2015 News Archives

  • 02 Oct 2015 8:20 PM | Deleted user

    by Godie Lomotan Valenzuela, UPCN'67, BSN, RN, CNOR


    Ecstatic from another well attended convention, 98 UPNAAI members from Classes '61, '63, ’65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '72, '79, and ‘80 joined by spouses, friends and guests boarded two Tour Coach buses on the morning of August 9, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Garden Grove in California. Nati Matitu Mercado, GN'68 led the group in the first bus like a "maestro" conductress of an orchestra. As if in a concert, the rhythm segued into a melody; not a cacophony of sounds but more like a symphony, so sweet and so uplifting to the soul! Every "Hello, I am ......, glad to meet you" introduction to bus mates declared that life is beautiful and we are blessed to embrace it! Norma Arevalo Yabut led the group in the second bus.

    After the morning prayer, Mongo our tour guide, played Neil Diamond's "America.” The beat reverberated in the hearts and minds of the lively group. Lyvia Villegas, GN'68 started the ball rolling and set the tone long before we reached the first of seven State Parks and National Memorial. With her repertoire of dance, songs, poetry, and comedy, she entertained with "gusto"and inspired many others to follow .With talents galore right on day one, the drive seemed short!

    The first attraction we visited was NEVADA'S VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK. We marveled at this "vanishing sea of red sands laid down about 200 million years ago during the Mesozoic Era. When the sea retreated for the last time the region became a gigantic plain of sand, silt and clay gravel".

    On day 2 we were awed by ARCHES NATIONAL PARK in UTAH. It is a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms and textures unlike any other in the world. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, fins and giant balanced rocks.” We hiked half a mile uphill to see the famous Double Arch around 2 PM in 100 degree weather! It wasn't easy but what an exhilarating experience!

    On August 11, the third day of our journey, the bus followed the COLORADO RIVER TO GLENWOOD CANYON passing through picturesque MOUNTAIN SKI RESORTS like VAIL, wherein some beautiful houses and abundant verdant pine trees evoked sceneries similar to those in Switzerland and Germany.

    After passing through EISENHOWER TUNNEL we arrived at RED ROCK PARK, famous for its "Open Air Amphitheater between two giant red rocks.” Shortly thereafter we proceeded to the COORS BREWERY at the foot of the COLORADO ROCKIES, acclaimed as the "largest single site brewery in the world.” We were treated to a sampling of their beer after a tour of the facility. Blue Moon was the ladies' choice. It was mild and refreshing.

    On the fourth day (August 12) we reached the CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, a monument depicting Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota Warrior. It is on private land in the Black Hills of Custer County, South Dakota. "It was started 50 years ago and is still under construction.” We learned about North American Indian at the MUSEUM OF NORTH AMERICA and CULTURAL CENTER.

    The highlight of this trip, MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, in South Dakota, evoked feelings of patriotism as we started to visualize the four faces of the US presidents, etched in granite up high in the mountain. Certainly, sculptor Gutzon Berglum accomplished "the purpose of the memorial is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the UNITED STATES with the statues of WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON, LINCOLN and THEODORE ROOSEVELT.”

    After lunch all of us gathered for a group picture at the Hall of Flags with the Rushmore National Memorial in the background. On day 5 (August 13) we got a view of INDEPENDENCE ROCK in Wyoming, a state historic park which name comes from "a party of fur trappers who camped on July 4, 1824. It is a large granite rock 1,900 feet long, 700 feet wide and rises 128 feet.” As an added activity to this day, Mongo and his wife gave us Tai Chi lessons during the morning break. Going back to UTAH we stopped at SALT LAKE CITY for a tour of the TEMPLE OF JESUS CHRIST OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS. Visitors are welcome to the venue for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir but the Church/ Temple itself is for members only.

    On day 6 (August 14) we got into BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK. The "hoodoos, fantastic red orange and pink limestone spirals” from SUNSET POINT (8,000 feet elevation) are awesome vistas! This is where we got a brief reprieve from the oppressive summer heat when it rained for a very short time. By the way how did you feel after imbibing that cool spring water from the spigot at the picnic area? Younger, skin devoid of wrinkles, huh?

