OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Ms. Ailene M. Litonjua
Chariman
A veteran banker, started her career from the ranks in Citibank, N.A. and ending as its Retails Banking Director. She was responsible for overall customer franchise in the 6 branches operated from a regulatory, compliance and financial perspective. HSBC Private Banking Philippines’ Senior Adviser, a culmination since joining last September 2006. One of the longest serving members of the Executive Committee for the past 10 years. Under her helm in 2023, HSBC was awarded as ‘Best International Private Bank in the Philippines” by Asia Money and by Euromoney for 2024 as well. Graduate of AB Mass Communication from the University of the Philippines. Served in the capacity of Treasurer for the British School Manila Council of Trust for 8 years representing HSBC as Founder-Member.
Ms. Maria Isabel G. Ongpin
Chairman Emerita
One of the founding directors of FriendlyCare; active Trustee since 1999. Columnist at Manila Chronicle & Manila Times; Writer, Editor, and active Member-Director of various socio-civic organizations and sports clubs.
Ms. Teresa J. Ho, Ph.D in Applied Economics
Trustee
Has 26 years of experience as economist, health specialist, and human development specialist at the World Bank, leading and participating in various programs on health, nutrition and population in East Asia and pacific, Europe and Central Asia, West Africa and South Asia. Master in Economics from University of the Philippines and Ph.D in Applied Economics from Stanford University; specializes in population, labor and development economics.
Ms. Elizabeth Eder Zobel De Ayala
Trustee
An active Board of Trustees of various foundations including Sa Aklat Sisikat, White Cross, Forum for Family Planning and Development, and FriendlyCare. She was also the founding Vice President of Museo Pambata and founding Managing Partner of Regatta Store. A Philosophy and Economics graduate of Boston College, USA.
Dr. Carmelita I. Quebengco, Ph.D in Economics
Trustee
Has been a professor in De La Salle University since 1983 and presently its Executive Vice President. Master in Education from University of the Philippines and a Doctorate in Education of DLSU. Active educator, trainer, lecturer, researcher, and author of various publications on education and management.
Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, Ph.D in Economics
Trustee
An economist, professor, advisor, speaker, writer. Professor of Economics and Director of Public Affairs in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Vice-Chair in the Division of Social Sciences and former Secretary-Grant of the NEDA. Earned Ph.D at University of California and M.A. in Economics at University of Bridgeport.
Dr. Juan Maria Pablo R. Nañagas
Trustee
A Doctor of Medicine, Master in Public Health from University of the Philippines, Manila. Specializes in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Active Board Member of various medical societies. Served as Director of Philippine General Hospital. Also a Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines. Author of various publications about health and medicine, family planning, military security and peace building.
Dr. Jaime Z. Galvez Tan
Trustee
A former DOH Secretary who helped in planning and extending affordable health care to the masses through FriendlyCare. Dr. Galvez Tan is also a professor of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, a Vice Chancellor for Research of the University of the Philippines Manila and the Executive Director of the National Institutes of Health Philippines from 2002 to 2005.
Ms. Teresita D. Panganiban
President - CEO
A veteran with 30 years of experience in general management, marketing and sales of various multinational and local FMCG’s in personal care, home care, food and consumer healthcare for diverse markets across cultures in the Asia Pacific. Joined FriendlyCare in April 2013. Brought mental wellness in 2016 becoming one of the Foundation’s pillars.
Dr. Marie Antoinette Fleta Gaston
Trustee
A member of the Royal College of General Practitioners UK and the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians. She graduated CCT General Practice (MRCGP) from West Midlands Deanery and Masters of Public Health from the University of the Philippines Manila.
Ma. Lourdes “Lot” Ortiz-Luis
Trustee
Ms. Ortiz-Luis has 40 years of experience in human resource management and organization development consulting and training and in marketing and sales with multiple local and foreign companies. She graduated with a Liberal Arts degree major in English Literature from Maryknoll College (now Miriam College) in 1970 and earned her MBA units from Baruch College in New York. She is currently the Philippine representative of US – based Cross Catholic Outreach a non- profit funding organization of education and shelter projects for the poor. Her work with them started with the post- Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery program in Leyte and Samar in 2013. Her grass roots experience with civil society dates back to 2010 as City Convenor of People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR) and the women's coalition EveryWoman from 2015. She is currently Metro Manila Southeast District Director overseeing 6 clubs of Soroptimist International of the Americas Philippines Region giving marginalized women and girls access to education and training. She has been a Trustee of the Board of Everest International Academy for 3 terms now. She was co-convenor of the Maryknoll-Miriam Alumni "Katipuneras" during the 2022 national elections and organized and is now OIC of a development NGO "Lingap Angat" post elections with advocacies in public education, nutrition and health, and anti-disinformation.
