"UP in Capiz: Building the Future"
Is an apt term for a fund drive by the University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association Capiz Chapter with UP Visayas Officials. The target is to raise a sustainable fund for the construction and operation of a graduate program and public services for Northern Panay Island (covering provinces of Capiz, Aklan, Iloilo and Antique), and nearby islands of Masbate and Romblon.
Seafood Capital of the Philippines
Touted as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”, Roxas City and its province of Capiz is collectively known for its rich variety of aquaculture species – from prawns, crabs, and its sought-after Angel Wings mollusc. But much can still be done in terms of fisheries productivity, food processing, and entrepreneurship management.
Capiz Province has had graduate students in its extension program since the 1980s during the leadership of UP Visayas Dean Tomas Sajo. It had to, however, stop for about 25 years due to logistical and financial challenges.
The 1980 graduate extension program for public administration and business management had supporters and students who became important public and private figures in the fields of business, education, and health care. Foremost in the list are the outstanding “Balikbayan/Balik-Probinsiya” Medical Practitioner Tandem” Dr. George Viterbo (Medicine Class 1955) and wife Marlyn Gregorio-Viterbo (Nursing Class 1956).
Four decades henceforth, the support of UP System, UP Visayas, and UP Alumni Association Capiz Chapter has brought back UP’s presence in Northern Panay Island! True to the challenge of visiting UP Officials led by UP System Vice President Elvira Zamora, alumni are giving back. Despite a worldwide pandemic seen to slow down the fund drive, alumni and friends of UP are leaving a LEGACY TO HELP BUILD A FUTURE!
Groundbreaking has started in 2018 on a 1000-square meter lot within a township donated by alumni. Likewise, the fund drive has been launched by none other than the UP Visayas Chancellor (Dr. RIcardo Barbaran) and UP Visayas Officials in both events.
Seafood Capital of the Philippines
Touted as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”, Roxas City and its province of Capiz is collectively known for its rich variety of aquaculture species – from prawns, crabs, and its sought-after Angel Wings mollusc. But much can still be done in terms of fisheries productivity, food processing, and entrepreneurship management.
Capiz Province has had graduate students in its extension program since the 1980s during the leadership of UP Visayas Dean Tomas Sajo. It had to, however, stop for about 25 years due to logistical and financial challenges.
The 1980 graduate extension program for public administration and business management had supporters and students who became important public and private figures in the fields of business, education, and health care. Foremost in the list are the outstanding “Balikbayan/Balik-Probinsiya” Medical Practitioner Tandem” Dr. George Viterbo (Medicine Class 1955) and wife Marlyn Gregorio-Viterbo (Nursing Class 1956).
Four decades henceforth, the support of UP System, UP Visayas, and UP Alumni Association Capiz Chapter has brought back UP’s presence in Northern Panay Island! True to the challenge of visiting UP Officials led by UP System Vice President Elvira Zamora, alumni are giving back. Despite a worldwide pandemic seen to slow down the fund drive, alumni and friends of UP are leaving a LEGACY TO HELP BUILD A FUTURE!
Groundbreaking has started in 2018 on a 1000-square meter lot within a township donated by alumni. Likewise, the fund drive has been launched by none other than the UP Visayas Chancellor (Dr. RIcardo Barbaran) and UP Visayas Officials in both events.
1983 – 1987
UP Visayas College of Management Dean Tomas Sajo, PhD, opened Extension Program (Master of Management in Business Management, Master of Management in Public Management) with 56 students and
3 finished (5%); Discontinued due to logistics challenges
2011
UPV Chancellor Dr. Minda Formacion was ending her term in late part of 2011, thus, she graciously endorsed our offer to newly-appointed UPV Chancellor Dr. Rommel Espinosa.
Upon the assumption to office of Dr. Espinosa, 2 groups of UPV administration officials have since visited Roxas City. They were led by:
Prof. Amy D. Tanoy, Director, UPV Alumni Affairs Office, was met by about 60 to 80 alumni at dinner gatherings, with the alumni themselves signifying their desire and support by launching a Signature Campaign in support of such a satellite campus plan
March 2011
Pueblo de Panay Inc. (PDPI), composed of UP Alumni, offered Partnership in Education and Countryside Development in Northern Panay and Nearby Islands of Masbate and Romblon to UP System through Prof. Elvie Zamora, VP for Planning and Development
March 2012
PDPI wrote UP Visayas (UPV) Chancellor Rommel Espinosa of Offer
April 2012
Visit to Proposed Site by UPV Chancellor Rommel Espinosa’s with 3 Vice Chancellors (Research & Extension Ricardo Babaran, Administration Nestor Yunque, Planning & Development Evelyn Belleza)
August 2012
Visit of Prof. Elvira Zamora and UP System Architect Christopher Espina to site
Dinner with UP Capiz Alumni and Presentation of their Role in Nation-building through its Mandate of Providing Higher Education
29 August 2012
Prof. Elvira A. Zamora, DBA, Vice President for Development Director, UP System, and Prof. Cristopher S. Espina, Director, Office of Design and Planning Initiatives, UP System, visited proposed site of UP Visayas Extension Program in Pueblo de Panay Township, Roxas City
13 August 2014
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing between University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), University of the Philippines Alumni Association – Capiz Chapter (UPAACC) and Pueblo de Panay, Inc.
In summary, the content of the MOA talks about the responsibilities of the three collaborating parties in bringing UP Visayas in Roxas City to offer a 3-year Master of Management (MM) Program with specialization in Business Management (BM) and Public Management (PM). That which, all programs, classes and courses be conducted in Pueblo de Panay Township (most of its owners are UP Alumni). UPAACC shall support the MOA with its 700-strong Capiznon alumni.
September 2014
Opening of Academic Year 2014-2015 for the first MMBM batch with 27 enrolled students
September 2015
Opening of Academic Year 2015-2016 for the second MMBM batch with 17 enrolled students
September 2016
Opening of Academic Year 2016-2017 for the third MMBM batch with 12 enrolled students
23 June 2017
Commencement Exercises of 6 students from the first MMBM batch
September 2017
Opening of Academic Year 2017-2018 for the fourth MMBM batch with 8 enrolled students
22 June 2018
Commencement Exercises of 4 students from the second MMBM batch
September 2018
Opening of Academic Year 2018-2019 for the fifth MMBM batch with 15 enrolled students
03 December 2018
Groundbreaking and Launching of Fund Drive and Dinner for a Cause for the Construction of the UPV Extension Program Building in Pueblo de Panay Township, Lawaan, Roxas City
September 2019
Proposed Start of Construction of the UPV Extension Program Building in Pueblo de Panay Township, Lawaan, Roxas City
Mission
Foster Honor and Excellence, Service and Leadership.
Vision
A broad-based, united, and strong body of fully supportive alumni.