    The end of the tour descended upon us with the appearance of a rainbow while leaving UTAH heading to LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. To some it seemed like a premonition of riches to come— could the pot of gold be near at hand? The symbolism was not lost but it only reinforced the consensus that we all hit the jackpot already! The treasure is right there with us all along— the priceless bounty of friendship, the talents and inspiration vicariously enjoyed all throughout the tour. Not only did we come upon the natural and manmade rock formations but more importantly we witnessed rock solid presentations and personalities in the group!

    We salute the following:

    EDMUND J.Y. PAJARILLO, UPCN'79, PhD, RN BC, CPHQ, NEA BC
    2015 J.V. SOTEJO MEDALLION OF HONOR AWARDEE
    Ed presented: "Developing a Research Agenda". He stimulated our brains and validated that Nursing is not a menial job but a "cerebral pursuit.”

    DULA FARA-ON PACQUIAO, UPCN '68, PhD, EdD, CTN-A, TNS
    2014 J.V. SOTEJO MEDALLION OF HONOR AWARDEE
    For her excellent delivery of her expertise: Conflict and Conflict Resolution. She gave us salient points on how to attain and improve charisma as well as how to "metacommunicate.” She spoke so well that we heard and listened to every word she said!

    DELIA ZAMBRANO REYES, GN '68, MN, CFNP, FCP, CDE
    For her untiring effort to educate us on DIABETES, specifically, the "ROLE OF THE KIDNEY on THE PATHO PHYSIOLOGY OF TYPE 2 DIABETES; EMERGING TREATMENTS
    She gave us detailed pointers on how to manage the daily challenges of living with this dreadful condition.

    FRED VALERA, UPLB AGRICULTURAL ENGG'72, MS, PhD
    He talked on WATER: ITS NATURE AND MANAGEMENT IN COLORADO RIVER
    It was a very timely topic not only because of the drought in California but also because we were traveling along the Colorado River during his presentation. Did you know that LA gets all of its water from this river? It measures 1540 miles long and 244square miles.
    My take away from his lecture : "drinking 5 glasses of water daily reduces colon cancer by 75%"!

    SHAHID ABDALLAH, ARCHITECT, ASA ARCHITECTURAL GROUP
    RAMON MAGSAYSAY PHILANTROPHY AWARD RECIPIENT
    This fellow ,very unassuming in his ways, is the spouse of Consuelo Guevarra, GN'68. He rendered a very inspiring and motivational testimony—"true happiness is giving without expecting anything in return.” To date, the ASA ARCHITECTURAL GROUP FOUNDATION has built a non-profit hospital for Kidney Dialysis and 1,060 Schools (initially 5 in 1993) in Pakistan. The schools with 51% girls are for children without family and money. He also helped in the Himalayas after the devastating earthquake in the construction of 8000 homes with water supply within 110 mile radius of the mountain. His mantra, " It is between you and GOD and He will never let go of you if you hold on to His rope."Shahid is worth emulating and he gives us hope for a better and more peaceful world!

    To sum it all: the daily morning prayers; music by Mongo, our guide; the safe and professional driving by George; pro bono tips ,the singing, dancing, poetry, sharing of life /love stories inside the bus transformed it into a rolling library, theater, university, inspirational avenue. It was a profound feeling and I quote Shahid "GOD had a reason why and how we got together for this trip.” This group of nurses, doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, homemakers, and a former nun (Filipino Italian) - melded into one solid rock of humanity for seven happy days! No wonderMongo proclaimed "This is the best group I have ever had in my 20 some years as a Tour Guide!” Atty. Nony Advincula thanked Nati and UPNAAI for accommodating him and his wife Olive, saying "we have toured around the world but this is the best tour EVER!"

    Kudos to Nati , Lyvia and everyone who helped made the tour a truly enjoyable one!


  • 05 Aug 2015 10:00 AM | Deleted user

    Alfredo E. Pascual
    President, University of the Philippines System


    Isang mapagpalang araw sa inyong lahat!

    Congratulations to the University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International (UPNAAI, Inc.) on your 36th Anniversary!

    I also congratulate the organizers and officers of UPNAAI, led by its President Jesusa Santa Barbara Czach for mounting a convention in order to celebrate this important milestone, which is a testament to UPNAAI’s many accomplishments.

