The Board of Trustees of the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation, Inc. elected Marielle Benitez Javellana Executive Director during its virtual meeting recently presided by Rep. Jose Francisco B. Benitez, Chairman of the Board. Marielle is the daughter of Suzie Moya Benitez who served as Executive Director of the Foundation until her demise.
Marielle is currently the Acting Campus Life Department Head of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU). She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Management for PWU. She is also a dance instructor for Sayaw Workshop and, Faculty and Facilitator for the Dance Certificate Course at PWU. For 16 years, she was a performing artist of the Bayanihan, the National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines. Her stint with Bayanihan brought her to other parts of the world where the dance company showcased the best of Philippine culture through music and dance.
She was captain of the Philippine Women’s National Football team, fondly called “Malditas” and has played for the team for 14 years. She was also Youth National Coach, winning back to back Silver medals in the Asian Football Championships. She authored “Winning Still”, Essays from the Philippine Sports Landscape during the Pandemic.
