2021 UPAAA GRC Souvenir Journal

UNIVERSITY of the PHILIPPINES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION in AMERICA

ESTABLISHED IN
1981

October 17, 2021

Dear Fellow Alumni:

Welcome to the 21st University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America
(UPAAA) Virtual Grand Reunion and Convention on October 22-24, 2021. We are
honored by the presence of our alumni from the U.S. and around the world.

We are what we are because of the educational opportunities we had in UP. UP taught us
to think critically, to define our character, to develop our identity, to maintain our integrity
and to have compassion for fellow citizens here in the U.S. and in the Philippines.

We are in the midst of the global pandemic of COVID-19. As of Oct. 17, 2021, global cases of
COVID-19 has reached 240, 623,361 with 4,897, 621 deaths. In the U.S., 57% of the
population are fully vaccinated. In the Philippines, only 22% are fully vaccinated, and globally,
only 37% are fully vaccinated. To reach herd immunity, we need to ensure access to the
vaccines globally, and get 70% of the world population fully vaccinated to stop this global
pandemic.

We are proud to be true UP alumni because we have been imbibed with the values and
idealism that have made us strive for excellence in our respective fields. Let us unite as
global citizens and work together in our respective field to fight COVID-19 and make sure all
our communities are fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. There is no single bullet
against COVID-19. We need to continue wearing masks and practice social distancing to
prevent the stop the transmission of this virus.

Let us continue to support our Alma Mater in its goals and objectives to provide excel-
lent, affordable, and relevant education to all Filipinos. Push on UP! Mabuhay!

Sincerely,

Francisco S. Sy, MD, DrPH
Past President UPAAA
2007-2009

University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America, Inc.

Founded in 1981

Greetings UP Alumni, Family, and Friends!

Thank you for joining us for the 1st virtual UPAAA Grand Reunion Convention,
our 21st! Our GRC Team members shared their different expertise to make this
special event happen. As ever, they have proven that nothing is impossible
especially when we rely on “UTAK at PUSO!”

With the present challenges all over the world, the theme “ARISE: Pagbangon
at Parangal” brings hope to our hearts that nothing can put us down! We will
continue to fight for the best quality of life for our families, friends, and communities wherever we are!

Your presence, even virtually, proves that our UP SPIRIT never dies! Push on UP! Rah! Rah! Rah!

I call our E-Board and GRC Committees MARATHON Runners! Nothing kept them from pushing for the best
clock time…and no one was left behind. They worked as a Team.

And, for you, our Attendees, because of your participation, UPAAA can continue the much needed student
scholarships. We are committed to walk with them to overcome obstacles for them to become UP
ALUMNI! You could help beyond your attendance…join us in making commitment with all the UP campuses
and colleges. The Scholarship Committee continues to meet with Office of Student Grants of different
campuses to expedite and to offer transparency for the donors. Great strategy!

In my 2017 letter as past president 2013-2015, I shared with you PROJECT AGAPAY: GAP…Gawa, Aral Payo
and the successful distribution of $10,401 funds in UP Diliman and UP Mindanao. Please visit our website
for the specifics, https://UPAAinAmerica.org

In 2018, the 1st UPAAA PROJECT AGAPAY:GAP Conference in the USA was held in collaboration with Filipino
American Parent-Student Group for Poway Unified School District, San Diego, California! The one day
Conference provided opportunity for different professionals to share their expertise with our high school
students and parents. The Parent-Student Team made it happen with the support of the community,
organizations, and leaders. Awesome!

We, the UP Alumni are called to remain faithful to our commitment of making a difference. Our Alma
Mater provided the formation to become the Voice for Advocacy, the Leaders to walk side by side with
those we serve, the Call for Humility as we become known here and abroad. We are only the instruments
and messengers. May God bless us all as we answer the call of our Alma Mater!

I remain your servant,

JUANITA SANTOS NACU, EdD ’98, MA PCC ’93, GN ’67, BSN ‘68
President, 2013-2015 UPAAA
President, 2003-2005 UPAA San Diego
2020 Special Recognition Award, UP-PGH Alumni Homecoming
2017 Distinguished Service Recognition Award

University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America, Inc.

