UP Alumni & Associates in Manitoba, Inc.

Category: News and Updates

Members Take Up the Challenge

This year’s summer outing was held at the Birds Hill Provincial Park on July 18. There was a good turnout from members and families who drove to the park and gathered at
the central beach area despite of a rain forecast.

The day kick-started with the UPAA-MB Amazing Race Challenge. Members were divided into two teams which were given a set of clues leading to different race destinations.

The first destination was a Pitstop – The Playground. Everyone took a trip to their childhood memory lane diving down the kiddie slides and playing follow the leader around the playground before finishing off with a group selfie. The next destination was a Road Block – The Beachfront. One member of each team stepped up and carry the load for the rest by paddling around the lake on an inflatable mattress. The third destination was another Pitstop – The Lifeguard House. The team’s challenge was to get the name of the lifeguard and wish him good luck. Next destination was a Detour – The Canteen. Each team was given 5 dollars to buy any food item and eat it as a team. The last destination of the race was a Pitstop – The Comfort Room. The teams cleaned up the area by picking up litter and placing it in the garbage bins. Both teams successfully finished the race displaying mental and physical toughness figuring out the clues and running from one destination to another. This race once again revealed the fun, competitive, and adventurous spirit of the members.

The next game was called the Survivor Challenge. Two teams gathered at the beach volleyball area to simulate a night battle siege between two army troops. One team took the side of the aggressor while the other one defended. Armed with water guns and water bombs, the defenders tried to protect their fortress by firing at the aggressors who were trying to reach their base. The main catch of the game was that both aggressors and defenders crawled all throughout the challenge and used night vision goggles (aka swim goggles covered with electric tape) to literally “nighten” their vision. The game turned out to be challenging but fun as only a few people finished the drill unscathed. At the end of the game, it was wet and wild as people threw the leftover water bombs at each other.

Freshly grilled Pinoy pork bbq and a host of other appetizing potluck contributions were feasted on by the tired and hungry members by noontime. Visiting alumni Nazer and Kay Balajadia-Liggayu from UP College of Music graced the event.

True to the forecast, the downpour of rain began after lunch which left all the members literally bonding and enjoying what’s left for the day under one tent.

By Danjae Medina

October 15, 2015
PalarOlympics Season 5

PalarOlympics 2015 was hosted by UPAA-MB Membership Committee at Kildonan Park on August 29, 2015.

It was a neck and neck competition between the Green and the Orange teams. The teams were tied-up after 6 games: Dr. Quack Quack, Egg Catching, Chinese Garter, Siyato, Patintero, and Dodgeball. The Green Team won overall with a .02% edge above the Orange Team in the Cheering Competition Event with their rally chant “Kami ang Green, Panis ang Orange!” in the tune of “Now watch me whip. Now watch me nae nae”.

The organization would like thank all the members who made this event exciting and fun starting with the Flores Family, Quijano Sisters & Aaron E., Buenaventura Family, Maramag Family, Fabian Family, Gonzales Couple, Norman Garcia (current UPAA-MB Chairperson), Lourdes Casañares, Danjae Medina, Aimee Ronabio and Ramon Sales (former UPAA-MB Chairperson). Special thanks to the UP Alumni who joined the event: Alvin Diaz and Family, Eppie Austria and son, Gian, Tine Pau and Family, Dot Del Rosario, and Wella Realon. The organization hopes that everyone will continue to be a part of the growing UPAA-MB family.

Kudos to all the members of the Membership Committee, especially to Jullie Quijano, former UPAA-MB Chairperson, who led and officiated the Palaro. It was heard from the grapevine that it was the best officiated Palaro so far–there were no protests.

By: Mervin Maramag

October 8, 2015
Lifelong Seminar 2: On Entrepreneurship and Starting a Business

Whatever we do in life, it is essential that we never stop learning new things. Starting a business enables one to unlock hidden talents and abilities to achieve greater things like financial independence, career advancement and increase contribution to society.

UPAA-MB members attended a seminar about “Starting a Business in Manitoba” on July 4 at Sir William Stephenson Library. The guest speaker, Valen Vergara, discussed key business principles particularly in start-up processes, brand management, and business strategies.

