UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IN AMERICA, INC.
Proudly presents its
21st Grand Reunion & Convention
Co-Hosted by
U.P. Alumni Association of Nevada
“ARISE: Pagbangon at Parangal”
October 22 to 24, 2021
About UPAAA, Inc.
The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America is a duly registered 501 (C)(3)
non-profit organization founded in 1981 by a group of graduates of the University of the
Philippines in New Jersey led by Dr. Arsenio Talingdan. Its primary aim is to unite UP alumni
associations in America and to work for the preservation of the UP System as the national
center for academic excellence, freedom, and service.
Vision. We envision a strong broad-based organization of alumni of the University of the
Philippines in the service and support of the Alma Mater, the UP Alumni, the UP System, and
the community in pursuit of common goals.
Mission. Our mission is to engage alumni of the University of the Philippines to work together
on educational, charitable, cultural, and other meaningful projects that benefit alumni, the UP
System, and the community in pursuit of our common goals, drawing on our individual and
collective resources and of those in the community where we live.
For additional information, visit https://upaainamerica.org/
About UPAA-Nevada
The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Nevada (UPAAN) is a non-profit,
nonpartisan, and non-sectarian organization aimed to:
Provide help and resources to the University of the Philippines in support of its mission
as a premier academic institution;
Provide leadership in fostering a bond of unity, fellowship, and collaboration among
alumni and organizations to achieve common goals; promote the development and
advancement of intellectual, cultural, social and civic projects that benefit the University
of the Philippines and the community; and
Generate funds to support its charitable, educational and cultural activities under
Internal Revenue Service guidelines on tax-exempt organization.
For additional information, visit: http://www.upaanv.com/
To all my esteemed fellow U.P. alumni and friends all over the world,
As the Chair of the 2021 UPAAA Grand Reunion and Convention, I would like to extend my
deepest gratitude to all of you for taking part in this history-making global event.
What an incredible feat we have accomplished for successfully rolling out the very first and
may be the only virtual and global reunion for all our U.P. alumni! We are pioneers, indeed.
The 21st U.P. Alumni Association in America Grand Reunion and Convention (GRC) 2021 co-hosted by U.P. Alumni
Association of Nevada is appropriately themed, Arise: Pagbangon at Parangal.
True to our nature as alumni of the University of the Philippines and just like the phoenix, we rose and continue to
rise from the devastating pandemic that affected all of us. We recognize and honor all of you and those who have
left us not only through our Awards Night but also through our Fellowship Night, Jubilarian virtual parade, our
beautiful In Memoriam, and webinar sessions. We recognize the contributions of all our guest speakers by sharing
their stories and knowledge with all of us. We spotlight our fellow U.P. alumni who contributed in our very first
“show and tell” room we fondly coined Ikot-Toki.
With the phenomenal partnership that we have forged with the UPAA Nevada through its amazing President
Dorothy Tome, we set out to make this fantastic journey to deliver the most engaging virtual reunion experience
for our participants—attendees and sponsors alike. We may not have done the GRC 2021 in Las Vegas, physically
as we had originally planned, but the contribution of the UPAA of Nevada Board members were palpable.
When we finally made the decision to go 100% virtual in early 2021, we set out to make sure that the virtual
experience by all attendees and sponsors will be user-friendly and fun one—tech savvy or not. Weeks and months
of research resulted in the very productive collaboration with vFairs, our virtual reunion platform provider. Thank
you so much to the amazing vFairs team for partnering with us to create this wonderful experience for all of us!
Hats off to the amazing GRC Team for making this happen! Thank you for being nimble and stepping up to the
plate to deliver a one-of-a-kind virtual reunion; for learning how to navigate as we forged along. We did not a have
formula to follow.
One thing is for sure, providing an excellent program is key to the success of this Reunion, so heartfelt gratitude to
all our moderators, panelists and speakers for simply saying YES without hesitation including Her Excellency
Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, and U.P. President Danilo L. Concepcion.
Our event sponsors, expo booth exhibitors, underwriting and media sponsors have made it possible for us to
ensure that we will be able to raise funds to give back to our alma mater.
It is my hope and wish that we continue to be inspired by what we have all experienced at the GRC 2021.
My heart is full, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude and blessings!
Maraming Salamat at Mabuhay!
Padayon,
Ethel G. Rubio
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Greetings to all U.P. alumni, family, friends and supporters! It is my greatest honor Grand and
privilege to welcome you to this unique event to celebrate the Virtual 2021 Reunion & Con-
vention. As the UPAAA,Inc. president for the last two years, we have borne the challenges of
the global Covid-19 pandemic that decimated thousands of our fellow citizens in the United
States and elsewhere around the world, including some of our esteemed UP alumni members.
We were able to overcome challenges within the organization. Our theme “Arise: Pagbangon
at Parangal” reflects our resilience.
Like the phoenix that rose from the ashes of despair over our difficulties, we as an organization of U.P. alumni with our
innate creativity and guided by the U.P. spirit, surmounted these challenges. We became even better as we learned to navi-
gate through the barriers of time and distance during the outbreak of the pandemic with our many accomplishments within
this two-year term.
We were able to craft a Strategic Plan that paved the way for more ambitious and transformative goals. Our membership
has increased dramatically through our vigorous membership campaign. We raised funds through creative ways such as a
virtual exercise program and an evening of music with performances from well-known Filipino artists and groups. The
money we raised and through the generosity of individual board directors, was able to fund donations to communities dev-
astated by the Taal eruption, students stuck in their dorms, international students, and students in need of laptops as they
switched to online instruction through the University’s Kaagapay Program.
We boosted our scholarship program with scholarships in all constituent campuses of the university. We presented educa-
tional programs in webinars through the power of the internet, reaching even audiences from other parts of the world. We
are able to take a closer look at our Constitution and Bylaws and revised it in ways that will improve our governance, or-
ganizational structure and Code of Conduct guidelines. We even led the local advocacy forum against Asian Hate and the
first Global Forum with our European UP alumni partners from Germany, Netherlands and Geneva in support of the
UNESCO Global Call Against Racism. To cap this year’s accomplishments, we were recently recognized by the UP
Alumni Association in Diliman with the distinct honor of the “2021 Distinguished Service Award for an Alumni Chapter”.
We will be also recognizing 17 distinguished UP alumni in various fields during the GRC. This is our “parangal” - honor
we received and honor we give to deserving ones. These and many more, have made us a stronger national organization of
UP alumni just within the last two years. We are reaching out to other groups to join us in our quest for one UP alumni
community. Our vision is to reach far beyond the horizon so that together, we can bring to bear the formidable resources
of the UP alumni. My hope and my dream are that the foundation we have laid here will give rise to a stronger and trans-
formed UPAAA, Inc. This Grand Reunion and Convention is the start of that spark which I hope will grow brighter as we
ignite the U.P. spirit now and in the years to come.
To HONOR, EXCELLENCE and SERVICE for the Alma mater and the community. Mabuhay ang UP alumni!!
Daisy M. Rodriguez
Daisy M. Rodriguez, RN, MN, MPA
National President 2020-2021, UPAAA, Inc.
MESSAGE
Greetings to my fellow Iskos and Iskas, and congratulations
on the success of the 21st Grand Reunion and Convention
of the UP Alumni Association in America!
COVID-19 continues to disrupt almost every aspect of our lives. But while it might not have
been the reunion you had in mind, that does not make your gathering any less joyful or any
less meaningful. Indeed, it was only further testament to yet another feat—that despite
the distance and in spite of yet another challenging year, you came together and chose to
Arise as one community.
This has never been more important, because as we have seen over almost two years under
this pandemic, solidarity paves the way forward; it is your fellowship and sense of communal
responsibility that will help us weather any storm. Time and again we have proven this, and
time and again UPAAA has exemplified this truth: It will take more than a pandemic, more
than any crisis, to make the Filipino spirit yield.
And so I hope that more than a gathering, your reunion was an opportunity to reflect
on and celebrate the things that truly bind us: The values we share as a people, the strength
we draw from each other, and ultimately, the hope and courage we give to our community
and our country especially during difficult times. May we continue to deepen these
ties, to widen our circles of solidarity and empathy even more—going beyond our families,
our friends, and our fellow alumni—as we chart a course towards our shared horizon: A
truly better normal that is kinder and fairer, that is more loving and compassionate.
Maraming salamat, at mabuhay kayong lahat!
LENI ROBREDO
University of the Philippines
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
On behalf of the University of the Philippines, I warmly greet you, the members, officials, and friends
of the UP Alumni Association in America, Inc. and the UP Alumni Association of Nevada on the
success of the 21st Grand Reunion and Convention. With "ARISE: Pagbangon at Parangal" as theme,
this year's Reunion is the first virtual and global event of its kind in our University's history.
