The year 2020 is very memorable to many Filipinos – with the typhoons, the eruption of Taal Volcano, and the Coronavirus pandemic.
To meet these challenges, UPLB leveled up in public service. The University launched two programs: the UPLB Agapay program for disaster relief and the UPLB CARES (Connectivity Assistance for Remote Students) program for remote learning of students.

The UPLB Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) created the UPLB Ka-agapay program to support these programs. Through this program, OAR called for donations from the alumni. Many alumni heeded this call and sent their support through monetary and in-kind donations.
OAR also asked how alumni have been holding on through these difficult times via its Facebook. The office shared its mobile number in case the alumni needed help and assistance.

To make it easier for alumni to send their monetary donations, the OAR teamed up with the UPLB Alumni Association (UPLBAA). Alumni could then send their donations through UPLBAA’ s bank accounts.

In times of need, many alumni readily send help. May Kathleen T. Montenegro (BS Human Ecology 2013) of UPLB Pahinungod shared some stories how they made impacts during the donation drive.

Kath related that one alumna from Alaminos, Laguna encouraged her company to donate to UPLB. They donated almost Php 100,000 worth of in-kind donations. “Nagulat kami noong binababa yung mga boxes. Parang hindi nauubusan ng laman yung mga sasakyan,” Kath recalled.
Distribution was likewise facilitated by the alumni working in different agencies all over the country. Kath said that this enabled them to send donations to victims of the typhoon in Libon, Albay. UPLB through Pahinungod delivered recovery packs such as seedlings in Libon and relief packages in Buhi, Camarines Sur. In Libon, Pahinungod was able to tap alumni volunteers like Mr. Ian James S. Secillano (BS Development Communication 2013) and Ms. Kristine Annie B. Secretario (BS Agriculture 2015) in gathering the beneficiaries of the recovery packs.
Aside from showing honor and excellence, the alumni continue to practice volunteerism. They continue to support UPLB’s programs and activities by extending help and assistance every way they can.

As American author Helen Keller wrote, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Padayon to our alumni!