On July 6, 2024, UPAABC — in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver and the Migrant Workers Office — brings their mentorship series to Kelowna, BC. This session brings mentors on project management and financial services, trade and entrepreneurship, accounting and audit, settlement and employment, and careers in public service at Nechako Gathering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC. This program features an all-UP alumni mentors: Vicki Buechler, Rhona Doria, Mary Tecson, Melvin Magno, and Ahmed Tillah. Thank you to Vicki of Greatway Financial for sponsoring lunch for this event! ![]() We wrapped up Filipino Heritage Month with participation in various celebrations, and we're gearing up with July with our own events and our annual summer picnic!. Here are some highlights from the past month! June 8: Flagraising at the Filipino PlazaMembers and friends alike join UFCABC's flagraising and community fiesta. UPAABC's very own Mark Panganiban together with siblings, also known as the Romanaks, and Ian Zeta represented UPAABC with the singing of the national anthems along with marvelous song and dance performances for the crowd! June 15: Philippine Heritage GalaUPAABC represent at the annual heritage gala hosted by the UFCABC! We are joined by regular and new members such as Jelda Miranda, Deniece Liza! Congratulations to outgoing UFCABC Vice President Rene Alcantara for a successful term, and congratulations to former UPAABC President Mylene Lim for joining their Board for 2024-2026! June 22: Pinoy Festival at BurnabyUPAABC joined the community parade with FAM; and set up a booth at the Pinoy Festival: Panahon na Para Magsaya 2 in Burnaby!
Many thanks to Gilbert Bercero, Rene Alcantara, Deniece Liza, Jelda Miranda, Jholina Gamboa, JM Caquilala, and Jasper Mallonga for manning the booth, and thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hi! We also received ~50 sign ups from prospective members. Exciting!
A tribute to our superb artists, Lenore R.S. Lim, Danvic Briones, Delia Laglagaron. Then some songs by the gorgeous Singing Sisters, Charen Divina Cusi, Melissa Remulla-Briones, Buena Kilala Chua. Food was great, thanks to Lory of Cucina Balai!
Thank you to our very own Pau Adalid for the videography and editing! Join us for an enriching experience of industry mentorship and networking!
The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver and the UP Alumni Association in BC, in collaboration with Filipino International Student Association - University Canada West, proudly present "Employment Integration in BC Through Industry Mentorship." 🗓 Date: 14 May 2024 (Tuesday) 🕔 Time: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM 📍 Venue: University Canada West – East Lobby, 1461 Granville St., Vancouver, BC This in-person event aims to provide invaluable support to our kababayans seeking professional integration into Canadian industries. Featuring a stellar lineup of industry mentors, all accomplished members of the Filipino Community in Canada, this event promises insights, guidance, and networking opportunities. We extend a warm invitation to you and your network to join us. While the focus is on Filipino International Students, Open Work Permit Holders, and Permanent Residents are equally encouraged to attend. Scan the QR code to register. We look forward to your presence at this enriching event. See you there! April 13th is just around the corner! Excited yet?
Please take note of the following crucial points to ensure smooth processing of our tickets and entry to the MADZ concert: 1. We have a complete tracker of the Madz concert's ticket reservations and purchases. To ensure a smooth process, we kindly ask those who still need to pay to settle your payments by EOD April 11, 2024. 1.1. For your convenience, if you prefer to pay as you claim your tickets on event day and location, please email [email protected] denoting so. 1.2. If you prefer to pay cash, please bring and hand in the amount to avoid inconvenience. The UPAABC and organizers will not be compelled to bring cash changes to the venue. Electronic payment is always preferred. 1.3. Payments by cheque are also welcome. Address the check to "UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IN BC." 2. All sponsorship and ticket payments must be sent to [email protected]. 3. All tickets not explicitly asked to be mailed out to them will be CLAIMED on a "WILL CALL" basis. There will be a Registration Desk at the concert location where you can claim your tickets against registration. 3.1. Please bring your ID for verification purposes. This is to ensure there is no conflict in the ticket claims and assignments. 4. To avoid inconvenience, Please be at the venue to claim your tickets at least an hour before the concert begins. 5. Event Location Website: https://www.thecathedral.ca/. The website has an overview map of Christ Church Cathedral. 6. Parking, Washrooms, and Elevators: https://www.thecathedral.ca/programs/plan-your-visit. The link also contains all relevant transit information. Please make sure to check it out before leaving for the concert. 7. We still have concert tickets available. There will also be a ticketed dinner with the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Scan the Eventbrite QR Code in the poster or click this link straight ahead for your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/.../the-philippine-madrigal... On behalf of the UPAABC Board, I thank you all for your unwavering support and determination to make this eventful day happen. Thank you so much, and see you all there! Sincerely, Bella Balisi Bevilacqua President, 2023-2024 University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia Hola, amigos and amigas!
