Janet Teves

PRESIDENT

Janet Teves serves as the MHHS President. She currently works as an administrative professional in the local government’s Regional Planning and Housing Services Department, in which her work consists of program technical support and administration, data consolidation, as well as support and coordination to the organization’s Reaching Home Program. She is also a full member of the Association of Professional Economists of BC. Before moving to Canada, she worked as a Project Analyst in Corporate Planning of an energy company exploring and harnessing geothermal resources in the Philippines. Janet’s interests lie in corporate and urban planning and administration, which allowed her to volunteer for MHHS in 2016 as grant writer. She is also passionate about helping communities in need. Her volunteer portfolio included a successful project proposal for federal funding. When not at work, Janet enjoys nature and the outdoors.

Marilou Yodogawa

VICE PRESIDENT

Marilou Yodogawa currently serves as the MHHS Vice-President, and was re-elected to the Board in 2018 after having previously been Secretary. Marliou was the founder and Director of the Richmond 55+ers programs from 2016 to 2018. She also initiated the first-ever Philippine flag raising ceremony in Richmond, which is now an annual event. After arriving in Canada from the Philippines, she went to school and worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Feeling the need for a career change, she later earned a Diploma in Business Administration. Shortly after her graduation, she held various positions in an accounting department of an airline company, before moving up to a management position in administration. Today, Marilou continues to be an active community leader and volunteer. Apart from MHHS, she is also a Board Member of two other organizations, and periodically attends workshops to develop professional relationships with MHHS. In her spare time, Marilou enjoys bowling and golf.

Erlinda Cruz

TREASURER

Erlinda Cruz currently works as a part-time caregiver and steward at Centreplate, Canada Place. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business (Banking and Finance) at the University of the East, Philippines. Though she did not pursue a career in banking, she worked in the research field, and became interested in data gathering at the University of the Philippines School of Economics, Diliman, Quezon City, Computer Section from 1977 to 2009. She was also President of the Hardin ng Rosas Housing Association, an association of UP, for three years. She moved to Canada in 2009 under the Live-In Caregiver Program. As a caregiver, she attended various workshops for Dementia, sponsored by the Alzheimer Society in British Columbia, including Family Caregiver Education (VGH) in 2010, and Dementia 2012: Putting Research Into Practice (UBC). In 2015, her spouse and three children reunited with her in Vancouver.

Susan Panlican

BOARD MEMBER - CAREGIVER MATTERS

Susana (or Susan for short) was born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines, and came to Canada in 1989 from Hong Kong with her employer and her employer’s two children. She loves cooking! She pursued her passion after getting her permanent resident status. Apart from having completed a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree major in Culinary Arts in Jose Feliciano College, Philippines, she took culinary and short-term business courses at Vancouver Pierre Dubrulle Culinary School. Later, she worked at and managed various restaurants in Vancouver. Currently, she has a private catering service and is a sub-contractor of a cleaning service. Susan volunteered for the United Way and in a nursing home in 1992. Out of grief on the demise of her mother in 2014, she was introduced to MHHS. She started as a volunteer, then became a member. She became a Director from 2014 to 2016, and was re-elected in 2018.

Ramon Garcia

BOARD MEMBER - HR MATTERS

Ramon Garcia is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. He graduated from the University of British Columbia under the Program of Immigration: Laws, Practices and Procedures. He offers consulting services in Vancouver, as well as conducts seminars in the Philippines. Ramon is passionate about helping people, and often renders his immigration consulting services free of charge. Prior to arriving in Canada with his wife and two children in 2010, Ramon obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from San Beda College, Manila, Philippines, and worked as a field examiner at the American Embassy in Manila. Ramon is very active outside his work. He fixes electronics, does carpentry and sells household appliances. In his younger years, he used to be a track and field athlete competing in 200m sprints and 10k marathons. He also enjoys biking in and around the city for leisure and fitness purposes, as well as travelling domestically or abroad.

