Category: News and Updates

After a long wait due to several delays for UPAA’s “Winter Fun” activity, March 8 finally marked a break in frigid weather conditions and members of UPAA took advantage of a “warm weekend,” by pushing through with the fun.

Members spent half a day at Fort Whyte Alive, an outdoor recreational area located at 1961 McCreary Rd, where activities like toboganning, skating, snowshoeing, Nordic walking, cross-country skiing, and ice-fishing are offered this winter.

Members went toboganning first and most were first timers, a fact which made the experience even more fun.

Screams of excitement filled the air as each member went downhill on a toboggan.

Members also tried snowshoeing and toured a typical type of dwelling for Native Americans called tepee.

Janine Rose Quijano, one member who saw a tepee for the first time was amazed at the nomadic way of life of Indians before. “I’ve never been inside a tepee so it was amazing to see and realize the difference between their way of life before and the way of life now, with people living in high-rise condos and houses.”

Janine and other UPAA members learned that a tepee is traditionally made of animal skin and wooden poles, that give its dwellers warmth in winter, cool retreat in the summer, and dry space in a rainy day.

By Lourdes Casanares and Jeusa Raflores

The UPAA-MB, Inc. observed the spirit of the holidays by celebrating its fourth annual Christmas Get-Together last Friday, November 29th at Bronx Park Community Centre located at 720 Henderson Hwy.

Foregoing the original event theme, the organization has decided instead to help the victims of super typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) in the Philippines. A small potluck dinner was held accompanied by a silent auction, a 50/50 draw, and loose cash donations. The event was well-attended by its members, both current and potential, and their families and friends. A small photobooth was also set-up for the guests’ enjoyment.

 
The Board screened a video to showcase and summarize this year’s activities. The video recognized the members’ personal achievements and life-changing events, and congratulated them for a job well-done. In addition to these, the Social Responsibility Committee also acknowledged its volunteers for this year, finishing with the Volunteer of the Year which was awarded to Jay Javier. Jay also received the Member of the Year award for an exceptional display of commitment and hardwork not just to the organization, but to the community that UPAA-MB, Inc. serves.

 
The event ended with the announcement of the 50/50 draw, with Sarah Gonzales taking home the prize. A net total of $656.15 has been collected from the Get-Together, in addition to the $300.00 coming from the organization’s fund. The money will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross. The donation will be tripled by a company and government matching program.

UPAA-MB, Inc. celebrated Halloween this year by having a bowling party. The “Araw ng Pa-STRIKE” Bowling Event had members, their families and friends spent Saturday evening  bowling at Chateau Lanes last November 2, 2013.

More than 30 bowlers, most in Halloween costumes, participated in the event. Registration started at 5:00pm and promptly followed by the games proper at 5:30pm. Six teams were formed with at least five bowlers each. However, only the scores of the first five bowlers were considered for the teams with more than five members. The organizers also prepared treats for everybody, including prizes for the champion team, best bowler, and best in costume. On the second set of the game, special prizes were given for every strike by an individual bowler.

 As scheduled, the last bowler finished the game at 7:30pm and awarding followed immediately. The best bowler was Jeusa’s friend, Mel Alberto, who scored a total of 268 points for two sets. The Champion Team was “Lane 28” with an aggregate score of 1,078 points. The team members were Danjae Medina, his friends Jason and Kristy, Jeusa Raflores, Mel Alberto, and Ramon Buenaventura.

Being a Halloween celebration, most members came in their Halloween costumes. The sister-tandem Macy and Nikki Mailom, as “Poison Ivy and Tutubi”, wowed the crowd and was chosen as the hands-down Best in Costume winner. Other runners-up, in no particular order, were the “Stick Family” (Flores family – Dennis, Joanna, Jackie and Mandy), and “GI Jane” (Christy Domingo).

Distribution of “treats” for everybody and picture-taking followed before everyone called it a night. Some members continued the fun and had dinner together at Boston Pizza. This event was another successful, fun-filled activity of the UPAA-MB, Inc.