ADELE C. JOAQUIN

Founder & President

Musician and tour guide by profession but being a caregiver to her mother with vascular dementia became her full-time job. Being so, she saw the need to share her own knowledge and experience in caring for the elderly through Bantay Matanda and other venues like medical conferences, tv and radio programs.

A graduate of Communication Arts at the University of Santo Tomas and has served as Vice-President in the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines. Presently, she is involved with the ABSNET (Area Based Standard Networks) Central Cluster under DSWD.

RHONA A. RUFO

Vice-President

A writer and teacher to both children and old alike. She took care of her father with vascular dementia and now looking after mother. Her interest and concern for the good of the elderly is her priority.

A graduate of AB Communication Arts at the University of Santo Tomas and has a certificate in Teacher Education. Her media exposure in ABS-CBN and other worthwhile endeavors in her teaching profession help put our programs together in Bantay Matanda.

DEANA SANTOS-RINGOR, MD

Health Director

A graduate of medicine from De La Salle University and had fellowship training in geriatrics at St. Luke’s Medical Center. Her genuine love for the elderly has made her sought after by various organizations to give talks on the needs and concerns of the elderly.

She is a member of several organizations like the Philippine Medical Association, (PSGG) Philippine Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology and (ADAP) Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines. Currently affiliated with St. Luke’s Medical Center and Manila Doctor’s Hospital.

EMMA APUYOS-IGOS

Director

A certified student affairs specialist, gerontologist and family specialist. She works as a coordinator at Miriam College Skills Development and Technical Education Center. Her knowledge and experience in education, management and communication skills has helped many people and most especially students to grow in their chosen field.

Apart from her significant contribution to Bantay Matanda by way of technical assistance in the online lay forum, she is also a volunteer counselor for Onesimo Foundation whose mission is to reach, rehabilitate, equip and mobilize urban poor youth for the transformation of their families and communities.

FE SUMANDAL

Director

Graduated in 1976 from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Social Work. True to her chosen field, she worked with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) for 16 years and for 25 years with SSDD (Social Services Development Department) as Elderly Program Coordinator.

Though she has retired officially from work she continues to help different senior citizen groups in organizing activities to this day. Thus, she promotes our awareness program to former associates and whoever needs assistance in understanding elderly care.

EMMANUEL GATCHALIAN, MD

Past Adviser

A well-known cardiologist but later devoted his life to learning all about geriatric medicine and later founded the Philippine Society of Geriatric Medicine. He is fondly called “Tatang” by many medical practitioners as he was like a father to them. He has served as adviser to Bantay Matanda in the first two years never missing to attend our lay forum as it was his joy to impart all that he knew about geriatrics.

ANTONIO KOSCA

Director

A Chemical Engineer by profession with management training at the Asian Institute of Management, but with the formation of the family as his foremost advocacy. Together with his wife Tita, they gave talks which inspire the old people to live a good quality life even in their golden years.

Mr.and Mrs. Kosca will both be remembered as pillars in helping raise strong Christian families with their service to all.

REX BAYANI

Director

Finished B.S. Management at Ateneo de Manila University and managed his own company called Centennial Trade Corporation. Apart from his business background, he also had his own experience of caring for the elderly through his parents.

His wit and humor never failed to cheer us all up during the board meetings and other important occasions.