writer. She was the 5th Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority. She finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1959 and went on to finish her Master of Arts in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962.

Throughout her career she has obtained several awards such as numerous awards such as KBP’s Broadcaster of the Year in 2000; Catholic Mass Media Awards’ Best Public Affairs Program in 2000; Star Awards’ Best TV Program Host (Public Affairs Program) in 1999; Soroptimist International Makati’s Woman of Distinction in 1995; and Philippine Free Press’s Cabinet Secretary of the Year in 1988 and 1999.

Miguel Rene A. Dominguez

President

Miguel Rene Alcantara Dominguez is currently the Director & VP-Alsons Agribusiness Unit at Sarangani Agricultural Co., Inc., alongside this, he is also on the board of Philippine Business For Social Progress and Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. He earned his degree in AB Economics, minor in Rural Development, from Boston College in the USA. He was previously Governor at Province of Sarangani, Chairman-Region 12 at Regional Peace & Order Council and Manager-National Sales & Marketing at Alsons Aquaculture Corp.

Throughout his professional career he has been devoted to improving the quality of education in the country. He has helped establish 113 new schools using funding from partners in the private sector, and launched the Quality Education for Sarangani Today program to boost children’s access to quality education. He also launched the Justice Enhancement and Empowerment Program, an enhanced community-based conflict resolution system that aims to reduce the number of cases sent to court.

Rafael L. Coscolluela

Member

Rafael L. Coscolluela served as governor of the Province of Negros Occidental (Province) for three full terms which ended on June 30, 2001. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, from La Salle College, Bacolod City. He was also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Galing Pook Foundation. Among many of his accomplishments as Governor of Negros Occidental Province, he was the prime mover of the reorganization of the Provincial government in 1991. The major overhauling streamlined the bureaucracy and improved the quality of service delivered by the Capitol. In 1998 & 1999, Negros Occidental was cited by the Philippine League of Local Budget Officers as the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in the field of Local Budget Administration. In 1999 he won the. National Kabalikat sa Laang Bisig (Partner in Technical-Vocational Education Training) Award from TESDA for valuable contributions to the promotion of non-formal education.

Dr. Cristina L. Yuson

Member

Dr. Cristina L. Yuson is currently the President the Museo Pambata Foundation. She was also the 2nd National Vice President for the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. She finished her Bachelors of Arts in Child Study in, Maryknoll College. She went on to finish her MA in Elementary Education, in Eastern Michigan University, USA and University of Reading, England. She earned her Ph.D., in Education in the University of the Philippines.

She previously worked as international president for All Together in Dignity Fourth World Movement. As well as the founder and director of The Early Learning Center and she was the former UNESCO Commissioner for Education. Throughout her career she has won several awards such as Professional Leadership Award, UP College of Education Alumni Association, Inc. (2018) The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (Education), 1992 Dangal ng Lipi, Bulacan (Education/Children's Museum), 2005 Working Mom Balance Award, 2007. Soroptomist Award – Quezon City (2006) and Manila (2009). Outstanding Manilan for Culture and Values Formation (2011). Exemplary Women of Asia, Seagull Philippines Asian Leaders Awards (2013) and the Triple Aaward, Maryknoll/Miriam College (1997).

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian

Member

Hon. Sherwin T. Gatchalian is a politician and businessman who is currently serving as Senator of the Philippines. He graduated from Boston University in 1995 with a Finance and Operations Management degree. Throughout his career he held several executive positions in various private firms including Vice Chairman of Waterfront Philippines, Vice President of the Wellex Group, and Vice Chairman and Director of Air Philippines.

In 2001 he was elected Representative of Valenzuela City’s first district to the 12th Congress. In 2004, he was elected Mayor of Valenzuela City where he was awarded various awards such as The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Honoree for Public Service from the Junior Chamber International Philippines in 2011 and Manila 40 Under 40 International Development Leaders by the Development Executive Group (DevEx) in 2013. In 2013, he returned to the House of Representatives to represent the First District of Valenzuela City once more. During the 16th Congress, Win became one of the foremost advocates of genuine education reform. Throughout his entire career in politics he has always emphasized the importance of education for development.