For a long time, alumni of the University of the Philippines were contented to attend Christmas parties with other groups, but this year, they decided to hold one for themselves. They marked the occasion at the Ottawa Hall of the Filipino Centre Toronto with a rousing merriment filled by singing Christmas carols and dancing, and warm reunion with many “older” as well as newcomer alumni who attended. As expected, there was a lot of ribbing and laughter, even as the group was cognizant of the recent devastation of a series of typhoons, “Ondoy,” among others, that hit the home country recently. 

In his brief speech, UPAA president Joe Zagala reported that the association’s quick response in fundraising for victims of the typhoons resulted to about $15,000, which was remitted to the Philippines. He reported that the association’s membership roster has grown significantly, as a result of the indefatigable drive of the membership retention and recruitment committee. President Zagala spoke about the series of career planning and job networking events for members, and the expansion of the mentoring program aimed at newly arrived UP alumni immigrants. He also reported that a UPAA Golf Tournament would be held in May 2010, which is expected to garner enough monies to donate one million pesos to the Endowment and the Professorial Chair funds. 

 Zagala gave credit to the membership for their leadership in initiating community events like the annual Summerfest, where UPAA takes active leadership among various alumni associations. It was noted that UPAA co-hosted a seminar on Live-in Caregivers with the Philippine Press Club-Ontario, where the speaker was lawyer Rafael Fabregas, a UPAA member. UP alumni in Greater Toronto and elsewhere often take active participation in the community.

 Early on, Zagala and members of UPAA welcomed a visiting UP alumnus and athlete, Cesar Guarin, who just completed the milestone global run of TransUSA-Canada in his last leg of North American Marathon. Guarin was warmly welcomed at the Christmas party.

 In smaller groups at the event, Zagala informed new members that UPAA holds a monthly social  – “Kapihan” - for members, family and friends, that include fellowship breakfasts, and activities like “Sketching from Life” where artists-members and other fellow artists sketched a nude professional model; “Battle of Barbecue Iron Chefs” where members competed in barbecuing; networking, and others. The events are held in various Filipino gathering places like the Filipino Centre Toronto, Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre, Fiesta Filipina Cultural Centre, restaurants, banquet halls and picnic ground. Over the years, “Kapihan” has evolved into popular social networking events 

Zagala concluded his report with an assurance that the New Year will see more and bigger activities for the association. He exhorted all members to review the newly improved and expanded website www.upaatoronto.org, and advise new alumni to visit the site as well.

    In times of crisis, Filipinos do hold their hands and work together for the common good. It is quite overwhelming to witness such a cooperation unfold. What started off as an appeal to pray for the flood victims in the Philippines turned out to be a demonstration of compassion and solidarity amongst Filipinos in GTA.

    In the early afternoon of Saturday September 26, as the first video clips about the ravages of Typhoon Ondoy trickled in from YouTube, BBC and CNN, an email appeal for prayers coming from Manila got its way into the UPAA Toronto e-group.  By nightfall, a consensus amongst the UPAA Council members was building up to heed the appeal and to do something even more. Before midnight, an emergency task force was created and mobilized to sound off a cry for help and to solicit donations.  Fred Gamboa and Malou Parcero, both Council members and officers, lost no time in taking up the challenge. They volunteered to co-chair the task.  As early as 5:00 AM on the following day Sunday, calls were being made, plans were being drawn, and a task force meeting was called.  As well, Rotary Club friends in Manila were contacted to see how assistance could be delivered effectively.Read more