Many of my friends in Seattle will be surprised that I am here in Manila. I did not plan to be in Manila at this time of the year because of the weather. Masyadong mainit sa Pilipinas kung Mahal na Araw. But then I would like to relive the rites and practices in the Philippines during the Lenten Season. Also, it is graduation time again. I gave the Dr. Romy Protacio Achievement Award during the commencement exercise of the Philippine Christian University-Union High School of Manila on March 30 at the PhilAm Life Auditorium. This year’s valedictorian, Bethel Reyes, was the recipient of the Certificate and the P10,000 cash award. My high school classmate, Marita Zobel, was the commencement speaker.

Incidentally, I almost missed the graduation ceremony. My departure in Canada was delayed because a passenger checked in but did not board. Cathay Pacific had to unload everyone’s luggage in order to isolate the luggage of the passenger who did not board the plane. The delay had a domino effect on my itinerary. The Hong Kong departure was delayed as well as was our expected arrival in Manila. I was seated on the back of the plane on our way to Manila. With the plane fully booked, it would be impossible for me to disembark as fast as I would want to so I could catch the 12:30 p.m. graduation ceremony.

I requested flight steward Maggie Yu if I could get a seat in front so I would be one of the first to get off the plane. There were no available seats. However, flight steward supervisor Evy Lai was so generous to assist me and moved me to the first class cabin where passengers were first to get off the plane. Thank you so much Maggie and Evy of Cathay Pacific!

Tuwing ganitong panahon, maraming magulang sa ating bansa ang naguumapaw sa galak dahil nakatapos na rin ang kanilang mga anak ng high school o college. The mothers, in particular, will be seen shedding tears of joy. As we all know, the only wealth that Filipino parents say they can give their children is an education. Education is the only means by which Filipinos could have a chance to give their children a better life.

Ako rin ay nagagalak kung sumasapit ang ganitong panahon dahil kahit sa maliit na paraan nagiging kasangkapan ako to motivate the students to pursue the highest award during graduation day and that is to be the school’s valedictorian. I look forward to another year when I could witness the fruit of my incentive for academic excellence. By the way, this year I extended my scholarship program to the students of the University of the Philippines, College of Music Education. I have two scholars, one in piano and another in voice. In order to maintain the scholarship, the recipient must maintain a grade of 1.75 in the major subjects and must not have a failing grade.

A Celebration of the Life of Tommy

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me.” Those words echoed in my ears as I looked at Tommy’s face as he lay in peace at the Hites Funeral Homes Chapel in Henderson, Nevada. I am very confident those words were in Tommy’s heart. All those who attended the necrological service had tears of joy in their eyes for they know Tommy is now in the hands of the Lord – no more sickness, no more heartache, no more pains, no more sorrow.

Tommy is Thomas Protacio Laurel. His mother is the brother of my father. Although I was 10 years older than Tommy, we grew up in the same neighborhood. I had the opportunity to know his thoughts about life when we were growing up in Pasay City. He was very idealistic. He would always fight for the truth even if it got him into trouble. As a former classmate at the University of the Philippines said, Tommy was funny, stubborn, controversial, acerbic, and polarizing.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Gloria and son, James, his brothers Noly and wife, Nanette, Jomar and wife, Karen, Joel and wife Suzie, and only sister, Imay.
Goodbye Tommy … we will miss you!

UPAAA search for the
Top 2007 Alumni

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) will hold its biennial 2007 General Assembly and Convention on September 1-3, 2007, at the Hilton Hotel in San Francisco’s Financial District, California. The UPAAA-San Francisco is the host chapter of this convention. The theme of the convention is “Celebrating the UP Legacy, Forging the Next UP Century.”

One of the main highlights of the convention will be the search for the 2007 Outstanding Alumni in the United States, who will be honored at the Gala Night on September 2, 2007.
The UPAAA Awards Committee chaired by Luz Sapin Micabalo, past national president, UPAAA and Sid Dela Cruz, past president UPAA-

Nevada Chapter released the following criteria for the various types of awards:

Most Distinguished Alumni/Alumna. Nominees for this award must have attained national and international prestige. He/She must be outstanding in his/her professional fields or areas of endeavor.

Lifetime Distinguished Achievement. Nominees for this category must have rendered, through the years of continuous and outstanding service to the University of the Philippines (U.P.) or the nation, and given prestige to U.P., to the community and to his/her profession.

Outstanding Professional. This award is granted to the nominee who has attained national or international distinction in his/her particular field. More recent achievements will be given priority over earlier achievements.

Meritorious Community Service. The recipient of this award will be recognized for his/her outstanding and distinguished services rendered to the community, society or the nation.
Special Recognition. This award is granted to an individual or group, whose outstanding performance in his/her/their professional and/or community activities has been acknowledged nationally or internationally, and has given honor and prestige to U.P., the community and the nation.

The nominees must be graduates of the University of the Philippines and residents of the United States. The deadline for submitting nominations is June 15, 2007. Decisions will be made by July 15, 2007. Awardees must be registered at the convention and must be present to receive the award during the Gala Night on September 2, 2007. For nomination forms and guidelines, please write to Luz Sapin Micabalo at 10705 Back Plains Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89134, tel. (702) 360-4148, e-mail: Lmicabalo@yahoo.com, or to Sid Dela Cruz at 8080 Dark Hollow Place, Las Vegas, Nevada 89117, tel. (702) 256-3301, e-mail: siddelacruz@yahoo.com.