Erlinda Cruz

TREASURER

Ms. Erlinda T. Cruz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business (Banking and Finance) at the University of the East, Philippines. Her first job was in the research field, and she became interested in data gathering at the University of the Philippines School of Economics, Diliman, Quezon City, Computer Section. From 1977 to 2009, Ms. Cruz was also elected President, in volunteer capacity, for the Hardin ng Rosas Housing Association for the UP faculty and staff.

She moved to Vancouver, Canada under the Live-In Caregiver program in 2009. She became reunited with her spouse and adult children in 2015. As a caregiver, she attended various workshops for Dementia, sponsored by the Alzheimer Society in British Columbia:

Ms. Cruz, together with Mr. Tomas Avendano Sr. organized the Health and Skilled Workers Cooperative, where she was elected President, again in a volunteer capacity, from 2012 to 2014.

Patricia Diamzon

BOARD MEMBER - CO-SECRETARY

Patricia Diamzon is a retired caregiver who serves as both a Board Member and Co-Secretary. She joined the Board in 2012, and was re-elected in 2018. Before migrating to Canada in 1999 via the caregiver program, she was a teacher in the Philippines. Once she arrived in Canada, she took childcare courses in Kwantlen College. After her graduation, she worked as a caregiver in various daycare centers in Vancouver. Shortly after her contract as a caregiver expired in 2003, she was introduced to MHHS, who helped her find further employment, and sponsor her family, allowing them to reunite together in Vancouver eight years later. She started volunteering at MHHS when she, along with other caregivers, formed a caregivers group called “WE CARE” for additional psychological, emotional and financial support, in which she became the first president, and helped establish the Caregivers/OFW Assistance Emergency Fund, a crisis fund for caregivers.

Susan Panlican

BOARD MEMBER (in absentia)

Susana (or Susan for short) was born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines, and came to Canada in 1989 from Hong Kong with her employer and her employer’s two children. She loves cooking! She pursued her passion after getting her permanent resident status. Apart from having completed a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree major in Culinary Arts in Jose Feliciano College, Philippines, she took culinary and short-term business courses at Vancouver Pierre Dubrulle Culinary School. Later, she worked at and managed various restaurants in Vancouver. Currently, she has a private catering service and is a sub-contractor of a cleaning service. Susan volunteered for the United Way and in a nursing home in 1992. Out of grief on the demise of her mother in 2012, she was introduced to MHHS. She started as a volunteer, then became a member. She became a Director from 2014 to 2016, and was re-elected in 2018.

Helena Fonseca De Oliveira

BOARD MEMBER

Helena Oliveira currently works as Project Coordinator at a private sector Company that provides Engineering, Architectural, and Environmental services. She has a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, with more than 10 years of experience in this field in Brazil. She moved to Canada in 2018 and, from Oct 2019 to Sep 2021 she worked as an Administrative and Program Officer for MHHS, a role that gave her experience in project deliverables and schedule, settlement proposals and services contracts, reports and budget. As an immigrant herself she knows the challenges faced by the newcomers, so volunteering to organizanizations such as MHHS gives her the chance to give back to the community and help others facing the same challenges as she did. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, spending quality time with family and friends, and puzzles.