As embodied in its mission statement, one of the prime objectives of the UPAA Toronto is to provide funds and other forms of assistance to support the alma mater’s scholarship, grants and awards programs.

The first major fundraising project was for a professorial chair. The UPAA Toronto Professorial Chair was established in 1992. This form of assistance from private individuals, corporate sponsors and organizations like ours helps to support and to keep our gifted teachers from leaving UP for better paying positions in private institutions. During these times, help from all quarters is even more important as, sadly, UP has become a poaching ground for teachers because of an archaic charter that prevents UP from offering a competitive compensation package to match that of the other institutions.

The second endowment project was launched in October 2003. This time, a special committee co-chaired by Dr. Mario Andres and Dr. Vicky Santiago, was organized to raise funds for a scholarship. Some two years later, in December 2005, after a good deal of hard work on the part of the co-chairs with the support of the Council and members of the association, a cheque for Cdn$25,000 was presented to UP president, Dr. Emerlinda Roman, establishing the UPAA Toronto Scholarship. The interest earned from the fund will be used to cover a deserving undergrad’s yearly stipend for tuition, books and living expenses until graduation. The scholarship will be available at the College of Science in Diliman.

In April 2008, delegation headed by UPAA prez Noel Cruz, presented to UP Prez Emer Roman a cheque for $35K (=1M Phil pesos) for our donation to the Professorial Chair.

The UPAA Toronto Scholarship and the UPAA Toronto Professorial Chair are administered by the UP Foundation Inc. and conditions for the awards will both be in accordance with applicable university policies and guidelines.

The UPAA Toronto’s support to the alma mater is a continuing commitment. We will be mindful of her needs and priorities as we plan future assistance projects.