I congratulate the seventeen recipients of the 2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni Awards, living
embodiments of the UP Oblation. I also commend our incoming Board of Directors for the UPAAA
for 2022-2023 and the immediate past Board for a job well done.
Additionally, my warmest greetings to the 2021 UPAA awardees in our midst. First, the UPAAA
which will be honored with the 2021 UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumni Chapter.
This, indeed, is a significant feat as the UPAAA celebrates its 40th anniversary this year as an
organization. Second, to Ethel Rubio, GRC Chair, who has been selected to receive the 2021 UPAA
Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding work as UPAAGLA President. Congratulations!
I am happy to greet our beloved alumni from the Philippines and worldwide who attend from their
homes. Far tho' we wander, we can still gather together through the wonders of technology to
celebrate the UP Spirit and the camaraderie we share as loyal sons and daughters of our Alma Mater.
Through this year's Grand Reunion and Convention, we not only renew our ties of friendship with
one another. We refresh in our minds the values and principles we stand for as we face the challenges
of a post-pandemic world. At the same time, we honor those who inspired and taught us how to give
back to our communities and support our University and the Filipino people along the way. Through
fellowships like this, we remind ourselves of what is truly important and valuable and what remains
constant even when everything around us changes.
In these turbulent times, the University looks to you, our alumni, for support, encouragement, and
new ideas to inspire innovation and progress. The greater UP Community and I are one with you on
this joyous occasion.
Thank you very much. Padayon, UP!
DANILO L. CONCEPCION
President
2F North Wing, Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
[email protected] | 632-89280110 or 632-9283014 | Telefax 632-89206882
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE
PHILIPPINES CHICAGO
MESSAGE
The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines
in Chicago extends its warmest congratulations to the
officers and members of the University of the Philippines
Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) on the occasion
of your virtual Grand Reunion and Convention on 22-24
October 2021, with the theme, ARISE: Pagbangon at
Parangal.
As a fellow alumnus marking 20 years of graduation from
the UP School of Economics, I commend the officers and
members of UPAAA for your efforts to strengthen the
relationship between US-based alumni and our Alma Mater
to achieve the superordinate objectives of academic
excellence and national development.
The Philippine Consulate wishes to acknowledge the participation of the Honorable Maria
Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, who will be
delivering the Keynote Speech, and UP President Danilo L. Concepcion, who will be
delivering the State of the University Address. I wish to acknowledge the organizers
spearheaded by 2021 GRC Chair Ethel G. Rubio for leading this celebration. I also
congratulate the achievers and loyal members who will be honored during the grand reunion.
Even as we are an ocean away from our motherland, may we continue to live out our Alma
Mater’s hymn by reinforcing our passion and commitment to love our country and our
university and to serve our countrymen, in whatever way we can, with dignity and courage.
Mabuhay at maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!
RYAN FRANCIS D. GENER
Consul and Acting Head of Post
122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago,
Illinois 60603, USA Tel. No. 1(312) 583-0621; Fax No.
1(312) 583-0647
www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, [email protected]
MESSAGE
Distinguished alumni and friends of the University of the Philippines from all over the
world, I offer you on behalf of the UPAA in America Inc. and the UPAA of Nevada
my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for every positive energy you contributed to this
first-ever virtual gathering of resilient and relentless visionaries.
What made our 21st Grand Reunion and Convention globally significant and different
from the previous ones were the restrictions posed by a global catalyst – the Covid 19
pandemic. We were not able to hug each other, laugh noisily above the din of clinking
wine glasses, nor line-dance in a grand ballroom. However, we were more tech savvy than usual, more committed
than ever in understanding phrases like “screen sharing,” “landing page,” and “breakout rooms,” and more aware
than before about the infinite possibilities of cyber connection.
We were all resilient and relentless in arising from our fears and heartaches. We became visionaries in seeing
beyond the limitations imposed upon us by world conditions.
We were joined by media supporters, family members, business partners, and fellow believers. We were
encouraged by the honor and excellence of our mentors and peers in various fields of human potential.
Remember our Fellowship Night when we grouped in virtual rooms, competed, laughed, and cheered our winners,
donors, and magnanimous sponsors. Remember how we were invigorated by the heartfelt messages of the
President of UPAAA and of the Vice President of our beloved motherland, Her Excellency Leonor Robredo.
We heard stories of innovations created and discovered during the pandemic. We were inspired by frontline
professionals who served their communities beyond the call of duty and were reminded of initiatives and
collaborations that emerged from the challenges of the past two years. We learned how successful engagements
with the alumni’s generosity managed to impact the university’s constituents. And we listened to the man whose
leadership brought UP to even greater heights – President Danilo Concepcion.
Remember how we rejoiced in the awarding of our illustrious alumni whose brilliance illuminated 16 categories of
professional skills and services, and how we welcomed UPAAA’s new set of officers and board. We were
enlightened by our President’s State of the University address, as well as motivated by our alumni community
leaders who walk their talk. Our reunion was concluded by the all-encompassing message of the vibrant Chair of
the GRC, Ethel Rubio, followed by the exciting virtual parade of our 100+ Jubilarians.
Above all, remember that up to this day, we are still affirmed and enveloped by our theme, ARISE: Pagbangon at
Parangal!
Here’s to keeping the UP spirit burning with joyful dynamism and synergy until the next reunion! MABUHAY
and PADAYON!
Dorothy “Dot” Lenore Llariza Tome
Vice Chair, 21st Grand Reunion and Convention
President, UP Alumni Association of Nevada
Life Coach, Facilitator, Author
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF NEVADA
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
On behalf of UPAAN who is co-hosting with UPAAA, Inc. the 21st Grand Reunion and
Convention (ARISE: “Pagbangon at Parangal”), we welcome you to this first ever virtual
reunion. If not for the pandemic, this would have been a live face-to-face gathering in
fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, and would have been the third time that UPAA-Nevada co-
hosted the event live, the first one being in 1999 at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino and the
second one in 2013 at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino.
UPAAA, Inc.’s biennial GRC is designed to bring together our alumni in the USA to support
the UP System in pursuing its vision/mission of becoming a national center of excellence
for advanced studies in politics and public policy committed to addressing the challenges
facing the country and the global community. Net proceeds of the GRCs - past, present, and
future - are donated to the UP System in the form of scholarship grants, professorial chair
grants and all kinds of support to help the students, the staff and the whole UP Community
from Baguio to Mindanao. We try to raise funds for UP while having fun recapturing
memories of campus life, renewing old friendships, and forging new ones.
We would like to congratulate the UPAAA, Inc. officers, the GRC leadership team, the 2021
UPAAA, Inc. awardees, the jubilarians, guest speakers, performers, sponsors, donors,
advertisers, exhibitors, attendees, and volunteers for making this 21st GRC a smashing
success, despite the pandemic and all the obstacles associated with a virtual GRC.
We sincerely hope that this GRC has rekindled our love for our Alma Mater and has made
us rededicate ourselves to pay back our Alma Mater for teaching us how to think, how to be
independent, and how to navigate life. UP means a lot to us and I’m sure it means a lot to all
of you, too, so let’s all help UP push on!
Padayon!
Isidro C. Dela Cruz, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
UPAAN Director, Historian, Registered Agent and Past President
Directors: Isidro Dela Cruz | Luzviminda Sapin Micabalo | Will Vicuña | Elizabeth Ilagan Reyes
Ester Reyes | Ana Quimpo Parcon
Dorothy Llariza-Tome (Pres.) | Benjamina Casiño (VP) | Alexa Balingit-Alvarez (Sec.)
Lilia Melocoton-Castaneda (Treas.) | Minnie Ramos Wimperis (Aud.) | Julie Ann Torremoro (PRO)
Carlo Maglinao (CTO)
WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL PROGRAM
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(all times indicated are Pacific Standard Time)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021
5:00 PM - Fellowship Night
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - All-Day Programming: Tiyangge| Ikot-Toki| Tambayan
10:00 AM - Welcome/Opening
Welcome Remarks - Dorothy Llariza-Tome, President, UPAA Nevada
Opening Remarks - Daisy M. Rodriguez, RN, MSN, UPAAA National President
Keynote Speaker - Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo
11:15 AM - Session #1: Innovation: Artificial Intelligence, Inventions
1:00 PM - Session #2: Inspiration: Heroes/Heroines
2:30 PM - Session #3: Collaboration: Working Together
4:00 PM - Session #4: Impact: Giving Back
6:00 PM - COFFEE TABLE TALK
Special Guest - UP President Danilo L. Concepcion
7:00 PM - UPAAA 2021 Alumni Awards Night
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - All-Day Programming: Tiyangge | Ikot-Toki | Tambayan
9:30 AM - UPAAA General Assembly | Closed Session
11:30 AM - Induction of Officers | Special Recognition Awards
12:00 PM - State of the University Address
UP President Danilo L. Concepcion
1:30 PM - Closing Motivation
3:00 PM - GRC Jubilarian Virtual Parade
4:00 PM - CLOSING REMARKS
Ethel G. Rubio, ENV SP Assoc AIA, 2021 UPAAA GRC Chair
FELLOWSHIP NIGHT– Guest Artists
2021 UPAAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
MÝãÙÊ RÊÙã S«ÙÊÙ
Musical Director. Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO)
Maestro Bob is an award‐winning conductor and flau st who comes from a dis n‐
guished music lineage. He was first taught music by his grandfather, Augusto Samaniego
Sr., conductor of the Magdalo Band, and member of the world‐renowned Philippine
Constabulary Band that performed for the inaugural parade of US President William Ta
in 1909. Prior to the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra, Bob served as the principal
flau st of two major orchestras: the Manila Symphony Orchestra, one of Asia's first sym‐
phony orchestras, and the Manila Chamber Orchestra. In 2002, he was the founding
conductor for the Boyle Heights Youth Symphony, demonstra ng his crea ve vision and
leadership in a predominantly La no community as its first Asian member. In his youth, Bob won the grand prize of
the Na onal Music Compe on for Young Ar sts. He majored in flute, and minored in chamber music and con‐
duc ng at the UP Conservatory of Music where he became the principal flau st of the Philippine Youth Orchestra.
