Resident member's Web site:
http://upaguman.tripod.com

Keep in touch with:
Aguman at Yahoo eGroups

May 25 update; Another meeting/get-together pushed through May 6 at the residence of Celine Felix-Clemente '74C at Rancho Estate 1, Marikina. The diehards who attended -- but got lost before reaching their destination -- were Renan del Rosario 'charter member, Noel Sanchez 'charter member, Mel Santos 'charter member, Edwin Arceo '74A, Chelo Vitug '74C, Malou Apostol '83A and Judith Feliciano '83A (the last two coming all the way from Angeles!). 

Kenn Ramirez was there in spirit -- he called from Cebu. Although it was a small group the gathering was fun and very productive. Thank you to the great host who welcomed us to her palatial home where everything is gilded in gold and all rooms are full of mirrors including the johns which Renan bashfully discovered ... and also for the feast that was prepared. 

The following topics were discussed: 

The 30th anniversary reunion -- A two-day affair in December was the overwhelming choice, based on an informal survey. Since December is the worst month to hold a reunion, it was decided to hold it after the new year, when all family and office activities will all be over and those who came home for the holidays will still be in town.

The following are the suggested activities:
 

• January 3, 2003, Friday morning -- BALIK UP Mass at the UP chapel, courtesy call on the UP president, motorcade if there are classes, ribbon cutting of an Aguman sponsored refurbished room at the AS 3rd floor, etc.) 
• Friday evening -- Grand Ball at a Makati Hotel. The question here is whether it will be exclusive to Aguman members or if spouses or significant others will be included. Feel free to discuss this topic on the Yahoo! eGroup.
• January 4, 2003 Saturday -- Whole day outing and Family Day in Pampanga. Among the suggested activities are a courtesy call on the Pampanga governor, a picnic, tree planting by batches. If you have other ideas, please feel free to contribute. ATTENTION: Ronnie Tiotuico (DOT Region III), we'll need your assistance here. 

Another get-together is planned for July, when some Aguman members' home visits are scheduled: Chit Narciso, Edwin Tizon, Rommel Calilung. May I ask those who are also going home to please contact me so we can set a common date for the get-together. Venue will be in a Makati restaurant. Date will be advised. 

Many of us have friends who were part of Aguman though they were not formally inducted to the organization. They stayed at the tambayan, attended activities, went with us on 'gimmicks.' We have decided to include a special category for those who up to now have the intention to be part of our group -- 'Acuman' Friends of Aguman.

Nominations are now open to possible members of this category. Please contact me at mhenares@skyinet.net.

Criteria: UP student, nominated by at least three Aguman members, filled up an info sheet. After the meeting, some of us proceeded to the new house of Noel Sanchez at Rancho Estate 2 at meg-inspection cami mu naman carin. Our compliments to the couple for the beautiful house. -- Meliza S. Henares

The revival of the U.P. Aguman Alumni Association began with a phone call from Cebu-based charter member Ernesto Mangune. He called me in January 2001 to initiate a networking effort on behalf of the alumni members. Apparently, he heard of my organizing and networking efforts with St. Scholatica's Academy's Class of 1973. 

Ernie wanted to get in touch with friends when he visits Manila but had no way of contacting the people. There was no directory or even a semblance of an alumni organization. 

The task is quite daunting since it covers 28 years of Aguman. As one of the founding members of the organization, I feel a certain responsibility. 

The first organizational meeting was held March 3, 2001. A U.P. Aguman eGroup, up_aguman-alumni@yahoogroups.com, was created and the Aguman "manhunt" began. Calls were made and e-mails were sent to Aguman members across the globe to spread the news and plans of the alumni organization initiative. E-mail addresses and other data came pouring in. By the end of March, the Aguman eGroup had a total of 132 members (those with e-mail addresses only) and it still is growing rapidly. 

Through the 1982 alumni directory provided by Renan del Rosario, I was able to sort out the members by batches and come up with the initial roster of members. Renan, with Edwin Dayrit, managed to keep links to members active. 

The roster of alumni members was completed swiftly through old-fashioned research and the wonders of new technology. There were old invitations, souvenir programs, resident files to peruse as well as recollections volunteered by members from all corners of the world. We were also able to contact the resident members in Diliman through their eGroup. 

The first U.P. Aguman Alumni Organizational Meeting was held March 3, 2001 at 11:30 a.m. at Max's Restaurant on Jupiter Street in Makati. 

Those who attended were Ernie Mangune, charter member; Marian Santos, charter member; Renan del Rosario, charter member; Marites Paras, charter member; Meliza Santos, charter member; Edwin Arceo, '74A; Celine Felix-Clemente, '74C; Chelo Vitug, '74C and Camille Gomez, '75A. 

The luncheon meeting was both fun and productive: 

• An ad hoc committee was created from among those present. 
• A U.P. Aguman Alumni Foundation will be formed and registered with the SEC. 
• Quarterly get-togethers -- The first one will be hosted by Celine Felix-Clemente on May 6, Sunday, at 11:30 a.m. The address is 30 Hereford St., Rancho Estate 1, Marikina City. Celine can be reached at 941-6982 or 942-4381. Everyone is invited to attend. RSVP: Mel Henares at 837-0842 or via e-mail: mhenares@skyinet.net. 
• A U.P. Aguman Alumni Web site -- The Web site was created through the collaboration of Meliza Santos-Henares, charter member, and Kathleen Dijamco, '90A Pamikalugud. Kathleen, a journalism graduate, volunteered to create, edit and maintain the alumni Web site. Kathleen is a copy editor at the Poughkeepsie Journal, an award-winning newspaper in upstate New York.
• U.P. Aguman will celebrate its 30th year with a blast! -- It will be held in 2003, date and venue to be determined at a later date.