WHO
WE ARE
In Project Okibu, we foster excellence and inquisitive minds within our team to bring out the very best out of all of us, and so to produce the very best results.
A simple proverb we abide by is:
"We are our ancestors' wildest dreams"
so we use every opportunity we can to bring their dreams into the wildest realities!
TEAM MEMBERS.
Glyre Faeldonia
Founder/ President
Mabuhay! I'm Glyre and I'm more than excited to serve Okibu as its Founder/President and act as...
Mabuhay! I'm Glyre and I'm more than excited to serve Okibu as its Founder/President and act as an instrument to help the new generations of the Filipino diaspora to not only celebrate their roots, but celebrate their identities as individuals interwined with their host cultures and their cultures within their homes. I believe these two factors are the ingredients to create change for and in the Philippines, because now is paramount to for our generation and our people to assist in the nation-building. Because, after all, nothing feels more satisfying in ensuring the homeland that our hearts all yearn for remains in all its abundance and glory.
Zech Bates
Director of Research
Komusta! Im Zechariah Bates, the current Director of Reaserch of Project Okibu. I'm of mixed Filipino...
Komusta! Im Zechariah Bates, the current Director of Reaserch of Project Okibu. I'm of mixed Filipino descent and so I'm very excited to be exploring all the aspects of the Filipino diaspora and to be helping to create a united identity for all! As Head of Research, I'll be in charge of helping to create articles and informative posts on the website which will tackle important issues facing Filipinos as well as highlighting interesting aspects of our shared culture. Through this, it is my hope that we the youth could make a more united diaspora as well as give back to the peoples that we are decended from. Ingat!
Kyne Bordon
Director of Media & Design
Hello all! My name is Kyne (pronounced as 'kine') and I am Director of Media and Marketing for Project Okibu...
Hello all! My name is Kyne (pronounced as 'kine') and I am Director of Media and Marketing for Project Okibu. I was born in Singapore, raised in Negros Occidental and migrated to the UK when I was 8. I am responsible for managing the image and recognition of the organisation, playing close attention to our social media platforms to create bridges between our kaibigans. Through this, I hope to help deliver our project's missions and to build a safe and approachable community to the "Third-Culture Kids" as well as people back home.
Santiago German
Director of Events
What's up everyone!? I'm Santiago, the Director of Events of Project Okibu. Having lived in multiple...
What's up everyone!? I'm Santiago, the Director of Events of Project Okibu. Having lived in multiple countries throughout my life, I've recognised how embracing culture can unify people, and how connecting with our roots only makes us stronger. Therefore, it's my job to ensure this organization has a bright future ahead by promoting Philippine heritage through engaging conferences, interactive webinars, and much more. When it comes to celebrating Filipino diaspora and giving back to my homeland, the sky's truly the limit. I'm excited to see how far we'll go and how big we'll grow.
Arnel Villamin
Director of Recruitment
Hi there, I’m Arnel! I was born in Tacloban but have spent most of my life in Poland. As someone raised...
Hi there, I’m Arnel! I was born in Tacloban but have spent most of my life in Poland. As someone raised outside of the country, I feel it is important to not only keep in touch with my roots, but also celebrate my identity as someone raised around multiple cultures. As Recruitment Director I’ll be responsible for finding like-minded volunteers that want to help in our mission to create a community affirming the identities of ‘third culture’ Filipinos across the country, as well as strengthen the ties between the Filipino diaspora and their roots.
Sophia Quesada
Secretariat
Hiya! I'm Sophia, Project Okibu's Secretary which means I'm in charge of all the administrative...
Hiya! I'm Sophia, Project Okibu's Secretary which means I'm in charge of all the administrative tasks: managing and organising Okibu's schedules and deadlines as well as our website. I'm proud to say I'm part of the team as this initiative and its mission are things I cherish dearly. I want to create a safe space for the Filipino diaspora so they feel secure in their identities, appreciated as people, and aspire for improvement. Can't speak Filipino? Don't know any Filipino songs or the history of the Philippines? That doesn't make you any less Filipino. This project is catered to those who want to indulge, learn and throw themselves in their home country's culture and society even if you start from zero.
Jan Morissette Gernale
Director of Marketing
As the Marketing Director of Project Okibu, I aim to develop our communications area in terms of.
As the Marketing Director of Project Okibu, I aim to develop our communications area in terms of helping to guide our media team, provide marketing support and advise to the wider organisation, and facilitate meaningful conversations. I hope to get our message and mission out there, to reach help reach more kabayan's, by creating an inclusive and vocal community.
Fiona V. Muir
Design Assistant
Hi everyone, I’m Fiona! As a mixed Filipino-British kid and have lived in Philippines most of my life...
Hi everyone, I’m Fiona! As a mixed Filipino-British kid and have lived in Philippines most of my life, before moving to the UK in 2018, I believe in the importance of embracing one’s culture as well as their experiences learnt throughout the way that formed them to be who they are today. As a design assistant, my main responsibilities are assisting in designing creative and innovative posts for Project Okibu’s social media platforms that will enable us to reach fellow Third-Culture Kids across the world and build a safe community with them which I am so proud to be a part of!
Isabel Bartolome
Director of External Affairs
As Okibu’s Director of External Affairs, my core responsibilities include strategically establishing...
As Okibu’s Director of External Affairs, my core responsibilities include strategically establishing and cultivating relationships with policy makers, industry leaders and likeminded key individuals and groups all over the world. Sustaining ties with partners, and creating a valuable network that is accessible to all, is my priority in order to share our vision as the first youth-led Filipino Cultural Institute.