Board of Trustees:
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Prof. Gabriel S. Dy-Liacco, Ph.D., LPC President and Founder, CSI |
| Ms. Maria Lucia G. Mondragon |
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Most Rev. Florentino G. Lavarias, DD Archbishop of San Fernando, Philippines Chairman, Office for the Protection of Minors, Catholic Bishops Conference Philippines |
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Rev. Fr. Jordan Orbe, SJ, PsyD, RPsy Society of Jesus |
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Sr. Maria Nerissa Bandojo, R.C. Religious of the Cenacle |
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Ms. Rojean Edith C. Macalalad Ex-officio Executive Director, CSI |
Corporate Officers:
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Rev. Fr. James Wenceslao U. Gascon, S.J., DMin Corporate Secretary |
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Ms. Maria Lucia G. Mondragon Treasurer |
Scientific Advisory Board:
| Maria Carmen B. La Viña, Ph.D. |
| Rev. Fr. James Wenceslao U. Gascon, S.J., DMin |
| Rev. Msgr. Ramon M. Masculino, Jr., PC, MA, MS, APD |
Safeguarding Mission Team
Gabby Dy-Liacco, PhD, LPC
President
Dr. Dy-Liacco holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling (CES) from Loyola University Maryland, USA. He has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1999. His clinical work has been in the treatment of individuals, couples, families and groups for adult and childhood abuse and trauma, psychiatric diagnoses, personality disorders, addiction, and non-psychiatric problems in living. He has been a graduate professor of counseling since 2005. Past faculty appointments were with Regent University School of Psychology and Counseling (Virginia, USA) and Loyola University Maryland (USA). He is currently a core-faculty member of the School of Counseling of Divine Mercy University (Virginia, USA). His current research interests focus on the relationships among spiritual experiences, spiritual struggles, and psychological flourishing.
Pope Francis appointed Dr. Dy-Liacco to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) as a founding member in 2014 where he served until 2022. Dr. Dy-Liacco also served on the scientific advisory board of the Pontifical Gregorian University’s (PUG) Centre for Child Protection from 2015-2021 and provides content for the programs of the PUG’s graduate Diploma in Safeguarding at the Institute of Anthropology: Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care. Finally, Dr. Dy-Liacco founded the Catholic Safeguarding Institute in 2019. In 2023, the Catholic Safeguarding Institute was retained by the PCPM to be a regional consultant for the Asia-Oceania region.
Email: [email protected]
Rojean Caharian-Macalalad
Executive Director
Rojean dedicated the first part of her work history with Cartwheel Foundation, Inc. She began by facilitating ways for the indigenous peoples of Mindanao, Philippines to gain access to quality education, eventually coming to lead the NGO as its Executive Director.
Later, she would gain international experience managing the Executive Secretariat of the World Christian Life Community (CLC) in its main headquarters in Rome, Italy. The CLC is a worldwide apostolic community of lay Ignatians, present in over 70 countries. This has also led to her experience liaising with the Vatican, and various levels of governance and networks of the Society of Jesus. Before being assigned to Rome, Rojean finished her masters of Master in Development Management (MDM) in the Asian Institute of Management.
She brings with her a development management mindset and toolkit, grounded by local experience, deepened by a global perspective, and enriched by her lay Ignatian vocation. Her mission is to bring this in the service of the Church in the world during this kairos moment.
Email: [email protected]
Fr. James Wenceslao Gascon, SJ, DMin
Director for Academic Formation
Father James Wenceslao U. Gascon, S.J. earned his Bachelor of Science in Fisheries from the University of the Philippines in 1984. From a fisherman to “fisher of men and women,” he entered the Jesuits in 1991 after working as a Fishery Biologist and an Entrepreneur for a number of years. He was ordained priest on April 7, 2001. Immediately after ordination, he was missioned to the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) Muntinlupa, as a Volunteer Chaplain and eventually the Executive Director of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS) for two years. In 2003, after completing his MA in Theology from the Ateneo de Manila University, he went to Fordham University in New York, NY, where he earned his MA in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care (2005). From Fordham, he underwent an Internship program for three years at the Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute, New York City, where he got his Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy (Cert-MFT). Returning from studies, he worked as a Senior Pastoral Psychotherapist of the Ruben M. Tanseco Center for Family Ministries (RMT-CEFAM), where he was also President for 11 years and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (two terms). He also served as one of the formators at the San Jose Seminary for 12 years, in-charge of Psycho-Human formation. Currently, he is Asst. Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Family Ministry at the Loyola School of Theology (LST) where he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL- May, 2020). He also holds a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care from the Theology and Ministry Program, School of Humanities, Ateneo de Manila University, graduating on October 11, 2020.
Presently, he resides at the Jesuit Residence of the Ateneo de Manila where is the House Minister. He is the Diploma Course Director and Chaplain of the Catholic Safeguarding Institute.
Email: [email protected]
Maria Carmen Bonto-La Viña, Ph.D.
