UPAA in America, Inc. (UPAAA)

University of the Philippines

Alumni Association in America

UPAAA Outstanding UP Alumni, 2025-2026

JOIN US IN HONORING THEM DURING AWARDS NIGHT, OCTOBER 18, AT THE

UPAAA 23rd Grand Reunion and Convention

October 17 and 18, 2025

Westin Galleria, Houston, Texas

In Conversation

with the 2025-2026 UPAAA Outstanding UP Alumni

You are Invited to this series of Virtual Conversations from August to October, 2025

and

Celebrate Excellence. Be Inspired. Join the Conversation.

SCHEDULE and ZOOM LINKS

August 8 (Join here):

Eligio Roel B. Orteza II, Ph.D. and Earl Valencia (Joy S. Celo, MD)

August 15 (Join here):

Henry Echiverri, MD, Ishwar Gopichand, MD, and Anita Jongco, MD (Winston C. Umali, MD)

August 22 (Join here):

Fe Punzalan, MSN and Benigno Valdez, Ph.D.

(Ryan Tejero)

Names in parentheses indicate the moderators.

*All sessions will be held on a Friday at 6PM PT| 8PM CT | 9PM ET, except for October 4 (Saturday).

September 5 (Join here):

Romulo Ramos, AIA and UPAA Wisconsin ((Dorothy Lenore Llariza-Tome)

September 19 (Join here):

Lorraine Evangelista, Ph.D. and Klyde Ledamo, DMA (Lisa Boquiren)

September 26 (Join here):

Ronie Mataquel, EdD, Ph.D and Stanley Samonte, Ph.D. (Marilou Areno, DComm)

October 4* (Join here):

Raymund Liongson, Ph.D. and UPAA Nevada (Marilou Areno, DComm)

October 10 (Join here):

Demee Koch and Venazir Martinez (Lisa Boquiren)

In Conversation with the UPAAA Outstanding UP Alumni, Part 1

Friday, August 8, 2025

Lessons learned from the conversation:

1. Knowledge Remittance (if you're unable to remit funds) to our Alma Mater

2. Knowledge Transfer

3. Bet on someone else to make a difference in their life

In Conversation with the Outstanding UP Alumni Awardees, part 2

Friday, August 15, 2025

Highlights:

*** From Our Philippine Roots to Giving Back and Healing Forward: Paying our UP education forward
*** Shared Roots. Stronger Together in a New Country: The power of an alumni community

In Conversation with the Outstanding UP Alumni Awardees, part 3

Friday, August 22, 2025

Pearls of wisdom, shaped by the experiences of our alumni awardees

Break the cycle of poverty - offer a helping hand with no strings attached. Only you can pave your road to success - but sometimes, a bit of support can make all the difference.

Dream big, but don't be afraid to take risks. Of course, hard work and perseverance always pay off. Be your best and others will notice. Prove your worth with humility and you will earn lasting respect.

Don't be afraid to explore new paths - and welcome the friends and collaborators you meet along the way.

UPAAA Outstanding UP Alumni, 2023-2024

Outstanding UP Alumni Awards

The UPAAA Outstanding Alumni Awards honor outstanding UP alumni living | working in the United States for their exceptional personal and professional achievements. UP alumni contribute to their local, national and international communities and personify the spirit symbolized by the Oblation: strength, resilience and freedom of thought ...selfless action for the public interest.

The UPAAA Outstanding Alumni Group Award honors an outstanding UP Alumni group for their meritorious and exceptional activities, projects and other accomplishments which benefit not only their members and communities in the U.S., but also the University and the Philippines.

View the list of recipients of the UPAAA Outstanding Alumni Awards, 1982-2023

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States. Section 501(c)(3) is the portion of the US Internal Revenue Code that allows for federal tax exemption of nonprofit organizations, specifically those that are considered public charities, private foundations or private operating foundations.