The UPAABC Scholarship Program proudly expanded its roster in February 2025, welcoming three new scholars to its growing community. Meet our incredible scholars and their generous benefactors who make it all possible!
As of February 2025The UPAABC Scholarship Program proudly expanded its roster in February 2025, welcoming three new scholars to its growing community. Meet our incredible scholars and their generous benefactors who make it all possible! As of November 2024As of November 2024, UPAABC proudly supports 30 active scholars across various UP campuses. Bella Balisi-Bevilacqua bids a heartfelt farewell as 2023-2024 President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve this vivacious and supportive community. Reflecting on her term and the whole Board of Directors, she highlights the association's collective triumphs and commitment to the values of "Honour, Excellence, Service," which have strengthened the bonds among alumni across British Columbia and beyond. Looking to the future, Bevilacqua is optimistic about the bright path ahead for the UPAABC, confident that the association will continue to make a positive impact locally and globally. She expresses her excitement for the 2025-2026 leadership under Mr. Stephen Andrada, urging full support for their vision and plans. With a renewed sense of pride and unwavering dedication, Bevilacqua leaves behind a legacy of service and unity, wishing the association continued success in the years to come. Each December, members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia (UPAABC) gather to volunteer at The Door Is Open in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. This yearly tradition reflects UPAABC's dedication to giving back to the community and showcases their spirit of service and compassion. Last December 22, 2024, UPAABC members, their families, and friends participated in the Door Is Open's Giving Back Activity. The volunteers served a hot, nutritious lunch, and handed out "Blessing Bags" containing essential items to those in need. The generous donations from supporters made the event possible, which enabled the group to provide even more assistance than in previous years. This annual service brings to life the UP motto of Honor, Excellence, and Service as volunteers work to positively impact their community. Click here to access more photos: https://bit.ly/2024DIOPHOTOS.
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!  The Filipino-Canadian community in British Columbia came together last October 5, 2024, at the Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Surrey for Pinoy Band Aid, a heartfelt benefit concert to support the victims of the recent typhoons in the Philippines. The evening was not just about great music; it was also about unity, compassion, and the collective commitment of the different communities to helping those in need.
In the wake of Typhoons Enteng and Carina, which left over 600,000 people in the Philippines displaced, the Pinoy Festival Alliance Society, rallied together with the UP Alumni Association in BC (UPAABC), Bisayan Alliance in BC (BAIBC), TFOEPE-Vancouver Hinirang Eagles Club, Mixed Media & Music Artists’ Society of BC (M3ASBC), and PICPA-Vancouver to make this event happen. Local artists, such as Plug and Play, Harana Chorale, and D’Angkols were among some of the entertainers for the night. The concert raised an incredible $16,000 in ticket sales, not including generous donations that were gratefully received from the community. These were handed over to the ABS-CBN Foundation International to fund relief and recovery efforts. Pinoy Band Aid proved that when Filipinos come together in the spirit of Bayanihan, even the darkest moments can be met with hope and healing.  Editor's Note: The deadline for nominations have now passed. Thank you for your support!
Warm greetings, fellow Iska and Isko, The UPAABC’s Board of Directors for the Term 2023 to 2024 finishes on December 31, 2024. As we continue to strengthen and grow our alum network, we are excited to invite you to participate in an important process: nominating for the incoming Board of Directors for Term 2025 to 2026. Your involvement is crucial to ensuring a diverse, dedicated, and visionary leadership team to guide our organization into the future. Why Your Participation Matters: Your unique perspective and experience as an alum make you invaluable to our community. By giving your nominations, you help us shape a board that truly represents the interests and aspirations of our alum network. Deadline: September 27, 2024, 11:59PM If you have any questions or need further information, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. We deeply appreciate your continued support and commitment to our alumni community. Your active participation in this important process is highly valued and we look forward to your valuable contributions. Thank you unconditionally. Yours Sincerely, Bella Balisi Bevilacqua President, 2023 & 2024 
Can't get enough of Balagtasan? Relive this timeless celebration through photos! Also check out our Facebook Page for a live recording of the event and the complete album of photos!
Balagtasan 2024 would not be possible without the support of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia.
We would also want to thank our venue sponsor for tonight, which has been the home of Balagtasan for 4 years, Praise International Church through Team Art and Charen. We would also want to acknowledge our premium sponsor from Greatway, your independent Insurance broker, Vicki Buechler. We would also like to thank our regular sponsors: Foundation for a Path Forward, United Filipino Canadian Associations in British Columbia (UFCABC), Hablon Styles and Hues, Northam Law: A Law Corporation, Terra International Food Inc., and UMAC Express Cargo. We would also like to thank our food sponsors, Cucina Balai, Paradise, and Think Tank; and our media sponsor PNT: Reyfort Media Group. Lastly, to the generous donations of oragnizations and fellow UPAABC members: Rotary Club of Mountainview Vancouver, Dr. Iris Radev, Tita Leonore Lim, Tito Dodie Lucas; and Tito Bert Parungao Muli, maraming salamat po sa inyo. 
Calling all Filipino international students in BC! Join us for a free mentorship session on September 7th at the Surrey Public Library - City Centre. Hear from industry professionals in the fields of project management, human resources, data analytics, and trade and entrepreneurship and learn about how you can succeed in different career paths. This event is organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia (UPAABC) in partnership with KPU Pinoy. Register for this session here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/we-are-here-for-you-kpu-tickets-998938109777 
 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! 
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March 2025
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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