Founded in 1981

MESSAGE

As we near the end of year 2021, I look back in awe of what the University of the Philippines Alumni
Association in America, Inc. (UPAAA) had accomplished since its founding in 1981. Most notable, and a first
in the history of our organization, is the recently held virtual Grand Reunion and Convention last October
22 24 2021. The event was a huge success considering it was a departure from the usual in person
convention UPAAA had organized all these years. The COVID pandemic compelled the UPAAA organization
to hold the biennial convention virtually. The positive outcome of the virtual gathering was the ability to
reach the alumni locally and globally. And the showcasing of the talents of alumni thru the many platforms it
offered.

UP President Danilo Conception delivered his address on the state of the University of the
Philippines, and VP Leni Robredo shared her views on the current state of the Philippines. With the able
leadership of Ethel Rubio, Chair of the GRC, the programming and the smooth implementation of the plan
were key to the success of the, convention.

Since my presidency in 2016-2019, UPAAA has continued to evolve as a true national organization
dedicated to its mission to engage the alumni in working together on projects benefiting the UP system and
the communities we live in. It is a testament to the tenacity of purpose the 2020-2021 Board of Directors
displayed, led by my successor President Daisy Rodriguez. Thanks and hats off to her and her team. All the
innovations put in place has no doubt benefited our alma matter. The Scholarship Program is the flagship of
UPAAA, helping students at the 8 Constituent Universities thru the Stipend Scholarship Fund. I am excited
about the new blood joining the UPAAA Board of Directors 2022-2023, with the incoming president Dr. Jose
“Jun” David, Jr. at the helm. I am confident UPAAA will soar to even greater heights of success and
relevance. I call upon UP alumni wherever you may be in the world, to join hands in support of UP as an
institution of excellence, honor, and integrity. My sincere congratulations and appreciation to the prime
movers of UPAAA. More success in all future endeavors. Padayon!!!

In UP Spirit,

NELSIE T. PARRADO
Immediate Past President

UPAAA, Inc. Board Officers 2020 to 2021

Committee Chairs

The U.P. Spirit Lives On!

NATIONAL PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Daisy Magalit Rodriguez, MN, MPA, RN Jovenia Soriano Celo, MD (NJ)

Scholarship & CBL

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

EAST - Membership WEST SOUTH MIDWEST - Jubilarians
Daisy Briones Macadaeg, RN (NJ) Zenaida Estoque Ply (CA) Emma Narvaez Aquino (TN) Zenaida Mendoza Sarmiento, RN (IL)

SECRETARY ASSISTANT SECRETARY TREASURER - Finance ASSISTANT TREASURER
Dina Barros Ellorin (CA) Manuela Corpuz-Castillo, RN Ma. Cristina Torres Colmenar, MBA Ana Isabela Quimpo Parcon, CPA
(CA) (NV)
(NJ)

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER ASSISTANT PRO AUDITOR IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Raquel Lalo Sabas (CA) Joe Garbanzos (CA) Leodegario Q. Camacho, CPA Nelsie Tabudlong Parrado, CLTC

(NJ) (NJ)

UPAAA, Inc. Board of Directors 2020 to 2021

Committee Chairs

Walfredo Cruz Arias, (TX) Juanita Francisco Caccam, PhD Carol Esquerra Colborn, DPA-abd Jose C. David, MD (NY)
Cultural & Community (CA) NOMELEC (AZ) Strategic Planning Endowment

Luzviminda Sapin Micabalo. RN, Benita Barros Murrel, PhD (MI) Juanita Santos Nacu, EdD. Elizabeth Ablaza Reyes (AZ)
MPS (NV) Archives (CA)

Ethel G. Rubio, Assoc. AIA, Ma. Preciosa Sabio Solacito, DVM Francisco S. Sy, MD (NV) Winston C. Umali, MD
Env. SP. (CA) ‘21 GRC (CA) Education Awards (NJ) Ways & Means

REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICERS

SOUTH MIDWEST WEST EAST
Aileen Ligot Dizon, Esq. Romulo Aquino, PhD (MI) Joe C. Santos (CA) Eduardo Celo, DVM (NJ)

