(Ito Conti & Ike Pahm)
On Sunday, September 27, 2026, members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Wisconsin (UPAA-W) attended a special Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Milwaukee to commemorate the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
The Spanish noon Mass was presided over by the Most Reverend James T. Schuerman, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and concelebrated by priests from neighboring Milwaukee parishes. More than 200 attendees gathered for this meaningful celebration, which was hosted at the cathedral for the very first time.
Pope Leo XIV chose the theme “Even just one of these children” for this year’s celebration in order to focus our attention to the minors who experienced global migration and flight, and to reinforce the need to welcome and take care of all of them.”
In a powerful demonstration of solidarity and shared faith, several ethnic communities joined the event, including groups representing:
- Afghanistan (Migrant Ministry of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish)
- Eritrea (Marian Tsion Ge’ez Rite Catholic Community of All Saints Parish)
- Colombia (St. John the Evangelist Parish)
- Mexico (St. John the Evangelist Parish)
- Ukraine (St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church)
During the Liturgy of the Word, representatives from each participating community offered intercessory prayers in their native languages. UPAA-W member Rebecca Toledo proudly represented the Filipino community by reading an intercession in Filipino.
Following Mass, attendees gathered in the Atrium for a brief program, a blessing of the food in various native languages, and an afternoon of warm fellowship. UPAA-W members served three large trays of traditional lumpiang shanghai and turon to guests, while also enjoying delicious traditional dishes prepared by our brothers and sisters from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Colombia, Mexico, and Ukraine.
Acknowledgments & Special Thanks
We extend our sincere gratitude to the following members for their active participation and generous support:
- Event Attendees & Community Representatives: Dr. Oscar and Rebecca Toledo, Flo and Sam Balondo, Dr. Rowena Punzalan, Dr. Linus Santo Tomas, Christine Hey, Roselle Rodgers, Ike and Gina Pahm, Jack and Victoria Smith, Dr. Fe Quevedo Visaya, Dr. Carol Conti, Dr. Marissa Periquet, Erick and Eden Orille, and Ito Conti — for attending, serving food, and proudly representing the Filipino American community of Southeastern Wisconsin.
- Food Sponsorship: Dr. Marissa Periquet, for her generous donation toward a large tray of lumpiang shanghai and turon.
- Presentation: Dr. Linus Santo Tomas, for preparing an excellent slideshow presentation detailing the Philippines, the Filipino diaspora, and the Filipino immigrant population both in the U.S. and Wisconsin. (Please view his complete presentation embedded below.)
It was truly an honor and a blessing for UPAA-W to participate in this memorable celebration of unity, culture, and faith.