Patricia Diamzon

BOARD MEMBER - CO-SECRETARY

Patricia Diamzon is a retired caregiver who serves as both a Board Member and Co-Secretary. She joined the Board in 2012, and was re-elected in 2018. Before migrating to Canada in 1999 via the caregiver program, she was a teacher in the Philippines. Once she arrived in Canada, she took childcare courses in Kwantlen College. After her graduation, she worked as a caregiver in various daycare centers in Vancouver. Shortly after her contract as a caregiver expired in 2003, she was introduced to MHHS, who helped her find further employment, and sponsor her family, allowing them to reunite together in Vancouver eight years later. She started volunteering at MHHS when she, along with other caregivers, formed a caregivers group called “WE CARE” for additional psychological, emotional and financial support, in which she became the first president, and helped establish the Caregivers/OFW Assistance Emergency Fund, a crisis fund for caregivers.

Edwina Invento

BOARD MEMBER

Edwina Invento is an accounting and audit professional. Before migrating to Canada, she worked for over 25 years as a State Auditor in the Commission on Audit, Philippines. She graduated from Xavier University ( Ateneo de Cagayan), Cagayan de Oro City, with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, major in Accounting, and earned her Master’s degree in Public Management from the Mindanao Polytechnic State College ( now known as Mindanao University of Science and Technology).

Edwina worked for HSBC Bank Canada before moving to Army and Navy Management Services, Vancouver, where she retired in 2018. Soon after leaving the accounting field, she took up a Teaching Assistant Course at the Montessori Training Centre of BC, Vancouver. At present, she acts as substitute Teaching Assistant and assists in administrative matters at Morgan Creek Montessori, a preschool headed by her daughter. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants of BC (AFCA BC) and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Vancouver Chapter.

Helena Fonseca De Oliveira

BOARD MEMBER

Helena Oliveira currently works as Project Coordinator at a private sector Company that provides Engineering, Architectural, and Environmental services. She has a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, with more than 10 years of experience in this field in Brazil. She moved to Canada in 2018 and, from Oct 2019 to Sep 2021 she worked as an Administrative and Program Officer for MHHS, a role that gave her experience in project deliverables and schedule, settlement proposals and services contracts, reports and budget. As an immigrant herself she knows the challenges faced by the newcomers, so volunteering to organizanizations such as MHHS gives her the chance to give back to the community and help others facing the same challenges as she did. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, spending quality time with family and friends, and puzzles.

Raymond Woo

BOARD MEMBER

Raymond holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography (Environment and Sustainability) from the University of British Columbia. Later, he pursued further education at Langara College, where he earned a post-degree diploma in Applied Planning. With a vast background in banking and customer service, Raymond began his career at HSBC Canada as a Personal Banker before moving on to a sales-focused role as a Personal Account Advisor at TD Canada Trust. Currently, Raymond works as a Customer Success Manager at a US-based financial technology company. In this role, he actively manages a book of approximately 2500 customers and is responsible for building relationships by ensuring the smooth operation of their accounts in all aspects.

Theendy Lao

BOARD MEMBER

Theendy is a driven and accomplished individual who has a passion for community planning and helping new immigrants succeed in Canada. He graduated from ICMS (Macquarie University) in Sydney, Australia with a degree in Business Management, and went on to pursue a Post Degree in Urban Planning with Langara. As an active member of the Board, Theendy is committed to using his skills and knowledge to support the mandate of MHHS - to help newcomers from all cultural backgrounds integrate successfully into the Canadian society and economy. With experience in both the private and public sectors, Theendy has honed his people and business management skills. He is currently working towards his CPHR designation with BC and Yukon Chapters, demonstrating his dedication to professional development and growth. Theendy is also a member of the Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians (CACPT). In his free time, Theendy loves to explore the beauty of B.C. and discover new farm-to-table concepts in the Lower Mainland.