North America Alumni Chapter of the UPLB Symbiosis 4th Biennial reunion

By Alwyn Galela
Las Vegas-Nevada
August 21, 2018



Las Vegas, August 10-14: The North America Alumni Chapter of the UPLB Symbiosis celebrated the organization’s 44th founding anniversary in Las Vegas, Nevada from August 10-14, 2018. This is the fourth US-based biennial Grand Reunion celebration that was started in 2012.



This year’s celebration was highlighted by a reunion luncheon held at the D’ Pinoy Joint Restaurant on August 11. A sumptuous native Filipino cuisine spread included- bistek, fried chicken, sweet and sour fish, pancit bihon, pinakbet, sago gulaman, ice tea, buko panda, fruit platter, calamari, lumpiang shanghai and of course, lechon (roast pig). The reunion was represented by Symbiosis alumni batches including: Polytene, Breakdown, Synapsis, Linkage, Chiasma, Sapiens, Platelets, Crossover, Blockout, Neurons, Meristematics, Pyrophyta, Catalyst, Isogamy, Protoplasm and Isozymes. Over 40 members from Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio, Vermont, and Canada and their families came to the reunion that was the largest participated in so far.



The event also celebrated the ‘Sneaker Friday’ fitness program that was launched on November 3, 2017 by the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) in the Philippines. This campaign is being led by Symbiont alumna and former President of the PHA, Dr. Raul Lapitan (www.manilatimes.net/sneaker-friday-pushed-for-fitness). This program aimed to promote walking to increase wellness among the healthcare professionals ala dress-down days at work.



Other initiatives discussed by the participants during the reunion included the UPLB- Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) Building “Adopt-A-Room” Project spearheaded by Symbiosis founding member and current UPLB College Registrar Dr. Ivan Duca. This is to help furnish one of the two new rooms being constructed in Wing D of the IBS Building. One room will be funded by Philippine-based Symbiosis members and one will be sponsored by members based internationally. Construction of the building is scheduled to finish by the end of September 2018. Currently, there is a campaign spearheaded by appointed Treasurer Ellen Florento to raise funds from Symbiosis-alums outside the Philippines.



A Facebook group was created to help centralize fund collection. Deadline was set for September 10 and alums are encouraged to donate to this initiative. Funds can be sent through ZELLE, PAYPAL or via personal check.

Another initiative favored by the participants is the Symbiosis New Member Recruitment and Development that is to be monitored by local alums Tina Francia and Nonnie Bautista. A third initiative, “Micro Student Support”, was sponsored by Dr. Flory Piano. This initiative is geared towards procurement of scientific instruments and materials to help UPLB students in the study of Microbiology. Dr. Flory Piano pledged to match part of the monies donated towards this initiative.



Remembered were alums who have left us too soon. This included: Allan Jemanil, Dimples Espejo, Tony Imperial and more recently, Benjie Agas and Gerard Magpantay. A simple ceremony by flying eternal yellow balloons in remembrance.



The reunion was a great opportunity to “give back” to UPLB. It was not, however, all work. The reunion also included side trips to Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in Utah and Arizona.



The reunion was a great success. Plans are underway for the 5th Grand Reunion in 2020. Tentative site is San Francisco. Members from Northern California were tasked with the planning of this future event.