Our dedicated team at Akari provides compassionate, personalized care to guide you on your path to recovery and wellness.
The visionary founder of AKARI Wellness and Treatment Hub, bringing her passion for holistic healing and wellness into the forefront of addiction recovery. With a deep commitment to helping individuals overcome personal struggles, she has built a center that provides comprehensive, compassionate care. Her approach emphasizes not only treating the addiction but also nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
With over three decades of continuous sobriety and service, Jerry Leonor stands as one of the most respected and time-honored figures in the Philippine recovery community. A pillar of the 12-Step Program and a mentor to countless individuals on their path to sobriety, Jerry brings both a deep understanding of structured recovery and a profound commitment to the inner journey of healing.
Jerry’s experience spans some of the most reputable treatment centers in the country. He spent 8 years with New Beginnings in Manila, followed by 9 years with New Day Recovery Center in Davao, where he played a key role in guiding clients through early and sustained recovery. He was instrumental in the founding and growth of Pathway to Recovery, shaping it into a supportive space for those seeking a second chance at life.
In 2024, Jerry expanded his approach to include Refuge Recovery, offering free community sessions for newcomers seeking a non-theistic, mindfulness-based path. By 2025, he also began integrating teachings from A Course of Miracles, helping individuals develop a deeper, more personal spiritual foundation—especially those seeking recovery beyond traditional frameworks.
Jerry’s approach is both compassionate and incisive. He brings a rich, lived understanding of various recovery paths, a deep spiritual insight, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of connection, presence, and personal responsibility.
At the core of his work is a simple truth: he has walked the path himself. And today, he continues to guide others with humility, wisdom, and a deep reverence for the process of healing.
With over 20 years of experience, Benjie Cabinian is a seasoned Consultant and Family Therapist, offering guidance and support to families affected by addiction and other challenges.
Guided by Experience. Grounded in Expertise. Committed to Your Recovery.
At the heart of our DOH-accredited Outpatient Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) is Vincent Carlo A. Tabirara — a respected authority in addiction recovery with over 13 years of experience in the field.
Vincent brings a rare blend of professional distinction and lived experience, making him an invaluable guide for clients navigating their journey to wellness. His credentials span both national and international certifications, including:
He has held leadership roles across prominent rehabilitation institutions:
A passionate advocate of evidence-based recovery, Vincent has helped shape community-based programs such as BERA and BONTERA, which supported over 600 individuals during the height of national drug reform efforts in 2016.
A recovering individual himself, someone whose personal journey stands as a testament to resilience, redemption and the power of change, Vincent is a strong advocate for evidence-based approaches in addiction treatment, guided by global standards from the Colombo Plan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
His combined professional expertise and personal recovery journey make him a powerful force for transformation in the lives of those seeking recovery. His first-hand experience has equipped him with a unique perspective, one that bridges the gap between lived experience and professional support systems.
What sets Vincent apart is not only his professional rigor but his authenticity: as someone in long-term recovery himself, he understands the emotional and psychological intricacies of healing. His journey—from addiction to award-winning practitioner—imbues his work with compassion, insight, and an unwavering commitment to those he serves.
Under Vincent’s guidance, clients receive more than support—they experience transformation anchored in trust, global best practices, and genuine care.
With over 8 years of sobriety and more than 7 years of experience in addiction treatment, Jouel “Joe” Brown brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his work. Trained in the Universal Treatment Curriculum by the Colombo Plan and mentored by internationally recognized addiction experts, Joe leads with a compassionate, client-driven approach.
Combining 12-Step education, CBT, and group and individual counseling, Joe helps clients rediscover a new way of life—one built on sobriety, resilience, and hope. As a member of ISSUP, he remains at the forefront of global best practices, delivering programs grounded in respect, empowerment, and lasting recovery.
Living Proof That Recovery is Possible. Leading With Passion, Purpose and Precision.
At our DOH-accredited Outpatient Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC), we value leadership that blends professional excellence with personal transformation. Joel Pangilinan is a powerful embodiment of that balance.
With 8 years in personal recovery and over 7 years of hands-on experience managing outpatient rehab facilities, Joel brings unmatched insight into the day-to-day operations of high-end treatment environments. As a Facility Manager and House Parent in some of the Philippines’ most respected outpatient centers, Joel has led multidisciplinary teams, developed client-centered routines, and ensured that each aspect of facility life aligns with the highest standards of care.
