UPAA-W Members Featured in UPAA in America’s “In-Conversation” Series

More than 30 alumni and friends gathered for an inspiring session of In-Conversation with UP Alumni Awardees, hosted by UPAA in America. The moderator was UPAAA’s Dorothy “Dot” Llariza Tome, joined by fellow UPAA-Wisconsin (UPAA-W) members in celebration of their group’s recent recognition as an Outstanding Alumni Group.

Joining Dot in the conversation were:

• Deanna Cruz – UPAA-W charter member
• Cream Pepito – Chair of the UPAA-W Value Our Heritage Committee
• Gerry Ramos – Recipient of the 2025 UPAAA Architecture and Community Service Award

Honoring a Legacy of Service and Community

Deanna Cruz reflected on UPAA-W’s founding over 50 years ago, highlighting the determination and vision of its early members. She shared stories from the group’s pioneering participation in the Milwaukee Holiday Folk Fair International—marking the first Filipino community involvement in the event and setting the tone for decades of cultural advocacy.

Cream Pepito spoke about her time at UP Diliman and the impact of receiving a scholarship, which fuels her passion for supporting UPAA-W’s scholarship initiatives. She also shared insights from her professional journey, navigating corporate leadership as a minority woman and championing diversity and inclusion.

Gerry Ramos showcased the remarkable achievements of the Filipino-American community in Wisconsin, including the establishment of the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation (PCCCF) and its dedicated facility in Greenfield, WI. He emphasized the unity among PCCCF member organizations and the strong support from Milwaukee’s civic leaders.

Looking Ahead

The session sparked enthusiastic engagement from attendees, many expressing admiration for UPAA-W’s accomplishments and its model of community-building. UPAA-W President Ito Conti will represent the chapter at the 2025 UPAA Grand Reunion and Convention in Houston, where he will share more of UPAA-W’s inspiring journey and collaborate with other UPAA chapters.