Our Team
We are working together in partnership with members to help the network in its becoming.
Gemma Sumague
Project Coordinator
Gemma is the current ESSA Program Coordinator. She developed herself and skills through the challenges and experiences in her various fields of profession. She worked at the Smart Agriculture Program(SAP) of Lifebank Foundation that focused on holistic and sustainable agricultural value chain and functioned as the Office Manager, Finance and Administration. She co-founded SEA, Inc. and later became the Program Coordinator. She also has extensive experience in retail operations as a Department Manager and was awarded Star Employee in the year 2004. As a social worker with a passion for developing sustainable communities, she was awarded for her exemplary leadership in Community Extension Service (1996). As a nurse, she is also a health advocate and volunteer in schools, promoting educational institution and community health.
She graduated Cum laude in her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSSW) and is a recipient of several awards as one of the outstanding students of Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus. She holds multiple professional eligibilities under Philippine Professional Commission and earned units in Master of Arts, Degree in Public Administration, Bachelor of Laws and Diploma in Teaching.
Mary Claire Artiaga
Cluster Coordinator
Claire was born in Zarraga, Iloilo. Graduate of Information Technology at Iloilo Science and Technology University. She also loves making handmade crafts and manages her own business that sells handmade products specializing in crochet. For the year 2019, she worked for ESSA as the website administrator. From 2020 to 2021 she was the Event Organizer of ESSA as she organized activities, and prepared logistics. She is currently the cluster coordinator of ESSA.
Enrique Canizares III
Website Administrator
Enrique was born in Iloilo City. A former Waldorf Teacher at Gamot Cogon Waldorf School as a movement and game classes teacher. Afterward, he became the Executive Director for Bayaw-Ani, a loose network of social entrepreneurs based in Bayawan City where he co-founded Dawani Cafe’ which serves vegetarian and organic food. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the West Visayas State University. Enrique is also a member of MISSION (Movement of Imaginals for Sustainable Societies through Initiatives, Organizing and Networking) where he met Nicanor Perlas and was introduced to Anthroposophy.
Jonarel Arnesto
Admin & Finance Officer
Jonarel was born in Iloilo City and lives with his wife and son. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Iloilo. Jonarel spent 7 years working in Lifebank Foundation as a facilitator of Disaster Risk Reduction Management and was assigned to different places in the Philippines. He conducts training such as Youth Leadership, Medical Mission, First Aid, Basic Life Support, and Disaster Relief Assistance. He is currently working as the Admin/Finance of ESSA.