Ma. Cristina F. Bate
Trustee
Ms. Bate graduated BA Psychology from De La Salle University in 1990. She later gained her Master’s Degree from Columbia University, New York and Doctor’s Degree in Educational Management from De La Salle University in 2004. Ms. Bate has been active in the Academe since 1990 and is currently working as a Graduate School Faculty member in De La Salle University. She also joined the Soroptimist International and became a chairperson in Soroptimist International of Americas Philippine Region (SIAPR).
Leizel P. Lagrada, MD MPH PHD
Trustee
She is an Associate Professor at the Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, where she also serves as the Coordinator of the Program for Health Equity. She has almost 20 years’ experience in public health system, first as a Municipal Health Officer, then holding various positions at the Department of Health and PhilHealth. She has more than ten years’ involvement in global health, as a consultant and facilitator in joint learning endeavors across countries.
Ms. Zorayda Amelia C. Alonzo
Vice Chairman and Treasurer
Recipient of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award for Government Service in 1992. CEO and President of Pag-IBIG Fund for 10 years, the longest term by any Pag-IBIG CEO.
Dr. Vicente B. Paqueo, Ph.D in Economics
Trustee
Has 23 years experience in economics, education, human and social development, population and health and nutrition at the World Bank. Received The Outstanding National Scientist Award in 1983, and 7 World Bank Spot Award. Professor of Economics at the University of the Philippines and author of various publications on economics, health, population and education.
FriendlyCare Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1999 as a not-for-profit, non-stock private organization with the founding mission to provide affordable, accessible, quality primary health care, reproductive health and family planning, and mental health services to the low to middle socio-economic class. It was founded based on extensive research studies and statistics facilitated by its founding funder USAID to serve the unmet needs of the market lodged in between the expensive private health care services and crowded public health facilities with a niche market in mind. By and large, it has attracted the market from all walks of life, across all ages and demographics.
After six years, the organization transitioned to ensure its sustainability. The FriendlyCare Clinics became self-sufficient multi-specialty facilities offering laboratory, diagnostic, vaccination, drug testing and medical consultation services. It was not a walk in the park, as resource-draining clinics had to be closed and medical mobile vans deployed to reach more clients. Reproductive Health and Family Planning endeavors were sustained as more donors and public partnerships funded the Foundation’s family planning mission. Affordably priced primary care and reproductive health services in the Clinics and reaching out to geographically isolated areas in the provinces, and urban, underserved locations has become part of its brand equity and has made FriendlyCare a one-of-a kind brand in healthcare.
Its facilities, operating systems and service protocols are compliant with the standard metrics and have been accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Inc. (PhilHealth), National External Quality Assurance Scheme (NEQAS), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Privacy Commission (NPC), Philippines Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC).
FriendlyCare is also known as an institutional advocate in the delivery of health services in reproductive health focused on Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) and Family Planning (FP). The company’s work in FP over the years has been recognized by the Department of Health. For 24 years now FriendlyCare has been supporting the Philippine Family Planning Program by partnering with the LGUs in NCR, CALABARZON, Davao and other parts of Cebu, Region XI and Region VIII. As a Civil Society Organization, FriendlyCare is a member of the Department of Health - National Implementation Team tasked to support the Republic Act No. 10354 known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RPRH Law) as well as Executive Order No. 12 on sustaining “Zero Unmet Needs for Modern Family Planning”.
In 2016, the Foundation further expanded its capabilities into mental health and wellness through mindfulness-based programs for wellness, stress, depression and anxiety, offering these to educational institutions, workplaces and individuals.
FriendlyCare was affected by the 2020 pandemic and sadly, had to close its Cebu, Lagro and Shaw clinics. But its resilience and agility proved strong with its three clinics in Cubao, Masinag and Davao. A new clinic in Robinsons Novaliches opened last July 2023. The Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary this 2024 confident that its pillars are ready to serve and touch the lives of even more clients and beneficiaries: the Clinics, Reproductive Health and Family Planning and its Mindfulness Programs.
OUR VISION
Healthy, happy Filipino families.
OUR MISSION
Provide affordable, accessible, quality, family, reproductive and mental health services in a friendly and compassionate manner.
OUR CORE VALUES
