Peregrin “Perry” Camilon Francisco GN’69, BSN’71
UPNAAI President 2012-13

I am greatly honored that the DelMarVa Chapter hosted the 33rd Annual Reunion. The DelMarVa Chapter, only two years old, demonstrated how to host and be successful. Thanks to Carmina Villaluz Bautista’74, UPNAAI’s 2nd VP and DelMarVa VP, together with the DelMarVa members and spouses, for a job well done.

In the process, we accomplished a few “firsts”. After thirty-three (33) years, I am the first UPNAAI President that is not from the State of California. The reunion on August 11-12, 2012 was the first reunion held in Virginia. Each event was a big success with a huge number of attendees: 125 for the Education Program, 253 for the Luncheon Roll-Call, and 337 for the Gala Dinner. All of these, we owe to our UPNAAI leaders, Chapter members, the growing general membership, and enthusiasm of the jubilarians. These players were the recipe to our success. A special thanks to Mama Flor Sison Castelo’50 for her encouragement and belief that we can do this, not to forget her comedic talent. I know that I have big shoes to fill and I surely tried my very best.

I ran my candidacy with the following goals and have carried these into my administration. I am very happy to report that we are making progress.

1. Maintain the legacy of excellence through the annual educational conference and UPCN status report. We had record attendance with a balanced presentation from our jubilarians from the Philippines (Dean Remy Lapidez Fernandez’67 of Arellano University Graduate School for Nursing and Past Dean Josefina “Peng” Angeles Tuazon’77 of the University of the Philippines, and from the United States, Erlinda Paguio of the DELMARVA Chapter. Thanks to Mely de Leon and Letty Lantican for their recommendation to invite Dr. Francisco Sy of the National Institutes of Health. UPNAAI’s 1st VP, Marlon Garzo Saria’98, Chairman of the Education Committee, provided great leadership.
   
2. Increase UPNAAI general membership by 2% in 2012 and 3% in 2013. We have attained and also exceeded our goal. As of the 33rd Reunion on Aug. 10, 2012, we already have 29 new life members and 8 new annual members. This is more than a 6% increase in membership from January 1, 2012 to August 10, 2012. During & after the August reunion, more joined UPNAAI as life & annual members, so by the end of 2012, UPNAAI gained an 8% increase in membership. Also, our annual members were encouraged to convert into life members. Many thanks to UPNAAI’s 3rd VP, Jesusa “Toots” Santa Barbara Czach BSN’79, Chair of the Membership Committee, for working with our alumni. UPNAAI thanks Marlene “Pinky” Cataylo Chance’75, who single-handedly recruited so many of her UP PGH SN’75 classmates. The second most number of new 2012 life members came from the UPCN Class of 1979.
   
3. Revitalize UPNAAI Chapter formation through Regional efforts forming a Western Region, Eastern Region, North Central Region and South Central Region. The work to accommodate some changes in our Constitution and By-Laws continue by reaching out to the geographic areas where the potential of establishing a Chapter is great. We continue our dialogue with the previous chapters that have gone inactive for one reason or another. This is a time to ask ourselves. What have I received from the University of the Philippines? How can I give back for what I received? If not now, when? In unity we will be stronger, no matter where we are located. Let us stand up and be counted. Apply to become an UPNAAI member and organize a Chapter.
   
4. Streamline the UPNAAI By-Laws, Policy and Procedure, and guidance documents for a transparent operation. This is an area of great need for UPNAAI. We need a fresh look at what we have done and how we can do it better. The updates in our Constitution and By- Laws, together with a clear Policy & Procedure can guide us in what we want to improve and accomplish. We need to hear your input on these matters.
   
5. Upheld UPNAAI's 501(c) 3 status through a crystal clear understanding of the law. We are slowly but surely understanding our status. We are showing the power UPNAAI has to make a difference in education, research and community service. Our contribution is impacting lives in the United States and in the Philippines. We need to continue our generosity in time, talent and treasure that we have been so blessed to have. Open up your heart, mind and wallet. Here is your opportunity to create a LEGACY.
   

This year’s theme of “Exploring and Preserving a Legacy of Excellence” reverberates in many of our minds. We have indeed explored many options this year. Change in leadership, growth in membership, and inclusions of the many who were bystanders. The legacy of our pioneering leaders is being harnessed by their contribution in knowledge, skills, and excellence of performance. There are many more that we have to tap so they can share their expertise with UPNAAI. We will reach out to them.

I am a UP Nursing alumnus, a graduate of both the UP-PGH School of Nursing and the UP College of Nursing. I bridged the gap between the diploma school and the bachelor degree programs. Around 1975, the Philippine nursing education with its forward thinking leaders legislated nursing into one entry level, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The last graduate of the UP-PGH was in 1976. That is our UP nursing history. Having done that, we are thankful to the nursing pioneers who challenged us to be better educated and prepared us to compete globally. We are all UP alumni, having graduated from the University of the Philippines. Let us stay united in support of UPNAAI.

To end, thanks for your continued support to UPNAAI. Reach out and be counted as a member. It is our privilege and opportunity as UP alumni. Let us all remember that UP gave us our greatest professional head start and made us one of the greatest “healthcare professionals” in the world. Keep reaching out to each other and our Alma Mater.

November 2012