The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Northern California (Berkeley) Chapter (UPAANC) recently celebrated its 41st Anniversary Dinner Dance last March 7, 2009 in Doubletree Hotel Burlingame. After days of relentless pouring rain, the weather graciously decided to cooperate on the day of this sold-out dinner dance. Special guests included US Senator Leland Yee, Philippine Trade Representative for the US Western Region Ms. Josephine C. Romero, UPAASF President Ed Damasco, PICPA-USA President Essie Claveria, Filipinas Magazine Managing Editor Gemma Nemenzo, Professor Jun-jun Villegas and Solano County Board of Education Member Dr. Rozzana Verder-Aliga. The theme for this year’s Anniversary Dinner Dance was – Reminiscing… our UP Memories .… The program kicked off with a thought provoking Invocation led by Dr Rozzana Verder-Aliga. Diana Macarine’s beautiful a cappella rendition of the Pambansang Awit and Star Spangled Banner stirred patriotic sentiments. A highlight of the evening was a slide show of recent photos of UP Diliman campus. The images of the old familiar places sparked memories of the good old UP days. It was a nostalgic treat prepared by anniversary dinner dance committee especially for those who have not seen our alma matter for a long time.
(Ed’s note: Click on the thumbnails below for better viewing!)
Another excitement of the evening was the heartfelt rendition of the UP Centennial song “Salamat sa ‘yo UP” by the UPAANC Board. They shared the stage with fellow UP alumni guests who were invited to come up on stage and join in the singing. It was a fitting tribute to our alma mater.
An inspired addition to the poignant theme of this year’s celebration was the Top Ten List of UP Memories contest. UPAA San Francisco President Ed Damasco and Past President Manny Gaspay and UP Professor Joe Aliling were tasked in choosing this year’s winners. All those who made it to the top ten were awarded prizes. “Nagkabistuhan tuloy sa edad!” when entries mentioned how much “ikot” fare they used to pay during their time—the fares ranged from 15 centavos, 10 centavos (“upong dyes lang po”) to as low as 5 centavos!
Charming CPAs Lili Tarachand and Sheila Ann Buenconsejo, proved that they can also be great emcees as they co-hosted the affair with 1st Vice President Selenna Franco-Cefre, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and Overall chair for this year’s very successful Anniversary Dinner dance. Madame President Alexis Zulueta thanked the Working Committees for a job well done! They are:
- Registration: Cherry Utleg, Oliver Colmenares, Dee Faraon
- Usherettes: Mira Linsey and Evelyn Balancio
- Raffle: Cherry Utleg, Edna Victorino, Lydia de la Cruz
- Entertainment: Henry Torres, Andet Laspinas, Ceny Duldulao
- Program: Sheila Ann Buenconsejo and Lili Tarachand
- Decorations: Daisy Rodriguez and Ason Pasetas
Lady luck was with Professor Jun-jun Villegas that evening who went home with most of the raffle prizes!
All the “Iskolars ng Bayan” and their guests enjoyed the evening reliving the past and retelling their UP memories. This sentimental collective journey revealed that though they wander to far off and distant places, their beloved UP will always be in their hearts!
