With the theme, “The Philippine Language in Song, Serenade, Debate, Poetry, and Dance – 8th Chapter (Harana, Kundiman, Balagtasan, Tula, at Sayawan – Ikawalong Yugto), the University of the Philippines in British Columbia (UPAABC), in partnership with the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver, held its traditional annual event of the Balagtasan to celebrate “Buwan ng Wika” once more.

The event kicked off with an enlivening “La Jota” dance number from the Philippine Consulate Vancouver. Next performance was a mesmerizing rendition of “Dahil Sa Iyo” and Paru-Parong Bukid” by the Holy Cross Regional High School Choir, a Catholic senior high school group based in Surrey. They were performing for UPAABC the first time and are expected to execute anew in the coming years.

The highlight of the program, Balagtasan, had the theme, “Bakit Mahal Pa Rin Kita, Pilipinas?” that conveyed the current realities of Filipinos living abroad, to which debaters argued on the “whys” and “hows” of showing love for the Philippines while living a more quality life away from its nest. In the end, audience participation decided that “to love the Philippines with full-cycle idealism is impossible while the mother land never delivered expectations, especially on the issue of financial stability.”
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​The much-awaited singing number, “Harana”, has given much joy to the audience as Friends, Apothic, and Music (FAM), a group that also hails from the University of the Philippines, gave the traditional version of Harana a modern twist by performing Filipino love and dance songs from the 1970s.

This year’s celebration of UPAABC’s and PCG Vancouver’s Balagtasan wrapped up by singing “Ako ay Pilipino” and with a simple dinner prepared for sponsors, performers, and guests.
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Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula at Sayawan: Ikawalong Yugto is presented by the UP Alumni Association in British Columbia (UPAABC) and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. UPAABC would like to give its wholehearted thank you to the generous support of Hablon Styles & Hues, Sun Life, Irene Querubin from RE/MAX, Praise International Church, Friends, Apothic, and Music (FAM), Iris Radev, M.D., T1 Mobile, United Filipino-Canadian Associations in BC, Paradise, Grandt Kitchen, Eat Kanadiyan, and Vicki Buechler from Greatway Financial.

​By: Bella Balisi-Bevilacqua

[We are] pleased to inform you that the Pastores event (fundraising for Odette victims) last January 29 generated around $2,500 from the member donations as well as outside supporters.  UPAABC will be sending 100,000 pesos to Leyte!

The Pastores event was held in collaboration with the Sirang Theater Ensemble of the Leyte Normal University.   We congratulate Dennis Gupa, one of the artistic directors who combined this traditional nativity play with solidarity for climate justice.  Kudos also to Jasper Mallonga for his technical assistance, Prof. Nora Angeles for moderating the forum,  Luis Pedroso for the event promotion, and Ahmed Tillah for recording the e-transfers.

A big thank you to the generous donors  ........ Your kindness will go a long way in providing relief to the Odette victims.  Mabuhay ang UPAABC!

UP Naming Mahal 

 UP naming mahal pamantasang hirang
 Ang tinig namin sana’y inyong  dinggin
 Malayong lupain amin mang marating
 Di rin magbabago  ang damdamin
 Di rin magbabago ang damdamin
 
Luntian at pula sagisag magpakailanman
 Ating ‘pagdiwang, bulwagan ng  dangal
 Humayo’t itanghal giting at tapang
 Mabuhay ang pag-asa  ng bayan
 Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan
 
Push On, UP
 
Push On, UP
 
Push on UP and go in to win
Push on UP and fight
May works and deeds keep you in the  lead
 Push on to vict’ry with all your might
 Loyal and true we’re always with you
 Push when the game goes hard
 From east or west we know you’re the best
 Push on to vict’ry, rah! Rah! Rah!
 Rise Rise UP, we’ll always stand by you
 Go on UP! We’ll ever cheer and cheer for you to
 Win, win, UP! Our hearts will ever yearn
 For the maroon adn green banner waving high for UP
 Varsity, Varsity, hit them high and low
 Varsity, Varsity, always on the go
 UP rah! UP rah! UP sis-boom-bah!
 
UP Beloved
 
UP Beloved, thou Alma Mater Dear
For thee united, our joyful voices hear
Far tho’ we wander, o’er islands  yonder
Loyal thy sons we’ll ever be
Loyal thy sons we’ll ever be
 
Echo the watchword, the Red and Green forever
Give out the password to the Hall of Brave sons rare
Sing forth the message, ring out with courage
All hail, thou hope of our dear land
All hail, thou hope of our dear land

Hi everyone!  

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is coming up in a couple of weeks. Check out their website at www.tulipfestival.org for information. 

It's an easy drive from Vancouver and once you get there, you'll be rewarded with endless vistas of colorful tulips in many different varieties. After taking in the tulips, on your way back home you can either have dinner at Tulalip Casino (farther south on I-5) or at Silver Reef Casino just south of Bellingham. By the way, if you're into shopping, there's a factory outlet mall next to Tulalip Casino.  

Bert