    UPNAAI does not only foster a strong bond between UP and our alumni, but also truly embodies Honor and Excellence—virtues that all UP alumni swore to uphold before leaving the premises of our university. Beyond doubt, the UPNAAI is central to the fulfillment of the UP College of Nursing’s (UPCN) mission to provide innovative leadership and distinction in nursing development in the global community.

    To me, your success is hardly a surprise. Your distinguished roster of membership include many UP-Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing and the UP College of Nursing’s best and brightest. Combining a rigorous intellect with a heart that beats for the less fortunate, UP Nursing graduates are known the world over as dynamic leaders in your profession. Committed as it is to UP’s motto of Shaping Minds that Shape the Nation, the School and the College have produced graduates that excel both by providing first-rate service, and through initiatives that change lives and enrich societies.

    It is only fitting that the UPNAAI’s 2015 convention theme is “Transforming the Future: Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity”. This theme reflects the passion that nursing graduates of UP produces to become successful change agents in society and to work together to create a safer, healthier world.

    With no less than Dean Lourdes Marie Tejero of the UPCN in attendance, I know that we can engage more nursing alumni, through UPNAAI, to develop more worthy projects with regional and global rearch. From 2013-2014, for instance, the UPCN spearheaded the upgrading of Cambodian nurses to help them become better care providers, educators, researchers, and manager-leaders through the Cambodia Nurse Bridging Program (CNBP). Two alumni nurses also shared their expertise in psychiatric nursing, mental health nursing, and intra-operative nursing to 29 of their peers via the same program.

    With the help of UPNAAI, I am sure that UP can spearhead similar programs that serve both the Filipino people, the global community and humanity in general. I am looking forward to the many other creative ways our nursing alumni can set out to resolve several of our healthcare problems as true change makers and scholars of the people.

    As you all come together to happily reminisce the past and earnestly plan our brighter future, I wish the UPNAAI many more years of successful projects and distinguished service. May you all carry on your duties and responsibilities with honor and integrity in your hearts and excellence in your deeds.

    I am one with you in your anniversary celebration! Good luck!

    Mabuhay ang UPNAAI! Mabuhay ang UP!


  • 05 Aug 2015 9:00 AM | Deleted user

    Carmencita D. Padilla, MD, MAHPS 
    Chancellor
    University of the Philippines Manila
    The Health Sciences Center

    I say "Mabuhay" to the members of the University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International (UPNAAI) on the celebration of your 36th anniversary. I also greet the 2015 nursing jubilarians and all other UP nursing alumni in different parts of the world. Congratulations on another year of achievements and dedicated service to the nursing profession and to our beloved Alma Mater.

    I commend the celebrating classes and the awardees for organizing an exciting, enjoyable, and memorable gathering for our nurses who are based in different countries. We salute you for devoting time and efforts to help the University in various ways. We thank you for your unwavering commitment and devotion to provide quality patient care in your respective settings and be recognized globally as nurse practitioners, educators, researchers, and community workers.

    Alumni gatherings provide not only opportunities to touch base and reconnect with colleagues and friends but also to explore possibilities for networking and partnerships. Kudos to the UPNAAI for continuing to provide a forum for UP nursing alumni worldwide to share experiences and work together in joint projects that will help boost the nursing profession and improve health.

    I wish you a successful and unforgettable alumni gathering and convention. UP Manila is eternally grateful to all its nursing alumni worldwide for exemplifying the University’s tenets of excellence, relevance, leadership, and service.


  • 05 Aug 2015 8:30 AM | Deleted user

    Lourdes Marie Tejero, PhD, RN
    Dean, College of Nursing
    University of the Philippines Manila


    The University of the Philippines College of Nursing (UPCN) is blessed with its very supportive alumni both from the School and the College of Nursing. Our nursing alumni have in their hearts and mind the welfare of our nursing faculty, staff, and students. Through all these years, their readiness to help and share their expertise has been palpable. A number of our nursing alumni have lectured to our faculty and students, while others collaborated in research and publications. We are grateful for their generous funding of our projects and assistance in our needs.

    With this very strong support from our alumni, we are able to continue our academic pursuits and beyond. This June – July 2015, four junior BSN students from UPCN are currently enrolled in a critical care nursing course at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Our faculty will also have their training at JHU under our memorandum of agreement (MOA) with them. Several universities from Japan, USA, Thailand, Indonesia, and others have collaborated with us through student training, research and project collaborations. Recently, UP Manila has signed our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing with whom we will collaborate on Disaster Nursing among other things.