Wanna experience one more fabulous event that will truly melt your heart? Join us for the Philippine Madrigal Singers (UP Madz) on April 13, 2024, Saturday, 1PM, at the Christchurch Cathedral, 690 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2L1. 2024 marks their Diamond Jubilee celebration, and they have promised to deliver a one-of-a-kind performance that will showcase their vast repertoire of musical styles and forms. This will include Renaissance and Classical music, Filipino and international folk songs, contemporary and avant-garde music, opera, and even popular music. This year is also remarkable for the Filipino-Canadian community, celebrating the 75th year of establishing Filipino-Canadian diplomatic relations, and the UPAABC celebrating its Sapphire Anniversary. With the 60th Year Diamond Jubilee of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Vancouver is in for a treat to the triple celebrations! This event will benefit the Philippine Madrigal Singers and UPAABC’s scholars and other causes we support like farmers and fisher folks in the Philippines. Reserve your tickets now! VIP - CAD100.00 GA - CAD50.00 Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/.../the-philippine-madrigal... Would you be interested in sponsoring or getting sponsors for the event? You can email [email protected] to get a copy of the Sponsorship Letter and the corresponding packages. Maraming salamat po ulit sa suporta! Kita-kits! On behalf of the UPAABC Board of Directors and Community, Bella Balisi-Bevilacqua President, 2023-2024 The Filipino International Students Convention 2024 was a resounding success, as close to 100 participants gathered to delve into crucial topics surrounding settlement, employment, and integration supports for international students. Hosted by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of British Columbia (UPAABC) and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, this event was a beacon of empowerment and knowledge-sharing for Filipino students navigating their academic and professional journeys abroad.
Attendees had the privilege of engaging with esteemed speakers, including Letty Young, a seasoned Settlement Practitioner, who shed light on essential strategies for successful settlement. Bella Cenezero from the Parent Support Services Society of BC provided invaluable insights into parent support services for international students, while Bert Parungao of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Vancouver, shared expertise on investments, credit, and taxation in Canada. Additionally, Wayman Cheng, a Mobile Mortgage Advisor, addressed property ownership and tenancy rights, and Divya Hariharan from the Immigrant Employment Council of BC presented Mentor Connect, a program facilitating labour market integration through mentorship. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing satisfaction with the event and gratitude for the wealth of knowledge shared. They found the sessions informative, engaging, and beneficial to their academic and professional pursuits. The convention served as a platform for meaningful connections, valuable insights, and empowerment for all involved. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Co-Presenting Sponsors whose generous support made this event possible: Acsenda School of Management, University Canada West, Langley Community Services Society, and CityU. Additionally, we would like to thank our Community Sponsor, Kikumoto Immigration Firm, for their invaluable contribution to the success of the convention. As we reflect on the success of the Filipino International Students Convention 2024, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, speakers, sponsors, and organizers for their unwavering support and dedication. Together, we are paving the way for the success and integration of Filipino international students in Canada. Filled with heartwarming gratitude, the University of the Philippines Alumni in British Columbia (UPAABC) successfully bid farewell to the esteemed Consul-General Arlene T. Magno at the "Voyage of Gratitude" event held on February 3rd, 2023, at the Creekside Community Recreation Centre in Vancouver, BC.
