Mike & Josie Jampayas: Giving their blessings back to the NYC Fil-Am community
By Marivir R. Montebon
New York - Ismael (Mike) and Josephine (Josie) Jampayas are known for their straight-up generosity as a couple. In the presence of many complicated characters in the growing Filipino community in the East Coast, Mike and Josie’s kindness is outstanding.
Now in their prime, nothing is ever enjoyable for them than to give back to the community their blessings after years of hard work.
Mike was recently made honorary Grand Marshall in the 125th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in New York City. Josie is currently the vice president of the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Association.
Mike and Josie Jampayas at a New York party - Mixing glamour and generosity.
The Jampayas couple were the Grand Marshall for the Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Albany on July 1, 2023, which was spearheaded by the group Kalayaan 1521.
Mike: A self-made man
As a Filipino community leader in New York, among Mike’s greatest contributions is the founding of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) in New York where he served as president in 1984. PAMET - USA was officially formed in 1988 with pioneering states of New York, Chicago, New Jersey, Georgia, Texas, and Oregon as members.
Mike Jampayas - the founding president of PAMET New York
Mike is a self-made man who acquired his collegiate and advanced studies in New York by working full-time in day and studying at night. A highly pious man, he attributes his success to God’s grace, and never to his own effort alone.
Mike is a native of Davao City who graduated at the top of his class in elementary and high school. His leadership was evident at a young age, being president of their high school student organization.
Mike’s parents sent him to Silliman University in Dumaguete and then to Far Eastern University in Manila to become a doctor. Upon the wishes of his aunt, he came to NY to study. But the staggering cost of education made him shift courses and work his way through college.
Mike finished his bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in microbiology at Long Island University in Brooklyn. He was a dean’s lister and president of the international student organization. He discontinued his doctoral studies because it required full-time research for his thesis. He had to choose work to earn a living.
Mike worked as a clinical laboratory scientist at St. Luke’s Hospital, Beth Israel, and Flatbush General Hospital. His longest stint was with Columbia University-Harlem Hospital Center - where he became laboratory supervisor and coordinator of Clinical Pathology Internship Program coordinator for 25 years. He availed Columbia’s Graduate Program to finish his master’s degree in public health in 1985.
Mike worked as Clinical Pathology adjunct professor at York College, New York Technical College, New York Institute of Technology, Hostos Community College, and Long Island University.
Mike is involved in groups as an officer such as the SOP Medical Lions Club, Philippine Charities of America, New York Balita, the Knights of Rizal, Friends Indeed, Inc., and the Davaoeno Association.
With his vast experience, he was made a consultant by the Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental Association in New York.
Mike has an only son, James, a pharmacist, from his first marriage to the late Leticia Pangilinan. James is married to the former Cherry Flores, a nurse. Today, Mike enjoys being grandfather to his two grandsons, Jaden and Asthen.
On January 10, 2015, he married Josephine Neri. They live in Jamaica, Queens.
Josie: A grateful humanitarian queen
Josie is a kind and fun-loving person who keeps herself busy with humanitarian endeavors. She said that her involvement in worthy social causes is her way to give back her blessings to the community.
Josie Jampayas (standing, 2nd from right) in a humanitarian mission in the Philippines. Husband Mike is seated, second from left.
She is one of the pillars of the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Association where she has been the reigning Ms. CDO-Mis Oriental since 2018. In 2022, she was Mrs. PACEC (Philippine American Communities of the East Coast, Inc.).
Josie is also an active member of the SOP Medical Lions Club and the Glambassadors Club. She was co-Chair of the Mrs. Kalayaan 2014 and became the first Maria Clara of the Philippine Independence Day Council in 2017.
She became Mrs. Poinsettia in 2015 and continues to be an active member of Friends Indeed and Ladies for Rizal, Long Island chapter.
Josie was born in Manila and raised in Leyte. She is a mother of six grown children from her first marriage. Through hard work and love, she has raised them to loving people and successful professionals. She is a proud mother of three Registered Nurses, a CPA, a Civil Engineer, and the youngest, a member of the US Navy.
Josie finished her bachelor’s degree in business administration at the Lyceum University of the Philippines in Manila and worked at the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-X) for six years.
Being a mother to successful children and wife to Mike has made Josie a grateful and generous person. #