    UPNAAI has been for us at UPCN a very strong ally in all our pursuits. We commend its Board of Directors for its lofty vision and effectiveness in working for its goals. The UPNAAI annual gatherings are intellectually stimulating and socially engaging. We extend our warmest congratulations to UPNAAI.


  • 04 Aug 2015 11:00 AM | Deleted user

    The extraordinary 228-page colored 2015 UPNAAI Yearbook is a one-of-a-kind keepsake pegging UPNAAI's accomplishments, encompassing influence, and wide-spread leadership. Read the 2015 Editorial Message & Acknowledgement and view the 2015 yearbook cover.

  • 04 Aug 2015 11:00 AM | Deleted user

    UPNAAI thanks all those who contributed to the huge success of the UPNAAI's 2015 Annual Convention in Orange County, California including UPNAAI Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Consultants, Chapter Representatives, class coordinators, alumni, and members as well as the 2015 UPNAAI Organizing Committees.


  • 03 Aug 2015 10:00 AM | Deleted user

    Jesusa 'Toots' Santa Barbara Czach, BSN’79, RN, CCRN (ret.)
    UPNAAI President 2014-2015


    BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS FROM THE INSIDE OUT

    "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepares in advance for us to do."

    Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

    Do you know that you are a Masterpiece? God is the MASTER and you are a PIECE of His purposes for the earth—you are His Masterpiece! Individually and collectively, we are God's Masterpieces, part of the bigger picture of what He is doing. You and I are like pieces of a puzzle and every piece has immense value. The value of each piece of a puzzle is dependent upon its connection with the other pieces. When we're connected, our value intensifies; something beautiful, dynamic, and life-giving happens—all the more so if we are compelled by love. Love can break down barriers from the inside out, barriers that hinder us from discovering, developing, and deploying our God-given purposes in life as God's Masterpiece.

    I am greatly blessed and truly grateful to be a piece of the University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International (UPNAAI) puzzle ever since I was requested to serve as a member of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors and as the UPNAAI class coordinator for BSN Class of 1979. Since then, I have cherished the years of active involvement with UPNAAI. UPNAAI is a thriving, growing, loving, and giving community of nursing alumni from the University of the Philippines who share a common bond; who treasure camaraderie & friendship; who love to give back to their Alma Mater for the excellent education they've received; who understand the power of love, honor, community, and volunteerism; who strongly desire to impact the next generation and leave a lasting legacy of excellence in the different arenas of life including nursing leadership.

    It is my heart's utmost desire that my service to UPNAAI, its members, our UP Nursing family, and others will bring glory to God. I am called to serve and I am here to serve you wholeheartedly to the best of my abilities. To the newly elected officers and members of the UPNAAI Board of Directors 2014-2015, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. I am deeply honored and humbled by your vote of confidence in me - thank you so much for trusting me in this position as UPNAAI President. With the Lord's amazing grace, I trust that, together, we will be able to accomplish everything that we've purposed in our hearts to do and bear much fruit. With God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

    As UPNAAI President, I humbly submit to you my aspirations and goals for 2014-2015:

    1. Pursue academic excellence through continuing education, research, networking, publication, and service.
    2. Increase UPNAAI's life, associate, and annual membership by at least 6% from January 2014 to December 2015.
    3. Unleash UPNAAI's potential for growth and development through Chapter Formation and Representation.
    4. Create and/or update Policies & Procedures as well as other guidance and governing documents to strengthen UPNAAI's foundation; subsequently, these documents will be published on the UPNAAI.org website to boost UPNAAI's transparency.
    5. Organize and archive important UPNAAI records, publications, and other relevant documents to increase UPNAAI's sustainability.
    6. Develop and implement a strategic plan to foster a seamless leadership transition through succession planning and creating a framework to facilitate the transfer of critical & relevant explicit and tacit knowledge held within the previous leadership and other influential relationships to enhance UPNAAI's longevity and viability.
    7. Build and develop a healthy and highly effective leadership team with a holistic organizational perspective that is geared towards delivering the highest quality service with integrity, fulfilling UPNAAI's strategic priorities while managing finances conservatively, and finding solutions or creating & implementing strategies that best serve the organization, its members, UPCN, and the community through:
    • Shared purpose, direction, priorities, plan of action, metric-driven strategic plans/measures of success, goals, and/or values
    • Adhering to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, stewardship, commitment, personal responsibility, and accountability
    • Implementing effective communication processes that facilitate problem solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution
    • Utilizing and mobilizing team members' technical, functional, leadership, management, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills as well as their other competencies e.g. business acumen, strategic agility, creativity, ability to adapt to rapid change, and their high degree of emotional intelligence
    • Working collaboratively as a unit with a high degree of trust and respect, a clear understanding of the big picture and the specific roles and decision-making authority of each team member/leader

