Save The Date: Dec. 18 Christmas Party

Please make time for Sunday Dec. 18 from 12 noon to 4p to spread holiday cheers with your fellow UP alumni. Venue will be the Sunset Park Clubhouse located at 1785 Pomar Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. See you there!

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 1 and 2 FOR THE FILAM INTERNATIONAL B

UPAA-Berkeley Welcomes Back The Philippine Madrigal Singers!

Music Repertoire in cooperation with UPAA-Berkeley Chapter presents the Philippine Madrigal Singers on June 17,2011, Friday at 7:30 pm at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $ 25 & $ 30.

For tickets and sponsor information, please call Selenna Franco-Cefre, President at 650-238-8062 or Henrietta Fajardo at 510-504-3480.

113th Phil. Independence Day Commemorative Golf Tournament

The Consulate will have a golf tournament in May as part of the PHL independence day celebrations. May I ask possible (e-mail) contacts from your network, UPAA, PICPA, etc. who may be interested in joining so that we can send them the flyers via e-mail.

Pls RSVP For March 19 Event

A local poet once described Carmel-by-the-Sea, with its haunting pines, fog, and white sand, as "our inevitable place." The area had been inhabited for more than 3,000 years when Fr. Junipero Serra chose the site for his mission headquarters in 1771. The romantic name, Carmel-by-the-Sea, was the gift of a group of women real estate developers, later used in advertising lots for "brain workers at in-door employment." Many Stanford and UC Berkeley professors, artists, writers, and musicians left a lasting legacy here in their art and in their rejection of large-scale commercial development. Although impoverished artists may no longer afford to live here, many residents and millions of sojourners still consider the lovely village packed with galleries and eateries their "inevitable place."

UPAA-Berkeley President Selenna Franco-Cefre, a Carmelite at heart, will lead us into the past of this exquisite place and the unique community that has grown here.

I am requesting the honor of your presence in our 43rd anniversary celebration in Carmel by the Sea.

If we have a good turnout, I am hoping we can have our 1st general membership and board meeting there.

This is also our fundraising event since we will conduct a Historic Treasure Hunt Walking Tour of Carmel by the Sea.

UPAA-Berkeley members are free however we request for a $25 donation for guests joining the Treasure Hunt Tour.

Light lunch will be provided by UPAA-Berkeley.

Pls rsvp asap so we can get a headcount.

Feel free to call me if you would like carpool requests, overnight accomodations and questions at 650-238-8062.

Paskong Pinoy

General Meeting and Elections Today

The UPAANC Berkeley chapter will be having its general meeting and elections today November 14 at 3p at the residence of Cherry Utleg located at 3810 La Miranda Place, Pittsburg, CA 94565. Should you need directions, you can contact Cherry at 925.698.4614.

Please accept my apologies for the late posting. Our president, Selenna Cefre-Franco, broadcasted the announcement on the general election via regular email weeks ago but I forgot to post the same on this website.

See you later!

Prof. Monsod's Last Lecture

UP Alumna Showcases Controversial Book @ SF Library

Fellow UP alumni,

Please show your support to one of our outstanding UP alumna, Marites Vitug, on Oct. 13.

*****************************

Award-winning Filipina investigative journalist MARITES VITUG talks about the Aquino administration’s First One Hundred Days and her controversial bestseller, "SHADOW OF DOUBT: Probing the Supreme Court"

6 - 7:30 pm

San Francisco, CA 94102

Event is FREE. Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to filbookfest@yahoo.com to reserve a seat.

Sponsors: The San Francisco Public Library’s Filipino American Center and the Literacy Initiatives International Foundation's Books for Life Project

For more info: filbookfest@yahoo.com or Gemma (510) 415-2857

Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court is the first book to lift the veil off the highest court of the Philippines.

Written by Marites Dañguilan Vitug, a leading journalist in the Philippines, and published by Newsbreak, the book looks at the inner workings of the “elusive and reclusive” Supreme Court, the least scrutinized of the three branches of government. The 267-page book provides easy-to-read accounts of how Justices arrive at decisions, the dynamics between the Supreme Court and the Office of the President, glimpses of select personalities on the Court, and how Justices got appointed to the Court.

Vitug writes that, under the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, loyalty to the appointing power became more important than merit in selecting people for the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Moreover, the secrecy surrounding the Court has direct impact on the quality of appointments and, consequently, on decisions.

The story behind Shadow of Doubt, Vitug relates in her talk before various groups, says much about the absence of independent publishing in the Philippines. The original publisher and distributor backed out because parts of the book were critical of the Court and were bound to make some of the Justices unhappy. The leading bookstore chain in the Philippines has refused to carry the book.

One of the Justices, Presbitero Velasco, Jr., sued Vitug for libel on the eve of the book’s release. She later received a death threat but the police have not been able to establish the source.

The book has received praise from peers as well as from some on the Court. “The book is… the sunlight that will disinfect the Supreme Court,” retired Supreme Court Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez said in her speech during the book launch in March. Shadow of Doubt, she said, “covers an entirely novel and complex subject, an unchartered area no writer has ever sailed, maybe for fear of the men women in black robes.”

Alfredo Yuson, in his review in the Philippine Star, described the book as a “tipping point in our national narrative brought about by heady journalism,” including Solidaridad in the 1890s to Malaya and Mr. & Ms. in the 1980s.

“It had to take Vitug, a veteran of investigative reportage, whose credibility as a journalist is beyond question, to pry open the curtains veiling a sanctum sanctorum,” Yuson wrote.

Other reviews describe the book as a “must read” as it “sheds light on a dark corner” and appeals not only to lawyers but to a wide range of audience. The Manila Rotary Club, composed mostly of businessmen and corporate executives, gave Vitug a Book Award for an outstanding non-fiction book written by a journalist during its recent annual journalism awards. This is the first time that the Rotary Club opened a book award category.