The event, attended by a select group, resonated with intimacy and warmth, creating a memorable atmosphere that reflected the deep respect and affection the community holds for ConGen Arlene. The UPAABC extends sincere thanks to ConGen for her outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication. Her farewell party stands as a testament to the impact she has made on the diplomatic community, leaving behind a legacy of collaboration, friendship, and shared accomplishments. As the curtains close on this successful event, ConGen Arlene departs with the warmth of gratitude and the memories of an evening that celebrated her remarkable achievements. Greetings from UPAABC Scholars at UP College of Business Administration and Accountancy! We're thrilled to share heartfelt messages from our scholars, expressing gratitude and showcasing your impact. The video features individual greetings and acknowledges our generous sponsors. Don't miss the chance to witness the warmth and appreciation they've sent your way. Click the link to watch the video and join us in celebrating the achievements of these talented individuals, many of whom will be graduating in 2024. Your continued support is truly valued, and the UPAABC Board extends heartfelt thanks for your unwavering generosity! |
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President's Message![]() Dear UPAABC Comrades,
It is 4AM, and it has taken me forever even to just give a quick notch at my keyboard to type this. I have to be stupendously honest that I have been having anxiety to even start writing. The last time I’ve been into this very same mood and situation was when I delivered a speech in front of a graduating class that asked me to become their Guest Speaker. And, yes, I have gone through the same struggle. I was only able to make out a good write up that I thought – actually -- made sense two hours before I was made to join the class upstage. Having narrated all these, I don’t think I’d be able to make the kind of sense that will satisfy your true-blue, forever-hungry-of-new-knowledge, green-and-maroon minds and souls. But… Here it goes! On behalf of the Board, I will try and do my utmost best to deliver in the same way I have come to realize just how humble and open-minded you all were to give me this chance to serve our Isko floor with the highest post and honour– given, at first, my “reluctant” leadership behaviour—for 2023 and 2024. To an Iskolar ng Bayan, to serve is always pleasurable. There is this indescribable tinge of mixed anticipation and excitement that comes with a bit of anxiety and gratefulness whenever the trumpet of service and calling sounds its horns. Yes, the trumpet always howls from up the mountain to make sure that everyone down in the valley hears the loudness of the message. And, sure, the whole UPAABC township never fails to grasp and decode the Morse code of “pagtatanghal” ng mga “humayong” hinubog na anak ng bayan galing sa pambansang pamantasan ng Pilipinas, ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. It is of an august honour to serve as President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia for years 2023 and 2024. The new Board is here not to shake and rattle. We are here to keep up because you guys have already been shaking and rattling and swinging the UPAABC wagon amid the constantly changing winds of time. We are here to uphold and respect legacies and footprints that are meant to stay, as we all are also here to work with you the necessary transformations that our organization will need to continue thriving in the next long years, as it already did for almost five golden decades now. Allow the new Board and I to polish the specifics of our Strat Plan and Proposed Calendar of activities for 2023. Your suggestions have been heard, and we want to make sure that one and all is happy to participate in each of the mapped activities. We will retain traditions that define the UPAABC family; we will introduce exciting youngblood programs that will make this family and comradeship even more impactful. Allow me to express the deepest, warmest accolade and respect to our President Emerita, Anita “Cookie” Aytona, and the past board for their invaluable contributions, projects, and unconditional support to the newly-boarded officers. Without you all being our mentors, who would we be today and tomorrow? Many thanks for the untiring calibrations! Without all these timely tools, how do we carry on from today until the boat is ready to sail on its own? There are no words to properly express our gratitude. On behalf of the 2023 and 2024 Board of Directors, maligaya at malikhaing Bagong Taon! Thank you, unreservedly, in advance, for your soaring and cradling support! Gracias, Maribel “Bella” Balisi Bevilacqua President, University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC A.D. 2023 & 2024 |