His expertise includes:
🔹 Daily operations management in outpatient rehabilitation
🔹 Personalized care coordination based on each client’s unique recovery needs
🔹 Staff supervision, program structure, and client safety protocols
🔹 Emotional and logistical support as a live-in house parent to residents in recovery
Over the past 7 years, Joel has catered to a wide range of clients nationally, and internationally—adapting global recovery approaches in line with the Colombo Plan and UNODC standards to match the personal, professional, and cultural expectations of each one. His ability to provide both structure and empathy makes him an invaluable leader in our high-end outpatient program.
💬 “After 8 years on my own journey of overcoming addiction, I’ve spent the last 7+ years helping others find hope and healing. My purpose is clear: to be a guiding light for those still searching for a way out. Recovery isn’t just my story—it’s my mission.”
With Joel at the helm of operations, clients experience not only a well-run program—but a safe, nurturing environment where dignity, routine, and trust lead the way to lasting recovery.
Empowering Women. Leading with Empathy. Living Her Purpose.
At our DOH-accredited Outpatient Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC), we believe recovery must be personal, compassionate, and purpose-driven—especially for women. That’s why Samantha Santiago-Tabirara plays a vital role in our program focused on women and gender-specific minority groups.
A trained PEER and ALLIES Support in long-term recovery from alcohol use disorder, Sam’s journey from lived experience to professional expertise defines her passion and commitment to helping others heal with dignity. She is a proud member of the Philippine Addiction Specialists Society (PASS) and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), aligning her practice with global standards of care.
With over 5 years of active supervision under nationally and internationally recognized addiction professionals, Sam is deeply grounded in evidence-based approaches from the Colombo Plan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Her areas of focus include:
🔹 Case Management
🔹 Recovery Coaching
🔹 Personalized Treatment Planning
🔹 Trauma-Informed Care Support for Women with Anxiety, Depression & Co-Occurring Conditions
What sets Sam apart is more than experience—it’s her ability to connect. With unwavering compassion, deep empathy, and unconditional positive regard, she creates a safe, affirming space for women to rediscover their strength, identity, and purpose.
🌸 “Recovery is not just about healing—it’s about becoming whole.”
A former model and actor during the 1980s, Lito Gruet transitioned into the rehabilitation field, where he served as a Rehab Director for 11 years. Over the past 24 years, he has devoted his life to combating addiction, focusing on saving children through drug awareness symposiums held in various schools and universities. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of the Battle Against Ignorance Foundation, where he leads efforts to rescue street dwellers, providing them with the opportunity for a second chance at life.
B.S. Nursing, Cebu Doctors’ University, 2000
M.A. Nursing, Cebu Doctors’ University, 2005
Major in Family Health Nursing, including: Psychiatric Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal and Child Nursing, Community Health Nursing
Ph.D. in Organization Development, Cebu Doctors’ University, 2008
Staff Nurse, Chong Hua Hospital, Cebu City (2000–2003)
Faculty, Cebu Doctors’ University – College of Nursing (2000–2013)
Subjects Taught: Psychiatric Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Communicable Disease Nursing, Nursing Research
Hospital Affiliations: VSMMC Psychiatric Ward, Banaglaum Homes (Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Center), Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, North General Hospital, Mactan Doctors’ Hospital
Faculty, Cebu Doctors’ University – Graduate School (2010–2013)
Surveillance Nurse, Emergency Operation Center, Mandaue City Health Office (December 2020)
Company Hotel Nurse, bai Hotel Cebu, Mandaue City (2021)
Dialysis Nurse, Medipro Dialysis Center, Mandaue City (2024)
Compassionate and kind-hearted nurse
Overseas Filipino Worker – Hong Kong, Household Services Worker (HSW), 2015–2016
Overseas Filipino Worker – Kuwait, Royal Family Cook, 2012–2013
Housekeeping & Beautification
Cooking
Thankful to her mother, Eriberta, for the cooking skills she has learned
Loving mother of 3 children; enjoys cooking Arabic food
“Time is gold. Learn how to value resources since they can’t be recovered once they’re gone.”
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