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September - October 2021

Highlights of happenings in September 2021 • September 24, 2021 UPMASA 101 On-line Training Session. This 90-minute session was an

Orientation Training for new Chapter members and officers and also served as a refresher course for

current members. At the end of the training, the participants were able to

• Understand the historical beginnings of the UPMASA.

• Experience a feeling of belonging with the UP College of Medicine, and its goals, its current

needs, and challenges,

• Understand why the UPMASA continues to rally support for UPCM, PGH and the country – by

reaching out to its graduates residing in North America.

• Learn the structure and current activities of the UPMASA NJNYCT Chapter

Group zoom photo: Smile everyone

Upper row L to R: Maritel and Tony Costales, Winston Umali, Lourdes Felarca, Anita and Benny Jongco

2nd row from the top L to R: Connie Uy, Leonora Rivera, Roy Gadioma, and Thelma Cabatic

Next row L to R: Lourdes Publico, Louie Mar Gangcuangco, Fely Santiago, and Connie Carillo-Cipriaso

Bottom row L to R: Joy Soriano-Celo, Mayu Bonoan-Gonzales, and Pearl Ontalan

At its UPMASA 101 Training Sessions, Dr. Constancia Somera-Uy, Founding President of our Chapter

discussed UPMASA – Its Legacy and Historical Perspectives, Dr. Lourdes Publico, UPMASA National

President 2021-2023 presented the current focus and activities of UPMASA National and Dr. Antonio

Costales summed up the NJNYCT Chapter structure, plans and activities. The presentation was

recorded. All the participants received a copy of the presentation and zoom photo.

Next steps: The plan is to conduct two more UPMASA 101 sessions in 2022 for the new members.

NJNYCT Chapter News Briefs University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America

(UPMASA)

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• September 25, 2021 Quick Books Training: Dr. Geraldine Gomez-Pinder gave a hands-on training to

the Chapter Treasurers (Andrea Almendral [outgoing] and Roy Gadioma [incoming) and the Chapter

Auditor (Thelma Cabatic), at her home in West Orange, NJ, following a sumptuous lunch. Other Chapter

Officers (President, President-Elect, and Secretary) were present as observers.

Training in session

Group picture after the Quick Books Training

• Updating the Chapter Members’ Directory: Findings

The Chapter Secretary worked on updating the membership roster that was received from UPMASA

National. The updating was done from July 15 to September 23, 2021. The original roster had 356

members but 2 were double entries. Of the 354 members, there were 279 members with email

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addresses and 75 members with no email addresses. Of the 279 email messages sent, 46 had invalid

emails (user not found). As a follow up, we sent letters through the post with self-addressed stamped

envelopes to 118 members namely 75 members with no email addresses and the 43 members with

invalid emails (Figure 1). A summary of the outcome was submitted to the UPMASA Executive Director

and the Membership Committee, together with the updated directory, last September 23, 2021.

Figure 1: Results of the UPMASA NJNYCT Chapter Membership Updating Process

Current 302 members: Further details

The updated directory of 302 members includes 245 with email addresses(239 current members and

6 new members) and 57 with no email addresses(no response to date). Of the 302 members, 28

alumni(9%) live in Connecticut, 116(39%) in New Jersey and 158(52%) in New York(Figure 2).

354 members (initial list)

279 with emails

233 emails went through

200 -email

addresses valid

7 email addresses updated

18 - no forwarding

address

8 - passed away

46 - invalid emails (user not

found)

3 - email addresses corrected

43 -Letters sent via

USPS

16 - corrected email

addresses

8 - no forwarding

address

4 - passed away

15 no response to

date

75 without emails (Letters sent via

USPS)

13 with new email addresses

15 - no forwarding

address

5 - passed away

42 no response to date

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Figure 2: Number of Alumni by State, September 2021

The highest number of alumni is from Class 1976 to 1980 at 49 graduates (Figure 3). UPCM Class

1978 has 17 followed by Class 1981 with 13 and Class 1979 with 12 alumni.

Figure 3: Number of Alumni by UPCM Class, September 2021

In terms of specialty, Pediatrics topped the list for New York and New Jersey, followed by Internal

Medicine. For Connecticut, Internal Medicine topped the list (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Specialty by State, September 2021

Many thanks to all who responded to our requests to update your information.

Your interest and encouragement made this activity a rewarding one.

Call to Action:

• Keep the UPMASA NJNYCT Chapter Family growing

The project to update the NJNYCT Chapter Members’ Directory and reaching out to new members is an

ongoing effort each one of you can fully support. Contact our Chapter Secretary, Maritel Costales at

1333 36

47 49

27 24 28 18 17 5 5

Nu

mb

er

of

Alu

mn

i

UPCM Class

Number of Alumni by UPCM Class

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mocostales@gmail.com for additional information and updates regarding your classmates, Chapter

mates and other UPCM graduates in the tri-state area.

• Keep your profile updated

Set aside time to update your profile in the UPMASA webpage, as needed.

• Get involved in our Chapter activities

We are one big UPCM family. Let’s all participate and make our activities well attended, and more

meaningful. Please go and visit our UPMASA Chapter page for updates, announcements and how you

can get involved, at the following link: https://www.upmasanational.org/new-jersey-new-york-

connecticut-chapter

• Non-UPMASA Activities: Linking with other organizations in the Tri-State Area

Participation in the Homecoming sa Konsulado

Chapter members participated in the Homecoming sa Konsulado last September 11 during the

Consulate’s picnic in Van Saun County Park in NJ. Our UPMASA NJNYCT Chapter was one of the

sponsors of this event and its members were part of the Program Committee. It was a fun event!

UPMASA participants in pictures

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Below are pictures of the other participating schools and universities.

What’s coming up in October 2021 • Finalization of NJNYCT Chapter’s Policies and Guidelines

• Zoom training on Navigating the UPMASA Web Page, October 2, and October 9 – by ISC Chair

Roberto (Robby) Icasas

• October 22 -24: The UPAAA 21st Grand Reunion and Convention: ARISE: Pagbangon at Parangal,

co-hosted with the UPAA of Nevada. Please click this link to check out the details and to register

for the Sponsorship Opportunities: https://upaaagrc2021.vfairs.com/en/exhibitor-registration. Or

contact Winston C. Umali, Co-Chair, Sponsorship Committee, at 201-660-3171.

A peek into what’s coming up in November 2021 November 28: NJNYCT Chapter Fall/Winter Meeting and Christmas Party.

See you there!