
October 19 - 22, 2023
22nd Biennial Grand Reunion & Convention (GRC)
Hyatt Regency Hotel,
New Brunswick, New Jersey
About the UPAAA Grand Reunion and Convention
The UPAAA Grand Reunion & Convention (GRC) is a biennial gathering of UP alumni and non- alumni for the purposes of fellowship, knowledge exchange and fundraising for UPAAA's flagship initiative, the Scholarship Program.
On its 22nd year, GRC 2023 returns to an in-person format from October 19-22, 2023 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. UPAAA expects to host between 200-300 attendees from the US, Canada and beyond.
GRC 2021, held virtually, with VFairs as the digital platform, won the following awards: *vFairs "Best Use of Gamification" (winner) and "Best Virtual Conference" (runner up).
Register, Nominate and Sponsor the GRC
Join us in-person in New Jersey to Empower, Engage and Excel.
Registration Fees
Early Bird registration is now open for 22nd Biennial Grand Reunion & Convention (GRC)

Nominate Alumni
The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) is now accepting nominations for the 2023 UPAAA awards to be given during the 2023 Grand Reunion and Convention in New Jersey.
Sponsor
The UPAAA Sponsorship Committee for the 2023 Grand Reunion & Convention welcomes sponsors for our biennial event.
Event Speakers
We have invited esteemed Filipinos from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona Robredo
Lawyer and politician who served as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.

Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona Robredo
Lawyer and politician who served as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, UP School of Economics, Diliman,1986; LLB, University of Nueva Caceres, 1992
Her flagship anti-poverty program, Angat Buhay (lit. 'Uplifting Lives'), has helped address key areas including education, rural development, and healthcare, in partnership with more than 300 organizations.

Carmencita D. Padilla, MD, MAHPS
Chancellor of UP Manila since 2014 (9th, 10th and 11th Chancellor)

Carmencita D. Padilla, MD, MAHPS
Chancellor of UP Manila since 2014 (9th, 10th and 11th Chancellor)
Doctor of Medicine, UP Manila
Master of Arts in Health Policy Studies, UP Manila
She is an Academician of the National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST); a Professor 12 at the UP College of Medicine; and, a University Scientist 3 of the University of the Philippines System.
Among her major contributions to the Philippines are the initiation of genetic and comprehensive newborn screening services in the country, establishment of the Philippine Genome Center, crafting and lobbying for the passage of the Rare Disease Act and the setting up of the Fellowship program in Clinical Genetics and MS Genetic Counseling at the UP College of Medicine.
She envisions UP Manila as the National Center of Health Research and Development for the Filipino people, and a center for academic excellence in the fields of health, natural sciences, social sciences, arts and the humanities.

Clarina R. DelaCruz, PhD
Physicist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Clarina R. DelaCruz, PhD
Physicist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
BS Physics and MS Physics, UP Diliman
PhD Physics, University of Houston, Texas
Among her positions at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are Senior Scientist | Group Leader, Powder Diffraction Group, Neutron Scattering Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate | Science Initiatives Coordinator for Quantum Materials, Neutron Sciences Division | Neutron Scientist | Vice Chairperson, American Physical Society, Topical Group on Magnetism and its Applications.
In addition to her professional activities, she participates in outreach activities e.g., mentorships, contributing to a weekly digital newsletter about relevant articles from the Quantum Materials Initiative, participating in women’s career workshops.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory engages in diverse research activities, leading to scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in energy and national security and provide economic benefit to the nation, thus ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and security challenges.

Marilou Areno, D. Comm.
Arizona School Superintendent

Marilou Areno, D. Comm.
Arizona School Superintendent
Masters in Educational Leadership & Administration, Western Governor University
Masters in Psychology, University of Santo Tomas
Dr. Areno has been in the field of education since 1989, as a teacher and school administrator in the Philippines, and now a superintendent in Dishchii'bikoh Community School, a school district in Arizona, since 2017. She is also a school Psychologist.
She is passionate about her advocacy to provide professional development and guidance to educators all over the world. Inspiring them to work as Culture Exchange teachers will boost the Philippine economy through remittances to our homeland. These educators can also pay it forward by sharing their expertise with other educators in the Philippines.

Malou Soto Reininger
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist

Malou Soto Reininger
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
30-year IT veteran, she was President and Cofounder of the Philippine-Austria Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), an organization that provides scholarships to deserving Filipino students in the fields of science, technology, education and mathematics, aka STEM.
She was recruited in 2016 by then-Philippine Ambassador to Vienna Zen Collinson-Angara as part of a push to make the country’s Austrian mission the “science diplomacy center” of the Philippine Foreign Service.
She was founding chairman of Babaylan Austria, a support organization for Filipina migrants living and working in Europe.