The University of the Philippines recognized Vitug as one of its outstanding alumni for 2010—for “promoting good governance through investigative journalism.”

Nominations for 2010-2011 Board / Elections

Please contact any member of the committee (Romi Beza - chair; Members: Lito Utleg, Daisy Rodriguez, Evelyn Balancio and Jay Castro) for your nominations on or before Oct. 9. The nominating committee shall be recommending to the board on that day the slate of officers that will be presented to the general membership during the elections slated on November 14. Venue of the elections will be announced at a later date.

Thank you!

General Meeting Moved To Sept. 19

Hello Fellow Iskolar Ng Bayan,

Our general meeting has been moved to Sunday, Sept. 19, which is also the birthday of our host, Vangie Poe-Quesada.

Date: September 19,2010 (Sunday)

Time: Board Meeting: 2 pm-3 pm

Membership Meeting: 3 pm – 6 pm

Place: 135 Brodia Way Walnut Creek , CA 94598

For headcount purposes, please RSVP to me by Wednesday, Sept 15.

Feel free to bring a favorite dish to share for our merienda/early dinner.

Looking forward to seeing you all next weekend ! I am sure you don’t want to miss the wine tasting course courtesy of our very own Julie Hudson.

Best,

Cell: 650-238-8062

General Meeting on Sept. 18

Everyone is cordially invited to attend our upcoming general membership & board meeting on Sept 18, 2010 (Saturday) 5 pm at Evangeline Quesada's place - 135 Brodia Way Walnut Creek, CA 94598. Kindly RSVP no later than Sept 15 at 650-238-8062.

I have also posted below the (past and) future calendar of activities for your reference.

Thank you and see you soon!

Dinner With Chief Justice Puno on May 18

Hello fellow Iskolars ng Bayan,

UPAA Northern CA (Berkeley) Chapter is requesting the honor of your presence in a special dinner for Honorable Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno.

Below is a little information about our distinguished guest. Chief Justice is receiving an award from Cal Berkeley and will only be in town for a few days...

Like a trained surgeon, he uses his pen with laser-like precision to separate and excise fabrication from truth and pretension from reality. In the process, he gives life to populist causes and libertarian ideals. Daring, gutsy, and erudite, he – like Justice Holmes – oftentimes wages lonely battles against conventional wisdom with his stirring dissents and insightful opinions. (Panganiban, Justice and Faith, p. 142)

He began to display his writing prowess in school by winning the much coveted editorship of the University of the Philippines’ Philippine Collegian in 1961. While in law school, he served as Chairman of the Law Register, and Recent Documents Editor of the Philippine Law Journal of the UP College of Law. In recognition of his campus leadership, he was given the Outstanding Award for Excellence and Leadership by the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity for the years 1960, 1961 and 1962.

In 1962, Chief Justice Puno obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of the Philippines (UP). In 1966, he went to the United States for his post-graduate studies. He was a grantee of a full scholarship given by the Academy of American Law for a degree of Master of Comparative Laws at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He was also awarded full scholarship by the Walter Perry Johnson Foundation for a degree of Master of Laws at the University of California in Berkeley, California. He was also given a tuition scholarship by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, from where he finished all academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Juridical Science Degree. He was given the Doctor of Humanities degree (honoris causa) by the Philippine Wesleyan Univeristy in 1994. Justice Puno finished the degree of Master of Comparative Laws with high honors and as valedictorian of a class consisting of 23 graduate scholars from various parts of the world.

While a post-graduate student, Chief Justice Puno bagged five awards given by the Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Co. of New York and the Bancroft Whitney Publishing Co. of California, namely, the American Jurisprudence Prizes for Excellence in US Constitutional Structure, Comparative Private International Law, International Organization, Problems in Doing Business Abroad and Commercial Law.

He started his professional practice in 1962 at the Gerardo Roxas and Sarmiento Law Office as Assistant Attorney. Upon his return from the United States in 1969, he joined his brother, the late Judge Isaac S. Puno, Jr., in law practice. Shortly thereafter or in 1971, he accepted the position of Solicitor in the Office of the Solicitor General. In 1972, at age 32, he was designated as Acting City Judge of Quezon City Branch II while concurrently serving as Solicitor. In 1974 at age 34, he became Assistant Solicitor General.

In 1980, at age 40, Chief Justice Puno was appointed Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. He was reappointed Appellate Justice of the Intermediate Appellate Court (First Special Division) on January 1983.

On November 7, 1984, Chief Justice Puno was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice. He also served Acting Chairman of the Board of Pardons and Parole.

On August 1, 1986, Chief Justice Puno resumed his judicial career. He was appointed again to the Court of Appeals.

In 1993, then President Fidel V. Ramos appointed Chief Justice Puno as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court at age 53. He is the Chairman of its Second Division. He is also chairman of the Court Systems Journal and the Supreme Court Committee which digests the Court’s decisions for distribution to members of the judiciary. Justice Puno also heads the High Court’s Committee on Revision of the Rules of Court.

He served as Bar Examiner in Criminal Law in 1970, Mercantile Law in 1989 and Taxation in 1993. He was also a Lecturer of the UP Law Center, Institute of Judicial Administration and a Professor of Law at the Far Eastern University from 1969 to 1973. He now lectures at the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA).

Chief Justice Puno has garnered the most prestigious awards in the country. Among these are: Ten Outstanding Young Men Award (TOYM), Araw ng Maynila Award as Outstanding Jurist, UP’s Most Outstanding Law Alumnus, Grand Cross of Rizal from the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Grand Lodge Gold Medal from the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines and Centennial Awardee in the field of law given by the United Methodist Church on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

The Chief Justice is actively involved in civic and church activities. He is a lay preacher of the United Methodist Church and the incumbent Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Puno Memorial United Methodist Church.

U.P. Concert Chorus Show On April 18

You are invited to the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus performance, Sunday, April 18, 4:30 pm at Hogan High School Auditorium (address: 850 Rosewood Ave. Corner Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94591). Tickets are $20 each.