Director for Non-Academic Formation
Dr. La Viña went to the Gregorian University and attended the Diploma in Safeguarding of Minors in 2017. Since then her engagement with safeguarding has included being a consultant to the Philippine Jesuit Provincial on Professional Standards, 2016 – 2020; and an Associate member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) – Episcopal Commission on Clergy (ECCler), 2017 - 2019.
Prior to joining the Catholic Safeguarding Institute, she was a pastoral psychotherapist at Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation from 2007 to 2019. Her first career in social development from 1980 to 1994 involved student organizing, women’s issues, and rural development. She belonged to the pioneering batches of the Jesuit Volunteer Philippines (JVP; Batches 1 & 2) from 1980 to 1982.
Her academic background also includes degrees in PhD (2013) and MS (2002) in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland and a degree in MA (1999) in Pastoral Ministry, Major in Family Ministry and Counseling, Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University. She went to the Ateneo de Manila University for her undergraduate where she finished AB Communication Arts (1980).
Email: [email protected]
Msgr. Ramon Masculino, Jr., PC, MA, MS, APD
Director for Ecclesial Relations & Safeguarding Spirituality Specialist
Msgr. Masculino holds a Master of Science (MS) in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in Maryland. He also holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Religion and Religious Education with concentration in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from Fordham University in New York. He has been a Pastoral Counselor and Spiritual Director for lay, seminarians, religious and priests since 2003. He is a diocesan clergy of the Archdiocese of Jaro. He is also a founding member of Growth Alternative for Managing Organisational Transformation (G.A.M.O.T.) Resources, Inc. and has been an affiliate member of Spiritual Directors' International since 2005.
He holds an Advanced Professional Diploma (APD) in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Fordham University in New York, USA (1999-2000) and a Diploma in Safeguarding of Minors from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (2017). He was a resident and administrative staff of John Mary Vianney-Galilee Development and Retreat Centre for Priests in Tagaytay City, Philippines from 2013-2016. He recently finished his three-year term as the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines - Episcopal Commission on Clergy. His assignment at the Catholic Safeguarding Institute is currently his primary ministry.
Email: [email protected]
Coleen Rae Ramirez-Panahon
Director for Safeguarding Research and Reflection
Coleen is a development professional with over 14 years of experience in program and organization management, training, research, advocacy, and communications. Prior to joining the Catholic Safeguarding Institute, she held Director positions at Cartwheel Foundation, Inc. and Cartwheel Foundation International. Her extensive work with marginalized groups, particularly the indigenous peoples, specialized in education and health. She continues her service-driven path in the area of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. She also seeks to help persons build mind and body balance and strength as a barre3© fitness instructor.
Coleen holds a Master of Arts degree in Media and International Development from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Management in Communications Technology at the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.
Email: [email protected]
Sr. Ma. Lani Saligumba, ACI
Assistant to the Director for Academic Formation
Sr. Ma. Lani M. Saligumba, ACI, belongs to the congregation of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (ACI). She holds a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry with a major in Family Ministry and Counseling from Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University. She has also earned diplomas in Family Ministry and Counseling and in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, both from Loyola School of Theology. For her undergraduate studies, she attended Manila Central University, where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology.
Currently, Sr. Lani serves as the Assistant to the Director for Academic Formation at the Catholic Safeguarding Institute. She also holds the position of Congregation's Safeguarding Officer, National Coordinator of Human Migration, and National Coordinator of ACI Family in the Philippines. Her previous roles include serving as the Directress of Sta. Rafaela Maria Students' Home, Directress of Vocation Formation, and Directress of Sta. Rafaela Maria House of Spirituality.
Email: [email protected]
Neil Benjamin Bulaong
Program Assistant for IT, Communication, and Program Development
Neil is a social media expert with an extensive experience in his local Church. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education major in Preschool Education from the University of Santo Tomas.
Before joining the Institute, Neil served as the Digital Marketing and Project Officer at Kristong Hari Parish, Shrine for the Youth. His commitment to serving the Church started in 2008 when he began volunteering in various ministries, starting as an altar server and gradually expanding his involvement to include social communications. His experiences in different Church ministries have enriched his understanding of effective communication within a faith community.
From 2019 to 2021, Neil served as the Coordinator of Social Communications and Media Ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. He is also a volunteer for 7 years and counting at AlmuSalita, a faith-based organization focused on evangelizing and reaching Filipino communities abroad. Neil honed his social media skills and gained valuable experience in utilizing digital platforms for meaningful outreach.
To further enhance his expertise in the digital landscape, he obtained a certificate in Digital Marketing.
Email: [email protected]
Ann Vera
Marketing Communications Consultant
Patricia Ann Vera is a seasoned marketing communications practitioner with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Throughout her career, she had the opportunity to establish an in-house advertising agency, managed multi million advertising and PR campaigns for diverse accounts spanning various industries in her capacity as an accounts manager, spearhead marketing communications and promotional activities to increase store traffic and enhance customer preference for retail companies and participate in strategic discussions to determine corporate directions. To cap her career, she became a professor at Assumption College Makati where she taught a range of courses, including Integrated Marketing Communications, Consumer Activations, Principles of Management, Corporate Communications, Cross Cultural Communication, and Brand Management.
