On February 16, CRC and UA&P alumni joined “Usapang Alumni,” the first-ever virtual alumni get-together organized by the Office of Alumni Affairs (OAA). Hosted by Dr. Antonio Torralba and Alyana Dalisay (ABIMC, 2012), the Zoom conference started off with a moving speech by UA&P co-founder Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao who shared his views on the learnings we can gain from the past year.
“What the pandemic has taught us is that we all need to change. We cannot do things that way how we used to do them. And therefore, the context (of the pandemic) is one of transformation,” he said.
Dr. Estanislao also urged the university and the alumni community to act as agents of positive change in the society. “UA&P has never been only about dreams, aspirations, ideas. It has also been about passion and to reach out to others so that together we can act. And act in a positive way—to change the world, to make it better. “We have to create a digital community with many programs that are helpful to everybody for a continuing continuous personal and professional development where integrity, solidarity and action will always be encouraged.”
Dr. Estanislao’s fellow UA&P co-founder Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas also inspired the alumni community to do what they can, especially during this time.
“A mark of a UA&P Dragon is someone is known for his concern for his friends,” he said. “We must make sure that we are the first to contribute to the common good – a social order which enables every single member of society to attain his or her fullest development.”
UA&P President Dr. Winston Padojinog thanked all the attendees and shared some words of wisdom to the alumni community and shared the following testimonial by UA&P alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees Mr. Eric Francia:
Alumni attendees participated in games where they were tasked to answer university-related questions, while some were called on to share their own experiences and thoughts about the university. Sharers included Mr. PJ Garcia (UA&P BOT) as well as the Chairman and President of the UA&P Dragons Alumni Association, Inc. (UDAA), Mr. Brillo Reynes and Mr. Kritzman Caballero, respectively. To cap off the event, the alumni were invited to write a letter to the university which will be featured online.
A truly memorable experience for all, the get-together is only the first of more alumni gatherings to come.
(For alumni-related inquiries, you can contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at [email protected] or follow their official Facebook page and Twitter Account to stay updated on alumni activities and events.)