The UPAA Kapihan, a regular informal breakfast event of the UP alumni in Metro Toronto, started rather accidentally due to the use of the group email. It was opened for registered members to communicate with each other.

Noel Cruz and Geny Toribio emailed each other to meet for coffee at Tim Horton’s, without thinking the email was being received by all registered members of the group. They were inundated with response from other alumni who also wanted to join the coffee klatch , but where and when?

Rose Tijam emailed with the information that the Philippine Press Club-Ontario, of which she and some UP alumni are also members, holds a regular "Kapihan" in various Filipino restaurants. They discuss concerns in the community, and invite speakers on various topics.

The UPAA decided they want to meet for breakfast and fellowship – no agenda, no business - just breakfast and socials.

Rose was then assigned to organize the first UPAA Kapihan. It was held in February 11, 2006 at the Aristokrat , and was followed successfully in several other Filipino restaurants.

The merry banters, jokes, stories, updates, news, singing and socializing have made the UPAA Kapihan a very well-attended and successful event among members, family and friends . As an offshoot of the UPAA Kapihan, the Ateneo Alumni Association also followed with their own Kapihan in January 2007. Other alumni associations have expressed interest to set up theirs.

Rose and UPAA president Noel Cruz co-chair, and the rest of the UPAA Kapihan committee are Fanny Calucag, Livvy Camacho and Elvie Arevalo.

The UPAA Kapihan is still evolving, and is open for suggestions to improve its format and activities, please contact us.