Rozzana Verder-Aliga

Join Habitat for Humanity Project on May 8!

You are invited to participate in a homebuilding project of Habitat for Humanity East Bay on Saturday, May 8th. Habitat is a non-profit organization that builds home for low-income families, using donated funds, donated materials and volunteers.

This event will be our first UPAA Berkeley team-building activity for the year. Work day starts at 8:30 am and ends at 4:00 pm with a break for lunch. The location is either Oakland or Bay Point.

I encourage you to participate as this is a good opportunity to learn some construction skills or contribute your own and have a fun day working with fellow UP graduates and other kindhearted volunteers. No previous experience is necessary but your enthusiasm and willingness are a must.

You're invited to our Spring Get-together !!!

Let's welcome Spring together and we would be delighted if you can join us!

Reminder on Next Week's Lunch Event

Walnut Creek, CA 94598 US

Phone: (650) 238-8062

Please join us for fun, fellowship and a luncheon feast to celebrate the Christmas Holiday Season and the installation of the 2009-2010 slate of officers/board members as follows:

President: Selenna Franco-Cefre

1st Vice Presient: Daisy Rodriguez

2nd Vice President: Quinito Joaquin

Secretary: Dee Faraon

Assistant Secretary: Mira Linsey

Treasurer: Diosy Rey

Auditor: Cherry Utleg

Parliamentarian: Alexis Zulueta

Advisory Committee Chair: (To be announced)

The cost is $10.00 per person and free for children under 12 years old. Please RSVP by contacting Selenna Franco-Cefre at (650) 238-8062 or Alexis Zulueta at (925) 487-3088.

We hope to celebrate with all your U.P. alumni friends & families. Please do not hesitate to forward this "Evite" to them.

In the spirit of holiday giving, instead of a gift exchange, please bring groceries or a winter coat for the less fortunate or homeless in the Bay Area.

As a reminder, if you have not paid your membership dues for fiscal year June 1, 2009-May 31, 2010, please remit your annual dues of $20.00 to our Treasurer, Diosy Rey, who can be reached at (707) 557-9082.

Save The Date: Dec. 6

Hi Everyone!

The induction of our new officers will be held during our annual Christmas party on Sunday Dec. 6, 2009 12 noon. Details of the event still have to be finalized but we are posting this announcement so you can set aside the date. We will issue an announcement both via this website and evite as soon as possible. See you soon!

General Meeting and Elections Today

Phone: 925-487-3088

UPAA-Berkeley's 2009 Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the nominations for the 2009-2010 slate of officers approved by the Board, as follows:

Auditor Cherry Utleg

Please join us for the 2009 election of officers to be held in this General Membership Meeting.

Come in your halloween costumes and be ready to go "trick or treat" after the meeting. Your costume may win you a prize!

Lunch will be served.

2009 Bay Area Madz Concerts

Hello All,

The UP MADRIGALS will have their first concert on OCT. 16, FRIDAY at 0730 PM in our area. The venue is St. Basil Catholic Church located at 1200 Tuolome St. Vallejo, CA. Contact Fr. Gamas (707)-644-5251 Ext. 24.

The next one is in San Francisco on Oct 23, Friday at 0730 PM @ Holy Name of Jesus Church, 15555- 39th Ave. Contact Fr. Arnold (415)- 664-8590

People from New York are raving about their performance. They say it is the best group in years and their songs are tops....finest performance...a must see.

Nominations for 2009-2010 Officers

Auditor Cherry Utleg

The above slate was approved in the Board meeting of 10/4/2009 pending acceptance by the nominees. I am pleased to announce that all the above nominees have indicated their willingness to serve and have accepted their respective nominations.

President (2008-2009)

You Are Invited To Our Paella Party!

You are invited to our Paella Party!

Host: UPAA-Northern California (Berkeley) Chapter

Place: Madame President Alexis Zulueta's Residence, 3422 Blackhawk Meadow Dr, Danville, CA 94506

2 pm - 6 pm General Membership Meeting

Agenda:

Golf Tournament, May 31, 2009

Feel free to bring your favorite dish to add to our Paella Valenciana and Callos!

General Meeting and Elections

All members are invited to attend the general meeting that will be conducted on Saturday, November 1, 1PM at the Board Room of the Contra Costa Water District located at 1331 Concord Ave., in Concord. Our long-delayed elections will finally be held on that day. In fact, it is the only item on the agenda. As chair of the Nominating Committee, I am please to announce the following nominations:

Auditor: Cherry Utleg

Please come and elect our new officers for the fiscal year 2008-2009!

See you on Saturday!

Centennial Yearbook: Attention All Jubilarians!

Focusing on the theme "UP Alumni: excellence, Leadership and Service", this special publication will be launched ad sold during the UPAA's grand alumni homecoming and reunion on June 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Volume 1 will feature outstanding alumni awardees, messages and essays on the theme by prominent UP alumni scholars and personalities, reports, historical milestones, University facts and figures and photographs.

Volume 2 will be a memento for Centennial Jubilarians: Royal Diamond (pre-1948), Diamond (1948), Emerald (1953), Golden (1958), Sapphire (1963), Ruby (1968), Coral (1973), Pearl (1978) and Silver (1983).

Volume 3 is all about the UPAA as a vibrant network of chapters and alumni organizations, across the country and all over the world. Alumni associations of fraternities/ sororities and other UP organizations accredited to the UPAA will be part of the volume.

A guaranteed collector's item, the Centennial Yearbooks will also feature the works of UP alumni National Artists Napoleon Abueva, Abdul Imao and BenCab.

The volumes will be packaged in a specially designed slip-case box and will be on limited edition. Members of the Centennial Jubilarian classes are enjoined to have their photos taken at Kodak Express and Kameraworld outlets anywhere tin eh country anytime until March 31, 2008.

The UPAA and these outlets have made arrangements for the photos to be sent to and received digitally by the UPAA for inclusions in the Yearbook.

