Published at Philippine Sentinel, February 2016 and Kalatas, March 2016 – by Pam Ventura
The new officers of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Australia – New South Wales Chapter were sworn into office by Cr. Edmond Atalla MP last 6th of February at the Max Webber Function Centre in Blacktown.
Serving for the term 2016-2018 are Dr. Corazon Catibog-Sinha (President), Alice Bergonia (Internal Vice President), Tiffi Ramos (External Vice President), Cresmar Yparraguirre (Secretary), Mica Arellano (Treasurer) and Christine Paul (Internal Auditor). They were unanimously elected during the Association’s Christmas party on the 28th of November 2015.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Sinha said that she hopes to continue UPAAA-NSW’s efforts including its Scholarship Grant for poor but academically-deserving UP students, its annual tree-planting during Planet Ark’s National Tree Day and its communications (website, Facebook and newsletter), among others. She also pointed out that the main challenges for this term are to undertake community engagement activities (for which a committee has been established), review the Association’s Constitution and continue promoting its objectives while always linking it to the motto “Unity, Community and Loyalty”. Special guest Cr. Atalla, representative of Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali, also cited the scholarship project, saying that “the best gift to give anyone is education”. In sharing his story of how he got into public service, he also encouraged the association to “continue on your path, your objectives”.
Now on its 36th year, UPAAA-NSW is one of the pioneer Filipino organisations in the state. It aims to (1) assist UP in the fulfilment of its mission as an academic institution, (2) assist in the development and welfare of alumni in Australia and in the Philippines, (3) and foster socio-cultural development and interaction between the Association and the Australian community. For more information, visit the websites https://upaaa-nsw.org and www.facebook.com/UPAAANSW.