Oblation Awards Highlights the 2025 GRC in Houston, TX

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) unveils this year’s batch of outstanding alumni and alumni group at the 23rd Biennial Grand Reunion and Convention (GRC) to be held at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX on October 17-18, 2025. The application process closed on April 19, 2025.
The Awards Committee received a total of 27 nominees for outstanding alumni category and 2 nominees for outstanding alumni group. Nominees come from 13 states across the country, which include: MA, NY, NJ, FL, NC, IL, OH, TX, NV, WA, CA, WI, and HI.
Awards Committee Chair, Dr. Joy Celo (NJ) stated that “It’s both inspiring and an honor to serve on the Awards Committee, learning the remarkable stories of alumni who truly embody the UP spirit of excellence and service. Their stories serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a vibrant alumni community that supports and uplifts one another. The task of selecting the Awardees is incredibly challenging, as each nominee is deserving.
In many ways, there is an awardee in all of us!”
The UPAAA Outstanding Alumni Awards honor outstanding UP alumni living or working in the United States for their exceptional personal and professional achievements. UP alumni contribute to their local, national and international communities and personify the spirit symbolized by the Oblation: strength, resilience and freedom of thought …selfless action for the public interest.
The UPAAA Outstanding Alumni Group Award honors an outstanding UP Alumni group for their meritorious and exceptional activities, projects and other accomplishments which benefit not only their members and communities in the U.S., but also the University and the Philippines.
Interesting statements from nominees include:
“I accepted this nomination not for personal fulfillment but it is my belief that I represent a ‘silent’ yet significant group of UP graduates who migrate to the USA. My personal journey as an immigrant reflects them in a way – frightened to try things but still optimistic.”
“It’s indeed my honor and privilege to be nominated for the prestigious UPAAA Outstanding UP Alumni Award for 2025-26.”
“I appreciate this opportunity and am proud to be an alumnus of UP!”
Announcement of awardees is scheduled in July, and the presentation of awards is set on October 18, 2025. You may visit upaainamerica.org for GRC registration,
highlights and updates.