Liane Peña Alampay, PhD
Chairperson
Board of Trustees
Dr. Liane is one of the cornerstones of the Masayang Pamilya program, serving as its principal investigator since its inception in 2016.
Dr. Liane is a distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University, where she also served as the chair of the Psychology Department. Her work extends beyond academia, making significant contributions to national policies, including the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the National Policy on Protection of Children in Schools, and the Anti-Bullying Act.
Her dedication to her field has earned her numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology in 2013, and most recently, the Outstanding Psychologist Award from the Psychological Association of the Philippines in 2023.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Liane leading our team with her expertise, passion, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families. 💙👨👩👧👦
Atty. Ray Paolo Santiago
Secretary
Board of Trustees
Atty. Arpee Santiago is the dedicated Secretary of the Masayang Pamilya Organization, Inc. Board of Trustees. With a passion for advocating human rights, women's and children's rights, and governance, Atty. Santiago is a true champion for justice.
Beyond his role at MaPa, he shares his expertise as a Professorial Lecturer at both Ateneo Law School and Far Eastern University, teaching Constitutional Law and Human Rights. His commitment to the cause has earned him prestigious awards such as the Freedom Flame Award from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (2014) and the inaugural ASEAN Peoples’ Award (2015). 🏅
Regina Hechanova Alampay, PhD
Member
Board of Trustees
Ma. Regina M. Hechanova Alampay -- a professor, licensed psychologist, and a driving force behind initiatives that bring mental health services to those who need them most.
As the Chief of Party of the USAID RenewHealth project, Ma'am Gina continues to make a significant impact on the mental well-being of communities. Formerly the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Ateneo de Manila University and past President of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), Ma'am Gina has consistently demonstrated leadership in her field. Her dedication to research earned her the Outstanding Young Scientist award in 2005, and her commitment to outreach has led to the creation of Katatagan, a resilience program for disaster survivors in the Philippines.
Gina's remarkable contributions have also been recognized through the Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service award in 2010 and the Outstanding Professional in Psychology award by the Professional Regulatory Commission in 2018.
Just recently, Maam Gina was named one of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teachers. 💙👨👩👧👦
Romeo Dongeto
Member
Board of Trustees
Romeo Dongeto is the Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and Convenor of the Child Rights Network.
With over 25 years of experience in policy advocacy and communication development, Rom has been a leading force in managing non-profit advocacy organizations and crafting impactful communication campaigns. He’s also a talented songwriter and a member of the Philippine Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP).
His expertise extends to music and film production, utilizing behavior change communication and entertainment-education strategies to drive social change. Rom's dedication to child rights and protection is evident in his work, continuously advocating for the well-being of Filipino children.
As a board member of Masayang Pamilya Organization, Inc., Rom is committed to championing healthy and happy families for every Filipino child. 🎶👨👩👧👦
Jesus Far, RSW, MSW
Member
Board of Trustees
Jess Far is a licensed social worker with decades of experience advocating for child rights and protection. He was formerly the Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF Philippines.
He has been a tireless champion for Masayang Pamilya Organization, Inc., continuously advocating for MaPa programs to DSWD and other key stakeholders nationwide.
His dedication to the cause has also led to our collaboration with the Makati Social Welfare Development Division. Jess’s commitment to empowering Filipino parents goes back to his time at DSWD, where he was one of the key proponents of PES and ERPAT programs, which are designed to develop parents’ capacity to fulfill their roles at home and in society. 🙌
Jamie Lachman, DPhil
Founding Member
Professor Jamie Lachman is a Principal Investigator for the Global Parenting Initiative and a Professor of Child and Family Global Health at the University of Oxford.
With over 20 years of experience, Jamie has been instrumental in developing and scaling parenting programs aimed at reducing violence against children and improving child well-being in low- and middle-income countries. 🌍
As an incorporator of MaPa, his leadership in evidence-based parenting programs has reached over 210 million beneficiaries across 198 countries and territories. ✨
Beyond his work in the parenting space, Jamie brings his creativity as a storyteller, banjo player, songwriter, facilitator, and clown — bringing warmth and compassion to every space he occupies.
Bernadette Madrid, MD
Founding Member
Dr. Bernadette Madrid is a true advocate for children's rights and one of the dedicated incorporators/founding members of the Masayang Pamilya Organization, Inc.
Dr. Madrid’s impact on the lives of vulnerable women and children is unparalleled. She leads the Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU) at the Philippine General Hospital, where she has tirelessly integrated child protection into the pediatric health system. Since joining in 1996, she has led efforts that have addressed the needs of nearly 30,000 abused children, providing them with medical, legal, and psychosocial support, and extending assistance to their families.
Her exceptional dedication to safeguarding the welfare of children and women was globally recognized when she was the only Filipino awarded at the 2022 Ramon Magsaysay Awards—Asia's premier prize that honors individuals who have made remarkable contributions to society.
Through her work, Dr. Madrid champions the same values that Masayang Pamilya Organization, Inc. upholds: providing support for families to ensure a safe, nurturing, and joyful environment for all children.
Bernice Landoy-Mamauag, PhD
Founding Member
Dr. Bernice Vania L. Mamauag is an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of the Philippines Visayas and a core contributor to Masayang Pamilya Organization, Inc. With a passion for parenting research, Nice’s work focuses on the impact of parenting on child development, particularly for children and families at risk. As a Co-Investigator of the Parenting within the Social Welfare System in the Philippines Study, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the MaPa program.
For the past 8 years, Nice has helped culturally adapt and test Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) Kids for low-resource Filipino families, and supervised the evaluation of various modes of the program (e.g., Chat, Text, Hybrid). Through her work, Masayang Pamilya para sa Batang Pilipino (MaPa), reflects the contextual realities and cultural values of Filipino families.
As a proud incorporator of MaPa and a dedicated researcher, Nice is committed to making meaningful contributions to parenting interventions and child protection in the Philippines. 🥳
Jennel C. Reyes, MA
Founding Member
Executive Director of MaPa Org., Inc., Jennel Reyes, has a background in Family Life and Child Development and Developmental Psychology. As a faculty member of the Ateneo Psychology Department and Program Director of Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) Philippines, she led the development of the MaPa programs. She is also a certified MaPa trainer, having been among the first personally trained by Professor Jamie Lachman of Oxford University and Founder of the PLH Charity.
Jessica Pollero, MA
Founding Member
Jess Pollero currently holds the positions of Programs Unit Head at MaPa Org. Inc. and Project Manager for Parenting for Lifelong Philippines. Her background includes experience gained in both academic and government settings.
Joannie Tongol, Treasurer
Founding Member
Joannie Tongol currently serves as the Finance and Administration Unit Head and Treasurer at MaPa Org. Inc. and simultaneously holds the position of Finance and HR Officer for Parenting for Lifelong Philippines. She has worked in the private sector and non-government organizations on development projects funded by donor agencies and the government.