Leadership
Tony Olaes, Co-Founder
Born and raised in San Diego, California, Tony Olaes belongs to second generation Filipino immigrants in the US. A graphics designer and entrepreneur by trade, he is the founder of Olaes Enterprises, Inc. (ODM) that supplies to national retailers like Walmart and Target. Tony started his reconnection with his Motherland, the Philippines, back in 2007 when he joined Gawad Kalinga (GK) and saw the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos despite their hardships. Believing in the value of Bayanihan, Mr. Olaes helped build homes and lives through GK. He continues to uplift Filipino communities from all over the globe through The Filipino School and its programs.
Estela Matriano, EdD
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Estela C. Matriano is the Executive Director of The Filipino School. A respected Filipino educator, Dr. Matriano was recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the United States of America” at the 8th Filipina Leadership Summit in San Francisco in 2011. She currently holds the Executive Director post of the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction and a professor of Cross Cultural Studies.
Our Team
Bennett Peji | Chief Innovation Officer
Sam Banez | Project Manager
Rosy Salutem | Social Media Specialist
Nico Lucero | Senior Project Officer
Rico Luancing | Finance Officer
Carole Caparros | School Secretary
Jacquilin Magat-Lapid | Educator
Analyn Thomson | Educator
Briar Rose Duco | Educator
Founding Team
Myrna Ablana | Challenger Middle School
Atilio Alicio | San Diego State University, UC San Diego
Salvador Idos | Morse High School (Ret.)
Rosalina V. Idos | Morse High School (Ret.)
Jacquilin Magat-Lapid | Mira Mesa High School, Miramar College
Mary Rose Peralta | Sweetwater High School
Felix Tuyay | Southwestern College
