Category: Community

  • UPAA-MB, Inc. Mobilizes Volunteers To Help Winnipeg’s Less Fortunate

    UPAA-MB, Inc. Mobilizes Volunteers To Help Winnipeg’s Less Fortunate

    Siloam Mission_Volunteers_pic4_13June22

    As part of its community outreach, the University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba, (UPAA-MB) Inc., spearheaded by its Social Responsibility Committee, organized a volunteer activity at the Siloam Mission last June 22, 2013. A group of 20 volunteers from the UPAA-MB, their friends and family members participated in the activity.

    Siloam_Volunteers_pic3_13June22

    Siloam Mission is a Christian humanitarian agency dedicated to serving the poor and homeless by providing them opportunities for change. Starting as a small soup kitchen in 1987, Siloam has evolved into a four-storey 24-hour full service provider, employment training hub and 85 units of supportive housing.

    Changing perspectives

    The 3-hour volunteer shift began with a brief orientation and tour around the Siloam Mission building to enable the volunteers to better understand Siloam Mission and its services. Belinda, a Siloam Mission staff, divided the volunteers into three groups. One group was tasked to sort donations of clothing and other basic necessities such as toiletries, shoes and sandals, while the other was assigned to assist in meal preparation in the kitchen. The third group was asked to serve the meals and buss tables.

    UPAA Siloam Volunteers_pic2_13Jun22

    She then ushered them to the multi-purpose Longtin Resource Centre which hosts training sessions, recovery meetings, art programs, computer workshops, and games for its guests. On display in this centre are works of art made by people from different walks of life depicting their life stories, which are full of hopes and dreams.

    Right beside the multi-purpose centre is the drop-in area where nutritious meals are served to the guests thrice a day for 365 days a year. At Siloam Mission, hope starts with a meal. By first meeting the basic needs of its guests for food, clothing and emergency shelter, Siloam Mission helps its guests look to the future.

    As the orientation tour took place, many guests were already seated at the table waiting to partake of their meal.

    Belinda then took the volunteers to Hanna’s Place Emergency Shelter on the second floor. There, 110 beds were neatly arranged in rows to provide a safe and clean place for the night for the homeless. On average, as she noted, eighty percent of the guests were men and twenty percent women. In the morning, twelve of them would help clean up the beds and washrooms to maintain their upkeep.

    Finally, the volunteers were led to the pantry and clothing room to see the stockpiles of food, clothing and other donations from individuals, businesses and other institutions.

    Fulfilling and insightful experience

    Following the building tour at a little past noontime, the three groups of volunteers were then directed to their respective areas of assignment. After the guests had partaken of their meal, the volunteers were served their lunch in the staff dining area, while sharing their own experiences and insights.

    Being a first-time volunteer, Nikki, who worked in the kitchen, expressed that she felt uneasy at first but found the whole experience very fulfilling. She said one has to work fast to keep pace with the flow of people just like in a busy fastfood restaurant. One thing she realized though was that poverty and homelessness affect people from all walks of life, regardless of physical attributes and ethnicity.

    Lourdes, who served the meal and bussed tables for the guests, was grateful about the experience, being truly blessed in life. That experience gave her every reason to be contented with what she has. Peter, who sorted clothing and other donations, realized that the problem of poverty and homelessness is a global reality that affects both developed and developing countries, where the less fortunate need help in meaningful ways from those who have more in life. He wondered if the Siloam Mission model which provides basic human need of safe shelter, while creating an environment that promotes dignity, self-respect and growth, can be replicated back in his home country. If given the chance to volunteer again in the future, all three volunteers expressed that they are more than willing to do so as it gives them a sense of self-fulfillment. It is also their way of giving back.

    Vision and compassion

    As Siloam Mission looks to the future, it hopes to transform the landscape of Winnipeg’s inner city by creating 500 homes and 500 jobs in the next five years. Connecting this vision with compassion and generosity of people and organizations will certainly make a difference in the lives of the homeless.

    “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give”—Winston Churchill

  • Ashley Saulog Receives 2012 UPAA-MB Inc.’s Bursary Award

    Ashley Saulog Receives 2012 UPAA-MB Inc.’s Bursary Award

     UPAA-MB Inc., in partnership with UM-Sigaw, is proud to announce its 2012 bursary recipient. Ashley Saulog has been selected by UM-Sigaw’s officers and UPAA-MB Inc. representatives through an application process, interview, academic standing evaluation, financial need and community service. Ashley has received the bursary amount of $250.00.

    Ashley is 18 years old and graduated with honours from St. Boniface Diocesan High School. Aside from the bursary she has received from us, she also applied and successfully received scholarships for university. She also volunteers at the Winnipeg Harvest and actively assisted elementary school children at Holy Ghosts School.

