Ramon San Pascual, MPH, Executive Director

A population, health, and environment policy advocate, Ramon brings with him years of experience working in civil society organizations (CSO) engaged in social development work, and has dedicated many years on policy development, advocacy and working with policy-makers and stakeholders  on population, health, environment and sustainable development issues. 

Having worked with an extensive network of parliamentarians, health professionals, community and civil society leaders, he has helped form and strengthen coalitions of advocates upholding health and social justice in the Philippines and across the Asia Pacific region.

He served as Executive Director of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (2012-2015), Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (2005-2012), and until recently, as Head Executive Assistant and Division Head of the Legislative Liaison Division of the Philippine Department of Health (DOH).

A Bachelor of Political Economics graduate from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ramon obtained his Masters in Public Health in 2007 from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. USA. Alongside MPH, he also completed Certificate Program on International Health.  Earlier in 2003-2004, He also finished Population Leadership Program as a Gates-Packard International Fellow also at the University of Washington.

Email: rsanpascual@hcwh.org

Manjit Kaur Sohal, Regional Program Manager for Climate & Health

Jit, as she is fondly called by friends and colleagues is a project and program management professional for more than a decade. Her relevant work experience include policy development and project management in disaster risk reduction and management particularly in preparedness, response, and rehabilitation programs in the Philippines.

Before joining HCWH SE Asia, Jit headed the development consulting portfolio of a Philippine-based firm dedicated to improving governance in the public sector, where she also acted as a consultant in several projects including a UNICEF-funded study on nutrition and public health in support of the Department of Health (DOH).

Jit has an established history of working with all levels of government, local and international non-government organizations, and the private sector. She is a graduate of Political Science from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Mara Medrano, Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Engagement Officer

Mara started her advocacy work as a singer and a member of a cause-oriented cultural organization that aims to popularize people’s art and culture. She facilitates cultural workshops for children, Indigenous communities, and urban poor areas in the Philippines as part of her personal advocacy.

Prior to joining the Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia Office, Mara was a Program Officer at Asia Pacific Research Network where she led various campaign platforms on environment protection and trade issues in the Philippines, in Asia- Pacific, and at the global level. She then served the network as their Capacity Development officer that is dedicated to building people’s organizations’ capacities to claim their rights and sustainable development.

Mara is a passionate development worker and a cultural worker with demonstrated experience in working with development institutions in the themes of disaster response, environment, sustainable development, and trade issues. She took up a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute for Science and Technology. 

Aaron Moises Bonete, Digital Communications Associate

Aaron is a development communication practitioner and queer artist with more than six years of experience working and collaborating with different organizations to create transformative communication and design solutions that are relevant to the current climate and foster resilience for thriving in our volatile world. Through digital art and data visualizations, Aaron aims to empower people, advance inclusion, and deconstruct the tough yet important conversations on inequality and injustice. This has allowed them to advocate for minorities within marginalized communities, especially youth, women, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, Indigenous People, and farmers.

Before joining HCWH Southeast Asia, Aaron wore many hats; as editorial staff, program manager, community organizer and researcher in the field of health, community development, human rights and gender equality.

They is currently the Digital Communications Associate at HCWH Southeast Asia, responsible for co-creating and implementing digital communication materials and strategies for the Climate and Health Program’s regional campaigns and projects as well as providing support to engage target audiences on HCWH Asia’s digital platforms.

E-mail: abonete@hcwh.org

Kris S. Evangelista, Administrative and Research Associate

Kris grew up in a socially-aware family and has a culinary background. He is one of the senior members of Health Care Without Harm Asia team, being on-board since 2012.

Kris is in charge of assisting in the implementation of administrative policies and procedures of the organization. He is also supporting the staff with logistics and various admin requirements like maintaining the office inventory system and preparing the mandatory benefits of the staff.

Email: kevangelista@hcwh.org