UPAA-MB celebrates Isko! Iska! Pasko!

UPAA-MB Board of Directors 2023-2024 (L-R)t: Gian Marco Pau (Fundraising Committee Head), Emmanuel Dimatulac (Social Responsibility Committee Head), Katrina Ibe-Dimatulac (Treasurer), Mario Muan (Membership Committee Head), Ann Evangelista (Information and Communication Committee Head), Oscar Pantaleon Jr. (Chairperson), and Sunshine Teologo (Secretary)

University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba (UPAA-MB) members, family, and friends gathered for a holiday celebration in Isko! Iska! Pasko! last December 4 at the Jeepney Restaurant. This year end get-together marks the culmination of UPAA-MB’s 12th anniversary and the installation of its eighth Board of Directors.

Comprising the incoming board for 2023-2024 are Oscar Pantaleon Jr. (chairperson), Sunshine Teologo (secretary), Katrina Ibe-Dimatulac (treasurer), and committee heads Mario Muan (membership), Gian Marco Pau (fundraising), Emmanuel Dimatulac (social responsibility), and Ann Evangelista (information and communication).

Emmie Joaquin, UPAA- MB honorary member, inducted the officers and delivered an inspirational message recalling her UP student days, sharing learnings on life here in Canada, and exhorting the members to uphold the UP values of honor and excellence. Ramon Sales Jr., former chairperson, led the invocation and Anicka Abquilen, daughter of member Rizalina Cortez, recited the land acknowledgment to open the induction program.

UPAA-MB is committed to harnessing the creative abilities and potential of its members by initiating projects and initiatives through collaborative partnerships to raise the profile of the Filipino community and contribute to the sustainable development of Manitoba. In- personandvirtualeventsareheld throughout the year for members and the community.

The organization regularly presents Isko Talk and Settlement Info Sessions – Immigrants’ Guide (SISIG). In summer, UPAA-MB holds PalarOlympics, a showcase of Filipino street games, and Tagisan Para sa Iskolar ng Bayan, a pub quiz featuring Filipino and world trivia. Members also volunteer for Winnipeg Harvest and Siloam Mission. All UP alumni in Manitoba are invited to join the UPAA-MB. To apply, please contact membership@upmb.net.