Her passion in communications not only brings personal fulfillment but also provides her with the opportunity to add value to the people she collaborates with and the audiences she serves. Patricia's brand of sharing fosters positive encouragement and she strongly advocates for education as a catalyst for empowerment and life enhancement. She remains committed to exploring new horizons that allow her to connect with eager learners.
Patricia completed her Bachelor's degree in AB Communication Arts from Ateneo de Manila University. She further pursed a Master's degree in Development Communication from the University of the Philippines Open University.
Email: [email protected]
Mary Domingo
Administrative Coordinator
Mary joined the Catholic Safeguarding Institute in 2019. Prior to this, she worked at the Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation as Programs/Admin from 1996 until retirement in 2019.
She is a mother to a daughter and a son, and a grandmother to a 5-year- old.
She graduated with an AB Behavioral Science degree at Maryknoll College in 1982 and completed the Early Childhood Education summer course at St. Joseph’s College in 1989. Her professional experience includes corporate work and with children’s NGOs, particularly early childhood education educators trainings.
Email: [email protected]
Dionie Salamat
HR Consultant
Dionie is an HR practitioner with over 10 years of experience in talent acquisition, people development, total rewards, employee relations, organizational dvelopment, and health and safety. He is also currently the Head of HR and Administration of Manila Observatory (MO), a Jesuit scientific research apostolate. As a delegate to the Safeguarding Minors Workshop under the Philippine Jesuit Provincial on Professional Standards, he helped MO institutionalize its protocols to safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults. His past commitments include serving as HR Assistant of Ateneo de Manila University, HR Coordinator of Ateneo School of Government, and HR Specialist of Parabukas, Inc.
He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Our Lady of Fatima University, where he also served as faculty. He holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Email: [email protected]
Rachel Asido
Finance Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Guest Instructors
Atty. Maria Liza Jorda
Presenting on the topic, “Civil Law and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Persons”
Maria Liza Jorda is a City Prosecutor for the Department of Justice based in Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines. Since 2005, Fiscal Jorda has focused on cases involving violations of the Anti-Violence against Women Act, Child Abuse Law, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. She is active on the Justice Department’s Task Force against Trafficking in Region 8, an area of the Philippines that is both a source and transit point for human trafficking. Her tenacity in pursuing human trafficking cases has brought her numerous death threats. In addition to her prosecutorial work, Fiscal Jorda speaks regularly to law enforcement and social welfare officers about these three major laws affecting women and children in the Philippines to encourage better implementation.
Fiscal Jorda was selected to receive the Aquino Fellowship because of her fearless and selfless work for women and children who have become victims of abuse and exploitation.
Maria Regina A. Alfonso, Ph.D.
Presenting on the topic, “The Inner Creative Self-Compassion Compass: Finding our way to a healthy self-love"
Gina is an educator and mental health clinician with a combined experience of 30 years in educational and clinical settings. As an educator she is focused on bridging the divide between learning and mental health in classrooms. She was the former lead global trainer for the Healing and Education through the Arts Program at Save the Children USA, where she trained teachers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean.
As a clinician in private practice, she is a certified trauma specialist and board certified art therapist focused on working with individuals, couples, and families dealing with a range of issues: stress, depression, suicidality, and other personality, mood, behavioral and developmental concerns. She received her Masters in Education from Fordham University, her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on Art Therapy from Lesley University, and finished her doctorate in Expressive Arts: Therapy, Coaching, Consulting & Education, Conflict Transformation & Peacebuilding from the European Graduate School. Gina is also the lead Convenor of Expressive Arts Philippines Network, Founder of Cartwheel Foundation, and lead author of the AHA Book Series.
Atty. Mary Rhauline Lambino-Torres
Mary Rhauline Lambino-Torres (Rory) is a lawyer with eight years of cumulative practice in corporate and commercial law, and litigation and arbitration. Rory is also a children's rights and body safety advocate for children. Her interest in the field originates from her work at the Manila Field Office of International Justice Mission, a Washington DC-based NGO that fights against online sexual exploitation of children. She was also an instructor of Children’s Rights, as well as Constitutional Law, at the De La Salle University College of Law.She is currently taking her Master of Laws at Harvard Law School focusing her studies on technology law, and is writing her research on data governance of personalized learning platforms for children. She studied at the University of the Philippines where she obtained her Juris Doctor and BS Economics degrees, graduating both with cum laude honors.She and her husband are currently trying to learn Spanish and they are proud parents to their four-year old daughter.
Msgr. Brendan Daly
Monsignor Brendan Daly is a priest of the Diocese of Christchurch who was ordained in 1977. He completed his JCD at Saint Paul University, Ottawa, in 1986 with a thesis concerning infant baptism. He has taught at Holy Cross College from 1987 and was rector of Holy Cross Seminary from 1995-2000. He was a lecturer in canon law at Good Shepherd College – Te Hepara Pai in 2001 where he became principal in 2002. He is lecturer in canon law at the Catholic Theological College, Auckland. He is the Judicial Vicar and a judge on the Tribunal of the Catholic Church for New Zealand.