Bob has had extensive training under dis nguished musicians such as: Enrique Barcelo, principal flau st of the Phil‐
ippine Philharmonic Orchestra; Helen Quach, conductor of Manila Symphony Orchestra; and Lorenzo Palomo, pia‐
nist and conductor of Deutsche Oper Berlin from 1981 to 2004. With his outstanding academic achievements, Bob
became a life me member of the Mu Phi Epsilon Interna onal Music Fraternity. He received the UPAAA Dis n‐
guished Alumnus Award in Music at the 2015 UPAAA GRC.
C½Ê¥ GçĦ»Ê CÝÃÙ MD
Physician I Composer
Dr. Casambre was born in Cebu went to STC Cebu and the Philippine High School for the
Arts. At the UP College of Music, she majored in Piano and graduated Class Valedictori‐
an. She did her Masters in Piano minor in composi on then went to Germany. She and
her husband there then came to the US and decided to pursue her love for Medicine.
She completed her PreMed requirements at Ball State and was accepted at the IU School
of Medicine. She did her residency at Illinois Masonic Hospital and worked in Chicago as
an anesthesiologist. She has been composing songs for many years. She was asked to
compose for the musical, Rizal’s Sweet Stranger, in collabora on with Sir Anton Juan. Sir
Anton Juan. Their musical, Bayanbayanan, is hoped to be presented to “kababayans” one of these days…. Her top
favorite composi ons include Mi Ul mo Adios, Ave Maria, Taglagas na Naman, As I Sit In Heaven and the latest one,
May Tatlong Bituin Sa Aking Watawat. She loves life and is happy seeing friends and roommate(s) on Facebook en‐
joying life as well. She is especially proud of Ethel Rubio who has done very well in her career and as a mother and is
the recipient of the 2021 UPAA Dis nguished Service Award For An Alumna. She hopes everyone enjoys listening to
the World Premier of “Taglagas Na Naman”.
AÄãÊÄ JçÄ, P«D
Full Professor I Theater and Film Director & Playwright
Internationally recognized for his work that often challenges convention, stunning visual
poetry, and language in space, playwright and director Anton Juan is a Professor and Theatre
director at the University of Notre Dame. He completed his Ph.D. in Semiotics at the
Kapodistrian and Panhellenic University of Athens. To honor his contributions to the arts,
Juan has been knighted twice by the French government, receiving the Chevalier de l’Ordre
des Arts et Lettres in 1992 and the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de Merit in 2002. He
received the Alexander Onassis International Award for Theatre (Playwriting), and the
Special Jury Prize for Screenplay from the CineManila International Film Festival. Beyond his
work at Notre Dame, Juan is also the founding Artistic Director of the Step of Angels Theatre
in Athens, Greece and was the Director-General of Dulaang UP, University of the Philippines, where he has taught at the
Departments of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts, English and Comparative Literature, and European Languages.
He was also the Fellow for Drama at the Creative Writing Center of UP.
OPENING PROGRAM
ALL-DAY PROGRAMMING - TIYANGGE | IKOT-TOKI | TAMBAYAN
WELCOME/OPENING PROGAM -
Welcome Remarks - Dorothy Llariza-Tome, President, UPAA Nevada
Opening Remarks - Daisy M. Rodriguez, President, UPAA in America
Keynote Speech - Hon. Ma. Leonor Robredo, Philippine Vice President
DOROTHY LENORE LLARIZA-TOME
VICE-CHAIR, UPAAA ’21 GRAND REUNION & CONVENTION
DOROTHY LENORE LLARIZA-TOME is outgoing President of the UP
Alumni Association in Nevada. She is a student and facilitator of A
Course in Miracles and the Enneagram, certified Law of Attraction
Life Coach, podcast co-host in PHLV radio, co-author of two books
on self-healing and community connection. Dot taught in a Montes-
sori preschool for 14 years and was a Steiner-Waldorf parent for
seven years before coming to Las Vegas. Dot holds a master’s de-
gree in Education, major in Teaching English as Second Language
and a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities major in Comparative
Literature and Broadcast Communication from UP Visayas. She
also completed certifications in U Theory from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Sci-
ence of Well-Being from Yale University.
DAISY MAGALIT RODRIGUEZ, RN, MSN, MPA
NATIONAL PRESIDENT, 2020-’21, UPAAA, INC.
DAISY MAGALIT RODRIGUEZ is a nurse educator, author and organ-
izational leader in several local and national organizations of Philippine
nurses. She is a published author of three books and book chapter co-
author of two others. In her work as organizational leader, she has gen-
erated support from the community of various charitable and social ad-
vocacy projects that benefited the community at large and the Univer-
sity of the Philippines.
Daisy holds three degrees from UP: Graduate in Nursing from UP-
PGH School of Nursing (1965), Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the
College of Nursing (1969), and Master in Nursing, College of Nursing
(1971). Additionally, she holds a second masters degree in Public Administration/Health Services
from the University of San Francisco, California. She also received a Mini-Fellowship in Ethno-
geriatrics from the Stanford Geriatric Education Center, Stanford University, California. During
her career as an educator in the US, she held faculty positions in three nursing programs at the
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and Unitek College.
OPENING PROGRAM - Guest Speaker
Profile of Honorable Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo
14th Vice President of the Philippines
Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo is the 14th Vice President of the Philippines. As a human rights
lawyer, she dedicated her life to public service, representing those who have no means of
defending themselves. Months after the death of her husband Secretary Jesse M. Robredo in
2012, she was urged by the people of the Third District of Camarines Sur to run as their
representative in the House of Representatives. She ran and won the congressional seat in
2013 by a landslide. She served for one term as District Representative before she ran for the
Vice Presidency in the 2016 elections.
During her stint as Representative of Camarines Sur, she worked with fellow lawmakers to pass
seven bills into law. Some of these were the Graphic Health Warnings Act, Sangguniang
Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, and Open High School System Act. She was also the Vice
Chairman of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and the
Committee on Revision of Laws. She also was a member of the Committees on Appropriations,
Bicol Recovery and Economic Development, Climate Change, Human Rights, Land Use, Local
Government, People’s Participation, Rural Development, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms,
Welfare of Children, and Women and Gender Equality where she actively lobbied for bills in
favor of her advocacies.
As Vice President, she introduced two major programs. "Angat Buhay", a program geared
towards raising the quality of life of every Filipino family. The five key advocacy areas of the
program are nutrition and food security, universal healthcare, education, rural development,
and women empowerment; and "Istorya ng Pag-asa", a program that aims to spread hope and
positivity by featuring extraordinary stories of ordinary Filipinos through words and portraits
shown at events, exhibits, and social media.
Leni Gerona attended the basic education department of Universidad de Sta. Isabel in Naga,
graduating from elementary school in 1978, and from high school in 1982. She earned her
Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1986, and
proceeded to study law at the University of Nueva Caceres, graduating in 1992. She passed
the bar exams in 1997
Session #1 - Innovation:
Artificial Intelligence, Inventions
What innovaƟons were created/ discovered/ inspired during the Ɵme of
pandemic?
MODERATOR
E½þÙ S®ÃÊÄ, or Dodjie to friends, graduated from the UP College of Engi-
neering in Diliman with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Opera ons Re-
search in 1985, and has since gained over 35 years of global Informa on Tech-
nology leadership experience in various industries including finance, govern-
ment, IT services, transporta on and logis cs, healthcare, and higher educa on.
He is currently Senior IT Director of Global Infrastructure for the largest private
global university based in New York City.
Elzar is an author of two books on ar ficial intelligence, AI Hacked and AI
Hacked 2, which are endorsed by PhDs from Harvard and MIT, as well as IT lead-
ers in UK and Australia. AI Hacked is listed in the “Top 100 AI Books of All Time”
by an independent global book curator organiza on, BookAuthority.org.