The photo services can be availed of at a very special discount for UP alumni.

All UP alumni may avail of the special discounts but only photographs of the Centennial Jubilarians will be included in the 2008 Yearbook.

Dress code is light-colored Barong Pilipino for men and dark-colored blazer with light-colored top for women.

All Centennial Jubilarians and alumni associations of UP, whether accredited with the UPAA or not, are called upon to participate in this historical project.

General Meeting Next Week

Hello fellow UPians!

We are having our 1st Quarter general meeting on Saturday January 19, 2008 at the Contra Costa Water Distric Board Room from 2 to 4 PM. FYI, the CCWD is located at 1331 Concord Ave. in Concord.

See you there!

Alexis

UP Centennial Celebrations

Mammoth motorcade, torch relay, concert, fireworks kick off UP Centennial

All systems are go for the University of the Philippines’ centennial celebration on Tuesday, January 8.

The kick-off rites which start at 9 a.m. at UP Manila with a celebratory Mass is scheduled to end at 9:30 p.m. at UP Diliman with various highlights and activities in between.

A motorcade will leave UP Manila -- the birth place in 1908 of the country’s premiere institution of higher learning -- at 12 noon and wind its way through metro streets towards UP Diliman. It will be joined along the way by motor contingents from UP Pampanga and UP Baguio from the north and UP Los Baños from the south. A UP Diliman caravan will meet the motorcade at Quezon Avenue and lead it towards the Diliman campus.

The delegations from the various UP campuses will be welcomed amid dramatic, meaningful rites and a carnival-like atmosphere. The high point of the kick-off ceremony will be the lighting of the UP Centennial Cauldron -- a perpetual flame -- by UP President Emerlinda Roman.

President Roman’s torch will be lit from 99 other torches held by distinguished personalities of the University of the Philippines stationed around the 2.5 kilometer long academic oval. A UP alumnus born in 1908 – still hale and hearty enough to take part in the momentous occasion – has the distinction of holding the first torch and passing on his flame to the next torch bearer, until all the other 99 torches shall have been lit.

All other torches are extinguished as President Roman lights the cauldron – the only flame visible in the now dusk-filled campus. Then, almost simultaneously, the “UP @ 100” lights display switch on at the administration building, together with the lighting up of 100 trees around the campus’s academic oval.

The UP Rifle Team then fires one hundred rifle shots in the air to pave the way for the UP President to declare the UP Centennial Year open.

A concert featuring UP’s world-renowned performers then follows at the UP Amphitheater. The kick-off ceremonies will be capped a by a grand Centennial fireworks display.

The Centennial kick-off will also be highlighted by the UP Centennial Lectures on January 9 and January 16. 2004 Nobel Laureate David Gross (Physics) will deliver a lecture at the UP Film Center on January 9 at 10 a.m. 2007 Harvard Scientist Dr. Baldomero Olivera (Biochemistry) will be the featured speaker at the same venue on January 16 at 2 p.m.

Greetings from Dean Guevara

My dear fellow UP alumni and friends,

In response to her request to pass along her email to everyone concerned, below please find a Christmas Greetings from Dean Rowena Guevara of the UP College of Engineering. We have raised a net of P15-million in phase 1 of our fundraiser.

We still need P5-million to raise in phase 2 to meet our target of P20-million by June 2008. In this regard, kindly set aside another $43 from your spending during this Christmas holiday season and remit it during the first quarter of 2008. This should be sufficient to meet our goal for our Alma Mater.

Joe Aliling

Dear Engineering Alumni and Friends,

Season's Greetings from the College of Engineering!

This past year has been a great year for the College. Our students and faculty members received several awards and we had a great homecoming last November - thanks to Tony Herrera (past Pres of UPAE) and Benny Pacheco (new Pres of UPAE). We received scholarship and infrastructure funding (P137M) from the government this year and we will be receiving another P1.2B next year (assuming the government budget is approved).

I had the privilege of meeting our US-based alumni and it's good to see the success of our alumni wherever they go. I would like to make special mention of Benny Garcia and Chato Calderon who organized the raffle ticket sales for our "RevENGG UP to 100" in the US. I am happy to say that our UPAE Treasurer and Raffle Committee Chair, Ms. Ting Pascual, reported that we've raised P15M net. UPAE's target is P20M to get full matching donation from two other alumni. I hope you will also participate in the 2nd part of the raffle. Tickets are being sold at P1,000.00 for a chance to win 4 cars, a Mediterranean cruise and other prizes - top prize is a BMW. Prizes are tax-paid already.

Our year ended quite well. Our lantern won "Most Resourceful" Award in last night's lantern parade in UP. Our Belen won 3rd place. As a tribute to our alumni, our lantern is shaped like the UPAE symbol, the Sundial. It consisted of a motorized set of gears, programmable- logic controlled lighting (thanks to Meralco for lending us generators), a sound system (so that the Indakan winner, UP KEM, can perform their winning piece) and, most importantly, 1,500 Engineering students. The emcee ran out of ad lib since it took a long time for all our students to pass the stage. Beta Epsilon's fireworks was excellent, as usual.

Next year, we will be celebrating UP's Centennial and kickoff of our College's Centennial (2010). UP Centennial celebration starts on January 8. Please see UP website for details. Several Engineering organizations, including Tau Alpha Fraternity, Gears & Pinion and Beta Epsilon Fraternity are very much involved in the event.

Our homecoming will be on June 13, 2008 at the College (Melchor Hall). If you have travel plans, please include our homecoming in your plans. If you're based in the Philippines, we hope you'll "come home" to your dear old College.

Kindly pass on to other Engineering alumni.

