The 36th Annual Grand Convention University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America

The Ritz Carlton Cleveland June 30 - July 4, 2021

Coming from the heels of an unprecedented pandemic, the 36th Annual Grand Convention is finally here! The UPMASA National, Ohio Chapter and our Jubilarians persevered, reinvented and overcame the challenge to bring you an AGC that will be one for the books.

In 2020, after the lockdowns and travel restrictions, we were asking ourselves: Will there be an AGC in Ohio ever again? The last time the AGC was in Ohio was in 1996, exactly 25 years ago; and how fortuitous that our current Golden Jubilarians Class of 1971 were celebrating then, their silver jubilee. And 1996, our current Silver Jubilarians graduated from our beloved University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM).

Determined to make it happen, our chapter and national officers knew that planning the AGC would call for us to be fluid and adaptable. We had to get a virtual platform for our meetings and we invested in our Zoom account. We converted the CME “Staying Informed and Globally Connected Through the Pandemic and Beyond” into a virtual live offering that will allow not only our speakers from the Philippines to participate, but also allow for thousands to partake online during the event. Instead of the traditional Pabidahan the Welcome Reception will showcase the chapters and classes through their specially crafted video presentations. Another first, is publishing our commemorative book (UPMASA’s Enduring Heritage: Making a Difference in the World) which will immortalize not only the 36th AGC but more than 40 years of the UPMASA legacy.

Our venue: located in the heart of Downtown Cleveland, the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, is a 5 star hotel with stunning views of sunsets in Lake Erie. It is within a 10-minute walk of JACK Cleveland Casino and Rocket Mortgage Field House home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Catch the Cleveland Indians at the Progressive Field as they battle the Detroit Tigers and then Houston Astros while you are here. Take time to soak-in the sights of Cleveland such as the completely free and world renowned Cleveland Museum of Art, located at the Wade Oval where the Botanical Garden and Museum of Natural History are right across. Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a walking distance destination for music fans of all ages, the museum recognizes artists and musicians who have shaped music history since Cleveland DJ Alan Freed first coined the term “rock ‘n’ roll” in the early 1950s.

The culmination of our AGC: the Gala and Awards Night on July 3 will celebrate not only Class '96 and Class '71 but by Class '95 and Class ‘70 as well, warmly hosted by their classmate and Ohio Chapter member Romy Miclat. Our newly elected UPMASA National Officers will be installed as well. We also salute and congratulate this year’s well deserving awardees – Mabuhay po kayo!

The AGC 2021 is a result of the dedication and hard work of many: we are thankful for the guidance and support of Susan and Henry Echiverri, Joel Lucena, Gerry Gomez-Pinder, Lillian Tocyap-Aquino, Henry Ty and Pearl Ontalan. We had amazing committee chairpersons, led by our Chapter President Rachel Espiritu, our CME Chairpersons Tricia Bravo and Nats Samala, our Registration Chairwomen Carol and Cynthia Brawner, our Commemorative Book Chairperson Kit Belen and our Finance and Sponsorship husband and wife duo: Mark and Mitzi Regala. To our chapter members, too many to mention here, who did their heavy lifting to make what seemed like an impossible AGC possible, we are grateful.

Finally, from the bottom of our hearts have a fabulous and memorable 36th Annual Grand Convention here in Cleveland!

All the best,

Jennifer Solivas-Maluyao

Jonathan Troadio Castro