IE Alumni Celebrate 53 Years of I.E. in Homecoming
“We are awed and honoured by the turnout of this biennial event, especially with six decades of alumni gracing the occasion,” exclaimed 2018 Homecoming Org Com Chairperson Cilla Sugay-Sandoval. In high spirits, 87 alumni re-connected in what was dubbed as Balik Tambayan: 53 Years of I.E. The event was the first social gathering held at the yet-to-be-inaugurated IE-ME Building, the new home of the IE/OR Department in UP Diliman. The event adopted Oktoberfest as its theme with tables and benches lined up, hence encouraging cheerful fellowship.
“Being at the Diliman campus added to the ‘tambayan spirit,’ and rekindled the bliss of hanging out and sharing a toast amidst cheerful banter. We marvelled to see so many who once aspired to be, and who are now exceptional members of society,” said Cilla.
Six decades were represented led by 33 alumni from the 1980s. Among the more notable alumni present were DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” de la Pena, former College of Engineering Dean Aura Matias, Holy Angel University President Dr. Luis Calingo, and the most senior alumnus present, Ric San Juan (1969).
iChoir, Jubilarians, and the Newly Elected Board
Festivities began with a 3-song serenade by iChoir, IE Club’s chorale group which has competed in various competitions across the university, and winning 7 of the past 8 Awitan’s. Conductor Miggy Abeleda (2011) then extended an invitation to the alumni to its concert on November 10 entitled “In The Still of the Night.”
This was followed by the recognition of of the jubilarians who graduated 2007/2008 (10 years), 1992/1993 (25 years), 1977/1978 (40 years), and1967/68 (50 years). They were all given token umbrellas.
The gathering was also UPIEAA’s Annual Membership Meeting where 6 members were to be elected and sworn into the 2019 Board of Trustees. The Oath-taking of 7 new UPIEAA Trustees was led by Sec. de la Peña.
2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards
A highlight of the evening was the honouring of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni. Five were recognised for exemplary achievement in their respective fields: Edwin Reyes (1981, Cum Laude) for Banking; Jesse Ang (1981, Summa Cum Laude) for National Development Finance; Leah Macatangay (1983) for Engineering Education; Christine Pardinas (1993) for Supply Chain Management, and; Ruel Amparo (2014) for Social Enterprise.
IE Achievers Program
Homecoming Org Com Chairperson Cilla Sugay-Sandoval then took a more serious segment, leading an appeal for support of the IE Achievers Program. Two of the 4 current student Achievers, Ani Chan and Sam Vergara were introduced to the alumni. The response was overwhelming with pledges coming from several alumni.
Fellowship, Open Mic and Dancing
Heavy cocktails and lechon (courtesy of President Ricky Banaag and Trustee Bing del Rosario) were served throughout the evening along with over-flowing Weinstephan Lager. Wine also given to alumni groups that registered under the Barkada Package, and more bottles were also sold at a discounted rate, to the delight of the alumni. Open mic music was provided by Dindo Almeda (the musician who was also tapped for the 2016 Homecoming) to which alumni sang and danced the night away.
Photobooth and Raffle
Meanwhile, another attraction was the green screen photobooth where alumni lined up for fun shots. Later in the evening, powerbanks and bluetooth speakers courtesy of President Ricky Banaag were raffled off to 20 lucky winners.
Our Generous Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors for the evening include: Solar Philippines and Happy Living (distributors of quality California wine). Registration was provided by IE Club and the Engineering Student Council. Videos were also put together by IE Club and CIEM.
“We marvelled to see so many who once aspired to be, and who are now exceptional members of society. We hope that all alumni continue to support this activity as it serves as a foundation to bridge and unite UP IE alumni across generations,” Cilla continues. “With the joyous success of this homecoming, the alumni clamoured that this be now done annually.”
Enjoy the Photo Gallery!
The 2018 Alumni Homecoming is a project of:
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