Gev

Casino Trip on Dec. 9

WHICH Casinos: Feather Falls Casino and Gold Country Casino & Hotel

Fee: $25.00/person, $10 cash from Feather Falls & $10 Card from Gold country

CONTACT for Tickets: Edna Victorino (510-387-5073)/Cherry Utleg (925-698-4614)

Christmas Party on Dec. 2

Please join us for an early dinner feast and an evening of fun and fellowship to celebrate the 2007 Christmas Holiday Season with our UPAA families and friends!

The cost is $10.00 per person and free for children under 12 years old. Please RSVP by responding to the "Evite" or by contacting Edna Victorino, UPAA Board Member/Advisory Board Chair at (510) 387-5073, or Cherry Utleg, UPAA Secretary at (925) 698-4614.

Remember to also pay your membership dues for fiscal year June 1, 2007-May 31, 2008 to Henrietta Boyd, UPAA Treasurer, who can be reached at (510) 504-3480.

UPAASF Barn Dance on Saturday Evening

Thank you.

General Meeting on Nov. 3

Hi Guys!

We are having our 3rd Quarter general meeting on Saturday November 3, 2007 at the Contra Costa Water Distric Board Room from 2 to 4 PM. We will be discussing our forthcoming activites like Christmas Party and Anniversary Dinner Dance as well as the Sept. 29 Madrigal concert we sponsored.

FYI, the CCWD is located at 1331 Concord Ave. in Concord.

See you there!

Alexis

Madrigal Concert Tomorrow

Twin Book Launch

Dear Friends,

You are cordially invited to "Two U.P. Alumnae in a Twin Book Launch" on Sept. 28, 2007 at the Philippine Center located at 556 Fifth Avenue (between 45th and 46th), New York 10036. The first book is "Scratch The News" by Cristina DC Pastor and the second book is "Heart In Two Places" by yours truly. The event is sponsored by the Ayala Foundation USA in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General of New York, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, Filipinas Magazine and Philppine News.

Thank you for your support!

Gemma

Centennial Car Plate

Attention All UP Alumni and Friends:

Drive your car with the UP Centennial Car Plate. Set at a unit price of Php 2,000.00, the plates can be used from September 2007 to July 2008, as approved and authorized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

The UP Centennial Carplate is now available at the UP Alumni Association Secretariat' s Office (tel. no. 02-9206871, upalum@yahoo. com.ph) and the Diliman Liaison Office of UP Visayas at the Alumni Center, UP Diliman (thru Mr. Danny Walo, 02-9206861).

UP-OAR Staff

Madrigal Concert Promo

UPAAA Dinner Dance

Thank you!

Latest News on the UPAAA Convention

We are getting a big contingent from the Philippines. Aside from the earlier confirmations for Dr. Albarracin (Vice-Chair of the UP Centennial Commission) and Dr. Emer Roman and spouse Pat Roman, I got confirmations last night and today from Senator Angara (Chair of the UP Centennial Commission) and Johnlu Koa (Commission Member). They definitely will want to see more alumni, so please get on the phone to personally appeal to your alumni friends to come even just for the Sept. 2 workshops/luncheon ($50) and/or the Sept. 2 Gala Night Dinner ($90). Senator Angara wants to address the alumni body on the morning of Sept. 2 during the plenary address (9:00-10:00 AM).

Yesterday, Clod and I also met with Nini Alvero of the Trade Attache's Office and she committed to participate in the Investment seminar (call centers and franchising) and assist us get more business sponsors or advertisers.

As I tried to book for Senator Angara at the hotel this morning, I found out our room blocks are filling up fast for certain dates and number of beds (Single king or double doubles), so please do your hotel booking now.

Thanks,

Manny

Invitation to UPAAA Dinner Dance

To all those concerned,

UPAA San Francisco Chapter

UPAA Berkeley Chapter

UP High School

Tau Alpha East

Tau Alpha West

UP Alumni Engineers USA

Beta Epsilon Fraternity

Gamma Sigma Pi Fraternity

Epsilon Chi Fraternity

UPSCA

UP ACES

UP Math Club

KEM Engineers

UP ERG

SABAKA

Calling UP School of Economics Grads

841-5317 or lawyer Noli del Rosario at 395-2336 or by e-mailing delrosario_noli@ yahoo.com.

UPCBA Homecoming on Dec. 12

On behalf of Dr. Erlinda S. Echanis, Dean, UP Diliman College of Business Administration:

The College of Business Administration will hold its Alumni Homecoming onSunday, December 2, 2007 (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.). This year, honoree classes are: 1957 (Golden), 1962 (Sapphire), 1967 (Ruby), 1972 (Coral), 1977 (Pearl), 1982 (Silver), Classes of 1970 to 1979, Classes of 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, and all MBA, MS Finance and PhD graduates.

On this occasion, the College will honor the 2007 successful CPA Examinees. The college will also honor its alumni who have outstanding accomplishments in the field of Business Management or Entrepreneurship, and/or have rendered outstanding public service. Nomination form may be downloaded at: www.upd.edu. ph/~cba.

Please help us update the college alumni directory. You may email us your contact numbers at: erlinda.echanis@ up.edu.ph.

We look forward to seeing you again at the College!

UP Charter

Hi Romi,

Re: UP Charter. We almost got it but unfortunately, we did not. One more step was needed before GMA could sign this into law - and that is the ratification by the House, which did not happen because there was no quorum. A very sad day for UP. I was heartbroken. After all these years - we never came so close to getting it. Just one more step! But the House was not sympathetic. They could not muster a quorum - I think it is political; there is fighting over who the next speaker will be; there are other bills that are pending; there's horse trading - and UP gets caught in the crossfire. Individually, the congressmen expressed regrets over what happened. But collectively, this sympathy did not translate to a ratification.

Emer

General Meeting AND Elections

Hi All!

I have just confirmed with the Contra Costa Water District our meeting on Sunday May 27, 2007 2PM at ther Board Room. Please note there is another function (by another organization) that will be held simultaneously at the Ante Room, where we had our last two general meetings. We have the bigger Board Room this time so please make sure you proceed to the correct location. BTW, both functions will have to end by 4pm, which is the latest time the CCWD allows for its function rooms to be used on week-ends. Therefore, please come on time so we can begin and end our meeting appropriately.

