National Team

The iSchools Project is divided into five (5) Component Teams working side by side with an Operations Team:

ANTONETTE TIRONA-TORRES Project Manager, iSchools Project Toni Tirona-Torres is an award-winning Project Management Specialist. She started her career at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) where she managed various development projects of the government. She finished project management courses at the National University of Singapore and the Life Academy of Sweden. Toni further honed her expertise through training workshops, books and her more than a decade of experience managing development projects. Her specialty is Project Development and Management, focused on project design and planning. She has been lauded for her strategies for project implementation, especially of xMDI of the DAP and the iSchools Project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology. Toni is a graduate of BS Tourism from the University of the Philippines and is doing her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at UP.

Capability Building (Training) – The Capability Building team handles all trainer's training. The team is responsible for organizing and executing training programs.

APOLINAR G. ALCID Component Team Lead, Training Joed Alcid heads the Training Component of the iSchools Project. As training manager for most Training of Trainers (TOT) conducted by the Component, Joed ensures the quality of trainers and materials to be deployed in public high schools across the country. Before joining the Project, he was the Program Manager of the Figaro Foundation Corporation. His more than 15 years of experience in the public sphere were spent in the Philippine Senate, House of Representatives and the Department of Education. His expertise includes Program/Project Management, Training Management, and Research and Communications. Joed graduated with an AB in Development Studies from the University of the Philippines-Manila and pursued his post-graduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning from UP-Diliman. Through study grants from the Freidreich Naumann Stiftung, he pursued courses in Civil and Human Rights from the International Academy for Leadership (IAF) in Gummersbach, Germany in 2001 and 2003.

FRANCISCO E. SARMIENTO III, M.D. Training Consultant Doc Francis, as he is widely known, is the iSchools Project's Training Consultant. He is primarily responsible for the assessment and identification of various training and operational needs for the wide range of nationwide training activities of the iSchools Project.  Doc Francis provides advice and guidance in the design of programs, its conduct and completion together with the establishment of networks and linkages, both local and abroad, with the aim of building the capacities of the Training Team along with iSchools' partner State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). He is the former Programme Manager for Southeast Asia of the UNDP-APDIP's International Open Source Network (IOSN) ASEAN+3 under the UP Manila-National Telehealth Center and a founding member of the Philippine Open Source Network (POSNet), of which his experience illustrates his advocacy of Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS) technology for education. Interestingly, Doc Francis is a medical doctor and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of the Philippines Manila and holds a Certificate on Medical Anthropology from the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) in The Netherlands. At present, he is the Program Manager of the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PhilNOS) under the Department of Health.

JHONNA NOVA J. SEBUC Training Specialist Jhonna Nova Sebuc is a Training Specialist for the iSchools Project. Being a member of the Training team, she sees to it that all necessary pre- and post-event training documents are organized. Nova continuously updates the database of all training participants and resource persons. Aside from that, she also does facilitation and other event management functions for many of the team’s activities. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Major in International Relations from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Nova spent 2 years in Edujoon Corporation as an English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor. She also served the Philippine Senate under the Office of Majority Floor Leader, Senator Francis Pangilinan.

LUZ M. RACPAN Project Staff Luz Racpan is part of the Training Team of the iSchools Project. She spent 35 years of service with the National Computer Center (NCC) and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT). Luz served under many capacities, beginning her career as a Data Entry Machine Operator, Course Monitor, and Circulation Officer for the NCC Library. In the middle of 2007, she found herself joining the iSchools Project team. Currently, her work involves managing the conduct and monitoring the output of the many capability-building activities of the Project, aside from her other administrative functions. She holds a degree in B.S. Commerce Major in Accounting from the University of Mindanao.

Content Development – The Contents team is responsible for collecting educational material from various sources. In addition, the team is tasked to document and report project activities.

CHRISTIAN PLACIDO G. CALMA Component Team Lead, Content Development CP Calma is the Content Development team leader of the iSchools Project. Aside from writing and editing for the project portal, www.ischools.ph, CP also oversees the implementation of participatory content generation activities such as Camp Blog for recipient schools; Online Writing and Multimedia Production training for State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Writers; and the Learning Objects review, in cooperation with the University of the Philippines – Open University. Previously, he was connected with PUBLiCUS Co. Ltd. (now PUBLiCUS ASIA), a political management firm that led a then-neophyte congresswoman to victory in the 2007 midterm elections. CP completed his BA Major in Social Science, Minor in History from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2005. He is currently working on his MA in Mass Communications from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

MARIA ELIZA G. CRUZ Information Officer Liz Cruz is a Project Evaluation Officer for the Content Development team of the iSchools Project. Many of her stories, which detail the numerous activities of the project, can be found on the iSchools portal www.ischools.ph. Aside from documenting events, Liz also does media relation activities, in an effort to increase public awareness of the project’s efforts. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Communications from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Liz has had 8 years of teaching experience at AMA Computer Learning Center and Informatics Computer Institute. Prior to the iSchools Project, she was engaged with the Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc, a Manila-based Non-Government Organization (NGO) were she served as support staff under the Executive Director’s Office.

