UPAA-W Participates in Philippine Center Health Fair and Backpack Day

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Wisconsin (UPAA-W) proudly took part in the Philippine Center Health Fair and Backpack Day, a collaborative community outreach event sponsored by the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation (PCCCF) and the Philippine Nurses Association of Wisconsin. The event was held on July 12th at the Philippine Center grounds at Zablocki Park in Milwaukee.

As part of UPAA-W’s ongoing commitment to service, alumni volunteers assisted in multiple areas—supporting the Free Medical Clinic, staffing educational booths, doing face painting for children, and offering help wherever it was needed throughout the event.

Adding music and joy to the festivities, several UPAA-W members—also part of the Philippine Center Strummers ukulele ensemble—performed a nostalgic medley featuring a lively mix of Broadway favorites, Top 40 hits, Original Pilipino Music (OPM), and pop classics. Songs included You’re 16, Rainbow Connection, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, What the World Needs Now, Hello, Dolly!, Till There Was You, Close to You, and more. Their heartfelt performance brought smiles and a touch of nostalgia to the event, enriching the day with the spirit of music and community.

UPAA-W volunteers and performers included (in alphabetical order):
Dr. Rene Azcueta, Dr. Ray Ballecer, Dr. Maye Berroya, Nora Caoyonan, Elsa Clemente, Dr. Carol Conti, Deanna Cruz, Marianne Enriquez (Associate Member), Dr. Eugene Enriquez, Christine Hey, Dr. Rowena Punzalan, Gerry Ramos, Jojo Ramos, Dr. Ponciano Salud (UPCM ’67, visiting from Chicago). Dr. Linus Santo Tomas, Dr. Violeta Singson, Lucy Sloan, Dr. Oscar Toledo (Associate Member), and Dr. Fe Visaya.

UPAA-W is honored to support community-driven programs and continues to uphold its mission of service, cultural pride, and connection among Filipino-Americans in Wisconsin.

Photo credits to Linus Santo Tomas