Center Operation
Contact Wimwim!
Director
Helena Claire A. Canayong, fondly known as Wimwim, is a graduate of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, major in Economics, and earned her Masters in Business Administration from the International Academy for Economics and Management. During her final year in college, she volunteered as a Research and Training Assistant for an NGO, and after graduation, served as a Research and Training Specialist for Micro-Enterprise Development and also worked as an Administrative and Finance Officer.
Wimwim served as VFV’s Community Program Coordinator for seven years, overseeing all programs and initiatives in both local community and outreach projects. During this time, she also filled in as Administrative and Finance Officer. She is best known for initiating one of VFV’s most successful welfare projects, which rehabilitates youths at the garbage dump site north of Tacloban.
In February 2013, Wimwim became the Director of Operations for Volunteer for the Visayans, where she now leads the organization, directs its services, and promotes its primary mission and vision.
Administrative Officer
Laila Uyvico is a graduate of AMA Computer University, holding a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. She joined Volunteer for the Visayans (VFV) in 2012 after working as an Accounting Assistant and Administrative Registrar for other companies.
Today, Laila manages the organization’s financial and administrative tasks, a crucial role in the operation of the NGO. In addition, she provides cross-program support, assisting VFV’s Volunteer, Sponsorship, and Community Programs as needed.
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Volunteer Program
Lead Volunteer Program Coordinator
Aleth Young is a graduate of Asian Development Foundation College, holding a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He is a former member of the Boys Club and Rock the Community of Volunteer for the Visayans.
Aleth has extensive experience in the hospitality and management industry. He previously worked as a Manager for a fast-food company, an Operations Manager for a hotel in Tacloban City, Restaurant Manager for one of the restaurants and a Store Manager for an international hardware company.
Since 2014, Aleth has been part of Volunteer for the Visayans, initially serving as an Assistant Coordinator. He now holds the position of Lead Coordinator for the Volunteer Program, where he oversees communications and ensures the welfare and well-being of the volunteers.
Assistant Volunteer Program Coordinator
Rico Alvarez is a former sponsored child under VFV’s Dumpsite Project. He studied Hotel and Restaurant Services, although he was unable to complete the course. Before joining the VFV staff, Rico volunteered in several construction projects with the organization.
He began his career at Volunteer for the Visayans (VFV) in 2015 as an Assistant Community Program Coordinator, where he assisted with the Nutrition Project, Dumpsite Project, Build-A-Home Project, and other community-related activities. His employment was affected by the pandemic in 2020, but he later returned in September 2022 as the Assistant Volunteer Program Coordinator.
In his current role, Rico assists with program orientations, city tours, placement orientations, and provides basic Waray-Waray language lessons for volunteers. He also supports various tasks across other programs.
While fulfilling his duties at VFV, Rico is also pursuing his studies as a third-year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration student.
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Sponsorship Program
Contact Ester!
Lead Sponsorship Program Coordinator
Ester Costim is a graduate of University of the Philippines Tacloban College, holding a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She previously worked as a research assistant for a Fisheries professor at a state university.
Having been a government scholar during her secondary and tertiary education, Ester feels privileged to give back by working in a non-profit organization that supports education, child welfare, and community development.
Ester served as the Lead Coordinator for the Volunteer Program for 12 years. She is now responsible for overseeing over a hundred sponsored children under the Sponsorship Program.
Assistant Sponsorship Program Coordinator
Cristino Fornillos began as a volunteer caretaker at Cangumbang Center in Palo, Leyte, in 2016. He maintained the cleanliness of the center and assisted the Sponsorship Program Coordinators during feedings and other organized activities of the organization.
In 2019, Cristino joined Volunteer for the Visayans (VFV) as an Assistant Sponsorship Program Coordinator. He now assists the Lead Sponsorship Program Coordinator in providing social welfare services, feeding programs, subsidy distribution, and other organized activities for over 277 sponsored children in Tacloban City and nearby municipalities.
Assistant Sponsorship Program Coordinator
Cherry Ann Espelita is a graduate of Leyte Normal University, holding a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. She was a sponsored child from elementary through college.
Cherry Ann currently handles our college scholars and assists with subsidy distribution for our sponsored children. Every Tuesday, she manages the Nutrition Program in Brgy. Sto. Niño, Tacloban City. A proud former sponsored child, she is now one of the coordinators for the Sponsorship Program.
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Community Program
Community Program Coordinator
John Balanlay is a former die-hard local volunteer who conveniently lives next door to the community center in Bliss, Sagkahan. He currently serves as the Community Program Coordinator, overseeing and assisting with operations for the Dumpsite Project, Nutrition Project, and several of VFV’s Local Community Clubs.
John regularly works alongside international volunteers, helping to spread awareness and understanding of VFV’s projects among participants. In his spare time, he enjoys reflecting on philosophy and sipping a big mug of coffee.