In its efforts to give back as “Iskolar ng Bayan” [Scholars of the State], UPAA-MB, Inc. or the University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba, Inc. extends its bursary project to the Philippines.
This bursary which reflects the value the organization places on higher learning and community support, will have its first recipient in the Philippines: an underprivileged but deserving student of the University of the Philippines (UP) Tacloban campus.
UP Tacloban was severely damaged by Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda), the super typhoon which ravaged several cities and caused over 6,000 lost lives.
The recipient for this year’s bursary in the Philippines will undergo a screening and selection process by a UPAA-MB, Inc. Bursary committee in cooperation with UP Tacloban.
Flapjack Fundraiser
In line with this year’s bursary project in the Philippines, UPAA-MB, Inc. will hold The Flapjack Breakfast Fundraiser.
This is a campaign driven by ticket sales for a pancake and drink breakfast, a 50/50 draw, individual/corporate sponsorship, and door prizes to lucky attendees.
It will be held on June 28, 2014, Saturday, from 8-10am, at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, 1150 Grant Avenue, Winnipeg. Tickets cost $10.
Buy your tickets now and make a difference! You can also buy tickets at the door during the event.
For more information, inquiries, and ticket purchases, please email [email protected].
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.
A number of engineering graduates of the University of the Philippines, most of whom are members of the UPAA-MB, Inc., are also active members of the Filipino Members Chapter of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of Manitoba (FMC-APEGM).
The FMC-APEGM is the first chapter of APEGM created for members with specific ethnic group. The Chapter represents the interests of Filipino-Canadian members of the Association. It presently has 48 full members composed of Professional Engineers (P.Eng.), Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) and Members-in-Training (E.I.T.), 49 student members composed of students and individuals in various stages of their engineering credential recognition with APEGM, and 44 lay associates.
The FMC-APEGM held its Christmas Party and Fundraising Event last December 28, 2013 at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre, in Winnipeg. Several UP alumni, most of whom are members of the UPAA-MB, Inc., attended the event. They are (as shown from left to right):
Ramon Buenaventura, E.I.T.
Norman Garcia, E.I.T.
Arlene Lontoc
Mei Villafania
Jeraldine Velasco
Angelito Velasco, P.Eng.
Dr. Marolo Alfaro, P.Eng.
Edwin Yazon, E.I.T. (not in the picture).
Another UPAA-MB, Inc. and FMC-APEGM member, Bless Ramos, was not able to join the event.
Normally, the Chapter holds its Christmas Party as an avenue to provide opportunity for its members to meet, to network and to socialize. This year, with the unfortunate crisis that typhoon Yolanda brought to Central Philippines, the Chapter decided to make its Christmas Party a fundraising event. The event raised funds to be donated to a chosen charity to help the typhoon victims in the Philippines.
UPAA-MB, Inc. members actively participated in the event, with Edwin Yazon and Mei Villafania showing their dancing prowess in a native dance presentation (photo below – Mei and Edwin are second and third from the left, respectively), while Arlene Lontoc’s spouse, Ricky Lontoc and his band “Synergy” provided live music throughout the night. Ramon Buenaventura, also a UPAA-MB, Inc. member, was the event coordinator.
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.
The University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba, Inc. (UPAA-MB, Inc.) convened its Third Annual General Assembly last October 5, 2013. Thirty-two of its 44 members attended the activity.
UPAA-MB members who attended the 2013 Annual General Assembly
Following the registration and renewal of membership, Anna Maniquiz, UPAA-MB Chairperson, gave the opening remarks underscoring the overall success of the organization’s activities for the year. She thanked both the officers and members for their hard work and support to achieve the organization’s objectives.
During the event, the current Board of Directors and heads of ad hoc committees took turns in reviewing the array of activities held by their respective committees from January to September 2013. The remaining activities slated for the year were also announced.
Current UPAA-MB Board of Directors (L-R): Kristine Acab- David, Pong Maniquiz, Anna Maniquiz, Danjae Medina, Divine Teodoro, Bless Ramos and Dominique Anne Mailom
The presentations highlighted the many gains achieved by the organization this year. Notably, UPAA-MB’s membership increased by 44% this year, with a potential increase of 25% in 2014. The organization’s fund raising activities through the Flapjack Breakfast Fundraiser and the Healthy Isko Lifestyle Challenge helped generate sufficient funds for the organization, while also promoting a healthy lifestyle among members. This bolstered the organization’s scholarship program intended to support the academic pursuits of deserving Filipino-Canadians. UPAA-MB’s community outreach to help Winnipeg’s less fortunate was commended by Siloam Mission. Information and communication activities raised the profile of the organization and the Filipino community in Manitoba. Finally, the report on the UPAA-MB survey regarding organizational activities was well received as its results would be useful in planning for future activities.
The event culminated in the presentation and acceptance of new associate members and the election of the new Board of Directors for 2014, which was facilitated by the Elections Ad hoc Committee. The new associate members of the organization are: Macy Mailom, Janine Quijano and Lisa McLaughlin-Moar.
The new members of the UPAA-MB Board of Directors for 2014 are the following:
Chairperson – Ramon Faustino Sales, Jr.
Secretary – Sarah Anne Gonzales
Treasurer – Arlene Licardo-Lontoc
Head, Fund Raising Committee – Dominique Anne Mailom
Head, Information and Communications – Jeusa Raflores
Head, Membership Committee – Jullie May Villafania
Head, Social Responsibility – Paulo Fabian
The new UPAA-MB Board of Directors for 2014 (L-R): Ramon Faustino Sales; Sarah Anne Gonzales, Dominique Anne Mailom, Jeusa Raflores, Jullie May Villafania and Paulo Fabian. Not in picture: Arlene Licardo-Lontoc
The new set of officers will formally assume office on January 1, 2014.
The UPAA-MB annual newsletter, which sums up this year’s activities, was distributed during the assembly (the newsletter is posted on this website).
As the UPAA-MB members celebrate memorable successes this year, they are also setting their sights on reaching new milestones for the organization in the year ahead.
