Work Experience
2011-present Executive Director, Save Philippine Seas (SPS)
SPS a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to protect the Philippines’ marine resources by mobilizing citizen-led initiatives that empower Filipinos towards collective action and behavior change.
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Manages all projects, partnerships, campaigns, and finances of SPS
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Leads fundraising initiatives of SPS through grants and corporate partnerships.
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Project Director, Reimagine Recycling (September 2019-present): a forum for civil society organizations to support and contribute to Coca-Cola Philippines’ World Without Waste program. Responsible for overall project management, facilitation, branding identity, module development, and program design.
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Project Director, Marine Biodiversity and Sustainable Business Practices (July 2018-present): a series of workshops in coastal areas to support Globe Telecom’s sustainability programs. Responsible for overall project management, facilitation, branding identity, module development, and program design.
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Founder and Project Director, Haquathon (April 2019-present): a hackathon and incubator for technology-based solutions to marine conservation issues such as coastal law enforcement, environmental education, coral restoration, and marine pollution. Responsible for overall project and budget management, mentorship, branding identity, and program design.
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Founder and Project Director, Sea and Earth Advocates Camp (2014-present): an environmental education program that builds the capacity of youth to become leaders in conservation by developing leadership skills and increasing pro-environment behavior. Responsible for overall project and budget management, mentorship, branding identity, and program design.
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Founder and Project Director, Shark Shelter (2012-present): a multi-stakeholder, community-based project in Malapascua Island, Cebu, that aims to conserve coastal and marine resources through education, empowerment, and enforcement activities. Responsible for overall project and budget management, policy advocacy, fundraising, and program design.
January 6, 2020-present Consultant, United Nations Development Programme
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Researcher and writer for the project Stocktaking of Initiatives of Stakeholders on Waste Management and Circular Economy for the Development of a Philippine National Policy and Action Plan on Marine Litter
February 2020-present Oceans Partnership and Engagement Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
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Partnerships for ADB's regional project on plastics
March 2018-present Sustainability Adviser, The Purpose Business
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Project Manager and Stakeholder Engagement Adviser for the development of the Sustainable Business
Roadmap of Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)
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Sustainability Adviser and Researcher for a paper on single-use plastic alternatives and material analysis for an international airline.
January 2018-present Lead Shark Campaigner, Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines
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Provide expert and technical support for the development of a comprehensive shark and ray conservation policy for the Philippines. Tasks include coordination with the Senate and and Congress regarding the proposed bill, developing modules for the shark conservation legislation workshop, facilitating shark conservation legislation workshops in two (2) sites, and implementing a communication and campaign strategy.
September-November 2019 Marine Conservation Expert, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
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Conducted the research process to prepare the Blue Finance Initiative paper, which included reviewing ADB’s work on existing knowledge products on innovative finance and international frameworks and initiatives on blue finance, and co-wrote and edited the final text of the publication.
February-October 2019 Marine Conservation Analyst, ADB
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Conducted research and wrote speeches, briefing notes, and grant proposals to support the development of ADB’s ocean health agenda.
March-November 2018 Youth and Environment Specialist, ADB
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Led the development and implementation of community-based information, education, and communication activities in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Solomon Islands in relation to the regional technical assistance on Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific.
2016-2017 Consultant, Oceana Philippines
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Developed a scorecard on fishery laws to assess compliance and enforcement initiatives of local government units along Tañon Strait and created policy recommendations upon analysis. The scorecard has been adopted by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Education
July-August 2017 Global Fellow in Marine Conservation, Duke University, USA
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Courses: Marine Ecology & Conservation Biology and Policy
October 2014-September 2015 MSc in Conservation Science (Merit), Imperial College, UK
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MSc Dissertation: Good Seatizenship: Evaluating the effect of the Sea and Earth Advocates Camp on Self-Reported Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour
June 2006-April 2011 BA English Studies-Language (cum laude), University of the Philippines
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Co-founded Isko Cleans UP, a university-wide solid waste management campaign and project
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Member, UP Marine Biological Society
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Actor, Repertory Philippines and Stages Inc.
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B A Dissertation: Islands of Imagination: The Department of T ourism’ s Construction of National Identity
Awards and Distinctions
September 27, 2018
Winner, E-Generation Challenge Competition, City Developments Ltd.
August 2018
30 Under 30 Awardee, North American Association for Environmental Education
June 2017
Awardee, Biodiversity Recognition Awards, Biodiversity Management Bureau
October 2014- 2015
Chevening Scholarship, U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office
February 19, 2013
40 Under 40 International Development Leaders, Devex
March 23, 2012
Future for Nature Awardee, Future for Nature Foundation, the Netherlands
June 12, 2011
One of the Pitong Pinoy Modern-Day Heroes, Yahoo! Southeast Asia
Publications
Co-Author. 2011. An Introduction to Climate Change for Filipino Youth, PLL Publishing House. Editor. 2017.
2020 Roadmap for the Conservation of Sharks and Rays in the Philippines. Co-author and Editor.
2018. Shark Conservation Legislation: A Toolkit for Policymakers.
Speaking Engagements (Selected)
May 8, 2018
Lecturer; New England Aquarium IMAX Theater, Boston, MA, USA
March 10, 2018
Keynote Speaker, 14th Borneo Global Issues Conference, Brunei
June 2, 2017
15th Annual Colloquium of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, Cebu
April 21, 2017
Conservation Optimism Summit, Dulwich College, London, United Kingdom
September 15, 2016
Our Ocean, One Future Summit; Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
September 5, 2016
Intergenerational Climate Justice Moot Court Workshop; IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
May 22, 2014
Keynote Speaker, Open Collaboration for New East Asia Champions; Cebu
June 16, 2012
TEDxKatipunanAve: Modern-Day Revolutionaries; Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
Conferences and Trainings (Selected)
August 17-28, 2019
Philippine delegate, CoP18-CITES, Geneva, Switzerland
June 13, 2019
Trainer, Public Speaking Workshop, YSEALI Women Leaders’ Academy
May 2-11, 2019
Marine Conservation Fellow, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA
February 18-21, 2019
Facilitator, Wala Usik Sari-Sari Store Design Workshop, Sipalay, Philippines
August 4-9, 2018
Mentor, YSEALI Marine Debris Expedition
June 28-30, 2018
Facilitator, Solid Waste Management Design Workshop, Danjugan Island
October 23-29, 2017
Philippine delegate, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, Manila, Philippines
August 21-23, 2017
Community-Based Resource Management Workshop; Bali, Indonesia
September 24-October 5, 2016
Philippine delegate, CoP17-CITES, Johannesburg, South Africa
September 1-10, 2016
IUCN World Conservation Congress; Hawaii, USA
May 19-20, 2014
World Economic Forum East Asia Meeting; Manila, Philippines
April 30-May 5, 2014
Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting; Astana, Kazakhstan
August 16-20, 2013
YouthActionNet Laureate Global Fellowship; Sao Paulo, Brazil
June 19-23, 2013
Global Shapers Annual Curators’ Meeting; Geneva, Switzerland
January 23-29, 2012
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting; Davos, Switzerland
Affiliations
2012-present Councilor, World Future Council
The World Future Council researches, identifies and spreads policy solutions that contribute to sustainable development. The Council consists of 50 eminent global changemakers from governments, parliaments, civil society, academia, the arts and business.
October 2011-2014 Curator (2013-2014), Vice-Curator (2012-2013)
Global Shapers Manila Hub, World Economic Forum
The Global Shapers Community is a network of Hubs developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievements, and their drive to make a contribution to their communities.