UPAAA Holds 19th Grand Reunion and Convention

by Johnny C. Ferrer, Ph.D., UPAA-NJ President

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA), with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association, New Jersey (UPAA-NJ) chapter as co-host, held its biennial 19th Grand Reunion and Convention at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey with “Renew, Reflect, Rejoice” as its theme on October 26-28, 2017.

Attendees, who came from all over the United States, Canada, Italy and the Philippines, heard UP President Danilo Concepcion, as the keynote speaker, list his goals over his six-year term for the UP system composed of eight (8) universities located in 21 campuses around the country. He cited faculty development and training programs intended to attract and retain top level professors as a continuing and overarching endeavor. He also laid out maintenance and infrastructure projects together with the funding outlook for these by the Philippines government. Diliman being the flagship campus will be the beneficiary of the initial set of projects. Among his major goals is the establishment of an additional Philippines General Hospital facility in Diliman together with a Medical School that will also offer other health-related education. The burned Faculty Center will be rebuilt and the main library rehabilitated and refurbished. A guiding principle espoused by President Concepcion is the preservation of trees and the aesthetics of the surrounding areas whenever and wherever buildings are erected on campus. He plans to enhance the existing lagoon as well as develop a new lagoon with encircling walkways that will serve as a promenade for the UP Diliman campus community. These goals all require government funding and he has garnered support for these plans from different senators and other government agencies.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, introduced President Concepcion but before doing so related her UP education, journey and experience. She highlighted statistics that showed the predominant representation of UP alumni among accomplished Filipinos in government, businesses, media, arts, medicine, law, literature, science, engineering and technology. Ms. Nelsie Parrado, UPAAA President, delivered the welcome remarks.

Other guest speakers from the Philippines included Atty. Ramon Maronilla, UPAA President, and Mr. Max Ventura, President and CEO of PhilAm Life Foundation. Atty. Maronilla talked about the important role that alumni groups as well as individual alumni in contributing to the growth and development of UP. Mr. Ventura cited the value of social conscience (“doing well while doing good”) in uplifting the status of the less fortunate Filipinos particularly after natural events such as storms or earthquakes wreak their havoc. Fr. Gregory Gaston, Rector of Collegio Filippino in Rome, related his journey from being a UP medical student into the priesthood and discussed finding spiritual balance in our lives. Mr. Michael Dadap, Artistic and Music Director of the Children’s Orchestra Society and a renowned Filipino guitarist, presented the benefit that music and arts in general bring to the improvement of our society. He was then joined by some members of the Philippine Chamber Rondalla in a musical number.

Several accomplished UP alumni shared their respective expertise and perspective spanning various topics of interest including millennials, aging, lifestyle enhancement, history of UPAAA and UPMASA (UP Medical Alumni Society in America), balancing career and family, alleviating stress. Ms. Marivic Acosta, a UP alumna and currently Managing Director of International Sales at Megaworld International Corp., a major sponsor of the convention, spoke about investment opportunities in the Philippines.

Jubilarians were acknowledged and recognized on the Friday Fellowship Night and were given UP medallions during the event. Among the numbers that entertained the audience were a Hawaiian hula dance by a UP 1967 group of women, a “black and white” optical dance rendition by six women from UPAA-NJ dancing to Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” and an ensemble rendition by the Philippine Chamber Rondalla and the UP Alumni and Friends Rondalla along with Mike Dadap.

The culminating event of the Convention was a well-attended Saturday Gala Night, a formal affair, during which Distinguished Alumni awards were given to individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in various fields of endeavor as judged by an awards committee based on information contained in nomination forms submitted by alumni. President Concepcion handed out the citation certificates and draped “UP sablays” on each awardee. Musical numbers by two awardees, Dr. Roy Coloma and Ms. Aida Gamboa provided the evening’s entertainment.

A welcome reception on the first evening of the convention featured karaoke singing whereas both the Fellowship Night and Gala Night events had dancing to DJ music.

Prizes offered by the major sponsors of the convention that were raffled included a round-trip ticket for one to the Philippines from Philippine Airlines, a free three-day stay for two at a Megaworld facility in the Philippines from Megaworld International Corp., and 10 free Balikbayan shipping from LBC. Two UP alumni artists donated their paintings that were also raffled, two from the late Dr. Mars Custodio and one from Ms. Lenore Lim.

Election of a new set of UPAAA Executive Board officers was held during the convention. Ms. Nelsie Parrado (NJ) was re-elected to another two-year term as President. Installation of the new officers was conducted by President Concepcion. Other elected and appointed members of the UPAAA Executive Board were: Vice Presidents for the East, Midwest, South and West – Ludy Corrales(NJ) , Zenaida M. Sarmiento (IL), Emma Aquino (TN), and Zenaida Ply (CA) , respectively; Secretary, Dr. Jovenia Celo (NJ); Assistant Secretary Norie Catiis (NJ); Treasurer, Gary Camacho (NJ); Assistant Treasurer, Ana Parcon (NV); Auditor, Cristy Colmenar (CA); PRO, Kellie Sabas (CA); Assistant PRO, Joe Garbanzos (CA); Historian, Luz Sapin Micabalo (NV); Parliamentarian, Lou Tancinco (CA); Liaison Officers – East, Dr. Jun David (NY); Dr. Johnny Ferrer (NJ); Midwest, Dr. Romy Aquino (MI); Roy Coloma (MI) ; South, Dr. Menchee Fulgado (FL); West, Dr. Juanita Nacu (CA); Daisy Rodriguez (CA).

The next biennial Grand Reunion and Convention will be in 2019. An announcement will be made as soon as plans are finalized