Meet the Team
Meet the passionate people who drive VISMIN’s mission forward! Our team is a diverse group of dedicated individuals, each bringing unique skills and experiences to help shape our vision and serve the community.
Jessa Aco Kuchmak, President
After immigrating to Canada in 2008, Jessa was immediately involved with VISMIN in emceeing various events including the annual Sinulog Festival. An avid volunteer, Jessa has hosted the Annual Filipino Fiesta since its inception in 2017 and co-founded the UofA Philippine Students Association. She has also held many board leadership roles such as President of the UofA Business Alumni Association and Board Member of City of Edmonton's Non Profit Housing Corporation. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) who graduated from University of Alberta, and in 2018, she started a data solutions company called Pontem Innovations. They have helped 100+ organizations across US & Canada by creating databases, web apps and dashboards. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband and two kids, and her big extended Filipino family originally from Cebu, Philippines.
Hazel Eyas Igot, Vice President
Hazel Eyas Igot is a dedicated wife, mother, and community leader with a background in Business Administration, currently pursuing further studies in Payroll and Accounting. Born to a public servant father and an educator mother, Hazel was driven to serve her community from a young age. From a politically active family, she served as SK Chairman while completing her degree at University of San Carlos. She has over 10 years of experience in the Oil and Gas industry in Canada, and she remains deeply involved in preserving Filipino, Cebuano, and Oponganon traditions. Passionate about health and wellness, she balances her professional and personal life through meditation and yoga while staying committed to making a positive impact in her community.
Bong Noval, Vice President
Bong Noval is a passionate leader and entrepreneur in Alberta's Filipino-Canadian community, actively involved in organizations like the Freemasons, Filipino-Canadian Association of Leduc, and Little Warriors Canada. A graduate of Cebu Doctors University, Bong started a printing business in the Philippines before moving to Canada, where he now owns a successful cleaning business and works as a licensed Life Insurance Agent with Experior Financial Group. In addition to being a devoted husband and father of three, he enjoys long-distance motorbiking with L.A.M.A. in his spare time.
Lyris Hidalgo, Secretary
Lyris has been an active VISMIN volunteer for over a decade. From dancing, singing, playing the piano, to emceeing, she loves sharing her talents to the Filipino-Canadian community. She is a combination of arts, science and sports. Her artistry is seen in the Sinulog 2025 T-shirt design, she also has a Bachelor of Science at UofA and a Business degree from MacEwan, and finally, people don't quite know this but she is a pro ultimate frisbee player.
Yuri Salcedo, Secretary and Membership Chair
Yuri is a grade 12 student at Archbishop MacDonald High School, and she is looking forward to serving another term as a VISMIN officer. Growing up attending VISMIN events, she noticed the positive impact VISMIN has made in nurturing her connections to her heritage and how it has fostered a sense of community for Filipino-Canadians. Yuri ultimately hopes to become a role model for youth, empowering and encouraging them to engage with their culture and traditions.
Anna Hnatiuk, Treasurer
With a background as a dedicated healthcare professional, Anna Hnatiuk brings a wealth of reliability, integrity, and compassion to every endeavor. Known for being approachable and trustworthy, Anna is committed to upholding the highest standards in her role as Treasurer for VISMIN.
Jeshel Joyohoy, Auditor
Jeshel was one of the longest running Presidents of VISMIN before his role in 2024 as Auditor of the nonprofit association. He was a CPA in the Philippines, and in Canada he has his own accounting company and immigration company - JH Immigration Consulting. He has helped dozens of Filipinos come to Canada, and he continues to serve his community as an avid volunteer and public servant. In his spare time, he likes to hang out with his wife and four beautiful children.
Martina Elegino Hawreluk, Public Relations Officer
Martina Elegino Hawreluk is a creative marketing expert and has worked with renowned global brands like L’Oréal and Bumble. She currently contributes her expertise at Eden Textile, a wholesale linen company, as well as Skylark and Owl Linen Co., a retail bedding brand. Passionate about staying connected to her Filipino heritage, she is excited to continue being a part of VISMIN, where she can engage with and give back to the community.
Mari Helez Joyohoy, VISMIN Youth Chair
Mari Helez (Mariz) Joyohoy is a University of Alberta School of Business graduate specializing in Human Resource Management. As the VISMIN Youth Co-Chair, Mari is dedicated to preserving Filipino heritage among Filipino youth in Edmonton. She is passionate about fostering a strong sense of community and cultural identity. With 12 years of active involvement in VISMIN, she strives to ensure Filipino heritage remains vibrant for future generations. She is currently pursuing her Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation, aiming to expand her HR expertise with aspirations to one day become a professor in her field. Her strengths lie in her dedication to learning, strong work ethic, and attention to detail. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, often crocheting and knitting gifts for loved ones, and has a love for music, playing both trumpet and piano.
Benjie Lindo, Sinulog Sponsorship Chair
Benjie Lindo is the President of Yakap Alberta Foundation, a Board Director of Nasipitnon in Edmonton, and a Social Media Partner for the VISMIN Association and local businesses in Alberta. He has contributed significantly as a public servant and community event organizer.
Marketing Chairs: Riana Torrejon, Mark Caputolan, Cora Caputolan
Events Chairs: Vina Agbang, Odelle Noval, Trixa Cua, Joan Sayo
Our Former Presidents
Lito Tan (Founder)
Alex Redoble
David Fabiosa
Linda Armas
Merlyn Gonzales
Julius Kee
Bernadette Billedo
Danny Gutang
Dondon Llanos
Rico Salcedo
Abel Hidalgo
Alex Aco
Virginia Sumalinog
Dennis Florentino
Jeshel Joyohoy