As per our by-laws, the Nominating Committee will present its slate of nominated officers for the fiscal year 2007-2008 for election at the same meeting. We encourage all eligible members to be involved in this important task.

Once again, the CCWD is located at 1331 Concord Avenue in Concrd.

Thank you and see you soon!

Romi

Election Time

Dear Fellow Upians,

It is ELECTION TIME again when we all should take a moment and decide on what is good for our alumni association (i.e., who are we going to nominate to the board of directors?).

I can email our nomination form to you as necessary or you can simply submit your list of nominees for the following positions: President, First Vice President (Program & Development), Second Vice President (Ways & Means), Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor. Nominations must be received by May 25, 2007 by yours truly either by regular mail (3810 La Miranda Place, Pittsburg, CA 94565), email (utlegs@comcast.net) or fax (925.937.7595). Please enter only one nominee for each position. If you have not yet paid your membership dues, please include your check when you mail your nomination form, for your nomination to be considered. (I have an updated list of paid UPAA-NCC members for the current year, 2006-2007; hence, if you are not sure - just call me @ 925-698-4614.)

We look forward in hearing from you and thank you for your participation.

For a better UPAA-NCC I remain,

Nominating Committee Chairperson

General Meeting on May 27

The outgoing officers and board of directors invite one and all to our fourth and last general membership meeting on Sunday May 27, 2007. We apologize for the postponement of the meeting originally set for May 12 since we had to meet with UP President Emer Roman earlier this month. Anyway, the meeting is tentatively set at 2PM May 27 at the usual place, the Contra Costa Water District Ante Room on 1331 Concord Avenue in Concord. I will confirm the location early next week.

See you soon!

BALIK-UP Program for the Centennial

Greetings to my fellow alumni!

This is to inform everyone that the Balik-UP program for the Centennial in 2008 is right on track. Preparations are being handled by the Office of Alumni Relations, UP Alumni Association (UPAA) and the Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT). Dean Corazon Rodriguez of AIT and I have met with the Sales Manager of Rajah Tours, Ms. Mariluz Diaz (a graduate of AIT). Rajah Tours is coming up with several tour packages to offer alumni who would like to come for the Centennial and at the same time visit the different tourist spots in the country. We want a central office to oordinate all the activities and take care of all communications with the different alumni chapters abroad. This way crossed-signals can be minimized, if not altogether eliminated.

However, if information is given too early, later changes could cause confusion and that is something everyone wants to avoid. The only definite date that I can give at this point is the day of the General Reunion and Homecoming, which is June 21, 2008.

President Roman also wants to inform everyone that there may be two homecomings for 2008--- one in June and another in December. This is because a lot of balikbayans really come home for the Christmas holidays and it may be more convenient for them to attend a December homecoming. This is still in the planning stage but it seems to be a good idea and you will be informed immediately whether it will push through or not.

This is all for now. Please be assured that Pres. Emerlinda Roman, together with everyone in the UP administration, is on top of everything and is looking forward to seeing you all next year for the 100th anniversary of our beloved UP.

Regards to all!

AVP for Public Affairs

Cecile Licad in a Piano Recital

If there are pianists that the we should at least watch once in our liftime, Cecile Licad would surely be one of them. On May 20th, 2007. Sunday at 7pm Cecile Licad will play the works of Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin. This recital concert will be held at the Koret Theater of the de Young Museum. Ticket prices are $100, $75 and $50. Seating is limited so reserve or purchase your tickets now. For tickets and more information, please call: (510) 7245972, (510)7347329 (Sandra)or (650) 7141278 (Tony). Proceeds of the concert will benefit the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band.

Invitation To My Book Launching

Filipinas Magazine and the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco request the pleasure of your company at the launch of.....

HEART IN TWO PLACES

An Immigrant's Journey

On Thursday, April 12, 2007

At The Social Hall, 5th floor

Philippine Center Bldg.

447 Sutter St.

Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP by April 4 to Francis Zamora (650) 985-2530 or email f.zamora@filipinasmag.com.

Another Book Launch

Hi Everyone!

I would like to extend the invitation to join tonight's book launch for "Growing Up Brown: Memoirs of a Filipino American," by Peter Jamero at the Social Hall of the Philippine Consulate at 6pm. Peter is the brother of Jinny Maristela's husband Bob. Below is the invitation letter from ConGen Rowena Sanchez:

Dear Kababayan,

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco would like to invite you to a book launching of Mr. Peter Jamero's book entitled "Growing Up Brown: Memoirs of a Filipino America" on March 23, 2007 6:00pm at the Social Hall of the Philippine Center Bldg.

Mr. Jamero's book, published by the University of Washington Press, reflects his life story, highlighting the obstacles he overcame as a top-level executive directing various health and human service programs at all levels of government, university and not-for-profit organizations in Sacramento, Washington D.C., Seattle and San Francisco. It also highlights his advocacy of behalf of ethnic minority issues in public programs and in the decision-making process, especially for Asian Americans.

Mr. Jamero, a Filipin-American, is a long-time community activist, civic leader and former Executive Director of the Asian American Recovery Services in San Francisco; Assistant Professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington and State Director of the Washington Vocational Rehabilitation Program. He is the Founding Vice-President of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and served on the FANHS Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1996. He retired in 1995.

Kindly confirm your attendance to this event with the Cultural, Community Relations and Public Information (CCPI) Section of the Consulate General at tel. no. 415-4336666 ext. 314 (Att: Ruby Balanban or Francesca Regala) or email at ccpisfpcg@yahoo.com.

Very truly yours,

Consul General

Quarterly General Meeting on March 10

Please mark your calendars and find the time to attend our first general meeting of the calendar year on Saturday March 10 1PM at the Contra Costa Water District Ante Room in Concord. I will still be out of the country by then so our 1st Vice-President Alexis Zulueta will preside over the meeting with the help of our hard-working board members. As usual, they will be bringing some refreshments. Please RSVP to our Secretary Janine Castillo (707) 246-2949 so that we can prepare accordingly.