Robert Hui Lo, DVM
Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO Red Dragon Farms

Robert Hui Lo, DVM
Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO Red Dragon Farms
Founder and CEO of Red Dragon Farms (RDF) Feed, Livestock & Foods, Inc. in the Philippines, he has met many struggles and obstacles along the way to establishing a vertically-integrated agri-food enterprise. He makes sure that his more-than 2,000-strong workforce is well cared for, investing in their personal and professional development.
He supports numerous students, from elementary to postgraduate levels. He is a champion for quality in the meat produced by his company, ensuring adherence to global standards, from the feed mill, swine and poultry farms, slaughterhouse, meat cutting and meat processing plants, meat shops, restaurants, all the way to the consumer.
He actively supports initiatives of the government and the private sectors to promote and protect Philippine meat products, especially during disease outbreaks in the country e.g, Bird Flu | Avian Influenza and the African swine fever epidemics.

Carol Tulud
Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga USA

Carol Tulud
Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga USA
She is an alumna of the Centro Escolar University.
GK1 World Foundation dba Gawad Kalinga USA (GK USA) is a lead mission partner of the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GKCDFI) in creating a sustainable template to end poverty by building caring and sharing communities, focusing on the multiple solutions to alleviate poverty: shelter and land security, health and well-being, child and youth development, family productivity, and community resilience.
Ms.Tulud is Owner of BHC-Behavioral Health Consultants, Inc., a group of mental health providers serving the Houston, Texas area and surrounding communities.
Event Schedule
We have planned a robust program for us to learn, inspire and have a great time!
1:00 - 5:00 pm | Early Registration Exhibits Tutorials |
7:00 - 11:00 pm | Welcome Reception EMCEE: ______________ |
8:00 am - 400 pm | Registration Exhibits |
8:00 am - 10:00 am | ISKOLYMPICS in the Park |
1:00-1:15 pm | Opening Ceremonies Emcee of the Day: ________ |
1:15 - 2:00 pm | Keynote Speaker Atty. Ma. Leonor G. Robredo |
2:00 - 3:00 pm | Filipinos Changing the World, part 1 Carmencita D. Padilla, MD, Chancellor, UP Manila Clarina R. Dela Cruz, PhD, Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee Moderator: Lisa Boquiren |
3:00 - 4:00 pm | Break |
4:00 - 5:00 pm | Filipinos Changing the World, part 2 Marilou Areno, D. Comm. Educator; Superintendent in the Bureau of Indian Education, Arizona Maria Lourdes S. Reininger “Science diplomat”, IT veteran, Philanthropist Moderator: Carol E. Colborn |
5:00 - 6:00 pm | Q&A Moderator: |
7:00 pm - 12:00 am | Fellowship Night Jubilarians Buffet dinner and dancing Emcees:__________ |
7:00 - 9:00 am | Buffet Breakfast |
8:00 am - 4:00 pm | Registration Exhibits Emcee of the day: Joy PH? |
9:00 - 10:00 am | Empowering people in need of food and shelter Robert H. Lo, DVM Founder & CEO, Red Dragon Farms, Philippines Carol Tulud Executive Director, Gawad Kalinga USA Moderator: Lisa Boquiren |
10:00 - 10:30 am | Break |
10:30 - 11:30 am | State of the University President, UP System To introduce the President: Walfredo C. Arias |
11:30 am - 12:00 pm | General Assembly Meeting In Charge: Aileen L.Dizon |
1:30 - 3:00 pm | The UP Alumni Family: Our Strength in Numbers Moderator: Carol E. Colborn Speaker Panel: Romulo F. Aquino, PhD Walfredo C. Arias Marilou Areno, D.Comm UPAA Hawaii President or representative Representative of the UP Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs giveto.up.edu.ph |
3:00 - 3:30 pm | Break |
3:30 - 4:30 pm | Making an Impact TBA Grantees, Donors, Moderator: Joy Celo |
4:30 - 5:30 pm | Q&A Moderator: Joy PH? |
7:00 pm - 12:00 am | GALA Formal Dinner and dancing Awards Induction of Incoming Board Emcees: Suzanne L. Sabangan, PhD + _____________________ |
7:00 - 9:00 am | Buffet Breakfast |
8:00 - 8:30 am | Sunday Mass |
9:00 - 11:00 am | UPAAA Board Meeting |
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Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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GRC Sponsors
A big THANK YOU to our sponsors




