UPSE Alumni Fellowship, Bond for Gold

Last Monday, June 23, 2014, the UP School of Economics Alumni Association (UPSEAA) held a fellowship for the association members at Strumm's bar in Makati. It is one of a series of events to celebrate the school's 50th anniversary this coming February 2015, or just eight months away.

My batchmates, batch 84. From left: ____ (sorry, forgot her name), Roger Ynzon, Popo Suanes (our class valedictorian then, he was the first Summa cum laude graduate of the school), Leo Riingen, me. Leo owns the PH franchise of Informatics. Sitting: Gadys Cruz Sta Rita, and Doris Ynzon, also Roger's wife. Gladys is the first female President of the National Power Corporation (NPC). Gladys paid for our 2 rounds of beer, thanks Gladys.

The above photo is from Glady's camera. Maganda rin pala ang black n white photo ano :-) Succeeding photos below from TG Serrano's camera, posted in facebook.

Hey Popo, Ernie, I suggested to Gladys to possibly hold a "UPSE-NPC Forum", and to Leo to hold a "UPSE-Informatics Forum", similar to the on-going "UPSE-Ayala Forum". Both agreed in principle. I hope you can discuss it in your next board meeting.

Earlier, Les, Rose San Pascual, and Oggie Arcenas joined us in the table.

 The fellowship was attended by many alumni from different batches. I think batch 82, below, has the biggest "delegation", there were around 15 of them that night. My friend and Rotary classmate, Atty. Inky Reyes, belongs to this batch.

From left: Jack Teotico, Past President of UPSEAA, Dida Salita, and Dr. Manny Esguerra -- my former teacher at PDE, a godfather of my younger daughter Bien Mary, and now NEDA Deputy Director General. Ernie Albano, current UPSEAA President, and TG Serrano.

From other batches, late 70s and early 80s.

Fantastic performer that night. the Glass Onion Band. The lead singer sang lots of songs by The Rolling Stones, Beatles, other 70s bands. He looked like Mick Jagger, and he sang like Mick Jagger, bow. Lead guitarist, seated, is businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco.

Thanks UPSEAA officials for the great fellowship.
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See also:
UP ETC, May 20, 2012

ArtEconomics, August 24, 2012

Galerie Joaquin and the UPSEAA, September 29, 2012

UP Lantern Parade 2012, December 18, 2012

Galerie Joaquin and the UPSEAA

My appreciation of painting and other artworks can be compared to the appreciation of an average grade schooler of calculus or advance algebra. Nahh, just kidding. I appreciate music, classic rock music especially. But painting, not much. Not only that they are generally expensive for me, my interest of them is generally passing.

But last September 18, 2012, I joined a number of fellow UP School of Economics (UPSE) alumni in trooping to Galeria Joaquin to see lots of beautiful and rather expensive works of art. The galerie is owned by Jack Teotico, a kind hearted and former President of the UPSE Alumni Association (UPSEAA).

It was actually a fund-raising activity by the UPSEAA. Prices of each art work were as is, no discount. But whatever profit margin by the galerie for the sales that night will all go to the UPSEAA fund as the association is helping our alma mater have a great 50th year anniversary in 2015 or just three years from now. There are grand plans for the school such putting up a new school building, expanding the scholarship fund, creating more professorial chairs, and so on.

That is why I said that Jack is a kind hearted entrepreneur and alumni of the school. Every year, there is a general alumni homecoming, sponsored by graduates 25 years ago. And every year, Jack would donate some art pieces to the school for bidding. Whatever amount to be raised will all go to the SEAA fund. Jack is definitely among the most gallant alumni of the school.

There are other rich alumni too, who gave substantial amount to the school, mainly to modernize each classroom. If you see the classrooms there, you will be impressed, they are word-class lecture rooms with high tech facilities -- all from donations of alumni. The taxpayers subsidy alloted for the school only goes for the maintenance (electricity, water, books, office supplies, etc.) as well as salaries of faculty and staff.

Me, I went there just to eat as I knew that Jack would prepare really yummy food for all guests, buyers or plain kibitzers. I was not disappointed as the food was really nice. But I was disappointed also because I thought that there would be some medium or high octane drinks, say 17 percent alcohol content red wine or even 5 percent serbesa, there was none. Disappointing Jack! :-)

There were lots of juices, soda and water.