Bayanihan board elects Marielle Benitez Javellana executive director
The board of trustees of the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation, Inc. elected Marielle Benitez Javellana executive director during its virtual meeting recently presided by Rep. Jose Francisco B. Benitez, chairman of the Board. Marielle is the daughter of Suzie Moya Benitez who served as executive director of the Foundation until her demise.
Marielle is currently the acting campus life department head of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU). She graduated with a Psychology and Marketing Management degree from De La Salle University and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Management from PWU. She is also a member of the faculty and facilitator for the Sayaw Workshop and the Dance Certificate Course at PWU. For 16 years, she was a performing artist of the Bayanihan, the national folk dance company of the Philippines. Her stint with Bayanihan brought her to other parts of the world where the dance company showcased the best of Philippine culture through music and dance.
She was captain of the Philippine Women’s National Football team and has played for the team for 14 years. She is also a Youth National Coach, winning back to back silver medals in the Asian Football Championships. She is one of the writers of Winning Still, a collection of essays from the Philippine sports landscape during the pandemic.
Marielle is currently the acting campus life department head of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU). She graduated with a Psychology and Marketing Management degree from De La Salle University and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Management from PWU.
The Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation, Inc. board of trustees is composed of Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez as chairman, Ambassador Rosario Manalo as president, Zorayda Amelia Alonzo, as treasurer, and Jocelyn Esguerra Dee as corporate secretary. The members of the board are Eugenio Abunda, Jr., Leonora Alano Cabili, Rachy Cuna, Rosky Balahadia Hilado, Lourdes Urtula Lacson, Judith Pantangco, Maria Paz Lagdameo, Marilou Mirasol, Consuelo Regino, Imelda Trillo, and Marco Alfredo Benitez.