Elzar is a recipient of two pres gious awards from UP: Global Achievement
Award in Informa on Technology from the UP Alumni Engineers, and Dis nguished Alumnus in Informa on Tech-
nology Award from the UP Industrial Engineering Alumni Associa on. As a way of giving back to his beloved Alma
Mater, Elzar has established the Elzar Lorenzana Simon Professorial Chair in Ar ficial Intelligence at the UP College
of Engineering in Diliman.
PANELIST
YÊ® BÄ¹Ã®Ä is a successful entrepreneur, futurist, speaker, and an in-
terna onally-recognized expert on unleashing innova on and crea ng hyper-
growth. He advises leaders on how to thrive in today’s digital era of disrup ve
technological change. Yobie was named a 2015 Technology Pioneer by the
World Economic Forum for his technology achievements in virtual reality and is
an ac ve member of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network. Two compa-
nies that he co-founded won a 2014 CNN Top 10 Technology Products awards -
Avegant Glyph and Skully Systems AR1 Helmet.
Currently, Yobie serves as Innova on Fellow at 4iNNO, working on product
innova on with mul na onal corpora ons. He is the founder and CTO Emeritus of Token.io, providing so ware to
banks that enables them to issue a payment type designed specifically for use in the digital era. He is a member of
the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank Faster Payments Task Force and senior advisor to several startups in the technolo-
gy, blockchain and synthe c biology space.
Yobie is former Global Chief Technology Officer for Ci bank's Global Transac on Services which is responsible
for global money flows of $3 to $9 trillion per day. He served as Chairman of Ci ’s Research Development Innova-
on & Learning Center, as Partner and Chief of Global Strategy at Ernst & Young, as Partner and Managing Direc-
tor for Computer Sciences Corpora on’s Business and Technology Risk Management division, and former chair for
10 years for a civilian volunteer group, NASA AMES Collabora on Labs.Yobie’s book, Tribes of the Valley, chroni-
cles the different power tribes and groups in Silicon Valley. (yobie.com) Yobie obtained his BA in Communica-
ons from UP Diliman.
SESSION #2 - INSPIRATION: Heroes & Heroines
How did the front line professionals serve their community over and
beyond the call of duty?
MODERATOR
W®ÄÝãÊÄ Uý®, M.D., F.A.A.P. is UPAAA’s Chairman of the
Ways and Means Commi ee and Co‐chair of the Sponsorship Com‐
mi ee for the UPAAA GRC 2021. Besides serving concurrently as Presi‐
dent of the Handang Tumulong Founda on, Inc. and Vice Chairman of
the Board of Governors of the University of the Philippines Medical
Alumni Society in America, he is also an avid marathoner and a busy pe‐
diatrician in solo private prac ce in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was one
of 2019’s UPAAA Dis nguished Alumni Awardees in Pediatrics. Winston
graduated cum laude in BS Psychology from UP Diliman in 1988, and
obtained his medical degree from the College of Medicine of UP Manila in 1994.
PANELISTS
N㫽® “NÄÄãã” BÙÄ Qç®ÊÄ,
has been a pediatrician in Washington DC for the past 20 years.
She is the Medical Director of the Children’s Na onal at Columbia Heights,
a ending Children’s Na onal Hospital, Assistant Professor at George Wash‐
ington University, current President of the Philippine Medical Associa on
Washington DC, leader and advocate for Immigrant Child Health, American
Academy of Pediatrics, columnist for Raising Juan, Founder and Chair of
UERM Young Alumni Development Program, mother of five, and wife to Dr.
Jun Anthony Quion. Nanne e obtained her degrees from various universi‐
es: BS Zoology, UP Diliman; Doctor of Medicine, UERM; General Pediatrics,
University of Texas Health Sciences; Masters of Public Health, University of
Massachuse s; and Master Teacher‐and Leadership Program, George Washington University.
JþÃ®Ä G®ã, PÙÊÖÙ®ãÊÙ, L®ÄÝ RÝ®Ä㮽 CÙ F®½®ã®Ý ¥ÊÙ
ã« E½Ù½ù. Jazmin and all her seven sisters finished grade school and high
school at St. Paul College of Manila. Then she headed to the University of
the Philippines in 1968 where she pursued a degree in Bachelor of Arts,
majoring in Poli cal Science, and finished in 1972. She headed straight to
law school in 1972 and graduated in 1976. She took the bar exams in No‐
vember 1972 and became a full member of the Philippine Bar in 1977.
Jazmin prac ced law in the Philippines for 10 years and le in 1986 during
the height of poli cal turmoil in the Philippines. Together with her three
children, Jazmin se led in Los Angeles, USA where she started opera ng
residen al care facili es for the elderly in 1986. She is ready to transi on to re rement at the end of
the year a er 35 years in the re rement home industry.
SESSION #2 - INSPIRATION: Heroes & Heroines
PANELISTS
D B M , . . graduated from UP in 1986
with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was in the top 20 of
the Philippine Board Exam in Nursing which was released in the same
year she graduated. A er gradua on, Daisy worked as a staff nurse at
the Philippine General Hospital Medical Ward and Intensive Care
Unit. She migrated to the US in 1989 and started working at Englewood
Hospital and Medical Center where she s ll works to this day. She is
curren ng in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, specializing in open
heart surgeries. Daisy is a mother of three young men, two of whom
graduated from college and the youngest is a college freshman at the
Steven Ins tute of Technology in New Jersey.
Currently, Daisy is UPAAA’s Regional Vice President for the East and
secretary of UPAA-NJ Chapter. She is also a board member of the Han-dang Tumulong Foundation Inc.
Her advocacy in life is to help others, especially underprivileged children and students.
J “J ” R. W is a Speech‐Language
Pathologist with 33 years of clinical and teaching experience,
specializing in pediatric speech‐language pathology, and has been
working in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for 16 years. She
has assumed several leadership roles within the Communica on
Disorders Department at FCPS since she started working there.
Jessie’s clinical interest and exper se include developmental
delays, au sm, intellectual disability, specific learning disability,
speech sound produc on, stu ering, language and literacy, and
Augmenta ve and Alterna ve Communica on. Jessie founded the
Communicare Therapy Center for Children in Paranaque in 1994
a er working for two private schools.
She enjoyed teaching undergraduate and graduate students, as well as supervising
interns at the UP Manila College of Allied Medical Professions. Jessie completed her Master
in Health Professions Education in UP Manila, and her Master of Science in Speech-Language
Pathology at the California State East Bay. A founding member of the Philippine Ass’n. of
Speech Pathologists, she was its third president.
SESSION #3 - COLLABORATION: Working Together
What iniƟaƟves emerged from the challenges of the Ɵmes? (culture, OFW, etc.)
MODERATOR
CÙʽ®Ä EݦçÙÙ CʽÊÙÄ, UPAAA Board of Director,
worked for Philippine pioneering Informa on Technology companies before
she re red and migrated to the US in 2004. While teaching at universi es in
Sea le, she met and married Bill and they cruised North America full‐ me in
an RV for eight years. Now, she maintains a blog, Cruising Past 70, and writes
bi‐monthly for the online magazine Travel Awaits while they travel the world.
Carol published her first travel book in 2015, Carolina: Cruising to an Ameri‐
can Dream, and five years later its sequel, Cruising Past Seventy: It’s Not Only
about Outer Journeys. It’s Also about Inner Ones. Carol has degrees of BS
Math (1971), MBA (1982), and Doctorate in Public Administra on (all but dis‐
serta on, 2003) from UP Diliman.
PANELISTS
EÙ® C. E½ÄÙ, TÙ CÊÃîÝÝ®ÊÄÙ, arrived in Los Angeles on
July 2019 and currently heads the Philippine Trade and Investment Center
in Los Angeles (PTIC‐LA), an a ached agency to the Philippine Consulate
General in Los Angeles. This is his fourth overseas assignment with the De‐
partment of Trade and Industry a er being posted in Kuala Lumpur, Ma‐
laysia, Bangkok, Thailand, and Dubai, UAE. PTIC‐LA is mandated to pro‐
mote export products and services from the Philippines as well as encour‐
age investments from the Southwestern corner of the US. Eric received his
BA Communica on Research degree in 1998 from the UP Diliman College
of Mass Communica on. He is joined in LA by his wife, Rachelle, and his
two sons, Mark and Nathaniel.