For directions, please mapquest the CCWD at 1331 Concord Avenue in Concord. Thanks again to Frank Batara for arranging for the meeting venue.

UPAAA Top 2007 Alumni

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) will hold its biennial 2007 General Assembly and Convention on September 1-3, 2007, at the Hilton Hotel in San Francisco’s Financial District, California. The UPAAA-San Francisco is the host chapter of this convention. The theme of the convention is “Celebrating the UP Legacy, Forging the Next UP Century.”

One of the main highlights of the convention will be the search for the 2007 Outstanding Alumni in the United States, who will be honored at the Gala Night on September 2, 2007.

The UPAAA Awards Committee chaired by Luz Sapin Micabalo, past national president, UPAAA and Sid Dela Cruz, past president UPAA-Nevada Chapter released the following criteria for the various types of awards:

Most Distinguished Alumni/Alumna. Nominees for this award must have attained national and international prestige. He/She must be outstanding in his/her professional fields or areas of endeavor.

Lifetime Distinguished Achievement. Nominees for this category must have rendered, through the years of continuous and outstanding service to the University of the Philippines (UP) or the nation, and given prestige to UP, to the community and to his/her profession.

Outstanding Professional. This award is granted to the nominee who has attained national or international distinction in his/her particular field. More recent achievements will be given priority over earlier achievements.

Meritorious Community Service. The recipient of this award will be recognized for his/her outstanding and distinguished services rendered to the community, society or the nation.

Special Recognition. This award is granted to an individual or group, whose outstanding performance in his/her/their professional and/or community activities has been acknowledged nationally or internationally, and has given honor and prestige to UP, the community and the nation.

The nominees must be graduates of the University of the Philippines and residents of the US. The deadline for submitting nominations is June 15, 2007. Decisions will be made by July 15, 2007.

Awardees must be registered at the convention and must be present to receive the award during the Gala Night on September 2, 2007.

e-mail: siddelacruz@yahoo.com.

2007 UPAA Alumni Awards

Attention all UP alumni:

The UP Alumni Association (UPAA, Inc.) is calling for nominations for the 2007 UPAA Outstanding Alumni Awards, with the following categories:

• Special Recognition Award

Inquiries can be made at the UPAA Secretariat's Office, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, tel. no. 9206871, 9206868, upalum@.assn@pacific.net.ph or upalum@yahoo.com.ph. Nomination forms will soon be made available as necessary.

Deadline for submission of nominations is April 16, 2007.

There are countless UP alumni who deserve to be recognized for what they have done and what they have stood for, and it's high time that recognition was given them.

The Carillon Newsletter

Philippine Dance Book Launching

Hope to see you all there!

Oblation Fund

To our fellow UP alumni:

Re: 100 years of U.P. (Centennial Year) & the Abueva Oblation

Fr: Class of 1985, U.P. College of Law

I hope this email finds you in the best of health.

The class I belong to—the UP College of Law Class of 1985 -- celebrates its 25th year in 2010. In preparation for this event, we have undertaken a fundraising project, we call the Oblation Fund, that will allow us to sponsor our alumni homecoming in 2010, and to afford a project that will allow us to give something back to the college. We are contemplating on helping renovate a classroom or funding a professorial chair.

For fundraising, we are offering a limited edition of a reproduction of the oblation done by no other than the National Artist, Napoleon V. Abueva. We have a thousand pieces of this art piece initially and have managed to get the support of some alumni. We feel that this is a timely offering the alumni to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the university in 2008. Indeed, owning this art piece is like owning a piece of history.

The Abueva reproduction stands 20 inches, weighs 3.5 kilos and has an antique bronze finish. Made of fiberglass, it has a brass plate at the base which has the university logo. The name, degree and class to which the alumnus belongs can also be engraved in the brass plate. The statuette costs P10,000.00 (US$200), excluding cost of freight.

For more information, please log on to www.oblation.com.ph ; you can also order and pay for your oblation through this website.

Thank you for your support and we hope to receive your order soon.

We would appreciate if you can pass this information to your alumni friends and classmates.

Truly yours,

A Special Project of the U.P. College of Law Class of 1985

La Voz Concert at Walnut Creek

"La Voz" vocal ensemble presents "SOUNDTRACKS", a concert at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for Performing Arts in Walnut Creek. Mark the date, January 27,2007, Saturday 7pm. Tickets are available at the venue or call us at (510) 7245972.

Memorial Service

Regards.

Lettie

Anniversary Dinner-Dance on Feb. 10

Hi All!

Just a friendly reminder that our annual anniversary dinner-dance affair is just a short 36 days away!! This year's dinner-dance will be held on Saturday Feb. 10 at the Double Tree Hotel located at 200 Marina Boulevard in Berkeley. Live music will be provided by the Joey Camins Band. Come join us celebrate our chapter's 40th anniversary and enjoy a pre-Valentine date as well!!

For ticket information, please contact Henrie at 1.510.479.7634 or yours truly at 925.683.7717.

Thank you for your usual support!

Virginia Claudio

Dear All,

Lettie

Happy New Year.....To Our UP Faculty!

Hi All!

Allow me to share a recent article on the sorry plight of our alma mater's faculty. To those among us who are able, I urge you to contribute to funding three professorial chairs we have pledged to our alma mater thus far. Please do not hesitate to contact me on how to make your deduction tax-deductible for the current year (2006).

I trust all had a blessed Christmas! Here's wishing one and all a new year of good health and prosperity!

Sugod, UP at UPians!

Romi

***************************

UP PROFESSORS EARN LESS THAN PMA CADETS, SAYS REGENT

Last updated 02:08am (Mla time) 12/29/2006

Published on Page A20 of the December 29, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

CADETS at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) may not know it, but they are actually earning more than some teachers at what is considered the country’s premier educational institution, the University of the Philippines system.