    Ashley is planning to enter and graduate under the Faculty of Nursing.

    Congratulations Ashley, and we express our sincerest appreciation to UM-Sigaw for continuing to support us with this project.

  • UPAA-MB, Inc. Hosts Filipino Inter-Organization Bowling Tournament

    UPAA-MB, Inc. Hosts Filipino Inter-Organization Bowling Tournament

     

    The University of the Philippines Alumni Association and Associates (UPAA MB) hosted the first inter-organization Pinoy bowling tournament which was held last November 24, 2012 at the Chateau Lanes in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    The event aimed to raise funds for donation to the Christmas Cheer Board and to promote the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation among Filipino organizations in Winnipeg.   The event took off with a ceremonial roll by the group presidents and team captains of the 10 competing teams.  Of this number, eight teams represented Filipino organizations in Manitoba, which included Bibak Association of Manitoba, Damayan Manitoba, Filipino-Canadian Technical Professionals Association of Manitoba (FCTPAM), Isabela Association of Manitoba, Mabuhay League, St. Edward Parish, and the UPAA-MB. Two other teams, namely RaRa Boys and Buddy-Buddy, were formed by twelve individual participants.

     

    The half-day event was filled with fun and excitement as the participants cheered as they scored strikes and spares or missed the pins. The tournament culminated in the awarding of prizes to the winners. The RaRa Boys Team garnered the championship after amassing a score of 2684, followed by the St. Edward Parish Team with a score of 2421 and the Mabuhay League Team with 2397 pins. Francis Ballesteros of RaRa Boys Team clinched the Best Male Bowler award with a score of 533, while Virgie Gayot of Bibak Association of Manitoba received the Best Female Bowler award with 273 pins.

    UPAA-MB expresses its gratitude to all the organizations and individuals who made the event a success. Through their support, the tournament generated a total amount of $409.62. Proceeds will go to the Christmas Cheer Board that coordinates gift giving to add joy to its recipients – the needy individuals and families in Winnipeg, this Christmas. There is certainly no doubt that we look forward to having more activities, events, and interactions with the other organizations in the future as we all strive to promote unity and stronger camaraderie within the Filipino community here in Winnipeg.

     

  • UPAA-MB Inc. holds its second Annual General Meeting

    UPAA-MB Inc. holds its second Annual General Meeting

    The University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba Inc. held its second annual general meeting last October 20th at 4:00 PM. Around 30 members and their families have attended and renewed their membership this year which the organization considered as a great turnout.

    During the assembly the constitution amendments were presented by this year’s Ad hoc committee. These amendments were unanimously voted and approved by the board. The committee heads also presented their annual reports. It was then followed by nominations of Honorary and Associate members. Nominated associate members are currently under review and for approval by the board and will be announced at a later date.

    The organization also held its election of officers. The following are UPAA-MB Inc.’s new set of Board of directors:

    Chairperson – Anna Juangco-Maniquiz
    Secretary – Tintin Acab-David
    Treasurer – Danjae Medina
    Membership – Bless Ramos
    Social Responsibility – Divine Teodoro
    Fundraising – Pong Maniquiz
    Information & Communications – Nikki Mailom

    The incumbents will be working and training with the previous board during their transition period. They will be taking office starting in January 2013.

  • UPAA-MB Participates in the 2012 Manitoba Marathon

    UPAA-MB Participates in the 2012 Manitoba Marathon

    The finish line at the 2012 Manitoba Marathon

    June 17, 2012 – Weeks of training is finally put to the test as UPAA-MB members and family participate in the 34th annual Manitoba Marathon. The annual Father’s Day event’s goal is to raise awareness and raise funds to assist people living with intellectual disability. It is also quickly becoming an annual UPAA-MB tradition, and lines up perfectly with this year’s T-Shirt design contest theme of “active and healthy living.”

    The participants enjoyed perfect running weather and a mosquito-free route as they ran their respective events.

    The following members (and family) participated in this year’s events:

    Full Marathon

    • Norman Garcia
    Half Marathon
    • Lourdes Casañares
    • Jullie Quijano
    • Peter Tan
    10k Run
    • Kristine Acab-David
    • Dennis Flores
    • Jackie Flores
    • Joanna Ocampo-Flores
    • Anna Maniquiz
    • Salvador Maniquiz
    • Bless Ramos
    Mini-Mites
    • Mandy Flores
    Congratulations to all participants. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the runners. See you all next year!
    Cooling down after the race
    UPAA-MB at the Manitoba Marathon. Photo by Jeffrey David.
    UPAA-MB at the post-race lunch


    More marathon photos by Jeffrey David can be found in our gallery.  CLICK HERE