The Founder and the Directress

Ms. Araceli C. Carbonell

Residence: 283339 Cabrini Drive, Hayward, CA 94545

Araceli Estrella C. Carbonell hailed from Manila, Philippines, of Ilocano ancestry. She obtained her degree in Education from the prestigious institution of the University of the Philippines in History and Behavioral Sciences with high honors. After some years of Teaching in Manila public school, she was lucky to have been granted fellowship under auspices of the UNESCO to do research and teaching in Africa, prior to her immigration to the United States of America. She also tried to pursue her post graduate courses in Education at the University of California in Berkeley, and San Francisco State University in San Francisco; also a recipient of the scholarship granted by the AMERICORPS.

She pursued her dream to seek a greener pasture in the new found land and stayed for good in California. She decided to change her profession and land a government job as a Transportation Analyst with the California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco, California for over twenty five years. Aside from her state government job, Celly, as fondly called by many, has ventured in some business management, such as home care industry as well as community services for which she was appointed as Commissioner in Alameda county for 12 years ( 1987-1999).

However, her duties and responsibilities have not prevented her from doing more services to the community. With her desire to inculcate the traditional values and cultural heritage, she has conceived of utilizing her skills in dancing; hence the formation of a non-profit organization, named BAYANIHAN CULTURAL ORGANIZATION, which aims to develop cultural awareness and leadership in our youth towards a better tomorrow for our ethnic community. Indeed, the organization has not only taught the moral values but also gained laudable recognition and appreciation in this cultural pursuits through folk arts, particularly folkdances.