By Ryan Tejero, UPAAA Executive Vice President and Chair, Communications and Publicity
The most awaited Grand Reunion and Convention (GRC) of US-based alumni from the University of the Philippines is scheduled on October 17-18 this year. All eyes are in Houston, TX at this time as it will host this event at the Westin Galleria Hotel. This biennial event was last hosted in New Jersey in 2023. The 23rd GRC is co-organized by the UP Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) and the UP Alumni Association in Houston (UPAAH). The theme is centered on “Committing to Honor, Excellence and Service.”
No less than the UP President, Atty. Angelo Jimenez will grace the event as its Keynote Speaker. He will deliver the state of the UP address during the gala night on October 18, 2025. Other notable speakers include Philippine-based, Robert Aranton, who is the UPAA President; Josephine Santiago-Bond, FilAm Systems Engineer from NASA; Dr. Arnold Guloy, a FilAm Professor of Chemistry at the University of Houston; New York-based Michael Amper Dadap, who is a popular FilAm musician and well-known in Filipino folk music, and Mary Rose Martinez, from Houston and is employed as Chief Information Security Officer at Marathon Petroleum Corporation.
This year’s GRC is chaired by both equally excellent leaders in their respective UP alumni associations - Pearl Gomez-Ontalan from New Jersey and representing UPAAA; and Christine Marie Azcona from Texas and representing UPAAH. Pearl is a UP alumnus of the College of Mass Communications in Diliman, Q.C. She has worked as a Radio-TV Producer with J. Walter Thompson, Inc. Phils. during the mid-70’s. In the US she joined UPMASA (University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America), with her last position as Executive Administrative Manager (2010-2023). Christine completed her BS in Physical Therapy from the College of Allied Medical Professions in UP Manila. She is the current president of UPAAH.
As in previous GRCs, UP alumni in America always showcase the best of Iskos and Iskas. GRC 2025 will celebrate jubilarian classes from the years ending in 0-1-5-6. It’s always a wonderful gathering of old friends and meeting new friends. Imagine the laughter and joy of seeing your buddies after a long hiatus, reminiscing about college escapades and applauding the spectacular achievements of trailblazers in science, technology, music and the arts.
UPAAA and UPAAH share a common value in supporting scholarships, research grants, professorial research, laboratory upgrade and athletic physical and mental health wellness. All together, all UP alumni wherever they are, always strive to make the world a better and peaceful place for everyone, UP or non-UP.
GRC registration is now open by clicking the website link: https://www.upaainamerica.org/GRC. Discounted rates are still available until June 30, 2025. Please visit upaainamerica.org for more information.
See you all at the GRC in Houston, TX! Mabuhay and Iskolar Ng Bayan!
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