University of the Philippines

Alumni Association in America





Call for Board Nominations!

To Access the Nomination form for the Volunteer UPAAA Board of Directors for 2026-2027, click HERE.


About UPAAA, Inc.

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States, an all-volunteer group of alumni of the University of the Philippines. 

A 501(c)(3) organization is a nonprofit entity in the U.S. that is exempt from federal income tax. It must operate for charitable, educational, or religious purposes and donations to it are typically tax-deductible for the donor.

Join our growing membership of passionate UP alumni and friends who want to make a difference in the lives of UP students and alumni, and the community.


Ruling year                     2014

EIN                                      80-0816109

IRS subsection             501(c)(3)

                                             Public charity

IRS filing requirement    Form 990

Tax filing                       Tax Year 2023

                                              Tax year 2022

                                              Tax year 2021

President                           Winston C. Umali, MD

                                               2024-2025

Mailing address             UPAAA, Inc.

                                               c/o Fe G. Seligman, Treasurer

                                               PO Box 563

                                               5073 Central Ave.

                                               Bonita, CA 91908

Call for Board Nominations

A Message from Nelsie T. Parrado, Chair

Nominations and Election Committee

UPAAA is inviting nominations for the 2026–2027 Volunteer Board of Directors.

If you or someone you know is passionate about our mission, committed to service, and ready to help guide the direction of UPAAA, we encourage you to submit a nomination.


Who Can Nominate?

All current members in good standing (dues paid for 2025) are eligible to nominate candidates, including self-nominations.


Nomination Deadline:

July 31, 2025



Nomination Form:  Please click this link to a Google form (you do not need a Google account to complete the form nor do you need to login).


If you have questions about board service or the nomination process, please reach out to us here.


Ideal Board Candidates:

  • Believe in the mission and values of UPAAA

  • A team player who has time to actively participate in meetings (almost all online) 

  • Willing to contribute their time, expertise, and creativity

We’re especially seeking individuals with experience in:

  • Email and electronic communications (e-newsletters, announcements)

  • Google Drive and collaborative tools

  • Marketing, promotion, and social media outreach

  • Budgeting, bookkeeping, or nonprofit finance

  • Strategic planning and organizational development

Term of volunteer service

2026-2027

Vision

A strong broad-based international organization of alumni and alumni organizations of the University of the Philippines outside of our home country in the service of UP Alumni, the UP System, and the community in pursuit of our shared goals.


Mission

To engage alumni and alumni organizations of the University of the Philippines to work together on educational, charitable, cultural and other meaningful projects that benefit UP Alumni, the UP System, and the community in pursuit of our shared goals, drawing on our individual and collective resources and of those in the community where we live.

Values
  • Excellence in leadership
  • Integrity
  • Honor
  • Compassion


Goals
  • A steady growth in individual and organizational networked members in the US, North America, and the world
  • Sustainability in giving back to UP and the Philippines with time, talent and treasure
  • A focus on educational, charitable, cultural and other meaningful programs
  • A sound financial foundation
  • A strong and postive community voice


THE UPAAA STORY 

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America was founded in 1981 by a group of graduates of the University of the Philippines in New Jersey, led by Dr. Arsenio Talingdan with the primary aim to unite UP alumni associations in America and to work for the preservation of the UP System as the national center for academic excellence, freedom and service. 

                                           Circa 1981


                    2021


Our Constitution and Bylaws outline the principles and structure of our organization

Learn More

Our Strategic Plan for 2020-2029 details our goals and strategies for achieving our mission. 

Learn More

UPAAA Board of Directors

2024-2025







The UPAAA Hymn:  UP Alumnay sa Amerika

UP alumnay kaming lahat

Katulad nami'y yamang likas

Sa pamantasang Pilipinas

Kami'y hinubog maging pantas

Iniaalay naming wagas

Ay karunungang isang hiyas.


UP alumnay kaming lahat

Ibang dagat man kami napadpad

Ang lagi naming hinahangad

Ang pamantasan ay lumakas

Ang handog namin sa lahat

Ay ang talinong sa 'yo nagbuhat.


UP alumnay sa Amerika

Magsama-sama't magkaisa

Sa bawa't isip at gawa

Luntiang tunay at pula

Hindi kukupas ang sigla

Hanggang mapawi ang hininga.

-------------------------


UPAAA Hymn Scoresheet written by Minda Azarcon


About the UPAAA Hymn


Romualdo Aragon, Jr., MD, UP College of Medicine (UPCM) Class of 1982, penned the final lyrics for the UPAAA hymn in Las Vegas in June 2008. His inspiration came from the UP Centennial Celebration and a request from Dr. Francisco S. Sy, UPCM Class of 1976, who had been elected President of UPAAA in September 2007 during the Grand Reunion and Convention in San Francisco. The lyrics serve to unite all U.P. alumni residing in the United States.  The music was composed by UP alumna Minda Azarcon.

The UPAA Nevada Chapter proudly premiered "Awit ng UPAAA" at the UPAAA Grand Reunion and Convention held from September 4-6, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Minda Azarcon

"They say that to know a great artist and witness their art, is to transform, to change our behavior, and perhaps even change our very selves. The late artist Minda D. Azarcon embodied the magic, life force, beauty, and sensuality of Music. She wonderfully changed my life in no small measure." 

by Janine B. Castillo, in Positively Filipino, March 9, 2022

Photo of Minda Azarcon by Marc Stayman



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