Manuel B. Manarang
Co-Founder
Manuel has spent 20 years working directly with those living in Smokey Mountain. From the age of 12, Manuel made a living as garbage scavenger, working to pick material from trash that he could recycle and resell. A chance encounter with a missionary group lead Manuel to become a translator, assistant and eventually take on roles with entities such as the ILO. Manuel currently works with Young Focus International for Education and Development which provies Smokey Mountain youth with scholarships and access to a student center equipped with technology to educational resources. Manuel directs, manages, and provides training and education for those living in Smokey Mountain. Manuel wholeheartedly believes that WE International Philippines can mobilize the greater community to make a difference in the lives of the Filipino people through cooperation and youth empowerment. Manuel is truly a living testimony of hope and inspiration to the people of Smokey Mountain, and he is at the heart of the development of WE International Philippines' mission and vision.
Cecilia B. Martinez-Miranda
cmartinezmiranda@weinternational.org
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Cecilia joined the WEIP team when she was in high school to contribute a youth perspective to the organization's vision and programming. She then went on to attend Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN where recieved her B.A. in International Studies and Education with a minor in Political Science and concentration in International Development. During her time abroad, Cecilia interned with Ashoka in Washington DC, designed an entrepreneurship program for at-risk girls opening a flower shop in Minneapolis, and worked to strengthen the youth social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Twin Cities with the Sundance Family Foundation. She was the winner of a 2010 Davis Projects for Peace Prize, the 2013 Macalester Global Citizenship award and has presented her work at events such as the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize forum. She returned to WEIP in 2014 to take on the role of Executive Director.
Ben Compton
bcompton@weinternational.org
Co-founder and President
Ben grew up traveling across Asia and the United States. Both his parents were international educators and are now retired university professors, who initially met in the Peace Corps, Thailand. Ben's father's has worked extensively in the field of international development, extension agriculture and adult education, while his mother's field of study centered on Southeast Asian Linguistics. Ben has lived in Thailand, Laos, Philippines, and China and has attained his M.A. in Counselor Education. After spending the initial part of his professional career working as a therapist, a mentoring program coordinator, and as a foster parent with at-risk youth in the United States, Ben spent the next 7 years working as a counselor and teacher in various international schools throughout Asia. Ben has a heart for youth and a heart for the Philippines. In addition to serving as co-founder and co-director of WE International Philippines, Ben works as a guidance councillor at the American School of Doha.
Abigail Alethea Sy
asy@weinternational.org
Co-Founder
Abigail was born and raised in the Philippines. She earned her B.A in English Literature and International Relations from the University of British Columbia, Canada, where she spent her time as an active volunteer for various philanthropic organizations. Consequently leading her to the role of Human Resources Director for a non-profit Global Agents for Change; she learnt about the power of youth to affect positive change. A subsequent visit to Smokey Mountain awakened in her heart a desire to use her education and experiences during to make a difference in her home country, the Philippines. She currently works at the Green School in Bali – an environmentally sustainable school dedicated to holistic development and learning. Abigail plans to return to school to attain her M.A in International Development. Abigail is excited to push the limits of what can and will be done in response to those most in need in the Philippines.