NAGA CITY -– Celebrating the 100th year of the country’s premier university, UP alumni and alumna from this city and the province of Camarines Sur, otherwise known as “Iskolar ng Bayan”, gathered together in a general assembly and social at the IBP Hall, City Hall Complex last December 2007.

Caption: UP Alumni Camarines Sur Chapter President Judge Nilo Malanyaon and other officers take their oath of office from Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, himself a UP Alumnus.

        The event, which coincided with other schools in the city holding their class reunions and grand homecomings, was made possible through the tireless effort of an interim group of concerned alumni/alumna. Among the leading initiators of the gathering were Judge Nilo Malanyaon, Clarine Tobias, Baby Semana, Johnny Las, Leni Robredo, Sieglinde Bulaong, and Joe Grageda.

        Starting with a motorcade around the city’s principal streets, the group regrouped at the IBP Hall for their whole-day recollection of past memories, enlivened with singing and inexhaustible supply of food and drinks.

Caption: The Iskolar ng Bayan alumni

        The more formal portion of the activity included the presentation of the Alumni Constitution and By-Laws for amendments and ratification. Drafting of the document was facilitated by Atty. Leni G. Robredo, the first lady of Mayor Jesse M. Robredo who is himself a UP alumnus.

        Having been products of a university known for student activism, the homecoming alumni engaged themselves in discussions that were lively yet intelligent, constructive and developmental.

        Then ensued the election of new set of officers who will hold the reins of the local alumni association for 2008 and lead preparations for the UP Centennial celebration in support of the nationwide projects of the general alumni association.

        The following were elected Board of Directors officers:

        Nilo A. Malanyaon (Law ’62), president; Johnny C. Las (BS Agriculture ’57), internal vice president; Ma. Leonor G. Robredo (BS Econ ’86), external vice president; Sieglinde B. Bulaong (BS Chemical Engineering ‘87), secretary; Zarah M. Padua (BS Tourism ’92), assistant secretary; Elna N. Chia (BS PreMed ’69), treasurer; Clarine P. Tobias (BS Tourism ’90), ass’t treasurer; Teresita P. Semana (BS Nutrition ’57), auditor; Nestor B. Beltran (Law ’80), business manager, and; Jose L. Grageda (Law ’69), PIO.

        The other members of the board are: Nicolas Beda Priela (BS Agriculoture ’75); Peter Theodore D. Caro (BS Agri-Business ’80; Adolfo M. Badiola (BS Statistics ’84); Edna N. Maguigad (BS PolSci ’98), and; Michelle S. Ayo (BA Social Sciences ’07).

        The newly-formed local chapter will also tackle other projects, such as a membership directory, Open University Health Extension, and the creation of a Committee on Issue Advocacy, among others.

        Alumni and alumna who failed to come during the December affair are enjoined to get in touch with the secretariat at Memory Call, Ateneo Avenue, Naga City.