The UPAA has a number of ongoing programs and recurring activities, as well as special projects, some of which become permanent or regular undertakings. Some of these programs and activities are described below:

Scholarship program: This is an ongoing program of the UPAA. It provides need-based financial assistance to selected students. The program is supported by various funds, now totaling over Php5 million, provided by donors or raised through special projects. Going forward, the UPAA plans to proactively augment the funds available for scholarships.

Involvement in public issues: The UPAA can bring the experience, expertise, and network of UP alumni to bear on issues and challenges confronting the University and/or the country. When called for, it takes a stand on issues of great significance and makes its position known to the concerned parties and the public as a whole. This year, the UPAA is keeping a close watch at the implementation of the automated election system (AES) to help ensure a clean and credible election in May 2010.

Preservation of the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve: Entrusted by the government to the care of UP Los Baños, Mt. Makiling is the only intact forest reserve in the country today. The UPAA has partnered with UP Los Baños to help protect and preserve Mt. Makiling. In 2008, the UPAA Maria Makiling Foundation, Inc. was established to institutionalize the UPAA’s efforts in this regard. Campaigns are being undertaken to awaken the public’s appreciation of the importance of Mt. Makiling. The UPAA together with stakeholders in the locality organizes an annual tree-planting activity, the last one being held in October 2009, to demarcate the country of the forest reserve.

Culture and the Arts programs: The UPAA promotes culture and the arts through exhibitions and performances that showcase the talent pool of UP and its alumni.

• Art exhibitions: Started actively during the UP centennial celebration, art exhibitions are being held regularly featuring over 30 alumni artists who now constitute a group known as the “UP Centennial Artists.” Just concluded was the art exhibit entitled “Kalikasan” (aptly so, having opened in September 2009 just a few days before Metro Manila was inundated by Typhoon Ondoy). This exhibit presented a poignant contrast between Nature immortalized by the artists and Nature abused and in full fury. The next exhibition will be in March 2010 with “Mother and Child” as the theme.
• Musical shows: One of the spectacular shows staged by the UPAA was the “100 Years of World-Class Music” which had a packed audience during the UP centennial celebration in 2008. Based on this and other successful centennial presentations, the UPAA was chosen by the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. in 2009 as a recipient of a Special Award—the first ever to be conferred on an alumni association by the 33-year old award-giving body in the entertainment industry. An upcoming show is “Pagbangon,” a musical-literary concert to be presented on December 12, 2009 for the benefit of the Ondoy flood victims.
• Siningsaysay (Philippine History through Art): The UPAA is harnessing the talents of UP alumni artists in creating36 large-scale paintings depicting key stages in Philippine history. These paintings will be displayed as a permanent exhibition in dedicated museum located in a readily accessible area. Through this project, the UPAA hopes to acquaint students, local and foreign tourists, and the public at large with the history of the Philippines while appreciating art. The UPAA will pursue this multimillion peso project with the support of corporate sponsors and through partnerships with the artists themselves and owners of the proposed venue.

Regional alumni institutes: Through seminars and forums organized by the UPAA, the University and the Association are brought closer to the alumni, particularly those who are located away from the main campus in Diliman. Alumni institutes have been held in such cities as Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iligan, and Iloilo, as well as in overseas locations like Bangkok, Brunei and Jakarta.

Restoration of the UP Carillon: This was a major UP centennial project of the UPAA, involving the replacement of the carillon bells, refurbishing of the tower, and building of a plaza around the tower for concerts and other events. Originally gifted to the University in 1952 by UP alumni, the carillon has become a landmark in the UP Diliman campus and an icon of the whole UP System. Thirty-six of the 48 bells have already been replaced with new bells specially made in the Netherlands, the carillon tower has been restored, and part of the plaza has been built with the blessing done in late June 2009. Twelve additional new bells are still needed and the plaza has yet to be extended towards Ang Bahay ng Alumni. A separate foundation is being contemplated to assume the management of the carillon and plaza as well as the responsibility for the second phase of development.

Management of the UP Men’s Basketball Team: The UPAA has recently assumed the responsibility for managing the team with the objective of winning the UAAP championship within the next few years. As a very popular sport in the Philippines, basketball can rally alumni support and a championship can galvanize the university spirit of Alumni.

Management of Ang Bahay ng Alumni: A convention center built over 15 years ago through the efforts of UP alumni, this alumni center serves as a favorite venue for alumni and other events. The UPAA has started to organize socials in Ang Bahay to promote networking among the alumni. Hobby classes are also being offered for the benefit of alumni; two voice classes have already held their respective recitals this year.

Annual reunion and homecoming: This a major event held regularly in the month of June. It serves as the annual general membership meeting of the Association as well. The event provides the occasion for a number of related activities, as follows:

• Annual alumni awards: Recognition is given to alumni for distinguished performance in a thematic area, for lifetime achievement in the public or private sector, or for exemplary service to the UPAA. For the distinguished alumni awards, there are predefined areas but an award may be tailored to the achievements of the nominee. The existing categories are: public service and governance and good governance; poverty alleviation and human development; peace and social cohesion; gender equality/women empowerment; community empowerment; environmental conservation and sustainable development; entrepreneurship and employment creation; institutional/corporate social responsiblity; culture and the arts; science and technology; education and health. Going forward, efforts will be exerted to identify and recognize unsung achievers who are making a difference in community which they have chosen to serve.
• Annual meeting of the UP Alumni Council: The Council is the advisory body of the Association and is composed of the following: members of the UPAA Board of Directors, all past presidents of the Association, the distinguished alumni awardees, the officers of the different alumni chapters, the past and present members of the UP Board of Regents, the UP President and other university officials. At the annual meeting of the Council, selected alumni awardees are asked to talk on key issues and challenges they see in their areas of achievements. Resolutions are adopted by proposing actions by concerned entities to address such issues and challenges that are of significance to the University and/or the country.
• Annual meeting of alumni chapters: Representatives of UP alumni chapters affiliated with the UPAA meet together with the elected members of the Board to take stock of the past year’s experiences and plan activities for the coming year and beyond.
• Alumni yearbook: This is an annual publication that features the achievements of the University and the Association as well as the stories of jubilarian classes.
• Jubilarian presentations: Alumni classes celebrating their 25^th, 40^th, 50^th, 55^th and 60^th anniversary of graduation are afforded the opportunity to present a number each in the program of the homecoming and reunion. The preparation and rehearsals for these presentations are supported by the UPAA.