UPAAA RE-ELECTS FULGADO PRESIDENT: UP Alumni Across America and the Philippines Attend National Convention in Atlantic City. Attendees Relish the Good Old Days of UP Diliman.

by BEN MANZANO, PRO,UPAAA
Atlantic City, New Jersey.

At the 6th national convention of the UPAAA (University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America held in Atlantic City on November 9-10, 1997, Carmencita Quesada Fulgado, Ph.D. was elected by a landslide margin over challenger Angela Valdez Timtiman. The event was attended by nearly 200 alumni from all over the country. Dr. Fulgado’s second term starts January 1, 1998 and ends December 31, 1999. Other officers elected were: Emmelina Ceguerra (Florida), Vice-President South; Ramon Pellicer, Esq. (California), Vice-President West; Delia Rayos (Michigan), Vice-President Midwest; Angela Timtiman (New York), Vice-President East; Iluminada Sotelo, Auditor; Ben Manzano (Michigan), Public Relations Officer. Three days after the convention, Dr. Fulgado appointed Lilia Arceo (NJ) as treasurer and Florence Ongkingko (NY) as secretary. The election was presided by Thom Rodriguez, Esq., administrative judge in New York.

Simultaneous sessions were organized and presented by experts in many fields, on topics ranging from discrimination to health and physical fitness. Among the speakers were: Lestrino Baquiran, MD; Behn Cervantes, Leonor Testa-Feliciano, MD; Wilfredo Feliciano, MD; Carmencita Quesada Fulgado, Ph.D.; Vicente Limcaoco, MD; Dula Pacquiao, Ed.D.; Aurora Mauricio Rubin, Elizabeth Espino Santos, Ph.D.; Lisa Santiago Sichon, Linda Agustin Simunek, Ph.D.; Arsenio Talingdan, Ph.D.; Amador Muriel, Ph.D.; and Florence Ongkingco. Moderators were Aleli Alvarez, Emmelina Ceguerra, Restituto Espinoza, Lualhati Ferro, Angie de Guzman, Luzviminda Sapin Micabalo, Tom Rodriguez, Jasmine Somerstein, and Angela Timtiman.

The luncheon was attended in large numbers. Luncheon speaker was Mr. Edgardo Espiritu, a lawyer, and President of the UPAA of the Philippines.

Carmelita Caparros Ramirez, Director of the Office of Alumni Relations, Drs. Ruben Villareal and Cora Azucena, Chancellor and Director respectively from UP Los Baños represented the University of the Philippines. Mrs. Ramirez delivered the address of the president of the University of the Philippines, Dr. Emilio Javier. Dr Javier underscored the role of the university as the "training ground for the brightest in the country’s human resources, the premier institution of higher learning, the seat of nationalism in this era of globalization, and a key player in nation building". While UP is ranked one among Philippine universities, it is rated 20 among 50 Asian universities. To improve its position, Dr. Javier stated that financial support, not only governmental support but alumni support as well is needed.

The gala dinner/dance was also the occasion to recognize UP Jubilarians and outstanding graduates who are now living in America: Lestrino Baquiran, MD’67; Pat Quesada Bunales, Ed’32; Juan Ferrer, PhD’67; Lourdes Ventura Ferrer, FS’67; Victor Gacusan, CE’57; Naomi Miguel Jongco, Bs’72; Lydia Baskina Espiritu, AB’57; Emmanuel Lat, MD’72; Zenda Garcia Lat, MD’72; Leonor Lim, BS’67; Amiable Ross Lottmann, AB’67; Asuncion Manalac Luttich, Ed’57; Florence Ongkingko, BSN’67; Carmelita Ramirez, BSE’57; Clarita Valdellon Ramos, Ed’57; Belen Reyes, BSE’57,MEd’67; Linda Agustin Simunek, BSN’57; Jorshinelle Taleon Sonza, AB’67; Angela Valdez Timtiman, BS’62; Laura Polet Vogel, BSBA’67.

Outstanding alumni in America in 1997 were: Linda Agustin Simunek, Ph.D., (Most Distinguished Graduate), Behn Cervantes (Excellence in Performing Arts), Amador Muriel, Ph.D. (Excellence in Physical Sciences), Luzviminda Sapin Micabalo (Outstanding Community Service), Ninfa Springer, Ph.D. (Lifetime Distinguished Service), and the UP Alumni and Friends Rondalla (Special Recognition).