The first-ever University of the Philippines alumni association established abroad, no other than our very own UPAA Northern California Berkeley chapter, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a sumptuous luncheon and an impromptu after-meal musical entertainment by its very own members at the Oakhurst Country Club in the quaint town of Clayton last Dec. 29, 2918.
The chapter showcased some of its past projects with pictures and souvenir programs of its original plays, musicals as well as sponsored concerts through the 50 years of its existence at the entrance of the room where the anniversary party was held. The chapter also inducted in four new members to indicate its renewed energy moving forward for the coming years and decades ahead. They were inducted by no other than fellow UP alumna Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano, who together with Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona graced the golden anniversary party on behalf of the itinerant Consul General Henry Bensurto.
Current President Romi Beza hosted the festivities but the hard work in preparing for the event was done by Jay Castro and Henri Fajardo. The latter got good karma back when she won the grand prize among the many prizes raffled away to celebrate the chapter’s anniversary. Romi acknowledged the presence of not only the chapter’s past presidents Ceny Duldulao, Jay Castro, Evangeline Poe-Quesada, Alexis Zulueta and Daisy Rodriguez but also one its founding members in the ageless Edna Victorino. Romi noted also the presence of several old-time members who had not been seen in years. Indeed, they made the celebration more significant!
Chapter musical chair Henry Torres led off the impromptu musical program that followed the sumptuous lunch with powerful renditions of broadway songs. Not to be intimidated, several chapter members and even past presidents came forward thereafter to show that they too can carry a tune or two. The Berkeley chapter has musical talents for sure!
Thanks to Jay Castro for the following link showing pictures of the festive golden anniversary celebration: https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/Zh4OMCG7V4RWGn9GdeemvnIC7gr52abjJ5ViieCQFN5.
Let us toast the past and future 50 years!
