She had joined the ARENA Secretariat as Coordinator and Executive Director between July 1997 to July 2005. After finished her third term in year 2005, she is now back to Manlia for more new challanges. She has been involved with regional non-governmental organizations for many years, particularly around diverse issues of international relations, human rights, religion and society, and the search for peace. Prior to ARENA, her work with ecumenical organizations included the study and interpretation of Asian issues, policy analysis and advocacy, and conducting popular education on a variety of themes.
Jeannie's interest in people's struggles and social movements dates back to the days when she was a student of journalism at the University of the Philippines during the Marcos regime. As an activist in the '80s, she was involved in the formation of key 'sectoral' and 'multi-sectoral alliances' which helped bring popular issues to the streets. As an 'ecumenical worker' in the late '80's and '90s she focused on engaging the christian churches in the articulation of a social critique and mobilizing ecumenical support for people's struggles
Her professional involvement with various ecumenical institutions and non-government organizations has led to a variety of endeavors and pursuits. At one time, her responsibilities included the facilitation of contacts with and between warring parties in the Philippines as part of the peace process and on behalf of ecumenical and church agencies. She has edited publications and written essays for a broad ecumenical audience. She managed the mounting of a multi-awarded theatrical production on the US military bases in the Philippines and produced a short video documentary on the Philippine peace process.
Upon joining ARENA, Jeannie devoted her time to helping develop the various programmes and to strengthening the ARENA community. She has also facilitated ARENA's engagements in various international networks and as ARENA Coordinator, has been one of the initiators of the Asian Peace Alliance.