GLENDA MYRA B. GAMBOA Creative Arts Specialist Dang Gamboa is the Media Production Specialist of the iSchools Project. She provides creative visual support in a unique and memorable way that will clearly communicate and enhance the iSchools' message to their target audience. True enough, she played a major role in re-envisioning the look of both the project portal www.ischools.ph and the project mascot Moni. Her artwork, be it pictures, graphic designs and videos, can be seen throughout the portal, Facebook and other social networking sites used by the iSchools Project. She graduated from Far Eastern University with a Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts and Major in Advertising.

ROSELLA MOYA-TORRECAMPO Consultant Professor Rosella M. Torrecampo is a consultant for several international and government entities, including the CICT – iSchools project. She is an Associate Professor and the current Program Chair of the Diploma in Language and Literacy and Master of Education programs of the UP Open University. She has had 23 years of teaching experience formerly with the UP Diliman English Department, 13 years of which were also as concurrent affiliate faculty of the UPOU. She is also the Programs Development Associate for the UPOU Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services. Graduated magna cum laude in AB English at the University of the Philippines and completed her MA Comparative Literature where her Thesis received high distinction.

ROBERT JA BASILIO, JR. Consultant Robert JA Basilio Jr. has worked as a reporter and editor for various Philippine media organizations. His fiction has been anthologized by Anvil Publishing and the University of the Philippines Press while his journalism pieces have appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He prefers Twitter over Facebook, beer over wine, trains over cars. He blogs at www.jackthescribbler.com.

KAIROS DELA CRUZ Project Evaluation Officer II Kairos dela Cruz is a Project Evaluation Officer II for the iSchools Project. He is responsible for writing articles for the iSchools portal. Kairos graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences, Major in Economics and Minor in Political Science, from the University of the Philippines-Baguio. Prior to his involvement with the Project, Kairos served as a Campaign Consultant for the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities - a Manila based policy think-tank that pursues climate justice through effective climate financing. Ultimately, he is a proud father and husband. He is also a member of Pi Sigma Fraternity.

 Infrastructure/Hardware – The Hardware team is responsible for the deployment of computers to iSchools Recipients. The team oversees all hardware related activities from the bidding to the actual deployment.

ROWENA F. CANOY Member

Applications - The Applications team oversees the development of the software used by the project.

MIGUEL S. SEBASTIAN JR. Consultant, Database Management Toots Sebastian is a Database Management Consultant for the iSchools Project. Working with the Applications team, Sir Toots is the main architect of the iSchools' Project Monitoring and Evaluation Information System (PMEIS). He is currently working on a databank of public high school beneficiaries of the Project. Before his collaboration with the iSchools Project, his previous professional engagements were doing IT consultancy work with various reputable organizations, including the Development Academy of the Philippines, Ayala Systems Technology, Inc. and the Ateneo de Manila University. Sir Toots is also a part-time Instructor at the UP Information Technology Training Center (UP ITTC), where he also earned his Certificate in Information Technology. He completed his BS in Industrial Engineering in UP Diliman and completed units in MS Economics at the De La Salle University, Manila.

RODEL D. SINAPILO Consultant, Systems Management Rodel Sinapilo is the Computer Maintenance and Technologist III of the iSchools Project. As the Project's tech whiz, Rodel skillfully co-develop the iSchools portal, www.ischools.ph, with Ms. Reina Sison-Gagno. His technical know-how in open source web-based content management systems such as Joomla! and Wordpress has made him the perfect guy to facilitate the Project’s many web-related trainings. He worked as a Webmaster for the PEARL2 Project – a private sector development initiative of the Canadian International Development Agency prior to joining the iSchools Project. Rodel completed his B.S. in Computer Engineering from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

REINA SISON-GAGNO Consultant, Web Management Reine Sison-Gagno acts as Web Management Consultant for the Applications team. Reine is a core member of the Joomla! Users Group-Philippines and had been a resource person in various European Commission-assisted Joomla! training workshops within the Philippines and in Asia. Aside from using Joomla! and WordPress for website creation, she also do custom Web application using PHP frameworks like CodeIgniter and CakePHP. Reine took up Fine Arts with major in Advertising at the College of the Holy Spirit of Manila and short computer courses at the Ateneo Computer Technology Center. She is currently the Project Manager of 168 Media Creative and PM/Lead Developer of ParenTIN.tv, the first Philippine online parenting show.

Monitoring and Evaluation - The M&E team is responsible for monitoring the benefits and impacts of the project. It is also the M&E's task to conduct site inspections to check whether applicant schools meet the necessary requirements to be a recipient.

LEILA GRACE A. RAMOS Component Team Lead, M&E As the team lead of the Monitoring and Evaluation Component, Leila appreciates the value of research to the thrust of the team – to assess the progress and impact of the project not only to the target beneficiaries but also to the implementing partners. Her degree in Communication Research from the University of the Philippines Diliman also helped her recognize the role of monitoring and evaluation in development project initiatives. Her previous stint as project coordinator of Pearl2 Project, a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) – funded initiative prompted her track in development project implementation and management. She is currently earning her Master Degree in Development Economics from UP Diliman where she hopes to eventually apply sound project evaluation and policy analysis to the actual iSchools Project monitoring and evaluation activities.

