Cecilia Espenilla

Maria Cecilia Alcantara Espenilla, OP (born December 3, 1960) is a Filipino Roman Catholic religious sister, human rights activist and the current Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena. From 2017 to 2020, she worked as the International Promoter of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) of the Dominican Sisters International Confederation.

Biography Espenilla was born in Masbate, Philippines to a devout Catholic household. Her father was a government official and her mother was a school teacher.

In 1975, before entering religious life in the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena, Espenilla worked in the First United Bank in Manila. After her formation, she was assigned in various roles and responsibilities as Religion and Values Education teacher, School Treasurer, Principal and President of the College. Also in 2016, she was elected as the main animator of Talitha Kumi Philippines, an organization of consecrated religious that aims to counter human trafficking and abuses. During her tenure, she advocated efforts and focus on ending human trafficking, encouraging religious communities around the world in getting involved in justice initiatives on an international and national level.

Since October 2020, Espenilla took the leading role in Arise Philippines, a pioneer of the local and international anti-trafficking movement. In July 2022, she was elected, together with the Claretian priest Elias Ayuban Jr., as co-chairperson of the Conference of Major Superiors of the Philippines (CMSP).