Celebrating 45 Years of Excellence: A Night of Reflection, Unity, and Festivity at the UPAABC Christmas Party

11/26/2024

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia (UPAABC) marked an exceptional milestone on November 16, 2024, with its Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM) and Christmas Party at the Holiday Inn in Vancouver. Celebrating 45 years of "Honor, Excellence, and Service," the event elegantly balanced reflection and revelry.

The evening began with an enriching Annual General Meeting (AGM) featuring a Land Acknowledgement, the national anthems of Canada and the Philippines, and heartfelt remarks from key figures, highlighting President Bella Balisi-Bevilacqua's detailed achievements report for UPAABC over the past year. The occasion also saw the induction of new board members for the 2025-2026 term, highlighted by the esteemed presence of Consul Analyn D. Ratonel, who led both the discharging and induction ceremonies. A deep sense of pride and continuity was palpable as the UPAABC's vibrant history was honoured and ushered into the future by a short speech by Incoming President Stephen Andrada.

The celebration seamlessly shifted from formalities to festivity. The Christmas spirit was fully embraced as the party unfolded with a dynamic performance from the musical duo Pat Fernandez and Rawnna Crisostomo, followed by a tribute to the association's 45 years through a poignant video presentation. The room was alive with energy, especially during the games hosted by Allen Baylosis. Highlights included awarding the Iskotography 2024: Whispers of the Fall photo contest winners and the Best Aurora Borealis attire, while a spirited raffle added to the excitement. Guests also enjoyed two unforgettable sets of live music from Ian Zeta, whose soulful melodies punctuated the night's joyful atmosphere, setting the perfect tone for the evening's celebration of community, culture, and camaraderie

The camaraderie was palpable as the night wound down, with a joyous community sing-along of the iconic "UP Naming Mahal" and a final group dance by past and present Board members. What started as a formal occasion blossomed into a memorable celebration of not just the association's enduring legacy but the shared spirit of its members—who, united by their roots and values, genuinely know how to celebrate life, service, and tradition. (MBB)

Check out the rest of the photos on our Facebook page, courtesy of Joey Anatalio!

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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

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Celebrating 45 Years of Excellence: A Night of Reflection, Unity, and Festivity at the UPAABC Christmas Party

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