Following the success of the first virtual get-together of UA&P alumni on February 16, the Office of Alumni Affairs (OAA) held Usapang Alumni with the CRC-UA&P graduates of the Master of Arts in Education Major in Values Education (MAVE) Program last March 27.
Resident host Dr. Antonio Torralba, one of the inaugurators of the MAVE program, introduced the speakers. Dr. Fe Gladys Golo, the current University Registrar and alumna of MAVE 5 (Batch 1994), shared some tips on how to help manage the family’s well-being during this time of the pandemic. Afterward, UA&P faculty member Dr. Roque Carballo shared some anecdotes from the MAVE group chat and highlighted the importance of the MAVE spirit.
UA&P co-founder and economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas started off his speech by contributing to the continuing learning of the alumni as he provided economic forecasts and mentioned the different regions that will see economic boom, which include Batangas (“the new metropolis”), the Pampanga triangle (San Fernando, Angeles, and Subic), Iloilo, and Davao. He then gave the alumni advice for these trying times. On the other hand, Dr. Severina Villegas, another inaugurator of the MAVE program, extended her gratitude to the MAVE alumni family.
Former professors, such as Dr. Esther Esteban, as well as alumni Ms. Thelma “Bongie” Macas (MAVE 1, Batch 1990) and Mr. Efren Elane (former MAVE faculty) were also called on to greet the attendees.
A number of alumni also narrated how their MAVE education has helped them throughout their careers. Among those who shared their experiences was Mrs. Marlene “Lynette” Cuchapin (MAVE 1, Batch 1990). In 1996, she became the elementary school principal of a Catholic school in Lufkin, Texas. She was hired by the parish priest who asked her a question to which she answered using the concepts of body, soul, and the common good. The following year, she and her family moved to Houston, where she was hired as principal of another Catholic school. Eventually, she changed careers and used her accounting background. She’s now retired with four sons and 13 grandchildren.
Another alumna who has made her mark in the United States is Mrs. Marissa Jones (MAVE 11, Batch 2000), who is a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and FCCLA* adviser at St. James High School – Horry County Schools in South Carolina, USA. She received the National Spirit of Advising Award last year (one of the 58 recipients in the entire United States) as well as the 2021 South Carolina Association Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year Award.
One and a half hours was not enough for the alumni, as some even decided to stay on after the event to greet their batch mates and see how everyone was doing. There was a consensus from the attendees to hold smaller get-togethers for each MAVE batch in the near future, something that everyone is definitely looking forward to.#
*Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). The organization offers intra-curricular resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families.
Banner photo by karl chor on Unsplash.
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