UP alumni in SF Bay Area inaugurate annual community fiesta

San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa (5th from left) is flanked by UPAASF officers and board members at “UPAASF Fiesta!” JEREMIAH YSIP

SAN FRANCISCO – Alumni of the Philippine state university system, their families, friends and supporters held their first “Annual University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco [UPAASF] Fiesta!,” in Daly City’s Gellert Park Picnic Area.

UPAASF President Liza Gino said the fiesta is a community-building event that promotes health and financial information in collaboration with Rotary Club of Daly City Colma Evening, San Francisco Hepatitis B Free, SCORE Mentors and RotaCare, which has a free clinic near Daly City Hall every Monday.

UPAASF Officers led by President Liza Gino (center, in dress) and Board members pose in front of event banner. JEREMIAH YSIP

The fiesta was held in  partnership with the Daly City government and the Filipino Food Movement.

 “When I was the president of Rotary Club of Daly City Colma Evening, I partnered with Richard So, Executive Director of SF Hepa-B Free to write a grant successfully. It is our goal to have health fairs to provide awareness and prevention of Hepatitis B as we have in the first UP alumni annual Fiesta,” Gino explained.

What was initially envisioned as a simple picnic with fellow alumni until Gino and fellow officer Edcelyn Pujol decided that they could make it bigger, to include the Filipino community.

(Left to Right) UPAASF Board Member and Membership Committee Head Edcelyn Pujol, Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, Rotarian and guest performer Joseph Sparks with UPAASF President Liza Gino. REY GUARIN

Working with Councilwoman Juslyn Manalo, the Daly City Council unanimously approved the use of Gellert Park.

“To make it meaningful, I invited RotaCare for their free walk-in clinic and Rotary Club of Daly City Colma Evening together with SF HepB Free to bring the HepB Free Awareness Initiative and fellow alumni Chato Calderon of SF SCORE brought in the mentorship for entrepreneurs and small businesses,” Gino recounted.

Among those who graced the event were guests Daly City Mayor Dr. Rod Dauz-Magbual, Vice Consul Adrian Baccay (Philippine Consulate General – San Francisco), San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa and Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Manalo

Daly City Mayor Rod Daus-Magbual (left) and Baybayin Artist Taipan Lucero in front of Lucero’s Baybayin exhibit (PIA LOPEZBANOS-CARREON); right photo: Guest performer Mx Kiki Crunch shows her dance moves for added entertainment. (REY GUARIN)

Performers included Joseph Joe Sparks (Rotarian), Mx Kiki Krunch (UP alumna) and Taipan Ian Lucero, who had an exhibit on his art and Baybayin. Another alumni officer Odette Alcazaren-Keeley joined Gino for emceeing chores.

Attendees savored Filipino dishes from food trucks and booths by Los Kuyas, Cabalen Sweet & Savory, Fely Aquino Guerrero @Fely’s Siomai, Oodaalolly Chocolate and Kusina Ni Javenjesel.

UPAASF’s other initiatives have included Filipino Life Immersion Summer Camp, Kaagapay program to provide computers to UP students, typhoon relief through a clean water initiative, updating UP Student Library support, $2.85M worth of Covid-19 test kits donated to UP PGH and mentoring UP students in Manila.