Founder

Cecilia or “Nanay Day” to the survivors Voice of the Free cares for, is an internationally recognized Anti-Slavery Awardee given by the Anti-Slavery International, a Trafficking in Persons Hero awarded by the US Department of State in 2008, the recipient of the first Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor given by the US Department of Labor, an Awardee of the World Children’s Prize given by the World Children’s Prize Foundation, the 2013 Reuter’s Trustlaw Connect Impact Awardee, and one of the Child10 Awardees of 2015, in Sweden. She is an Advisory Board of Freedom United, and recently became a member of the Advisory Council of Telos Governance Agency and one of the judges for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Solve.

In 2013, Cecilia’s journey with survivors fighting to end modern slavery was featured by The CNN Freedom Project in a full-length documentary entitled “The Fighters”. She is also appointed by the Philippine President as an NGO Representative of the Women’s Sector to the Philippines’ Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for six years.

Cecilia fervently believes that we can end human trafficking and modern slavery in this generation.

Chariwoman

Maria Blanca Kim Bernardo-Lokin is the President and CEO of Philippine Procurement Inc. (PPPI), a government corporation under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), where she leads efforts to promote transparency and efficiency in public procurement. She previously served as DTI Secretary for Communications and sat on the Board of the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) in 2022, contributing to national trade policy and development.

Before public service, she was a veteran business journalist, working with major outlets like ABS-CBN, ANC, PTV4, The Philippine Star, and Manila Times. A University of Santo Tomas   Literature graduate (1989), she also served as a Party-list Congresswoman, co-authoring landmark laws such as the Anti-VAWC Act and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Board Secretary

Geoffrey Moneda Matias is a dedicated development advocate and servant-leader committed to uplifting vulnerable communities. He earned his degree in Economics from the University of the East, where he developed a keen understanding of socio-economic challenges and sustainable development approaches.

He is a Board Member of the PROFIL Foundation, a German organization supporting vulnerable street children, where he has helped strengthen literacy initiatives for marginalized youth. As Chairman of the Board of Ministers of the Evangelical Free Church of the Philippines (EFCP), he bridges compassionate, transformative service and strategic leadership to bring lasting change to local communities.

Board Treasurer

Sr. Cecilia Espenilla is a graduate of BS Commerce major in Accounting. She earned her Masters in Theological Studies in Ateneo de Manila University and is a Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Leadership and Management at the De La Salle University. In July 2016, she was elected as the Main Animator of Talitha Kum Philippines, a religious organization fighting human trafficking. To date, she has reached about 10,000 individuals in her campaign to end human trafficking.

At present, she serves as an International Promoter of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation of the Congregation (JPCC) of the Dominican Sisters International (DSI) at the Vatican.

Board Member

Dr. Jose Cariaga is a respected medical professional with decades of experience in Internal Medicine. He specializes in Geriatric Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Care and is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

He was a Clinical Professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He spent many years caring for veterans at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tampa, Florida. After his retirement, he co-led ReachGlobal Manila, engaging in medical missions, community outreach, discipleship, and leadership development—continuing his life of service through both medicine and ministry.

Board Member

Ms. Sonia Tiong Aquino retired as Deputy Director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI), where she led policy development, planning, and implementation of programs on entrepreneurship, institution building, and SME development. She is a member of the Technical Committee for Business Administration and Entrepreneurship under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Ms. Aquino has worked as an expert and consultant for national and international development agencies, including UN agencies, JICA, and the European Union. She has developed sectoral and country-specific programs, conducted trainings in the Philippines and abroad, and served as Project Director for multi-country initiatives under APEC, UNIDO, UNDP, and JICA.

Board Member

Rubylyn Villaflores Acebo is a courageous human trafficking survivor and advocate. Her case marked a historic milestone as the first human trafficking conviction supported by Voice of the Free, paving the way for survivor-centered justice in the Philippines.

Rising with strength and resilience, Rubylyn, as a Board member, helps shape Voice of the Free’s policy and strategic direction, bringing the voice of lived experience to the forefront. She also serves as Chairperson of Buklod Laya (United and Free), a survivor-led organization that empowers fellow survivors through peer support, livelihood initiatives, and active advocacy for systemic change.