While a PMA cadet gets P16,338 every month, including subsistence allowance, an assistant professor I at the state-run university, with salary grade 18, has a monthly salary of P15,841.

“At standardized salary rates, the UP faculty is resigned to a life of genteel poverty,” Roland Simbulan, faculty regent, said at the recent UP System-wide Academic Personnel Conference in the Diliman, Quezon City campus. “If a faculty member is an instructor or assistant professor, it means that he/she gets less than what a student earns in a call center,” he added.

The UP has a faculty of 3,600 educators in all its campuses.

Simbulan said that while faculty members were proud to be teaching some of the brightest students in the country, even the prestige of teaching at the premier university was being eroded by the more pressing need to survive.

“Because of their meager salaries, most UP teachers can only afford to live in rented apartments on or outside their campuses,” Simbulan said. And those who stayed on campus “dreaded” the day of their retirement, knowing they would be evicted from their subsidized housing facilities, he added.

“Professors who are too old to shift careers are forced to peddle insurance plans and real estate, chorizo, and even cemetery plots to augment their income,” Simbulan said in his report.

The meager compensation based on the Salary Standardization Law was a “pittance compared to what is given to professors in leading private universities,” he said.

According to the 2006 report of the UP Ad Hoc committee to review tuition and other fees, a full professor at UP is paid P13,686 per teaching load unit—well below the P27,971 at De La Salle University and P18,600 at Ateneo de Manila University.

A UP associate professor receives P11,019, while his/her counterparts at La Salle and Ateneo receive P18,312 and P15,400, respectively. For UP assistant professors, the basic rate is P9,033. At La Salle and Ateneo the rates are P13,645 and P11,000, respectively. UP instructors get P7,098, while those in La Salle and Ateneo receive P9,454 and P7,600, respectively.

Winston Balingit's Father

I just received word that the father of one of our chapter's loyal friend, Winston Balingit, has passed away earlier today. We extend our sincere condolences to Winston, who has supported many of our chapter projects through the years via his dance talents and spirited attendance.

Below is Winston's email for your information:

Tomorrow's Agenda

Hi All!

Just a friendly reminder we're having our general meeting tomorrow at the Contra Costa Water District building located at 1331 Concord Ave. The meeting will start promptly at 1PM. Below is the agenda:

1331 Concord Ave., Concord

A G E N D A

VI. Adjournment / Next Meeting

See you soon!

General Meeting on Sept. 9

Here's a heads-up on our general meeting that is coming up in two weeks on Saturday Sept. 9 1PM at the board room of the Contra Costa Water District. Chapter officers invite one and all to hear out and, more importantly, contribute to our plans for the fiscal year.

For directions, please mapquest the CCWD at 1331 Concord Avenue in Concord.

See you soon!

Pistahan Meeting Place and Time

Just a reminder to our members who will be joining the UP contingent for Sunday's Pistahan parade. We will be meeting 9:30am at Spear Street between Market and Howard Streets. Please wear MAROON or RED shirt/blouse so we can proudly show our UP colors. FYI, there are going to be seven clusters for the parade. The week-end Pistahan is being held to celebrate the centennial year of Filipino migration to the USA. We have been asked to join Cluster 3, "The Early Professionals 1947-1964." The parade itself will start on Market Street at Embarcadero and will end at the Yerba Buena Gardens, where there will be art, food and trade pavilions. Filipino entertainers will also be present to make the "fiesta" a fun one. So please feel welcome to bring the family along!

See you Sunday!

"Musicale" a Concert

FEATURING: Clarissa Ocampo - mezzo soprano (winner of the New York Vocal Artists Competition at Carnegie Hall and Alumnus of the Juilliard School Of New York) and Andrew Fernando - Baritone (First place winner of the prestigious Loren Zachary National Vocal Competition in the U.S.) with the La Voz Voice Ensemble and Sincerity Girls Ensemble.

"GIYERA" is in the City of San Ramon

Masquerade Ball

The Northern California Chapter of the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America ( NCC-UPMASA) cordially invites you to our second fundraiser to benefit UP-PGH and various charities.....a MASQUERADE BALL...at The Banquet in Vallejo, on Saturday, October 28, 2006. The dinner starts at 6:30PM and dancing will follow to the music of Just for Fun Band. Donation is $45.00 per person if paid by 9/30/06 and $50 per person at the door. For tickets, please reply to this email or please call me @ 707-557-9832 , or my cell phone at 707-319-9240.

Thanks for your kind support ! And please come for an evening of Fun , Frolic and Food ...... with all the Dancing as much as you desire !

Libby

Kariktan Annual Show on Sept. 30

Send email to Irma Quiambao: irmaq@henrywinegroup.com / Robbie Herrera: robherrera@aol.com / Polly Herrera: pmhres@aol.com.

Induction Dinner On July 16

Ladies and Gentlemen of UPAANC Berkeley chapter,

Please join us in the induction ceremonies for our new officers on Sunday July 16 4PM at Oakhurst Country Club located in 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton, CA. Our induction officer is no other than UP President Dr. Emerlinda Roman, who will be at the tail-end of her USA working visit by next week-end. Dr. Roman will of course take the opportunity to update us on our alma mater during this occasion.

You may have received an e-vite earlier for this occasion. We are issuing this invitation via our still-under-construction website to ensure we reach as many members as possible. Please RSVP as soon as possible since space is limited!

Hope to see you soon!

Filipino Freedom Fighter's Day

Please joi us celebrate Filipino Freedom Fighter's Day!

Visitor's Center (510) 531-1475

Aima Labra Makk

Dear Friends,

Explorer Post 195 in cooperation with Music Repertoire present:

Visitor's Center (510) 531-1475

Welcome

The UPAA Message board is now open to authorized UPAANC Berkeley users.