Dr. Emerlinda Ramos Roman, president of the University of the Philippines, is a guest of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association, Toronto on her visit here on May 10 –13, 2007. Dr. Roman, the first woman president of UP, is also known as "the centennial president," since the state university is celebrating its 100th year anniversary next year.

UP president Emerlinda Roman finished high school at the UP Rural High School, BS Agricultural Economics, Master’s in Business Administration, and Ph.D. in Business Administration - all from University of the Philippines, making her a homegrown UP maroon through and through. She rose from research assistance, instructor, college secretary, director, vice chancellor, vice president, and chancellor, until finally the Board of Regents elected her as UP’s 19th leader last November 2004. Dr. Emerlinda Roman became UP’s first woman president, the position said to have been most coveted by then First Lady Imelda Marcos.

President Emerlinda Roman is known for her calm and determined brand of leadership that steadily charters the UP System towards major changes of the time. The state university has exponentially expanded in its education, research, training and extension mandate, and has campuses in major provinces throughout the Philippines. Described by her constituents as an efficient, conscientious administrator with excellent people skills, President Roman established herself as an effective resource manager and fundraiser. She looks forward to celebrating the University’s centenary in 2008, and has set up the UP Centennial Commission to oversee preparation for the grand homecoming. The Commission embarks on a campaign to raise P5 billion within three year’s time.

Noel Cruz, president of the UPAA Toronto stated that UP President Emerlinda Roman would meet with their members in a breakfast meeting/symposium at the Delta Hotel Markham on May 12, 2007. It coincides with their regular fellowship event dubbed as the "UPAA Kapihan. " Scores of alumni from Metro Toronto and other areas are expected to attend. "

"President Emerlinda Roman’s visit will certainly be nourishing to the UPian soul. It should rekindle the UP spirit and memories as she shares with us alumni here what’s up with the Alma Mater and what is in store for the Centennial celebration," the UPAA president stated.

Cruz said that the UPAA Toronto has contributed $12,000 for a professorial chair and $25,000 for a scholarship endowment. The association plans to increase these donations through a more active fundraising endeavor. Immediate past president Bayani Bernabe added that through the initiative of Joe Rivera and Granton Institute of Technology, a distance learning school based in Toronto has donated to the UPAA about 2,000 books. These will be sorted, catalogued, and offered for donation to interested UP branches at home. Bernabe also stated that UPAA has initiated "Summerfest" five years ago that has become an annual summer gathering of UP and 14 other university/college alumni associations that include among others, Ateneo, FEU, CEU, UE, CPU, St. Scholastica, Mapua, La Salle, San Beda, and many more.

The UP Alumni Association will mark its 30th year anniversary this year.