Valen Vergara is an award winning social Entrepreneur, author, speaker, and B2C (business-to-consumer) marketer. He leads various business enterprises like Young Entrepreneurs Society International, The Thought Authorities (a personal development publishing company), The Worldwide Expedition for Peace & Truth Project Inc., Now Network Joint Ventures Corp., Team Made Estate (TMR), and Millionaire Mastermind Alliance. His life’s work is centered on mentoring, empowering, and investing in the field of human potential.

Mr. Vergara highlighted the roles of various institutions that help people start their own business. These institutions and support groups include Entrepreneurship Manitoba, Manitoba Business Gateways, and Companies Office.

He discussed the importance of building a “brand” by association, testimonials, achievement and by creating big impressions. He emphasized that one doesn’t need to quit his or her full-time job immediately when starting up a business. Valen said that entrepreneurs should focus on the business model and not the business plan, study the market by researching potential clients and competitors, and conduct micro-testing to assess the acceptability of the product/services before doing full-blown business launching.

Valen donated a copy of his book, “The People, Planet, Profit Entrepreneur”, for every UPAA-MB members to read. For more information about Valen Vergara and his work, please go to www.valenvergara.com.

By Norman Aceron Garcia, EIT

Norman holding the book, The People, Planet, Profit Entrepreneur, written by Valen Vergara

July 12, 2015
UPAA-MB HOSTS FILIPINO BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER

Two hundred thirty people attended the breakfast fundraiser organized by the University of the Philippines Alumni and Associates in Manitoba (UPAA-MB), Inc. on June 6 at Canton Buffet. A total of $1655 was raised through ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and 50/50 draw.

Proceeds will go to the UPAA-MB’s bursary and charity donations. The organization will continue to award bursaries to deserving Filipino students. A portion will also be donated to the families of fellow UPAA-MB members who have lost their loved ones and are in need of financial help.

UPAA-MB would like to thank Canton Buffet, all the individuals who supported the fundraiser, and corporate sponsors such as Emmie Joaquin of Wealth Planning Group, Norman Garcia, EIT of Mr. Peg, Edwin Yazon Financial Services, Anna Juangco-Maniquiz, and Nikki Mailom – Ingga Sandals Distributor. The organization also acknowledges the generosity of Darren Gonzales for donating back the money he won from the 50/50 draw. The following media sponsors helped promote the event: Pilipino Express, Filipino Journal, and CKJS-AM.

June 12, 2015
Lifelong Seminar 1: Ways To Increase Engagement And Repeat Volunteerism

Volunteerism is a huge part of the thrust of UPAA-MB as reflected in its annual activities of participating in various volunteer programs in Winnipeg. In line with this, the organization held a seminar about Organizational Development and Volunteer Management on March 14 at Sir William Stephenson Library. The guest speaker, Kevin Freedman, discussed key principles in managing the volunteer program of an organization.

Kevin Freedman has been a volunteer himself for over 20 years for various organizations, activities, and initiatives. He received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in April 2014. He also founded The Water Conservation Challenge. Currently, he is the President of University of Winnipeg Alumni Council and the Corporate Speaker of Canadian Blood Services. He is holding and had held various leadership positions in the community including being a member of the Board of Trustee in Winnipeg School Division and member of the Board of Directors of Assiniboine Credit Union among others.

Mr. Freedman started the seminar by highlighting key facts about the profile of volunteers in Canada. He mentioned that according to studies, sports and social services draw the most volunteers. Statistics also shows that younger people are more likely to contribute their time doing volunteer activities and that higher income, education, and involvement with religious groups correlate to volunteerism.

He discussed a case study about how New York Cares, a leading volunteer organization in New York City, was able to increase activation rates, increase engagement and repeat volunteerism, and create new leaders. Mr. Freedman also talked about the 13 Steps to Driving Recruitment, Engagement, and Leadership by Nancy Schwartz, publisher of Getting Attention e-update and blog. The original article is found here. According to the publisher, organizations may use these principles to improve volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention rates.

The guest speaker emphasized the importance of training the volunteers properly, using targeted interactive communications to engage volunteers, and having feedback loops in nurturing an effective organizational volunteer program. To build an effective volunteer program, the organization must take into account the factors that draw, keep, increase, and drive-away volunteers.

This year, UPAA-MB will be organizing series of Lifelong Learning Seminars as part of the objective to enrich the skills and knowledge of its members. The second seminar will be held in July.

By Jeremy Malana and Nikki Mailom

April 14, 2015