To be conducted in a talk show format, the symposium will unravel the topic “Defying Time and Genetics: Keeping Mind and Body Young and Healthy.” Geriatric Medicine specialist Dr. Shelley dela Vega will act as host; while the panel will include neurologist Dr. Grace Orteza, who will discuss “The Mind”; neurosurgeon Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, who will expound on “The Body”; and psychiatrist Dr. Lou Querubin, who will explore “The Psyche.”

A project of the UPAA, “Kapihan ng Bayan sa U.P.” is a regular forum (every other month) that aims to serve as a vehicle for intelligent and constructive discussion of issues relevant to the Filipino people’s advancement as a nation.

In a democracy such as the Philippines, public discourse is a valuable tool for guiding the national leaders and all concerned citizens to collectively confront and attempt to resolve the challenges posed by issues.

The workshop will be conducted by well-known film-TV-theater director Behn Cervantes, a leading nominee for a UPAA Lifetime Achievement Award. He will be assisted by other UP alumni who have made names for themselves in the performing arts.

Registration for Mga Tanghalang Bayan workshop starts May 20, 2013. Interested parties may register at the UPAA office at the 2^nd Floor of Ang Bahay ng Alumni, Magsaysay Avenue, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City, or call Tel. Nos. 920-6868 and 920-6871 for particulars.

Workshop on Values Formation

At 1:00 PM of April 12, UPAA Secretary Dodie D. Lagman, Jr., conducted a workshop entitled “Productivity through Values Formation,” sponsored by PR Bank and the UP College of Business Administration Alumni Association. Around 80 UP students, alumni and employees of the Iloilo City government participated.

Lecture-Forum on Political Dynasties

At 8:00 AM of the second day, April 13, a lecture-forum on the topic “Political Dynasties in Local Politics” began at the Auditorium of the UP Visayas. UPV Chancellor Rommel A. Espinosa welcomed all those who attended, while UPAA President Rivera delivered a short message.

The resource speakers were Prof. Prospero E. de Vera III, Vice President for Public Affairs of the UP System, and TV journalist Malou C. Mangahas of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). Prof. de Vera pointed out that more than two-thirds of the House of Representatives were members of dynasties. Ms. Mangahas, for her part, expressed concern that the rising incidences of violence in provincial politics may be linked to the proliferation of dynasties.

Alumni Associations Presidents’ Meeting

At 1:00 PM, a meeting of Alumni Association Presidents was held at the UPV Cinematheque 1 Room. UPAA President and Alumni Regent Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr., presented the events lined up for the year-long UPAA Centennial celebration.

Iloilo City and UPV Miag-ao Campus Tour

The third day, April 14, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, was devoted to a tour of Iloilo City and the UPV Miag-ao Campus, before the participants of the 40^th UPAA Alumni Institute dispersed and headed for home.

80-Year-Old Regional Conference

The UPAA Alumni Institute is the brainchild of former UP President Jorge Bocobo, who launched it in 1935 as a means for the University’s interaction with its alumni and for the continuing education and professional development of the graduates. Since then, for almost 80 years now, except during the war years, the regional Alumni Institute has convened at least once a year to tackle key issues affecting UP and the country.

In recent years, the Institute has been held in Davao City; Tagbilaran, Bohol; Cabugao, Ilocos Sur; Tuguegarao, Cagayan; and even in neighboring Asean countries, such as Brunei, Djakarta, and Singapore. The Institute has served as a stimulus for the founding of more UPAA chapters in the provinces and abroad, as well as the reactivation of many dormant U.P. alumni associations.

UPAA Executive Director Romeo S.A. Carlos gave the introduction, while UPAA President and Regent Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr., welcomed all those in attendance. PHLPOST Chairman Cesar N. Sarino delivered the keynote address, and UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, Ph.D., unveiled the Commemorative Stamps together with the UPAA officers and directors present.

The UPAA Centennial Commemorative Stamps come in four designs:

Mementos are available at the UPAA Office at the 2^nd Floor of Ang Bahay ng Alumni, R. Magsaysay Ave., UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City, in the four formats below, with their corresponding prices:

For more information, please call up the UPAA Office at 920-6868 and 920-6871.

The guests of honor were four of the nine living past UPAA Presidents, namely: Atty. Estelito P. Mendoza, Lt. Gen. Jaime delos Santos (ret.), UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, and Regent Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr., who is also the incumbent UPAA president.

UPAA Executive Director Romeo S.A. Carlos gave the introduction; UPAA President and Regent Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr., made the welcome remarks; and UP President Alfredo E. Pascual delivered the message. Atty. Estelito P. Mendoza gave the response in behalf of the UPAA past presidents.

The event was part of the year-long Centennial celebration of the UPAA, which was founded on April 2, 1913. In celebrating its 100^th Anniversary this year, the UPAA has adopted the theme “Bagong Siglo. Bagong Sigla” as an expression of its renewed vigor on one hand and, on the other hand, constancy of purpose.