AÙî EòĦ½ Nçò½ PÇ (“LabA Armi” for short), is a
graduate of Bachelor of Arts in History in UP Diliman (2004) and
Master of Arts in Islamic Studies (2008). She served as professor of
History from 2004‐2013 in UP Los Baños, UP Manila, and De La Salle
University. She headed the Division of History in UPLB from 2008‐
2010. She was also appointed as Chief of Research, Publica on, and
Heraldry Division of the Na onal Historical Commission of the Philip‐
pines in 2012. From 2015‐2017, Armi was called on a mission by the
Philippine Department of Na onal Defense to lead the retrieval and
digi za on of documents about World War II in the Philippines
stored in the US Archives in Washington DC and Maryland. In 2018,
she was appointed as Labor A aché by Department of Labor and
Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III. In August 2019, she pioneered and headed the se ng up
of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at Los Angeles, USA and put up systems and work procedures
for the newly‐established Post.
SESSION #3 - COLLABORATION: Working Together
PANELISTS
G F. S M , P COO,
P A . Gilbert Santa Maria has three
decades of execu ve management experience leading mul -
ple companies worldwide. He is currently President and COO
of Filipino flag carrier Philippine Airlines which he joined in
2019, published author, and execu ve coach. Gilbert has been
a key contributor to the success of the Philippines’ BPO indus-
try since the 2000’s: COO of US-based Ibex, Opera ons Execu-
ve of Ayala Corpora on’s LiveIt Investments, COO of LiveIt’s
investee companies, CFO and board member of US-based IQ
BackOffice, board member of UK-based Integreon and US-
based Stream (now part of Concentrix), and held corporate
development/m&a and various opera ng roles for Stream and
the US-based start-up eTelecare Global Solu ons before it merged with Stream in 2009.
Gilbert served as COO for Singapore-based tech startup Similan.com; was the first Execu ve Direc-
tor of Manila-based Private Equity firm Argosy Partners; was one of the youngest General Managers of
Pepsi Cola Products Philippines’ Manila Opera ons; was management consultant at Booz Allen & Ham-
ilton in New York; and started his career as management trainee at Unilever/PRC in Manila.
Born and raised in Mindanao, Gilbert holds a master’s degree in Public and Private Management
from the Yale University School of Management and a BS in Electrical Engineering from UP. He is mar-
ried to Dr. Denise Lopez, a Professor of Organiza onal Psychology at Alliant Interna onal University in
Los Angeles. They have two grown sons and a very large dog at their home in Arcadia, California. Gil-
bert currently resides in Manila but is let out to visit his family from me to me.
A T , D C G N Y , is a
CPA-lawyer, as well as Manager of the Philippine Center in New York. He
is a career diplomat with more than 15 years of experience in the Philip-
pine foreign service. For his accomplishments in the foreign service, he
was awarded the Gawad Mabini (Rank of Dakilang Kasugo) and the Pres-
iden al Medal of Merit. Arman finished his Bachelor of Science in Busi-
ness Administra on and Accountancy and his Bachelor of Laws in UP
Diliman, Quezon City. He was the Lord Chancellor of the Alpha Phi Beta
Fraternity.
SESSION #4 - IMPACT: GIVING BACK
Round Table
How did we successfully engage the alumni community to give?
MODERATOR
D .J Y ‐N is Professor at the Department of
Philosophy, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), University of
the Philippines, Diliman. She has served as the Chairperson of the
Department of Philosophy and is currently the Director of the UP
Padayon Public Service Office under the Office of the Vice President for
Public Affairs, UP System. She has just completed two Postdoctoral
Fellowships at Kobe Univer-sity, Japan where she worked on her areas of
research and specializa on in Environmental Ethics and Philosophy of
Food. Her most current scholarship was published in the book, Medicine
and Ethics in Times of Corona, 2020. Jeanette earned her MA in
Philosophy (1994) and BA in Philosophy (1986) from UP Diliman. She can
be reached at [email protected]
PANELISTS
L P , M.D. UPMASA
Dr. Publico graduated from UP Diliman, Pre-Med in 1973 and the UP
College of Medicine in 1977. While a consultant in UP-Philippine General
Hospital Department of Rehabilita on Medicine from 1981 to 1988, Dr.
Lourdes took courses in Jichi Medical School in Japan and Ljubljana
Rehabilita on Center in Yugoslavia, and a brief observership in Stole
Mandeville Spinal Cord Center in England. She was the head of the
Community-Based Rehabilita on Services Training Team when it was
launched by UP-PGH Department of Rehabilita on Medicine in 1980.
Living in New York City since 1988, Dr. Lourdes finished residency in New
York Medical College as Chief Resident in Rehabilitation Medicine in 1995. She graduated from Columbia
University Mailman School of Public Health in 2005. Since 2011, she has been serving the Harlem
Community as Chief of The Rehabilitation Center at Harlem Hospital.
D M. R , RN, MSN, MPA
NP 2020‐2021, UPAAA, Inc
SESSION #4 - IMPACT: GIVING BACK
Round Table
PANELISTS
E R , UPAAGLA Ethel is the Principal/ Owner of Ethel G.
Rubio, Assoc. AIA, a consul ng firm specializing in construc on manage-
ment and strategic outreach and engagement, and is the co-founder of
a mission-driven design enterprise. Her mul -disciplinary career path
that spans over 30 years includes work in the built-environment
(architecture/engineering/construc on) and nonprofit sectors. Ethel’s
passion for making a difference led her to serve in various leadership
roles in professional, civic and nonprofit organiza ons.
Ethel completed her Cer ficate of Architectural Dra ing in 1986
from UP before emigra ng to the US, and received her Bachelor of Ar-
chitecture degree with an emphasis in Urban and Regional Planning
from the University of Southern California in 1995. Ethel served as the
President of the UPAA of Greater Los Angeles from July 2019 through June 2021. She recently re-
ceived the 2021 UPAA Dis nguished Service Award for an Alumna.
L “A L ” S T , FUPFA
A y Lou is a San Francisco-based immigra on lawyer. She is currently a
partner at Tancinco Law P.C., a full-service law firm providing exper se
in U.S. immigra on ma ers since 1992. She is also the Execu ve Direc-
tor and Vice Chair of the Friends of U.P. Founda on in America
(FUPFA), a U.S-based 501(3) non-profit organiza on established in 1982
to manage and facilitate dona ons by alumni and friends of U.P. for
various projects benefi ng the University in its educa onal mission as
the premier ins tu on of higher learning in the Philippines. A orney
Lou studied at the UP College of Law and graduated with the Bachelor
of Laws (LLB) in 1987 and Bachelor of Arts in Poli cal Science (AB) in
1982.
CLOSING MOTIVATION
What is about your U.P. foundaƟon that moƟvates you to do what you do?
MODERATOR
MÙ® Sʽ®ãÊ, DVM, CAWA has been Senior Veterinarian
for the County of Los Angeles, Department of Animal Care & Control
(DACC) since 2012. Before that, she was Shelter Veterinarian at the Lan-
caster Animal Care Center for four years un l her promo on. As Senior
Vet, Maria is responsible for the development, implementa on and
oversight of the medical programs for the largest animal control agency
in North America. She led a team of 11 veterinarians and 28 Registered
Veterinary Technicians. In late 2019, DACC reorganized; Maria’s focus is
now on the four North County Animal Care Centers and DACC communi-
ty outreach and disaster response. In 2020, she was appointed by Cali-
fornia Governor Gavin Newsom to the 8-member California Veterinary Medical Board and earned her
creden als as a Cer fied Animal Welfare Administrator from the interna onally-recognized Associa on
for Animal Welfare Advancement.
Maria is Co-Lead for DACC’s An -Racism Commi ee and represents her agency in the County of Los
Angeles An -Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Ini a ve Commi ee. She is a member of the Philippine Vet-
erinary Medical Associa on, Southern California Veterinary Medical Associa on, the World Small Animal
Veterinary Associa on, the Associa on of Shelter Veterinarians, and The Associa on for Animal Welfare
Advancement. She is also a member and Immediate-Past President of the Southern California Filipino
Veterinary Medical Associa on.
PANELISTS
MÙ® E½®þã« J. Cçò, EÝØ. is a member of both the Philippine
and the New York State Bars. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, major in Poli -
cal Science (cum laude) in 1987 and Bachelor of Laws in 1992 from UP Dili-
man. Through a scholarship grant, she earned her Master’s degree in Industri-
al and Labor Rela ons with a minor in Human Resources Management in the
Execu ve Cohort Program of the School of Public Affairs and the Zicklin
School of Business of the Baruch College of the City University of New York
(with honors).
Elizabeth has over 20 years of legal experience in higher educa on law, cor-
pora on law, labor and employment, immigra on, and civil and human rights
laws. A er having worked in the public and the private sectors in the Philippines and in New York,
U.S.A., she decided that her niche is with the legal career service with the New York State government
where she is currently a Human Rights Specialist and public sector lawyer specializing in civil rights and
discrimina on cases.
Elizabeth is a member of the Interna onal Honors Socie es of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Gamma Mu, and the
Na onal Honorary and Professional Management Society of Sigma Iota Epsilon. She was recipient of
the 2018 Outstanding Alumna Award in Public Service given by the UPAA New Jersey Chapter; the 2018
Most Outstanding Foreign Workers in Public Service awarded by the Team United Maharlika, Inc.; and
the 2019 The Outstanding Filipino American Awards (TOFA) in Public Service and Human Rights.
CLOSING MOTIVATION
PANELISTS
J G , MD graduated with a BS Zoology Degree (cum laude) in 1981 from UP
Diliman and with a Doctor of Medicine from UP Manila in 1985. He had his residency
training in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilita on at the Philippine General Hos-
pital from 1987 to 1989. He prac ced Rehabilita on Medicine in major hospitals in Davao
City from 1991 to 2002, aside from being the Dean of the Davao Doctors College School of
Physical Therapy and a faculty member in Neuroanatomy at the Davao Medical School. At
present, Joel is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine,
teaching Gross Anatomy with human cadaver dissec on, and an Associate Professor at
West Coast University School of Nursing.
L S (G ) M , RN, is a dedicated, mul -
awarded visionary who has dis nguished herself as an effec ve organizer and community
leader. She is a licensed Registered Professional Nurse who holds a bachelor's degree in
Nursing from UP Diliman (1958) and a master’s degree in Professional Studies in Health
Care Administra on from C.W. Post Long Island University, New York (1975). She went for
graduate studies in Nursing at New York University. Luz worked at Sloan Ke ering Memo-
rial Center for Cancer and Visi ng Nurse Service of New York. In 1963, she joined the
Cabrini Medical Center as an opera ng room nurse, was later promoted to Vice President
for Pa ent Services un l she re red as Assistant VP for Opera ons in 1996.
Luz is past president, member, and board of director of several non-profits including the
Philippine American Associa on of Nevada, UPAA Nevada, Filipino American Heritage
Founda on, and Na onal Federa on of Filipino Associa ons in America. She founded the
Philippine American Charity Founda on (2001) in Nevada. A recipient of various cita ons
for exemplary community service and social ac vism in promo ng Filipino culture, values, and heritage, Luz was
commended by the Philippine Consulate Generals in New York and Los Angeles for volunteerism and civic respon-
sibility, and for ensuring the success of the Philippine Independence Day Celebra on in New York and Consular
Outreach in Las Vegas. The most pres gious of these awards started with the New York Governor's award for Out-
standing Asian American in 1994. Other awards are: Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (2009), 100 Most Influ-
en al Filipina Women's Network (2007), and Presiden al Banaag Award (2012). During the 2008 UP Centennial
celebra on, Luz received from UPAA the “Interna onal Alumni Achiever” and from UP College of Nursing the
“Dis nguished Alumni Achiever” awards.
J M Z , MD is a pediatrician in Northwest
Florida. She has been providing care to the underserved popula on for over 20
years. A graduate of UP (BS Zoology 1986) and University of the East Ramon
Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (Doctor of Medicine), she trained at Long
Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. In 2018, she was a Congressional
candidate for the US House of Representa ves, FL-1 as a strong advocate for
healthcare for all. She was the CEO of Kids’ Care Pediatrics for over 17 years be-
fore joining a mul -specialty group whose mission is to make healthcare within
reach for everyone in the community. As an adjunct professor for Florida State
University, she mentors medical students and physician assistants as they pur-
sue careers in community healthcare. Dr. Z, as she is known to many, is the first female, the first Asian,
and an immigrant of Filipino heritage to ever run as a major poli cal candidate in NWFL for a US Con-
gressional seat. Dr. Z is the proud mother of three children. She is married to Jay, a Jewish American
from New York. Her second son is now training to be an Orthopedic doctor in the Army.
UPAAA Biennial Distinguished Alumni Awards
At every UPAAA Grand Reunion and Convention, the association grants awards to distin-
guished alumni and gives special recognition to individuals and groups who are embodiments of
the Oblation, serving with pride, remaining strong and bold amid strife and challenges.
These are: (1) the UPAAA Distinguished Alumni Awards; and (2) the UPAAA Special Recognition
Awards. Since 1982 up to 2021, there has been 203 recipients of the UPAAA Biennial
Distinguished Alumni Awards.
The U.P. Distinguished Alumni Awards are intended to recognize U.P. alumni for their out-
standing achievements that bring about substantial benefits to society and distinct honor to the
University. Recognition is given to exceptional contributions in areas or fields that impact on the
community in the U.S. (local, county/city, state, or national) or at international level, in which
the alumni have been active. The awards are given to those who have been nominated by their
fellow U.P. alumni and/or alumni groups in the U.S. The nominees need not know that they are
Tbeing nominated. Evaluation and selection are made by the UPAAA Awards Committee.
he UPAAA Special Recognition Awards are given to individuals and alumni groups
who have demonstrated exceptional work and outstanding achievements in pursuing the goals
of the University, the U.P. Alumni Association in America Inc. and/or alumni groups in the U.S.
They shall be nominated by any UP alumni or alumni groups, chosen by the UPAAA Committee
on Alumni Awards and affirmed by the UPAAA Board. Their outstanding achievements, work in
progress and moral integrity shall be considered.
Seventeen Distinguished University of the Philippines Alumni
Honored at the 21st Grand Reunion and Convention
Global Livestream
Seventeen awardees, including a husband-and-wife team,
awarded in different categories:
Clint E. Ramos Theater & Performing Arts Training for Filipino Americans
Anesthesiology & Community Empowerment
Entrepreneurship & Employment Creation
Entrepreneurship & Employment Creation
Music
Film Making & Promotion of Filipino Cinema
Vascular Surgery & Medical Education
Science & Technology
Pediatric Genetics
Cardiology & Healthcare Leadership
Costume & Production Design
Nursing & Community Service
Urology & Medical Missions
Healthcare Readiness in Military Medicine
Gender Equality & Women Empowerment
Radiation Oncology & Community Empowerment
Pathology & Medico-Legal Jurisprudence
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni
A½® B. A½¥ÊÙØç
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumnus in Theater & Performing Arts Training for Filipino Americans
Co‐Founder, Sinag‐tala Filipino Theater & Performing Arts Associa on
(SFTPAA).
• Volunteered as CEO & Ar s c Director of SFTPAA, 1990‐2015.
• Emeritus Ar s c Director of SFTPAA , 2016‐present.
• SFTPAA is a Sacramento‐based charitable organiza on that is dedicated to
providing community members the opportunity to promote the works of
Filipino musical, dance, literary and cultural ar sts through the study, in‐
terpreta on and staging of theater and performing arts.
• SFTPAA has a hundred ac ve members and volunteers ranging in age from
4‐year‐old preschoolers to teenagers and adults.
• Developed 3 signature programs of SFTPAA including: the Sinag‐Tala The‐
atrical Revue, the Sinag‐Tala Theater Ensemble and the Sinag‐Tala Ron‐
dalla Program.
• Worked at California Department of Social Services, 1969‐1999.
• Earned his BA in Speech and Drama, 1968 from UP Diliman.
C½ÝÊ M. AÄã®ÖÊÙ, MD
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumnus in Anesthesiology & Community Empowerment
• Staff anesthesiologist, Mercy Health‐St. Vincent Medical Center,
Toledo Ohio, 1992‐present
• President, Associated Anesthesiologists of Toledo, Inc.
• Toledo Opera Board of Trustees 2008‐ present; provided steady
support to the Opera which prevented it from bankruptcy and dis‐
solu on during the financial crisis in 2008.
• Member, Board of Directors, 1995‐present, Special Commission on
Relief and Educa on (SCORE), a local Filipino philanthropic group in
Toledo Ohio; provide child and family support, disaster relief, medi‐
cal missions, & scholarships in U.S., the Philippines, Hai and Indo‐
nesia.
• Par cipated in medical missions in the Philippines and the Domini‐
can Republic.
• President of UPMASA IKOT Chapter; President, Mu Sigma Phi Foun‐
da on
• Earned his MD degree in 1979 from UP and BS Biology, Magna Cum
Laude from Ateneo De Manila in 1975.
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni
E L. A , MD L A ‐A , MD
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumni in Entrepreneurship & Employment Crea on
• Drs. Edgardo and Lucenia Arcinue started their poultry farm busi-
ness in Sual, Pangasinan in 2009 when they reƟred from 40 years
of medical pracƟce in the US.
• Dr. Edgardo Arcinue was the Director of the Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit of Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Dr. Lucenia Arcinue
was the Head of Anesthesia Department of Orthopedic Hospital of
Los Angeles.
• The Sual Global CorporaƟon has 3 poultry buildings with high-
technology, computer controlled systems, air condiƟoned and
temperature controlled. The poultry grows and harvests one mil-
lion chickens annually.
• In a few years of operaƟon, they became number one grower
among the elite farms for San Miguel in 2013. They maintained to
be in top 10 every year since then.