UPAAA, Inc. Board of Directors

LIAISON OFFICERS, 2020 TO 2021

UP DILIMAN UP VISAYAS UP MINDANAO
Delila Infante Lojo Elma Gacho Greenwood Reuben Higino S. Cabrera, DVM

ELECTED NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS—2022 TO 2023

Adrian Ellis Alarilla, PhD-c Marilou Cabrera Areno, PhD Lisa Boquiren Meg Vergel De Dios Daupan
(WA) (AZ) (CA) (PA)

Cici Ebersole, JD, MBA Monette Garduno Gatchalian, MD Joy Pasamonte-Henry Heidi Capuyan Kirby
(TN) (AZ) (CA) (DC)

Jaime Miranda, OMD Colleen Marciel Rosales, PhD Pamela Martin Santos John A. Siazon, LLB Ryan T. Tejero
(FL) (IN) DC) (CA) (TX)



2021 GRAND REUNION & CONVENTION COMMITTEES
Chair: Ethel G. Rubio

Vice Chair: Dorothy Lenore Llariza-Tome
Advisors: Daisy M. Rodriguez I Nelsie Parrado

Awards: Francisco Sy I Jovenia Soriano Celo
Awards Night: Daisy Briones Macadaeg I Beth Reyes Ilagan | Luz S. Micabalo

Budget and Finance: Ma. Cristina Colmenar I Ana lsabela Quimpo Parcon

Digital Souvenir Journal: Dina Barros Ellorin I Luzviminda Sapin Micabalo
Lilia Melocoton Castaneda

Expo Booth: Zenaida Estoque Ply I Benjamina Casino I Annvi Fuller
Fellowship Night: Minnie Corpuz-Castillo I Carlo Maglinao

Help Desk and Survey: Maria Elma Gacho Greenwood I Minerva Wimperis
Information Technology: Elizabeth Liza Reyes I Carlo Maglinao

In Memoriam: Joe Santos | Coleen Marciel Rosales| UPAA

Jubilarian: Zenaida Sarmiento I Nelsie Parrado
Jovenia Soriano Celo I Carolina Esguerra Colborn
Programming: Ethel G. Rubio I Dorothy Lenore Ll.ariza-Tome
Public Relations: Racquel Lalo Sabas I Colleen Marciel Rosales I Lisa Boquiren I
Alexa Balingit-Alvarez I Julie Ann Tendero Torremoro
Registration: Elizabeth Liza Reyes I Ana lsabela Quimpo Parcon

Carlo Maglinao I Timothy Casino

Sponsorship: Winston Umali I Ma. Jean Mizell I Will Vicuna

Special Thanks: Camille Kristine Legaspi I Nicole Primero I Joe Santos I TVUP I vFairs

Photo Credits: Ferdinand Cacnio I El Bacani I Jun Madrid

Great Thanks to our SPONSORS!!!

Special Thanks to:

Daisy Magalit Rodriguez, RN, MN, MPA
UPAAA,Inc. President, 2020-2021
Book Author

Diamond Sponsor



Mabuhay UPAAA, Inc. and UPAAN (Nevada)!
A very successful 21st Grand Reunion & Convention!

From,
Sid & Evelyn Dela Cruz, BSBA '68, UP Diliman

Las Vegas, Nevada

Silver Sponsors

Warmest Greetings!!!

to the UPAAA Inc for successful 21st Grand Reunion and Convention

Special Thanks to our Mama—GMa
Maria Cristina “Cristy” Colmenar

BS Stat ’79 2013-17, 2020-21 UPAAA
anTdresaesruvriceer. tFooyar olyluotrhuaAr tlcmoyonautMinduaote.edr.dSeodpicraotuiodnof

MABUHAY!



Special Thanks to:

https://www.pwc.com/

SILVER Sponsor

Special Thanks to:
SILVER Sponsor

Special Thanks to:

https://reginaldflewis.com/foundation

SILVER Sponsor

Special Thanks to:
gamification Sponsor

Nelsie T. Parrado, CLTC

New York Life Insurance Company

Special Thanks to:
DIGITAL SURVEY Sponsor

Special Thanks to:
AWARDS NIGHT Sponsor

EXHIBITORS' Participation are Greatly Appreciated



Congratulations!


on the very

successful

first virtual

upaa in america

grand reunion!!!

