18 September 2014 – As proof of the great diversity of the Filipino community in Hawaii, Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin addressed the general assembly meeting and installation of officers of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Hawaii (UPAAH) and the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association (USTAAH) on August 23 and on September 1.
In her address, the Consul General commended the groups for their continuing commitment to the values that their universities have stood for such as academic excellence, critical thinking and public service.
As an alumnus of both the universities, Consul General Jamoralin urged the scientific and academic community in Hawaii to reach out to the underprivileged sectors in the Philippines through education and community service. In response to the call of the times, both alumni groups have been active in civic and community activities. UPAAH projects included the tree planting activity in Maui, creation of a UP Endowment Fund to fund a professorial chair and disaster relief for Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. The USTAAH has been involved in medical missions in cooperation with UST medical graduates, the latest of which provided medical assistance to Yolanda-affected areas last year and which will embark on a return mission this year.
Consul General Jamoralin also urged the alumni groups to support the projects and advocacies of the Philippine Consulate in Hawaii such as the overseas voters registration, campaign for Vigan City as the “New 7 Wonder Cities of the World” and the 10th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) in 2015.
Dr. Belinda Aquino, noted UP alumnus and faculty, political scientist, writer and University of Hawaii (UH) Professor Emeritus and founder of the University of Hawaii Center for Philippine Studies was one of the guests at the UPAAH event. END