MA. LAIZE-AR P. ABALOS Project Evaluation Officer LA Abalos is a Project Evaluation Officer for the Monitoring and Evalutation (M&E) team of the iSchools Project. Her tasks involve managing the Benefits Monitoring Survey Administration and overseeing the online platform for the qualitative aspect of Benefits Monitoring. She holds a degree in Communication Research from the University of the Philippines - Diliman where she graduated with flying colors in 2008. Shortly after, she joined Nielsen Company-Philippines and worked as a Client Service Executive for the Retail Measurement Service. Soon after, she began pursuing her Master’s Degree in Special Education in the same university. While in graduate school, she served as a Research Analyst at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, Armed Forces of the Philippines for more than a year before she became part of the iSchools Project.

ALEXCENAH STA. INES Information Systems Researcher Alex Sta. Ines is an Information Systems Researcher for the iSchools Project. As a member of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team, Alex handles Progress Monitoring, ensuring that the Project’s many partner State Universities and Colleges meet the implementation standards set by the central office. Alex is also very adept in training management, having facilitated many of the workshops conducted by the Project. She cites site inspection visits as her most memorable iSchools Project experience since she got to travel across the country and see first-hand how the Project has affected its many recipient communities. Before her involvement with the iSchools Project, Alex worked at Philippines International Language Incorporated as an English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of the Philippines – Baguio.

Operations Team - The Operations team handles administration and finance.

ADALIA A. DELA CRUZ Member, Finance Management Dahlia dela Cruz is the Senior Administrative Assistant of the iSchools Project. She is responsible for the financial well being of the Project. True to the Projects' commitment to transparency at all times, one of Dahlia's major tasks is to monitor the entire project fund and likewise provide a complete and accurate list of all project expenses. A Certified Public Accountant, Dahlia previously worked as an Administrative Services Officer at the Integrated Rural Financing Program under the Department of Agriculture. Dahlia holds a degree in Business Administration, Major in Accountancy from the Philippine School of Business Administration and has completed 12 units towards a Master’s in Business Administration degree from the Philippine Christian University.

MADELYN N. FABRICANTE Member, Finance Management Mads Fabricante is an Administrative Assistant for the iSchools Project. She manages the proper circulation and processing of all pertinent financial documents. Her work ethic, not to mention her ability to mingle and adapt to needs of the entire iSchools team, ensures the smooth flow of transactions. She completed her BS in Computer Engineering from Adamson University. Mads got her certification for Autocad 2009 with Color Rendering from Microcadd Makati. Previously, she joined AMA Computer College as a Human Resource Assistant.

JENNIFFER STA. INES-ODULIO Member, Administrative Services Jennie Sta. Ines-Odulio is responsible for putting together all the talented personnel for the project. Her loyalty to the government service is beyond compare, with ten years as proof of her commitment and dedication. She firmly believes that joining iSchools Project is worth her stay. Jennie completed an Advance Diploma Course in Human Resource Planning and Development from the Institute of Applied Manpower Research in New Delhi, India. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Before her involvement with the National Computer Center and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, she worked as a Guidance Counselor and Instructor at Nova Computer College.

MATILDE C. ORIGENES Member, Administrative Services Mae Origenes is a member of the Administrative Services Group of the iSchools Project. In the iSchools life cycle, social preparation is crucial. This is where site inspection, project briefing and community mobilization take place. To ensure uniformity in interpreting the content of the various Memorandum of Agreement (MOA); Mae discusses them with public high schools during project briefings. Likewise, she orders, consolidates and facilitates the 2nd level MOA between the CICT, its recipient schools and other stakeholders. She proves her dedication to her work with almost 30 years of service starting as a Data Transcriber for the National Computer Center. With her proficiency and hard work, she then became a Data Entry Machine Operator (DEMO) III. It was in 2005 when she first entered the iSchools Project. She completed her BS in Commerce, Major in Banking and Finance from the Holy Cross of Davao College.

NORMA S. VACUNAWA Member, Administrative Services Norma Vacunawa is a member of Administrative Services Group of the iSchools Project. Her role is to safe keep the numerous ICT equipments utilized by the project management office. All supplies intended for the Project are also under her care. She also manages the administrative aspect of the Project’s PC Recycling component – considered one of the Project’s impressive innovations. Norma has occupied 3 plantilla positions, from Input Machine Operator to Data Entry Machine Operator (DEMO) III at the National Computer Center where she has devoted 35 fruitful years. Norma holds a degree in BS Commerce from Ortañez University. Her involvement with the Project started first quarter of 2006.

NOEL A. VALDEZ Member, Administrative Services Noel Valdez serves as the driver and liaison assistant of the iSchools Project. He ensures the safe transport of iSchools staff, equipment and documents during trainings and other important activities. During his spare time, Noel also extends a helping hand to the entire team whenever needed. In the iSchools Project, the saying, "There are no small roles, only small actors" best applies to him. He has been with iSchools Project since the second quarter of 2008. Before handling the steering wheel for Project, Noel worked as ramp driver and mechanic for Cebu Pacific Air. He took up BS Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology.