Historical Milestones of the

University of the Philippines Alumni Association D.C., Maryland and Virginia

I. Foundation. In September 1974, World Bank Staff
members led by Ched Bautista, Alma Conty, Betty
Florendo and Chevy Gavino, met over lunch,
generating interest in UP alumni get-togethers. With the
help of the UP Alumni Center in Diliman, Philippines,
sparks of camaraderie spread over to alumni residents in
the capital area.

Law participants in the Jessup International Law Moot

Court competitions.

At an annual picnic, Manalo Park with our kind host Dr. Bayani
Manalo and hostess, Mrs. Sol Manalo

Founders 4 at a recent picnic: Alma Conty, Chevy Gavino,

Betty Florendo and Ched Bautista

II. Leadership. The first Picnic was held on June 11,

1977 at Rock Creek Park. At a dinner in the home of Alice
Landas in the fall of 1980, a consensus was reached to
organize. At the Truro Clubhouse, Annandale, Virginia,
Dr. Sam Luague, M.D., emerged as the first President, Ched
Bautista, Secretary and Alice Landas , Treasurer. Ms. Alice
Landas succeeded as President, followed by Atty. Ramon
Paterno, Mr. Nestor Santiago , Atty. Pearl Gauzon, Atty.
Januario Azarcon, Dr. Rene Alvir, M.D., Dr. Bartolome
Javate, M.D., Dr. Perfecto R. Santiago, D.V.M. , Ms. Ched
Bautista, Dr. Bayani Manalo, Dr. Jun Anthony Quion, Louie
Tupas, and incumbent president, Arturo Bong Pangilinan.

Their leadership has provided the impetus for the

Associations viability to deeply-committed volunteers.

III. Core Objectives. The alumni membership is

infused with a spirit of loyalty to the alma mater, service to
the capital area, and commitment to the Motherland.
The Association promotes the character, traditions and goals
of the University through scholarships, professorial chair, and
other educational programs, issues, sports, cultural activities
(including spelling bees) and public service.

IV. Offering. A common thread of volunteerism and

generosity runs through the membership. The Association
has offered its excellence and leadership to Community
and Country all traits of which are embodied in the
Universitys symbol, the Oblation.
Offering their hearths as venues for Association
activities have been the Azarcons, the Bautistas, the
Bernabes, (picnic), the Buhains, the Caoiles, the Javates,
the Manalos (an annual picnic site), the Marambas
(family bingo), the Matases, the Paternos and the
Santiagos. Other families lent their hearths for meetings,
workshops, etc., the Quions, the Tupases, the Contys
and the Pangilinans. Dolly Velasco hosted the College of

V. Uniqueness of the Association. Notwithstanding its

solidarity with the community, the Association offers something
unique. At the core of this distinction is the central role that
Education has played, permeating the body and spirit of the
Associations activities, likewise mirroring the primacy of the
role of education in nation-building.
A. Permanent Revolving Scholarship Fund. The
Associations thrust on Education burst on the scene with
a scholarship fund-raising campaign, sustained by a
permanent revolving fund (with only interest income being
remitted to UP Diliman).
An historic Scholarship Trust Memorandum of
Agreement was signed on January 18, 1984 at Quezon
Hall in Diliman, Quezon City, by UP President Edgardo
Angara and Atty. Ramon Paterno, Vice Chairman,
Administration, UPAA Educational Trust. An updated
MOA in 2005 designated degree choice to those from the
fields of natural, social or physical sciences.
The Scholarship has benefited ten scholars and we have a
BS Physics scholar to date, who must meet stringent
academic criteria approved by the UP Board of Regents as
well as UPAA Education Trust-imposed criteria, based on
financial need, leadership ability and commitment to
country.
On January 24, 2000, under the presidency of Dr.
Perfecto R. Santiago, UPAAMWDC, Atty. Pearl Gauzon,
Executive Secretary, signed on behalf of Dr. Perfecto R.
Santiago, a Memorandum of Understanding for the

establishment of a five year UPAAMWDC Scholarship

leading to an undergraduate degree at UP Visayas. Our
scholar, Anne Marie Sablon, BS Fisheries has since graduated
from UPV. In addition, UPAAMWDC administered a private
scholarship in honor of Eulogio and Elvira Estampador
through alumni Dr. Nerita Estampador-

Historical Milestones

(continued)

Ulep and Elvira Gildea also at the University of the Philippines

in the Visayas, (UPV) Iloilo City, Philippines.

On February 23, 2002, the Association approved the

l
Vision Statement prepared by the committee on UPs
With President Emil Javier, a reception held during
Financial Health headed by Dr. Benjamin Lozare. We want to
the Education Conference in 1994
share this vision with the UP administration and all UP
alumni and would be happy to receive input and support from
The following year, Professor Vivian Gonzales of UP
other UPAA chapters. It is entitled Academic Excellence
Los Banos, sought UPAA MWDC assistance in securing
for Leaders Who Serve Filipinos
computers for student use. Drs. Alvir and Javate came up
with four donated computers. Dr. Bart Javate, as president,
B. The Educational Trust. Sustained funding for
availed of the service of UP alumnus, Voltaire Andres to
education has been ensured through an Educational Trust.
facilitate during a one-day retreat. The retreats main goal
Established on March 15, 1983, the Trust is entitled to a
was to cull the different and special talents of the
U.S. tax exempt status.
Membership to carry out viable projects.
From the three founding trustees made up of Dr. Bart
VI. Resource in the Community. Far from being
Javate, Attys. Ramon Paterno and Januario Azarcon who
elitist,
UP alumni have generously shared their pool of
serve respectively as Board Chairman, Vice Chairman,
expertise
serving as valuable resource for the Community.
Administration, and Secretary/Legal Counsel the UPAA
Educational Board of Trustees now number 10 trustees.
The concept for an education project (Adopt a
Atty Ramon P. Paterno is the current chair of the Board of
Primary Rural School) was authored by UP Economist
Trustees since January 17, 2004.
Vic Pacqueo, streamlined by UP Prof. Auring Catilo and
UP Economist Elizabeth King. With the help of other
C. UP Professorial Chair. Under the administration
World Bank Education Specialists, and 3-year funding by
of Atty. Pearl Gauzon, an initial funding of $1,000 for the
WB IFC/IMF Filipino Association it was launched in 1993
Chair was raised. Atty. Januario Azarcon sustained the
by Atty. Ramon Paterno as a pilot project, benefiting a Mt.
funding initiative and during his term, the UPAA Chair
Pinatubo-stricken rural school in Palauig, Zambales.
Fund reached $ 14,000 and a teaching professorial chair in
UP Dilimans Science Department was established. Under
The UPAADCMDVA held Health Symposia (HS
the leadership of Dr. Perfecto R. Santiago, we added $4,000
Series) for the local Filipino-American community in the
to the Fund in July 2000. Recipients todate are Associate
Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas. Health Symposium
professors Cesar Villanoy (1999-2001), Reynaldo M. Rey
1 was held in 2002 in cooperation with WBFA and the
(2002) and Ricardo del Rosario (2003), Ms. Laura T. David
PMAWDC (Philippine Medical Association Washington
(2004), Ma. Lourdes S. McGlone (2005),Giovanni Tapang
DC). This was followed by HS 2, held on August 5, 2003
(2006) and again, Ma. Lourdes S. McGlone (2007). Our
at the SunTrust Building in Vienna, Virginia. And for the
last report on August 31, 2010 showed that our
community in Maryland, HS 3 was held on November 23,
professorial chair has had no chair awardee since 2008.
2003 at St. Mildreds Hall, Laurel, Maryland. HS 4 was
held on August 22, 2004 at the Hollywood Ballroom,
D. Educational Forum and Computer Donation.
Silver Spring, Maryland. It was a joint sponsorship with
Dr. Rene Alvir, president 1992-95, called for an
Hollywood Ballroom and PMAWDC along with 12
international education forum held in October 1994. There
Filipino-American community organizations. The
was a healthy dialogue between the UP alumni from
panelists are board certified practitioners in the area
different parts of the United States and Canada and the
including Baltimore, and are graduates from UP as well as
panelists headed by UP President Emil Javier. Dr. Alvir
other medical schools in the Philippines.
created an conference organising committee headed by
Edgardo Quisumbing whose terms of reference included
On May 9, 2009, UPAADCMDVA held a Health Seminar
the selection of speakers and logistics. Athena Azarcon,
at the INOVA Alexandria courtesy of Dr. Albert Coo with
Alma Conty, Pearl Gauzon, Vic Pacqueo, Carmelita
Sangalang, Nestor Santiago , Rory Santiago, Mercy TiraUP alumni Drs. Manalo, Quion, Rivera and Coo.
Andrei , and Salome Torrijos responded to the call.

Historical Milestones

(continued)
In 2006, under Dr. Jun A. Quion, UPAADCMDVA started
to co-sponsor the Pulong Ng Bayan Series with the
Philippine Embassy. To date featured speakers were
Prof. Clarita Carlos (April 2006), Prof. Mahar Lagmay (May
2006). We held our spring dance Pahiyas on March 11,
2006 to start on our fund raising for the Junior Faculty
Program for the UP System Modernization Project.
Also in 2006, UPAA sponsored the Interactive Booth on
Philippine Games, Crafts and Arts at the Philippine
Independence Fair, Washington DC. We are also active
participants in the Philippine Alumni Tennis Challenge
Tournament in the area. We held our annual picnic on
August 19, 2006 in Gude Park, Laurel,Md in preparation for

our Carillon Ball fund raising on October 7, 2006 at the JW

Marriott Hotel in Washington DC. 2006 closed with our
annual 4th quarter meeting and Christmas Party at the
residence of Drs. Jun and Nanette Quion in their Vienna,
Va. Home on December 9, 2006.
Our annual picnic for the year was held at Round Tree
Park in Falls Church, VA on August 18, 2007. Here, we
also held our election and Louie Tupas was elected new
president through 2009.

We concluded 2007 with our winter meeting and annual

Christmas party held at the new residence of Drs. Jun and
Nanette Quion in McLean, Va.
UPAADCMDVA started participating in the Fiesta Filipiniana
Fair of the Katipunan organization in Baltimore, Md., made
possible by our Baltimore alumni led by Edna Gan, Ami
Dimaano and the Florendo family. For the two consecutive
years, 2009 and 2010, UPAADCMDVA kept a booth at the
Baltimore Philippine Independence Fair celebrations.

VII. Cultural Gems. Presentations have enabled the

capital area community to share in the best of Philippine culture.
Alumni, together with friends of the Association, have served as
host families.
UPAA has taken great pride in sponsoring UPs cream
of excellence: Noel E. Velasco, Tenor and Reynaldo G.
Reyes, Pianist; Redentor Romero, Violinist; the UP Concert
Chorus; the UP Staff Chorale; the UP Madrigal Singers;
and the UP Alumni Madrigals. With Mr. Nestor Santiago as
President, UPAA MWDC has also introduced to the
community, two talented young artists, Michelle Pineda,
Pianist and Deanna Pineda, Violinist. On November 17,
2000, UPAA co-sponsored On Wings of Song concert in
Washington DC and 7 months later, co-sponsored the UP
Medical Choir concert in Baltimore.
Under the leadership of Dr. Nerita EstampadorUlep
and Arlene Lorica, the UPAA MWDC Choral Group was
formed and made their public debut at Paskohang Pinoy
with a rendition of Payapang Daigdig.

On October 2005, UPAADCMDVA co-sponsored the

UP Madrigal Singers in concert in Alexandria, Virginia.
On October 24 to 26, 2007 we held a Garibay Art
para sa UP exhibit at the Philippine Embassy in

Washington DC. All proceeds went to our Junior Faculty

Development project. The exhibit featured paintings by
Emmanuel Garibay, a multi awarded painter considered to
be one of the Philippine masters of his generation.
Continuing Cultural shows for 2008 moving forward
is described in the respective 2008 thru 2010 sections in
this article.
VIII. Ferment of Ideas. Among the Associations
Guests Speakers have been Director John Maisto,
Philippine Affairs, US Department of State; Deputy
Minister of Finance (and former UP President) Emmanuel
Soriano; Prime Minister Cesar Virata; Senator Eva Estrada
Kalaw; NAMFREL Chair Jose Concepcion, Jr.; PCGG
Chair Jovito Salonga; Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs Salvador Laurel, Jr.; Minister of Local
Government Aquilino Pimentel Jr.; Minister Solita
Monsod; New York US Congressman Stephen Solarz;
Ambassador Emmanuel Pelaez and Senate President
Edgardo Angara. It has also sponsored author Mr. David
H. Bain, and Dr. Paul Taylor of the Smithsonian
Institution.
Apart from serving as a forum of ideas, especially during
the martial law years, the Association has taken a stand on
critical national issues. In its resolution of February 13,
1986, it asked President Marcos to step down immediately
from office to a peaceful transition in favor of Presidentelect Corazon Aquino.
The Association, in its resolutions of August 26, 1992,
protested the discriminatory treatment of some 2,000 workers
(including Filipinos) at Alaskan salmon canneries (Wards
Cove), and urged passage of bills that would restore justice and
equal protection to those minority workers under the US Civil
Rights Act of 1991.
The Association has also urged the pressing and vital
passage by the Philippine Congress of overseas Filipinos voting
rights legislation.

The Association had published its newsletter, with

Mercy Tira-Andrei , Raquel Luz, Atty Pearl Gauzon and

Nebuchadnezzar Alejandrino as editors; aptly called Alay

(Tagalog for the Oblation) it fosters the flow and ferment

of ideas. With the creation of the yahoo group site, we
now keep each other informed thru email and the website.
We have a new website :
http://upaadcmdva.org/Home.html where members can
check for recent events announcements and photos, as
well as updated news about our projects. Our webmaster,
Toto Asesor is a UP-at-heart volunteer together with Candy
de Luna Asesor and their family.

Historical Milestones

(continued)

IX. LOYAL THY SONS AND DAUGHTERS. Through

the alumnis steadfast commitments and generous
response to appeals by the University Presidents (such as
those made personally by UP Presidents Angara, Abueva,
Javier and Nemenzo) the Sons and Daughters of UP in the
capital area remain true and loyal to the almamater.
Far tho we wander/Oer islands yonder/ Loyal thy sons
and daughters well ever be.!
X. FOR THEE UNITED, OUR JOYFUL VOICES
HEAR: To commemorate the 26th year of the founding
UPAA MWDC, Dr. Perfecto Santiago, with a core of
committed volunteers led by Special Events Committee
Co-Chairs Zeny Viloria and Rene Alvir spearheaded an
anniversary dinner dance on Saturday, April 8, 2000. The
event made possible the addition of $ 4,000 to the
Professorial Chair Fund and the fulfillment UPAAs
commitment of supporting a scholar in UPV. Dr. Santiago
pursued a lingering initiative to unite UPAA Maryland
(Baltimore) and UPAA Metropolitan Washington D.C.
and after a series of meetings, the merger finally became a
reality. With the approval of the amendments to the
Constitution and By-Laws, UPAA Metro Washington
D.C. and UPAA Maryland officially became UPAA DC,
Maryland and Virginia. In July 2000, UPAA hosted a
visit to Washington D.C. by UPs newly-installed
President, Dr. Francisco Nemenzo. At a special reception,
Dr. Santiago presented Pres. Nemenzo a check for $4,000
for the Professorial Chair. Under Ms. Ched Bautistas
leadership, UPAADCMDVA held two fundraisers: April
2002, UPAA held Cadena de Amor 28th Anniversary
Dinner Dance at St. Columba Parish Hall in Oxon Hill,
Maryland and Pasko Na held on December 6, 2002 at the
Fort Myer Community Center, Arlington,Virginia.

In August 2005, we turned over $7000 to UP Foundation

for the renovation of 2 rooms in the UP Diliman Infirmary.
Dr. Bayani and Mrs. Sol Manalo were presented with the
plaque for these two Infirmary rooms when they called on
President Emerlinda Roman on January 2006, shown in the
photo above).

Dr. Jun Anthony Quion took over on July 2005 and he is

currently leading UPAADCMDVA to its new project

focused on the junior faculty development and the
centennial celebration in 2008. We had Pahiyas 2006 last
April 2006. Along with several contemporaries in UP who
are now also in the Washington DC area. Dr. Quion
harnessed new alumni members to be part of UPAA. He
successfully launched the start of the Happy Hour Series in
April 2006 to be able to meet and network with each other,
at the same time, acquainting themselves with the best
Happy Hour places within the metro area. We held the
Carillon Ball on October 7, 2006 and successfully raised
enough funds to cover two of seven junior faculty grants
pledged to the universitys different campuses.
We ushered in the year 2007 with In2U UPAA social
networking on February 9, 2007 in our continuing fund
raising for the junior faculty program. On May 5, 2007, we
spent a Day with UP President Emerlinda Roman and the
Centennial team held at the home of Louie and Jerme
Tupas in Vienna, Va.
That summer of July 22, 2007, Dr. Quion and family and
UP friends, presented President Roman in UP Diliman,
with the first 2 CFGs in the amount of $33,333 designated
for UP Open and UP Mindanao.! (photo below shows check
turnover in UP Diliman)

In preparation for the 30th anniversary celebrations,

Dr. Bayani L. Manalo, current president through June
2005, UPAADCMDVA held a Spring fund raiser on April
17, 2004 (UP, UP Away) held at Fort Myer Community
Center, Arlington, VA, followed by our Back to the 50s
in the spring of 2005.

2008 UP Centennial Year gives new challenges

to incoming officers for 2008-2009. Under the presidency of
Louie Tupas, we aim to raise more funds for the remaining 5
campuses of the UP System, and celebrate the centennial of our
Alma Mater.

We opened the centennial year with the Sotero Nieves Art

Exhibit held at the Philippine Embassy on March 7-14, 2008.
Sotero Nieves is our 100-year old alumnus residing in Ellicott
City, Md. Featured were his paintings and drawings in charcoal,
acrylic, water color and oil.

Historical Milestones

(continued

The UP Med Choir came in May and together with UPMASA,

the Philippine Embassy and Upsilon Sigma Phi, we co-sponsored
the FREE concert held at the Visitor Center of the Church of
Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints in Kensington, MD, on May 4,
2008.

Preparations for CENTENNIAL BALL 2008

Since the beginning of the year, we continuously worked on the
preparations for the Centennial Ball to be held on October 18,
2008 at the JW Marriott Hotel in
Washington DC. This undertaking did not make us forget to have
our annual picnic held July 26, 2008 at the Nottoway Park in
Vienna, VA. It served to launch our marketing for the Centennial
Ball. Several committees worked hard to make the event a
successful one, not only in reaching our goal for the junior
faculty grants we pledged, but most specially to encourage as
many alumni to come as possible. Our program committee
worked double time to present a very unique program that
presents UP through the 100 years as represented by the years
and traditions of the university that our local alumni have
experienced in their years in UP. Our decorations committee
started its work early in creating a one-of-a-kind centerpiece,
made by alumni from various academic disciplines in UP. Our
choir and dance performers and stage hands, also from our
local pool of alumni, are coming together to polish on their
hidden talents in the performing arts all these in order to
present to the community what a UP experience is all about.

The Centennial Ball at the JW Marriott on October

18, 2008 was a BIG SUCCESS. It raised the biggest funds by any
Filipino organization in the UP, according to the Philippine
Embassy. We raised funds for two (2) more CFGs. Our guest of
honor was our own Ambassador Gaa (UP Law). In addition,
Sotero Nieves, centenarian alumnus of Ellicott, MD. attended
the Centennial Ball. It was a record turnout of UP alumni in the
DC, Maryland and Virginia area with about 75% attendance of
alumni and families out of the 320 attendees.
2008 culminated with a UPAADCMDVA Christmas party and
meeting at the Quion residence where we formally approved
changes to the CBL regarding membership fees and tenure of
office from a fiscal to calendar year basis.

2009 - UPAADCMDVA formally obtained its 501 ( c )3 on

February 10, 2009 thru an IRS advisory. Since the presidency of
Dr. Jun A. Quion, we continued to work on obtaining the 501 (c )
3 status for UPAADCMDVA as a successor to the UPAA of Metro
DC organization established since 1974. We are current in our
status with the office of the DC Regulatory Administration.
In our efforts to raise funds for the CFGs, we had a booth at the
McLean Community Center Garage Sale in April 2009 to sell

remaining Silent Auction items donated for the Centennial Ball.

Remaining items unsold from the ball and the garage sale were
donated to Salvation Army by UPAADCMDVA. We sponsored a
dinner with Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing at the Vinh
Kee restaurant when he came on April 21, 2009. On May 9,
2009, we held a Health Seminar at the Inova Alexandria
auditorium led by Dr. Albert Coo, and our very own alumni Drs.
Manalo, Quion and Rivera in their respective fields of
specialization.

June 23, 2009 - UPAADCMDVA received its biggest

donation from a single donor who designated a CFG for
UP Diliman. Mrs. Teresita Albarracin Olympia (BSHE
Nutrition 65) donated $ 10,000 towards the CFG
endowment designated for UP DILIMAN. She requested
that the grant be co-named in honor of her late husband,
Pete Olympia, UP Diliman Chemistry. UPAADCMDVA is
extremely grateful for her generous donation and will
honor her request.
UPAADCMDVA makes a return visit at the Baltimore Fiesta
Filipiniana Fair with a booth courtesy of Edna Gan and family,
and Baltimore UP alumni. UPAADCMDVA becomes a permanent
participant of the Baltimore Philippine Independence Fair
celebrations specially because the Washington DC Fair has not
been held for 2 consecutive years. We said goodbye to Consul
Rico Fos and family Rico is a UP BS and Law 93 alumnus. In
our book, Rico has been the best cultural affairs liaison we have
had in the Washington DC area.
Our annual summer picnic was held on June 27, 2009 and we
held our election of new officers and BOD for the calendar years
2010 thru 2011. Louie Tupas, served during the transition thru
December 31, 2009. Our CBL ratified in December 2008 revised
the tenure of officers and BOD, our financial recording and
reporting from a fiscal (July to June) to calendar (January to
December) basis. On September 6, 2009 UPAADCMDVA hosted a
picnic for the UPAAA an alumni group which held its 3-day
biennial convention at the JW Marriott. We met other UP alumni
from all over North America during the picnic.

ONDOY September 26, 2009 - UPAADCMDVA raised

funds along with the organizations in the Washington DC area
for the victims of this deadly typhoon that hit the Philippines.
We raised enough funds to send $1,500 to SAGIP ISKO (a relief
effort led by the UP Student Council to aid 600 families in the UP
Diliman campus hit by Ondoy) through Liza Virata-Theimer
during her trip to Manila in February 2010. We purchased $1500
worth of doxycycline through the office of Dr. Modesto Rivera
and made the donation to the Red Cross through the Philippine
Embassy on November 20, 2009.
UPAADCMDVA held its last general meeting for 2009 during the
Christmas Party in a well-attended dinner at the Cee Fine Thai
Restaurant on December 13, 2009. Induction of 2010 2011
Officers and BoD was also held during the Christmas Party.

Historical Milestones

(continued)

2010 January 1, 2010 ushered UPAADCMDVA under its

new set of Officers and Board of Directors for the next 2
calendar years. A quick check of activities held to date:
* UPAADCMDVA hosted the UP Concert Chorus with a
concert at the OLGC (Our Lady of Good Counsel Church,
Vienna, Virginia) on May 6, 2010.
* UPAADCMDVA participates in the Baltimore Fiesta
Filipiniana Fair on June 14, 2010 with a booth courtesy of
Edna Gan and family and Baltimore UP alumni.
* UPAADCMDVA holds its annual summer picnic at the
Roundtree Park, Falls Church, Virginia on June 20, 2010.

* UPAADCMDVA signs deeds of donation for CFGFs UP

Visayas and UP Manila at a signing ceremony at UP Diliman
on July 8, 2010. UPAADCMDVA first Vice President Dr.
Albert Coo signed the donations on behalf of
UPAADCMDVA. (see photo above)
* UPAADCMDVA
represented
by current President Bong
Pangilinan, received an
appreciation certificate from
the Philippine Embassy at a dinner held at the
(see photo at right)

Ambassadors residence on August 9, 2010. The certificate was

for Ondoy victims.
* UPAADCMDVA held the UP 2010 Maskara Ball held on
October 30, 2010 at The Westin Tysons Corner,
Virginia.
* We held our annual general meeting and Christmas Party
at Vinh Kee restaurant.the UPAADCMDVA Typhoon ONDOY 2009
donation of doxycycline for the Philippine Red Cross, as part of
the Washington DC community effort to help Typhoon Ondoy
victims

2011 - February 16, 2011 marked the turn-over of yet 2 more

deeds of donation for CFGFs designated for UP Los Baos and
UP Diliman . The UP Diliman CFGF consisted of a joint grant
with a lump sum donation of $10,000 from Mrs. Teresita
Albarracin Olympia in honor of her husband Mr. Pete Olympia.
The grant specifies that a faculty grant forthe Institute of
Chemistry is granted in his name after every two years of CFGF
to any faculty in UPD. The deeds of donation were presented by

current president Arturo 'Bong' Pangilinan at the Quezon Hall

office of the president.
* Spring is in the air, but sad to say on March 4, we gathered
for a potluck Goodbye dinner for Ambassador and Mrs. Willy
Gaa at the Quion residence. It is hard to say goodbye to a fellow
alumni who had been close to the alumni group, not only as our
ambassador but as a fellow 'Isko.'
* May 8 - 'peUPSbook' was launched - in keeping with the
technology, our membership drive was held at the Lincolnia
Adult Community Center. Our Oblation choir provided part of
the entertainment.
* May 15 - another potluck despedida at the Quion
residence for Raymond Diaz, Oblation Singers choirmaster.
* Now becoming an annual event, UPAADCMDVA returns to
the Baltimore Filipinina Fair/Fiesta on June 15 - to maintain close
ties and bond with our Baltimore member alumni, friends, family
and supporters.
** July Back-to-Back events - July 8 - Our summer picnic,
held at Nottoway Park marked the biennial elections and annual
general meeting of the membership. Our officers for 2012 to
2013 are:
President
Dr. Albert Coo
1st VP
Thelma Lim
2nd VP
Ferdinand Vinuya
Secretary
Alma Conty
**Assistant Secretary Mabel Kenyon
Treasurer
Liza Virata - Theimer
**Assistant Treasurer Edwin Narciso
Auditor
Litz Sangalang
**Assistant Auditor Louie Tupas
** (Assistant positions are appointed positions, sometimes drafted is a
better description)

Board of Directors:
Lisa Manaloto
Tina Palanca
Jun Anthony Quion
Perfecto Santiago

Anthony Solano
Jerme Tupas
JunJun Villareal
Arturo Pangilinan
(immediate past president)

* July 16 - Incoming UP President Alfredo E. Pascual

met with UPAADCMDVA members in a potluck dinner held
at the home of Drs. Elwin and Doris Bustos in July 2011. It
was an opportunity to bond with the new president and get a
glimpse of his plans for UP.
* The FilAm community fell in love on September 21, 2011
with 'Fall in Love with Madz' concert came to town held at the
OLGC De Sales Hall in Vienna, Va.
* Our annual general meeting and Christmas party was held
at the Arlington Court Suites, Arlington, Virginia on December 8,
2011 overlooking the Washington DC Skyline.

2012 - UPAADCMDVA starts of under a new set of officers and

board of directors, when the UP Law Debating Team came to
town for the Jessup International Moot Court Competition
during the week of March 23 thru 31. The UP Law Debating
team finished 3rd behind #1 Moscow State University (Russia)
and #2 Columbia Law School (USA). Enthusiastic alumni treated
the team at Hokkaido Seafood Buffet and then again at the Vinh
Kee restaurant before they left for the trip home.
* Spend your Refund Day - a bus trip to Atlantic City on April
21 was fun-filled with food, songs (Jun Q & Tina P) and a
guaranteed 6-hour stay at the Tropicana Casino & Resort Hotel.

Historical Milestones

Philippines. Chief Justice Sereno is an alumna of both UP and

Ateneo. Also in the entourage were Supreme Court Justices Estela
Perlas-Bernabe, Mariano Del Castillo, and Presbitero Velasco, Jr

* June 12 was Fiesta Day with the Baltimore Katipunan where

UPAADCMDVA had its own tent a few feet from the famous K of C
barbeque and the San Miguel beer garden.
* 50 Years old, Golden Anniversary, 20th International Concert
Tour - The UP Concert Chorus came back for its SingKwenta
SingKwela concert on June 28 with none other than UPCC
alumna, Ms. Nanette Inventor. Like in 2010, UPCC wowed the
audience with their songs, choreography and of course, Ms.
Agnes 'Nanette' Inventor aka Funny Lady of Songs.

