VIA Times – February 2015 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Ryan Tejero
Continuing the tradition of outstanding leadership in an excellent Fil-Am organization in the Midwest is the new UPAAGC President, Johanna Segala. She has served UPAAGC’s Board of Directors, and as the organization’s Treasurer, until she was formally sworn in to her new position as President. She hails from Isabela Province and Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Johanna graduated from UP Diliman, with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Social Science and Minor in ESL.
Prior to migrating to the United States, Johanna became a teacher in Montessori from 2006-2011. She successfully completed her nursing education here in the US, and eventually became a home health Nurse from 2011 up to the present. Other than dedicating some of her time to the UPAAGC, Johanna enjoys running, dancing and cooking on her spare time. Johanna is a proud member of UP Phi Delta Alpha Sorority.
On February 7, 2014, Johanna convened UPAAGC’s BOD to hold its first-quarter meeting at the Royal Buffet in Schaumburg. Johanna presented a mini-workshop that outlines the duties and responsibilities of the BOD. A number of 2015 UPAAGC’s proposed projects were discussed. This year’s major beneficiary of all fundraising events is the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP). Loyal UPAAGC member Olive Aliga says, “What a fun-filled, productive and cozy first meeting of the year we had! Thank you very much, everyone, and to Bagobs for taking the minutes. Congratulations to our President, Jo, for all the preparations and for making sure we followed the agenda clearly. Congratulations as well to our immediate past President, Mike, for all the efforts done in order to make the UPAAGC mission a success. To all those present, we applaud your dedication and service to our alumni association, and to our University in general.” Joyce Marquez says, “After the first meeting under the new term which turned out to be very productive and fun fellowship in between.” Johanna thanked everyone for their hard work to UPAAGC. She also thanked BOD member Stella Marie Santos for giving a short but very informative lecture on restricted and unrestricted funds of non-profit organizations.
UPAAGC remains to be one of the strongest advocates for Fil- Am community. Its proven track record in “giving back” to the community is highly remarkable. UPAAGC is a non-profit organization that has the following mission: build a group of dedicated UP alumni that will promote, support, and further elevate the quality education at the University; enhance the cultural, scientific, and educational endeavors of the Filipino community; generate and develop appreciation of concerns directly affecting the University and the Filipino community through collaboration and networking of alumni, former students and friends, and inspired by a keen sense of civic spirit and loyalty to the alma mater.
UPAAGC seeks to accomplish the following objectives: to organize, support and promote various fundraising events for the benefit of the University of the Philippines; to sponsor and promote various projects that provide scholarships and other financial assistance to needy students of the University; to foster and encourage networking events for alumni and former students of the University in the Chicago metropolitan area; to use and apply the income and assets of the Corporation from time to time and in such manner as the Board of Directors or such persons designated by the Board of Directors may determine, exclusively for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes; to enhance awareness and appreciation of Filipino culture among alumni, former students of the University and the community at large; to sponsor and promote social activities and do all other things necessary and appropriate for the furtherance and accomplishment of the above purposes.
The two major events of UPAAGC are the Annual Golf Outing/Picnic on August 8, 2015 and the Annual General Meeting/Dinner Dance on December 5, 2015. UP will continue to support the activities of the Philippine Consul General Chicago, AdoboFest and Piyesta Pinoy.
For more information about UPAAGC or getting involved in its activities, please visits us online at http://upaagc.org or email Johanna directly at jrsegala21@gmail.com.
UPAAGC Members and BODs. (L-R) Ryan Tejero, Jennifer Jacobsen, Angelica Thiel, Stella Santos, Olive Aliga, Joyce & Edwin Marquez, Dr. Norman Aliga, Bart Bosque, Michael Frauendorff, Beambeam, and UPAAGC President, Johanna Segala.
The new UPAAGC President Johanna Segala.