    With an immensely grateful and a highly expectant heart, I so look forward to the next two years believing that the Lord will crown 2014 & 2015 with His awesome goodness - His paths drip with abundance (Psalms 65:11).

    This year's reunion theme is "Global Leadership: Breaking Barriers." To effectively break down barriers in global leadership, we must first diligently work on breaking down the barriers in our own lives especially in the areas of character, honesty, and integrity, which, in my opinion, are the core of effective and highly impactful leadership. Let us aspire to do the right thing and make the right choices even when no one is watching; let us help build the skills and talents of others and share our knowledge and expertise generously allowing others to become partners in the process and outcomes. Let us overcome leadership myopia by being intentional about balancing time we spend managing tasks and connecting with others. Let us do whatever it takes within moral and ethical bounds, without compromising our character and integrity. Let us consider the ramifications of our decisions and take responsibility for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let us strive to be courageous, blaze new trails, and not dwell on why something can't be done—instead, consider how it can be done.

    After a long and arduous journey that was peppered with many obstacles along the way, UPNAAI made it to her 35th Anniversary with renewed vitality. With perseverance and strength of character, UPNAAI overcame adversities so this Coral Jubilee is truly an enduring achievement for an association with such humble beginnings. It is therefore, an honor and a privilege to welcome you, our colleagues, friends, and guests to this 35th UPNAAI reunion

    (August 1-2, 2014) at The Wyndham New Yorker Hotel in New York City, New York to celebrate with us this moment of triumph, our moment of joy—UPNAAI's Coral Jubilee!

    There were many UPNAAI presidents and leaders before me whose selfless dedication, hard work, and commitment contributed immensely to the fruition of UPNAAI's vision. To them we share the glory of this day for they undoubtedly deserve our appreciation and homage.

    As we move forward, new leaders will emerge. To them I say that leadership has so many facets: vision, respect, experience, emotional strength, discipline, personal capabilities, effective interpersonal skills, momentum, timing, and others. To be effective, leaders require so much seasoning. Nearly all the skills of leadership can be learned & improved upon, a process that doesn't take overnight. We can all grow in our ability to lead. Let us strive to become empowering & transformational leaders by developing a strong sense of purpose, identity, security, empathy, compassion, stewardship, & a godly perspective.

    We have an incredible potential to make a difference in our corner of the world, to do something more heart-oriented, something we have a passion for. What do we have to offer? More than we probably think. Whatever season of life we are in, we remain God's Masterpiece. We have the potential to move to the highest level of professional and collective effectiveness when we are able to break down barriers from the inside out. Why just watch others break down barriers and change the world? Let us join them.


    "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
    Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)

    "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men."
    Romans 12:9-17


  • 01 Jul 2015 11:00 AM | Deleted user

    On March 14, 2015, the UPNAAI Board of Directors unanimously voted in favor of the Awards and Citation Committee's recommendation that Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo, PhD, RN BC, CPHQ, NEA BC be awarded the 2015 Julita V. Sotejo Medallion of Honor.

    Dr. Pajarillo, BSN'79, is UPNAAI's 1st Vice - President and Chairman of the Education and Research Committee. Nursing Informatics, Leadership, and Mentoring are pillars of his clinical scholarship. As a leader, mentor, nurse informaticist, administrator, and educator, he is particularly interested in the intertwining relationship of leadership, mentoring, and informatics and it's relevant role in improving nursing, nursing education, and the overall quality of patient care and safety.

    The JVSotejo Medallion of Honor will be awarded to Dr. Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo at UPNAAI's 36th Annual Convention on August 7-8, 2015 at the Hyatt of Orange County in California.

    Download the article here.


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