• From 2009 to 2020 a cumulaƟve 325 farmers were provided good jobs, with high pay scale, fringe benefits, free
board and lodging, and training programs. The farmers came from western Pangasinan, Palawan, Masbate, Iloilo,
Cebu, Negros, Davao, & Zambo City.
• They both earned their MD degrees from UP in 1966.
C D. A ‐I
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumna in Music
Singer, songwriter and composer; currently serves as Music Director at
Faith Bible Church of Vallejo in California.
Holds private voice and piano lessons and produces concerts and projects
with a goal to guide, help and promote aspiring and deserving singers and
songwriters.
At age 19, Cecile’s journey in her songwriƟng career began with her first
major hit song, LIFT UP YOUR HANDS, originally recorded by Basil Valdez,
and which is now considered a Ɵmeless, classic song.
Her other popular hits include SANA AY IKAW NA NGA (Basil Valdez), IKAW
ANG LAHAT SA AKIN (MarƟn Niviera), SO, IT’S YOU (Raymond Lauchengco),
SPECIAL MEMORY (Iwi Laurel), EVEN IF (Jam Morales), I THINK I’M IN LOVE
and ONE MORE TRY (Kuh Ledesma), REACHING OUT (Gary Valenciano) and
HOW DID YOU KNOW (Chiqui Pineda and Gary Valenciano) among others.
Kuh Ledesma, during the recent Philippine Independence Day celebraƟon
in New York aptly described Cecile as a naƟonal treasure in the music in-
dustry.
Enrolled in the UP College of Music, Diliman, in Voice, Piano and ComposiƟon, 1977-1980.
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni
BÄ®ãÊ S. Bçã®Ýã
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumnus in Film Making & PromoƟon of Filipino Cinema
• A filmmaker whose passion is to tell underrepresented global stories
through the medium of film, to entertain, inspire and incubate crea ve and
cri cal thinking, and to ins ll pride of the Filipino heritage.
• Co‐Founder and Execu ve Director, San Diego Filipino Film Cinema, to de‐
velop and nurture global Filipino filmmakers and showcase their work to the
diverse audience in San Diego.
• Past Films: The Gi of Barong: a Journey from Within; HARANA: the
Search for the Lost Art of Serenade; BOUNDARY; The Interpreter; and A is
for Agus n.
• The Gi of Barong & HARANA were screened and awarded at Busan Inter‐
na onal Film Fes val, Sea le Interna onal Film Fes val, Santa Barbara In‐
terna onal Film Fes val, Hawaii Interna onal Film Fes val, San Diego Asian
Film Fes val and CAAMFest. Current work: The Road to Sydney
• Best Film Award for BOUNDARY from NETPAC (Network for the Promo on
of Asian Cinema) Cinemalaya, Manila; and the Harvest of Honors Award from the Na onal Commission for Culture
& the Arts, Philippines.
Gawad Urian, Best Documentary Award for HARANA from the Filipino Film Cri cs
• Earned his BS in Business Economics in 1981 from UP Diliman.
S®½òÙ®Ê B. C½½ÊÄ, JÙ. MD
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumnus in Vascular Surgery & Medical EducaƟon
Provided private prac ce of vascular surgery in Washington DC from
1998 to 2018.
Adjunct Associate Professor of Surgery, 2000‐Present; Associate Profes‐
sor of Surgery, 1988‐2000, Uniformed Services University of the Health
Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Colonel, Medical Corps (Ret); Surgeon, US Army Medical Corps, 1972‐’92
Provided leadership role as President of the UPMASA Bal more & Wash‐
ington Chapter, 2005‐2007; Chair, UPMASA Board of Governors, 2009‐
2011, and President, UPMASA, 2013‐2015.
Championed the development of another Health Sciences Center in Dili‐
man which is now a reality with the blueprints of another PGH and UP
medical campus in UP Diliman.
Led the UPMASA Ad Hoc Commi ee on raising funds for the construc on
of the Medical Sciences Building (the former BSLR).
Earned his MD degree from UP in 1972 , BS Pre‐Med from UP Diliman in
1967.
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni ni
NB C ,P D
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumna in Science and Technology
• Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences; Affiliate Faculty, Nevada In-
s tute of Personalized Medicine; Affiliate Faculty, Neuroscience Universi-
ty of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
• Conducts research funded by NIH & NSF on molecular mechanisms that
lead to blindness and in developing treatment for Alzheimer’s disease;
with one approved collabora ve patent and one pending (as the sole in-
ventor for a novel Alzheimer’s therapy).
• Author of 35 peer-reviewed, high impact research ar cles.
• Recruits and trains the next genera on of scien sts & health profession-
als. Mentored 3 postdocs, 3 PhD students & over 35 undergraduates.
• Recruits and supports graduate students from UP Visayas and UP Diliman
at UNLV; support scholars at UP Los Banos, UP Iloilo and UP Visayas;
community outreach Filipino high school students to pursue STEM fields.
• Earned her PhD in Gene cs & Cell Biology, 2005, Washington State Uni-
versity; MS in Developmental Biology, 1999, UP Visayas, and BS Biology,
1992, UP Los Banos.
SC ‐E , MD
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumna in Pediatric Gene cs
• Medical Director 1, Appeals, Health Care Services Corpora on, Blue
Cross/Blue Shield, June 2015 to present.
• John H. Stroger, Jr Hospital of Cook County (aka Cook County Hospi-
tal): Chair, Division of Gene cs and Metabolism, 2003 to 2015;
A ending Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gene cs,
1991 to 2015
• Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics: Rush University Medi-
cal Center, Chicago, Illinois; Site Director for Core Pediatrics Educa-
on, Rush University Medical Center, Rush Medical College, 2004 –
2015.
• Expanded services within the Pediatrics Gene cs clinic; established
the Adult Gene cs Clinic; obtained an appointment as head of the
Pathology services for Gene cs; expanded Laboratory services to test
the pa ents for cancer muta ons like BRCA at Cook County Hospital.
• Provided leadership role as President of UPMASA; Chair, UPMASA
Board of Governors, and President, UPMASA Chicago Chapter.
• Earned her MD from UP in 1979 & BS Pre-Med from UP Diliman in
1975.
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni
JÊÝ CÝãÙÊ PîÄãçÄ, MD
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumnus in Cardiology & Healthcare Leadership
This is a posthumous award to Dr. Jose C. Pamintuan (Oct. 6, 1936 ‐June
28, 2021). He was a kind, compassionate and excellent physician. He treated
all his pa ents with respect and human kindness. He prac ced what he al‐
ways preached: Do not just make the difference. Be the difference.
Had pres gious private prac ce in Internal Medicine and Cardiology for
40+ years in Seaford and Dover, Delaware (DE).
Served as Director Intensive care and Coronary care Units, 1972‐1992;
served as President of Medical Staff, Member of Board, & Chair, Department
of Medicine, Nan coke Memorial Hospital.
Provided leadership role as President of UPMASA and established its Per‐
manent Endowment Fund (PEF); President, UPMASA Delaware Valley Chap‐
ter; Chair, Sussex County Heart Associa on; President, Philippine American
Associa on of Delaware.
Established the Hope Medical Clinic of Dover, DE in 2003 which provides
free, non‐emergent medical and dental care to the uninsured and low in‐
come adults; provided medical care to prisoners in DE Correc onal System;
served as consultant to DE Stokley Center for the disabled and chronically ill pa ents.
Earned his MD from UP in 1961 and BS Pre‐Med from UP Diliman.
C½®Äã E. RÃÊÝ
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumnus in Costume and ProducƟon Design
A designer, educator, ac vist and crea ve producer. His lifelong advo‐
cacy is for an equitable landscape in theatre and film for Black, Indige‐
nous and People of Color and for the rights of immigrants.
• Associate Professor of Design and Head of Design and Produc on,
Fordham University, New York; Serves on the American Theatre
Wing’s Advisory Commi ee.
• Recipient of the 2016 TONY Award for Best Costume Design of a Play
for Eclipsed, making him the first person of color to win that category.
• Recipient of 2 OBIE Awards, including one for Sustained Excellence in
Design, 3 Lucille Lortel Awards , A Drama Desk Award, An Outer Cri cs
Circle Award, Helen Hayes Award, Craig Noel Award.
• Film credits include produc on design for Lingua Franca by Isabel
Sandoval for Ne lix; Costume design for RESPECT, the Aretha Franklin
biopic starring Jennifer Hudson for MGM.
• Designed sets and/or costumes for over 200 theater, opera & dance produc ons
• Earned his BA in Theater Arts, in 1993 from UP Diliman, and his MFA in Design for Stage and Film, New York Uni‐
versity Tisch School of the Arts
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni
AM ‐R , RN, BSN
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumna in Nursing & Community Service
• Nurse clinician and urology minor surgery RN, office prac ce manager,
Calvert Urology, Prince Frederick, Maryland, 1978‐2014
• Par cipated in 14 medical‐surgical missions in the Philippines and
served in these missions in various roles: as opera ng room nurse, as su‐
pervisor, as circula ng nurse or as a surgical assistant in minor proce‐
dures and as manager.