2013

(continued)

On October 6, we held the

2012 Panagbenga B all - with

January 26 the first UP-Ateneo Katipunan Avenue Neighbors

UPAKAN - Bowling Tournament at the Bowl America Fairfax
Circle. UP, Ateneo and LaSalle all fielded teams in the 8-pin Notap bowling format for fun and fund-raising. UP fielded 16 teams
more than the other alumni associations! We followed this up by
participating in the Lasalle-FABA bowling tournament on Feb. 23.
The first week of April saw us hosting the UP Law team for a
second straight year in the Jessup International Moot Court
Competition. While they did not go as far as in 2012, they still
made us proud as representatives of the Philippines. We treated
them to a welcome dinner at Hokkaido Buffet, and a farewell
dinner at Vinh Kee. Attorney Harry Roque was again their lead
coach.
June 27 we hosted a book launch with Ateneo Alumni
Association at the Philippine Embassy for UP/Ateneo alumna
Marivi Soliven. Her book, The Mango Bride, has been well
received nationally and internationally. This was followed by a
book signing at Sweet City Desserts on June 28 and 29.

proceeds designated for UP Baguio. The theme is Panagbenga

Flower Festival at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, Va. This
will mark the completion of the 7th CFG for the UP System's 7
campuses.
We will have special Centerpiece Items for sale, hand-made by
our volunteers in the Spirit of U.P. and celebrating the Baguio
Panagbenga Flower Festival. Recycled bottles were spruced up
with materials reminiscent of our mixed ethnic cultures, such as
jute (Manila hemp) and beadwork. The set of 3 plastic vases can
be used to hold flowers, pens/pencils, cutlery, etc., and will sell for July 14 Annual Picnic at Riverbend Park in McLean, Virginia,
with lechon from Mang Nonoy, and election of a new slate of
$20 for the set. (See photos after credits on the right)
officers and board members.
The other centerpiece on sale is glass, decorated
New Officers 2014 - 2015
President
- Liza Virata-Theimer
by hand with jute, beads, and native cloth.
1st VP
- JunJun Villareal
2nd VP - Ferdie Vinuya
Representing the environmental-consciousness
Secretary
- Alma Conty
Asst. Sec* - Mabel Kenyon
of both U.P. and Baguio , this versatile piece
Treasurer
- Edwin Narciso
Asst. Treas* - Anthony Solano
can be used as a flower vase, votive or scented
Auditor
- Lynn Francis
Asst. Auditor* - Lits Sangalang
candle holder, pencil holder, etc., and will also
Board of Directors 2014 - 2015
sell for $20 each.
Sarah Bengzon Paz Carlos
Ami Dimaano
John Malixi
Tina Palanca
Alfred Tecson Jessie Wolgamotti
Apart from the Festivities and Program that we have
Albert Coo (immediate past president)
planned for you during our Panagbenga Ball on the
evening of October 6, the SILENT AUCTION highlighted the
October 26 bus trip to Virginia Beach, with lunch stop at
following:
Jollibee (!), followed by a visit to the General Douglas MacArthur
* A painting (18" by 24")by renowned Filipino artist Emmanuel
Memorial Museum. We then filled up with pastries and baked
goods from Red Ribbon and Laguna Bakery, then an early
Garibay. This painting will come with 2 coffee table (see end of
dinner at FeLynn/Ihaw-ihaw.
article)

October 26 UP and Ateneo Alumni Associations hosted a Joint

Happy Hour at the Madhatter Bar in Washington, DC, featuring a
live band playing OPM. The band later formed the group 3 Stars
and a Sun.
December 2 Our Annual Christmas Brunch at Hilton Mark
Center. With dueling Christmas carols from the various tables.

We were in the midst of planning for our annual Christmas

party, when Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on November 8,
decimating Tacloban City and the UP campuses there and in Palo,
Leyte. Our plans quickly changed into a fund-raising merienda
Sopas para sa Pinas on December 14 with donated Filipino
comfort foods like chicken sotanghon, pancit molo, arroz caldo,
pancit palabok, paella, cassava cake and bibingka. With the

funds raised here and previous events we were able

December 14 saw another joint Ateneo-UP event, along with the to send over $7,000 to help the students of UPV
US-Philippine Society, hosting an evening dialogue with
Tacloban and UPM Health Sciences.
Philippine Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno at the Willard
Hotel. The topic of discussion was Judicial Reform in the