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.
Joe is a central figure at Akari, leading both our clients and team with consistency, experience, and genuine care.
With 9 years of sobriety and over 8 years of experience in addiction treatment settings, he brings both professional expertise and lived understanding to every individual he supports. His approach is calm, grounded, and deeply client-centered.
He has been trained under the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program through the Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorders, and is an active member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP). His work is guided by global best practices, while always remaining personal and human.
Joe plays a key role in guiding each client’s recovery journey, while bringing the team together to work as one—creating a strong sense of trust, alignment, and consistency in care.
At Akari, Joe is known for his unwavering commitment.
He supports clients not only in staying sober, but in rebuilding their lives with clarity, stability, and purpose.
Dave is a highly respected recovery coach who has earned deep trust from the clients she supports.
With over a decade of experience and international certifications (ICARS, ICRC), she offers both professional structure and personal insight—grounded in her own long-term recovery journey.
Her presence brings stability, understanding, and guidance, helping clients feel supported not only in their recovery process, but also as individuals.
At Akari, Dave plays a key role in creating an environment where trust, connection, and meaningful progress can take place.
⸻
Certifications & Experience
• International Certified Addiction Recovery Specialist (ICARS)
• International Certified Recovery Coach (ICRC)
• 10+ years in addiction treatment and recovery support
• Experience in case management, recovery coaching, and program facilitation
• Facilitator of Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Programs
• Member: ISSUP & Philippine Mental Health Association
• Volunteer: Asian Recovery Network
• In long-term recovery (11 years)
• Special focus: Women & LGBTQIA+ clients
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.
20+ years of experience as a social work practitioner and educator
Trained in:
Trauma Informed Care
Community Resiliency Model
Motivational Interviewing
Bereavement Counseling
Case Management
Volunteer Management
Others
I am Dr. Allyn Ralph B. Hiyas, a physician whose journey in medicine has been shaped by a blend of public service, clinical practice, teaching, and research. I first served as the Medical Officer of MCSAPO from 2023 to 2024, an experience that strengthened my dedication to community-oriented healthcare. Since 2023, I have continued to practice as a DOH fully accredited physician, steadily expanding my roles across various institutions.
In 2024, I began serving as a General Physician in the Pediatric Department of Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital, a role I held until 2025. This opportunity deepened my exposure to pediatric care and further enriched my clinical foundation. By 2025, I also joined Barili District Hospital, and shortly after, I began working with Akari, broadening my professional horizons even more.
My passion for teaching led me to become a part-time faculty member at Cebu Doctors’ University in 2025, where I now help shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. Beyond the bedside and classroom, I also engage in meaningful research. I co-authored the study “Enrollment of Females in Randomized Trials for Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists: A Systematic Review,” collaborating with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to advocate for better representation in clinical trials.
Outside of medicine, I am a devoted cat lover, raising eight cats together with my girlfriend, our little furry family that brings warmth and joy into our everyday life.
Angelique is a PRC-licensed nurse who supports our clients’ daily health and wellbeing at Akari.
Her warm smile and gentle presence bring comfort and reassurance, while her professional care ensures that each client feels safe and supported.
She is attentive not only to physical health, but also to the emotional and psychological needs of those in recovery—believing that true healing comes from both care and connection.
At Akari, healing is supported not only through professional care but also through the experience of daily nourishment. Meet Rovelin, the dedicated chef behind Akari’s wellness meals. She brings dedication, consistency, and warmth to every dish she prepares. Her gentle presence and natural smile create a sense of comfort and safety. Making each meal feel personal, calm, and reassuring.
Professional Background
Rovelin brings valuable international culinary experience to the Akari kitchen, having worked abroad as a Household Services Worker in Hong Kong (2015–2016) and as a Royal Family Cook in Kuwait (2012–2013).
Skills & Expertise
Wellness-Focused Cooking
Housekeeping & Beautification
Consistent, Quality Meal Preparation
Personal Background
A loving mother of three children.
Inherited her passion and culinary skills from her mother, Eriberta.
Particularly enjoys preparing authentic Arabic cuisine.
Motto in Life
“Time is gold. Learn how to value resources since they can’t be recovered once they’re gone.”
James has been supporting Akari for many years, playing an important role in maintaining the daily living environment for our clients.
From cleaning and laundry to general maintenance, he ensures that everything runs smoothly and comfortably. His steady presence and reliability help create a sense of stability and care throughout the facility.
At Akari, healing is supported not only by programs, but also by people like James who take care of the space every day.