 The oil portraits of the past UPAA presidents had been executed pro bono by members the College of Fine Arts Alumni Foundation, Inc. (CFAAFI), headed by Romeo S.A. Carlos as president.

ALUMNI “FAMILY FIESTA” KICKS OFF UPAA CENTENNIAL

The 100^th Anniversary celebration of the UPAA), bannered by the theme “Bagong Siglo. Bagong Sigla.” took off on a rousing start last March 24, 2013, Palm Sunday, with an all-day “Alumni Family Fiesta.”

“Bagong Sigla” Fun Run

After a short message by UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, the Centennial festivities kicked off at 5:30 AM with the “Bagong Sigla” Fun Run around the UP Academic Oval and adjacent streets, with around 900 runners of both sexes and various ages in three groups — 3K, 6K, and 12K. UPAA President Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr., together with UP President Pascual and UPAA officers present, presented the awards to the top placers in the Fun Run, namely:

Fiesta Games

Fun-filled Fiesta Games with prizes at stake followed at 9:00 AM – featuring palo sebo, pabitin, piñata, tug-of-war, and table games like scrabble, chess, sungka. Two marching bands with dancing majorettes paraded around Ang Bahay ng Alumni and the track and field oval, which mushroomed with fiesta booths offering games, food and beverages. The games went on until noontime.

“Bagong Siglo” Bingo

A “Bagong Siglo” Bingo social, with P150,000.00 in cash prizes, began at 1:30 PM at Ang Bahay ng Alumni. The winners of the 5 major prizes were:

The UPAA Centennial “Alumni Family Fiesta” ended on a happy note at around 5:00 PM of Palm Sunday.

The UPAA Centennial Tennis Tournament is open to all U.P. alumni, former Varsity tennis players, and members of the UPDTC. Also expected to compete in the joust are tennis-playing former Philippine government luminaries like Reynato Puno, Gerardo Sicat, Emil Javier, Orlando Sacay, Manuel Alba, Presbitero Velasco and other well-known personalities, expected to reach some 30-40 participants in number.

The UPDTC, a registered chapter of the UPAA, will also take the occasion to hand over to the UPAA leadership its annual donation (amounting to P60,000.00 this year) for the scholarships of Varsity tennis players.

Winners in the tournament, to be supervised by Varsity Tennis Team coach Ariel Juliano, will be awarded UPAA Centennial Tennis Tournament plaques.

To speak as resource persons is Dean Julkipli Wadi of the UP Institute for Islamic Affairs.

“Kapihan ng Bayan sa U.P.” is a regular forum (every other month) that aims to serve as a vehicle for intelligent and constructive discussion of issues relevant to the Filipino people’s advancement as a nation.

In a democracy like the Philippines, such public discourse is a valuable tool for guiding the national leaders and all concerned citizens to collectively confront and attempt to resolve the challenges posed by these issues.

UPAA ALUMNI AWARDS 2013
General Information and Guidelines

Each year, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) gives recognition to alumni achievers, as follows:

•    The UPAA Most Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus Award may be given to an alumnus/alumna who—in addition to qualifying for a UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award—also satisfies the criteria for the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award described below

•    The UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Awards are given to senior alumni who have achieved professional distinction and demonstrated meritorious service throughout their career.

•    The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards are conferred on alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and outstanding contributions in their chosen field of endeavor.

•    The UPAA Distinguished Service Awards are given to individual alumni and alumni chapters or groups who have rendered exceptional service in the pursuit of the goals of the University and/or the Association.

•    UPAA Multi-Generation U.P. Alumni Family Awards will be bestowed on families who have produced, as of the end of 2012, at least three successive generations of U.P. alumni.

Nominations for these awards may be made by any U.P. alumnus, alumni chapter or local search committee.  Evaluation of nominees and selection of awardees will be made by the UPAA Search and Awards Committee and affirmed by the UPAA Board of Directors.

The guidelines for these five types of award are downloadable here.

Formal Unveiling of Past UPAA Presidents’ Portraits

 At 3:00 P.M. on the UPAA foundation day, the portraits of past UPAA Presidents will be formally unveiled on the second floor of Ang Bahay ng Alumni on R. Magsaysay Ave., UP Diliman. Guests of honor are the nine living past UPAA Presidents: Atty. Estelito P. Mendoza, Atty. Edgardo B. Espiritu, Atty. Ponciano G.A. Mathay, Atty. Eduardo F. Hernandez, Lt. Gen. Jaime delos Santos (ret.), Atty. Gari M. Tiongco, Mr. Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr., UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, and Atty. Gladys S.J. Tiongco.

All U.P. alumni are cordially invited.

Launching of UPAA Centennial Commemorative Stamps

At 4:00 P.M., the UPAA Centennial Commemorative Stamps, a joint undertaking of the UPAA and Philippine Postal Services (PHLPOST), will be launched officially at the Luciano Salazar Hall on the first floor of Ang Bahay. The guest speaker is Asst. Post Master General Mama S. Lalanto, Alhaj.

Aside from U.P. alumni, philatelists or stamp-collectors, as well as other interested parties, are welcome to the affair.