The world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers under the aegis of the University of the Philippines is currently on their United States Goodwill Tour, and has two Adventist University of the Philippines graduates among its members.

Jacqueline Ramos, music major alumna and former AUP Ambassadors member sings Alto for the MADZ, as the Philippine Madrigal Singers are known for short. The other AUP alumnus is Warlito "Potpot" Yalung, former director of the AUP Celestial Echoes, who sings tenor. Jacqueline Ramos was a member of the AUP Ambassadors that toured the United States in 2005 and participated at the 1st Joint AWESNA-EASNAC convention in Houston, Texas. Warlito directed the Celestial Echoes on their tour of Japan.

The MADZ has won numerous world choral competitions held mostly in Europe, and continues to hold that edge with brilliant singers. Currently they have held concerts in Maryland, at the Yale University in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. The MADZ performed at the Heinz Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh last September 27, 2009. Last September 30, 2009 the MADZ also performed Calvin College Concert with Capella, Trinity Lutheran, Grand Rapids, MI.

Upcoming schedule include: Oct. 11, 2009, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2:30PM, Guardian Angel Cathedral, 336 Cathedral Way, Las Vegas, NV 89109 and their Southern California Tour that will include a concert at the White Memorial SDA Church in Los Angeles, on November 7, 2009 at 7PM.

As was reported by Johnny above, relief efforts are still on-going. Media reports said that the flooded towns in Laguna along Laguna de Bay will possibly be underwater still until December this year. This means that our AUP volunteers have work to do and they need our help.

I know for certain that there have been AUP alumni and friends who have already turned in their donations. If you are wondering where to send your donation, listed below are the finance officers of both AWESNA and EASNAC through whom you channel your donations. Thank you very much.

At last a first book authored by an AUP Academy teacher has been released. The book CAT-Modules on Community Service is a work-textbook written by national awardee for student citizenship training Jaylord Balitar, who is the CAT coordinator, Pathfinder Director and Health and PE instructor. He graduated with a Master of Public Health degree from AUP in 2005. The book on photo- copy format has been used by AUP for three years now with revisions done every year.  This time it is in book form with a 2009 copyright and an ISBN register. It was published by Great Books Publishing. The book is endorsed in the Foreword by Pastor Nelson Castillo, Education Director of NPUC, to be used by all Academies under the NPUC.

Meanwhile, three more books authored by Academy teachers will be out hopefully by June, next school year. These are books in Math I, Math II and Science II written by Miss Rowena Agagas, Mrs. Mercedes Malapit Ibaņez, and Mrs. Leilanie De la Roca Arce, respectively. Agagas, Ibaņez and Arce are all alumni of AUP.

To the many individuals who spent innumerable hours and boundless energy in the planning and preparation of the program of activities for this Convention and to those who willingly responded to accept assignments, be it as a performer, or as a service provider, please accept our deep appreciation and sincere commendation for a job well done.

Hats off to our guest speakers and lecturers who have unselfishly shared their expertise, and given us a testament of their magnanimous hearts. We owe them a debt of gratitude for fostering the vibrant alumni spirit of service to God and our fellow sojourners.

To ALL who, in spite of much time and expense involved, made every effort to come and enjoy the alumni camaraderie, goes a huge chunk of our thanks. If it weren't for your presence, all the grand preparation would have been all for naught.

It is my hope that we will see each other again come next convention time if the Lord hasn't come by then. Happy memories of the 2nd AWESNA-EASNAC Joint Convention!"

September 26, 11:00 PM - PLS-AUP Chapter offered to respond to the call for volunteers to aid in the rescue and relief efforts; consent was given by Dr. Flores who also gave the initial funding for the work of PLS AUP Chapter;

September 27 - Group organized; relief goods, clothes, collected from faculty and staff members and the students in the dormitories; water and noodles were provided by AUP store and and water center; 40 student and faculty volunteers 40 boarded an AUP bus and proceeded to the NPUC compound where Pastor Koch directed them to go to an evacuation center in Pasig. They arrived at the evacuation center at about midnight and distributed goods to about 1,000 recipients.

September 28, Morning -- Mr. Nimrod Salazar and his group of NSTP, ROTC, and PLS volunteers continued to help in rescue efforts, and in packing and distribution of relief goods. They worked with other volunteers and members of the military.

September 29 - Mr. Nilo Miado and Pastor Galvan and other volunteers, aboard an AUP bus, went to one of our churches in Marikina near Provident Village to distribute relief goods. They brought with them goods collected from students and faculty members and friends. They also brought with them a thousand bread baked by the AUP Food Factory. The group reported that the media had only reported partially the extent of the damage of Ondoy, and that the need was greater than what they can provide. There were stories that private relief providers were mobbed because most of the flooding victims were very hungry and thirsty. For this, the AUP volunteers proceeded with caution stopping only if they had sufficient supply for a certain evacuation center. What is interesting in their report is that in some point, people even crossed the flooded river just to receive a bun of cinnamon roll from them. Another is, there were some ladies were asking for underwears.

September 30-October 1 - With collected goods gone, various groups and even faculty members started to do their own collection. The History Department asked donations from their students; the College of Health under Dr. Miriam Estrada, and College Business under Dr. Merly Mendoza also had their own collection drives and they are targeting flood victims in nearby towns in Laguna as the recipients of their collections. Dr. Flores is negotiating for the ADRA to bring their relief goods in AUP GYM and AUP will provide the hands in the re-packing of the goods.

October 2 - During the College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology (CAST) devotional meeting my office, the Biology Deptartment was designated to receive relief goods for sorting and repacking. Our classrooms are not yet available for the repacking of goods because the final exams are due this coming week. Meanwhile, goods started to come in -- clothes, blankets, mats, towels, and an abundance of food and bottled water. Of course, I promised the alumni funds, and as soon as we come up with enough packs, a thousand or more, we will proceed for distribution again. Meanwhile, we are enlisting for volunteers for repacking and distribution, and clean-up drives. Later in the day, Dr. Edwin Balila, dean of CAST was designated over-all coordinator for AUP relief operation.

In the afternoon I prepared for incoming "Pepeng," but thank God, the typhoon change directions, and at the moment, the weather is clear in AUP. There is gusty wind, trickle of rain and an overcast sky. So far, our electricity is ok and also my internet connection.

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