Ethel RUbio

sun girl prints co-founder

Sun Girl Prints is a women-owned-and-operated design
enterprise, which aims to give back to the community while
using sustainably made materials. A portion of our net sales
of the Pinay Power shirt goes to the Pilipino Workers Center.

Use the QR code or go to
https://bit.ly/PinayPowerShirt

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @sungirlprints

We elevate your brand!

Email: [email protected]
Cell: (702) 236-7665

Congrats
THE UPAAA GRC 2021
PLANNING TEAM!!!




Maria Solacito, DVM, CAWA




Governor-Appointed Board Member: California Veterinary Medical Board
2020-2024

First Filipina and First Shelter Veterinarian to sit on the CVMB
Certified Animal Welfare Administrator :

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, 2020
Deputy Director, County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care & Control,

2012 to present

THE VENERABLE KNIGHT

VETERINARIANS

FRATERNITY(VKV)EXTENDS
ITS GREETINGS TO UPAAA

WHO WE ARE

A group of VKV alumni from around the globe whose mission is to

promote veterinary education in the Philippines, by strengthening

ties among alumni, between alumni and donors, and between alumni

and the various veterinary schools in the Philippines

There are 21 veterinary schools (and counting) in the

Philippines. Many are in need of books, journals,


microscopes & other educational materials. We ship

them to Philippine veterinary schools.

Thank you to our donors, including VKV alumni, who

answer the call.



FROM TFrHoEm the

Congratulations

UPAAA

for a successful
GRC 2021!

Cynthia Umali Ramirez

Independent Insurance Agent
NPN 18669754

Mobile: 4252863178
Email: [email protected]




LIVING BENEFITS

https://www.nationallife.com

GRC 2021 Expo Booth Sponsor





Special Thanks to:

EXHIBITOR

the cruising lifestyle

...cruising in an RV all over North …a collection of the most widely-
America on a never-ending honey- read posts on my blog and Travel
moon and becoming an American. Awaits, the magazine I write for.

CLICK THIS TO GO TO AMAZON CLICK THIS TO LINK TO AMAZON

Carolina Esguerra Colborn

Carol retired as a CEO for pioneering IT companies in the Philippines. She migrated to the
US, ended up an adjunct professor and small business counselor while babysitting her
grandson during the day. That is, until she met her travel partner on the Net! After the
wedding ceremony, they honeymooned for eight years in an RV to 49 American states,
nine Canadian provinces, and six Mexican states. They now make Mesa, Arizona home.
From this base, they embark on road trips, trips abroad, and family visits to Anchorage,
Boise, and Denver (his) and in San Francisco, Calgary, and Melbourne (hers). Carol has
been to 48 countries. She maintains a blog, “Cruising Past 70.” Carol has a BS in Math,
MBA, and DPA abd from the University of the Philippines

Special Thanks To:

Raul Pagtalunan Nelson Tan Greg Lipa

President, Former Kiwanis Governor President,

Go Organic Farmers Club Inc. JCI Senate Philippines

Who we are

 GO Organic Farmers Club Inc.is a non-stock, non-profit organization incorporated on
March 8, 2012 (SEC Reg.No. CN201204754) for the purpose of developing, and
promoting organic farming in the Philippines. The Club aims to contribute in the
improvement of agriculture in the country by promoting natural farming and in the
process, creating jobs, increasing household income, promoting good health and
wellness, and protecting the environment.

Our Projects

Masaganang Gulayan Go Organic Balik Baseball Go Organic Good Morning
sa Paaralan at Tahanan RP Green Village Saturday Market sa Bulacan Farmers Philippines!
Shows
Cooperative

Special Thanks to:

Cebu Live your passion

https://www.mandanibaycebu.com/

EXHIBITOR

Congratulations
UPAAN

for successfully co-hosting
the UPAAA GRC 2021!!!









Thank you, 2019 - 2021
UPAAGLA Board of Directors!







www.upaagla.org/join

CALLING ALL UP ALUMS:
JOIN UPAAGLA TODAY!