Iloilo City – The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) held its 43rd Regional Alumni Institute in Iloilo last May 17-18, 2019. It was a two-part event dubbed “Hanot kag Makig-angot” (hit and connect). Its focus was on the forum on renewable energy, and an open golf tournament sub-event.
Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella was guest speaker for the “Renewable Energy: Impact on the Philippines’ Energy Security and Environment” forum. It was held on May 18, 2019 at the UP Visayas Auditorium. Fuentebella is the current spokesperson of the Department of Energy, and DOE undersecretary for Power, Renewable Energy, and Media Affairs.
According to Fuentebella, there is a need for discussion in continuously balancing the cost of power distribution and management, and its impact to the environment. “If it will be heavy on the environment, we suffer. If it’s heavy on the economy, we suffer also. At the end of the day, it’s a balancing act,” he added.
The forum was attended by members of different sectors such as the academe, government service, military, private individuals, UPV officials, and UP alumni, among others.
The open golf tournament, on the other hand, was held a day earlier, on May 17, 2019, at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club. Golfers from Manila and other parts of the region joined. During the lunch program, prizes were raffled off, with a 40-inch LED TV as grand prize. Champions for the different categories were awarded prizes and trophies during the Welcome Dinner held in the evening at the Casa Real (old Iloilo Provincial Capitol), Iloilo City. Champions are as follows: Paul Francia for the over-all gross; Rod Liamzon, over-all net; Fred Laurente for Class A; Boboy Ringler, Class B; Joey Tan, Class C; along with special awards for hole-in-one, Rod Liamson; longest drive, Paul Francia; and nearest to the pin, Ray Celis.
The Fellowship Night was held on May 18, 2019 at the UPV Little Theater to cap the series of events. UP alumni and friends spent time reconnecting with each other alongside good food, and entertainment. Prizes were raffled off to the guests, along with a 32-inch LED TV grand prize. The guests were treated to a dance number cum Zumba in the finale number.
Present during the events were UPV Chancellor Ricardo P. Babaran, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Martin G. Genodepa, UPAA President Reynaldo C. Laserna and the rest of the UPAA Board of Directors and staff, UPAA Iloilo Chapter President Antonio Jose T. Evidente, and members of the board, UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and UP OAR Director Maria Angelica D. Abad, UPV Information and Publication Office Director Anna Razel L. Ramirez, and UPV OAR Director Benmar B. Panaguiton and staff.
The UPAA 43rd Regional Alumni Institute in Iloilo was organized by the UP Alumni Association in cooperation with its local chapter UPAA Iloilo Chapter, and UPV Office Of Alumni Relations.