Volunteered in many Filipino American medical organiza ons and their
auxiliary counterparts and performed various func ons: event coordina‐
tor, program director, emcee, souvenir journal & newsle er editor, deco‐
rator, silent auc on chair, & hotel nego ator.
Received numerous awards including the “100 Top Women of Influence
in USA” from the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), 2009; the “Ang Man‐
gagamot Award” from the Philippine Medical Associa on of Washington DC, 2018; and the “Altera Pieto Award
for Leadership in Community Service” from the Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority in 2021.
• Earned her RN degree from UP‐PGH School of Nursing in 1968 and her BS in Nursing degree in 1969 from UP
College of Nursing.
M S. R , III MD
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumnus in Urology & Medical Missions
• Provided solo, a ending and consul ng Adult and Pediatric Urology prac‐
ce in several area hospitals in Maryland from 1978 to 2014.
• Conducted free prostate cancer screening exam twice a week in March
during its Awareness Week for 15 years in two Calvert Memorial Hospital‐
sponsored Urgent Care clinics; provided free prostate surgery for charity
pa ents referred by the Archdiocese of Washington for 5 years.
• Par cipated in 12 medical and surgical missions in the Philippines through
UPMASA and other Philippine medical professional groups.
• Provided leadership role as President of UPMASA Bal more & Washing‐
ton Chapter, Calvert County Medical Society, and as Execu ve Director
and Chair of the Board, Philippine Medical Founda on; and as Chair, UP‐
MASA Board of Governors.
• Gave CME lectures in the U.S. & Philippines on various urologic topics in‐
cluding Erec le Dysfunc on, Benign Prosta c Hypertrophy, Prostate Can‐
cer, Bladder Cancer, Penile Cancer & Stress Urinary Incon nence.
• Earned his MD from UP in 1971 and AB from Ateneo de Manila in 1966.
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni
F½®®ãÝ F. SÄã®¦Ê MD
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumna in Healthcare Readiness in Military Medicine
Held diverse medical posi ons: as a pathologist, laboratory direc-
tor, medical examiner, medical-surgical hospitalist, physician in am-
bulatory urgent pa ent care clinics and employees’ health clinic;
re red in 2016.
Military medical prac ce- U.S. Army Reserve MC- Medical Corps
Commissioned Officer with responsibili es as Anatomic Pathologist,
Field Surgeon and General Medical Officer.
Commissioned in Feb. 1984, as a Captain and worked as a
Pathologist, in the First Army Augmenta on Det. in Ft. Hamilton,
Brooklyn, NY; promoted to Major in 1988, to Lieutenant Colonel in
2002 and to Colonel in 2005.
Mobilized to ac ve duty in Opera on Joint Guardian, to Wurzburg,
Germany in Feb. 2002, as back-fill to ac ve soldier-doctors called to
serve in Kosovo; mobilized, in Opera on Enduring Freedom and Iraqi
Freedom, to Camp Shelby, Ha esburg, MS in May 2006.
Received mul ple awards including the Army Commenda on Med-
al and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Re red as a veteran a er 25 years of military service in March 2009.
A® NçÝ SÊÙ®ÄÊ, MD
2021 UPAAA DisƟnguished Alumna in Gender Equality & Women Empowerment
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, Diplomate, Subspecialty
of Pulmonary Diseases, Diplomate, Subspecialty of Cri cal Care Medicine
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, 1995 UMDNJ Robert Wood John-
son Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
Chair, Pulmonary Department, 2001, Robert Wood Johnson University
Hospital, Somerset, Somerville, NJ
First female, Board-Cer fied Specialist in Pulmonary Medicine and Cri cal
Care, including invasive Pulmonary Medicine, in New Jersey
Fellow, American College of Physicians; Fellow, American College of Chest
Physicians; New Jersey Top Doctors, 2010
Earned her MD from UP in 1976 & BS Pre-Med from UP Diliman in 1972.
2021 UPAAA Distinguished Alumni
C I. C. T , MD
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumnus in Radia on Oncology & Community Empowerment
• Served as Radia on Oncologist at the Blake Medical Center
and the Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL.
• Served as Associate Professor, Department of Radia on On-
cology and Biophysics, Eastern Virginia Medical School.
• Vice President, Manatee County Medical Society Founda on
2015-present
• Co-founder and medical advisor of Caring Friends/Blake Hos-
pital Cancer Support Group from 1986 to the present.
• Serve in the Deacon Board of the First Bap st Church, and the
Ci zens Advisory Board of the Bradenton Herald
• Member of the Board of Directors of We Care Manatee
• Received the 2014 Life me Achievement Award, Champions
of Healthcare, Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
• Ac ve member of UPMASA Southeast Chapter and Mu Sigma
Phi Founda on; Earned his MD degree in 1970 from UP and BS Pre-Med in 1965 from UP Iloilo.
M G. Y III, MD, JD
2021 UPAAA Dis nguished Alumnus in Pathology & Medico‐Legal Jurisprudence
• Served as Ac ng Medical Director of Pathology for John Stroger Hos-
pital of Cook County for 2 years.
• Had extensive broad-based hospital prac ce experience in laboratory
medicine including general anatomic and clinical pathology (35 years)
prior to re rement.
• Had experience in se ng up outreach laboratory programs (hospital-
based) and administra on; had extensive experience in business as-
pects of running a laboratory as well as teaching medical technolo-
gists, laboratory assistants and technicians, medical students, resi-
dents and conduc ng post-graduate lectures.
• Had experience in Quality Assurance and U liza on Review, Transfu-
sion, and Creden als commi ees along with administra ve medico-
legal experience in all commi ee work.
• Served as a consultant in medico-legal issues as an outside contractor; served as part- me assistant medical
director in medium-sized expanding blood bank in Chicago for 8 years.
• Served as Chief Opera ng Officer of UPMASA for 2 years; Serves as Chair, UPMASA Permanent Endowment
Fund (PEF) from 2011 to the present. PEF funds have increased six mes under his leadership.
• Earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 1988 from University of Illinois, Chicago; his MD degree in 1972 from UP
and BS Pre-Med in 1968 from UP Diliman.
" do not just make a difference, BE the difference" j.c.pamintuan m.d.
Dear Dad, Dear Lolo,
We know this makes you happy that your university family
is honoring you.
It is well deserved; you worked hard for everyone, you
pursued excellence in everything,
You make us proud, our hearts are bursting, and all we can
say is
THANK YOU. WE LOVE YOU FOREVER.
May God's perpetual light shine upon you. And may you rest
in peace.
Your Family,
Elvira, Anita, Dino, Alyssa, Aimee, Joey, Tina, Gijs, Sofie,
Emma
Congratulations to our beloved parents
on their Golden Wedding Anniversary
Mody & Mady Rivera
2021 UPAAA Distingished Alumni Awardees
Cris & Beth Stringfield, Tes & James Bowers,
and Lisa, Matt, Sydney & Andrew Pipeling
2021 Grand Reunion Convention
“Arise: PAgbAngon At PArAngAl”
Job Well Done! So proud of you, fellow alumni.
Thank you for the nominations
Mady Madrinan Rivera, RN Modesto Santos Rivera, MD
UP-PGH SN’68 UPCN’69 UPCM’71
2021 Distinguished Alumni Awardee 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awardee
“Nursing and Community Service” “Urology and Medical Missions”
Cedar Beach Place
Prince Frederick, Maryland
OCTOBER 22-24, 2021 UPAAA GRC
VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONIES
FOR BEING AN ARMY OF
ONE AND ALWAYS TRYING
TO BE THE BEST THAT YOU
COULD BE
FELICITAS F. SANTIAGO,
UPD-BSPM '68, UPM-MD '72B
GOLDEN JUBILARIAN-2021 UPAAA
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA IN
HEALTH CARE READINESS IN
MILITARY MEDICINE
As a 25-year Col Ret. Vet, Week-end Warrior,
Phil-Am HEALTH CARE Soldier in Mobilization:
Operations Joint Guardian, OEF and OIF
C0NGRATULATIONS!
Hep-Hep HURRAY !!!
YOUR LOVING
BUDDY/HUBBY,
VINOD MUBAYI, PhD.
Congratulations to UPAAA for a successful virtual Grand Reunion and Convention
and
Thank you for the Distinguished Alumni Award
from the Turalba Family
Cornelius Turalba, MD, FACR. Evelyn Guevara-Turalba
UPAAA Awardee
Distinguished Alumni in
Radiation Oncology and
Community Empowerment
Daniel Williams, MD.
Eileen Turalba-Williams Richard Turalba
Aleli Geraldine-Turalba
Benjamin Williams
Lucy Williams
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Alumni Souvenir Journals
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