Friends of the University of the Philippines Foundation in America

For 117 years, the University of the Philippines has done more than educate — it has shaped leaders, forged values, and instilled in its graduates a deep sense of responsibility to their communities and to the world. As Filipino-Americans, we carry that legacy with us across oceans and borders. And through the Friends of the University of the Philippines Foundation in America (FUPFA) , we continue to honor it. A Legacy of Leadership, Rooted in Excellence The University of the Philippines has long stood at the forefront of academic excellence in the Philippines, producing generations of leaders who have stepped up at every critical moment in the nation's history. As UP alumni living and working in America, we have carried that same spirit of leadership into our adopted homeland — adapting, evolving, and rising to meet the unique challenges of life as immigrants in a new country. We did not arrive with everything handed to us. We navigated unfamiliar systems, faced workplace barriers, and confronted cultural differences head-on. Yet we persevered — because UP gave us the intellectual tools, the critical thinking, and the moral compass to do so. That foundation has never left us, and it is precisely that foundation we seek to strengthen and sustain through FUPFA. FUPFA: More Than a Fundraising Vehicle FUPFA's mission has always been clear — to channel the generosity of U.S.-based donors toward programs, infrastructure, and organizations that advance the goals of the University of the Philippines. But FUPFA's vision extends beyond financial support. FUPFA envisions itself as a beacon — not only for the university it serves, but for the broader Filipino-American community that surrounds and sustains it. As immigration attorney and FUPFA Executive Director Atty. Lourdes Santos Tancinco has witnessed firsthand, the Filipino immigrant experience is layered with challenges that go far beyond academics. From workplace discrimination and human trafficking to domestic abuse and the everyday struggles of building a life in a foreign land, Filipino-Americans have often found themselves navigating these hardships with little institutional support. FUPFA stands committed to changing that. In the years ahead, FUPFA will collaborate with U.P. Alumni organizations, advocacy groups and community organizations to address these complex issues through: Educational campaigns that inform and empower community members Webinars and online resources that make critical information accessible Community forums that bring voices together and drive meaningful dialogue This is the UP spirit in action — not confined to lecture halls in Diliman or Manila, but alive and active in the Filipino-American communities across the United States. Why Your Support Matters Now More Than Ever The University of the Philippines continues to be the premier institution of higher learning in the Philippines — training doctors, engineers, lawyers, artists, scientists, and public servants who go on to shape the nation. Your support through FUPFA directly strengthens that pipeline of excellence. When you donate to or partner with FUPFA, you are investing in: Academic programs and professorial chairs that attract and retain the best faculty minds Student scholarships and financial assistance that ensure no deserving student is left behind due to financial hardship Research grants and thesis support that push the boundaries of Filipino scholarship Infrastructure and facility improvements that give students the environment they deserve Community education initiatives that extend UP's values beyond the campus and into the world Every contribution — whether financial, professional, or in-kind — carries forward the torch that UP first placed in our hands. An Invitation to Join the Mission We are at a meaningful crossroads. The Filipino-American community is growing, maturing, and wielding increasing influence in American civic, professional, and cultural life. The question before us is not whether we have the capacity to make a difference — we clearly do. The question is whether we will choose to act on that capacity with intention and purpose. FUPFA extends an open invitation to every UP alumnus, every friend of the Philippines, and every believer in the power of education to join us in this mission. Together, we can: Support programs that align with UP's educational mission and values Fund infrastructure that gives UP students and faculty the resources they need to excel Champion advocacy that uplifts the Filipino-American community and reflects the social consciousness that UP has always stood for This is not just philanthropy. This is social responsibility. This is the fulfillment of a moral obligation — to give back to the institution that made us who we are, and to the communities that surround us today. Carrying the Torch Forward As we traverse our immigrant journey in America, let us not forget what we carry within us — the values of academic excellence, critical leadership, and service to the common good that the University of the Philippines instilled in each of us. Let FUPFA be the vehicle that carries that spirit forward. Let it be the bridge between what UP gave us and what we now give back — to UP, to our community, to our adopted nation, and to humanity at large. The future is bright. The mission is clear. And together, we can make a lasting impact that honors the university that started it all. We invite you to support FUPFA's programs and initiatives. Your tax-deductible donation through our 501(c)(3) foundation ensures that your generosity reaches the University of the Philippines and the communities we serve. To learn more or to donate, please reach out to us . "Let us continue to make a positive impact on the world, just as the University of the Philippines has inspired us to do." Mabuhay ang Pamantasan ng Pilipinas! Long live the University of the Philippines! Friends of the University of the Philippines Foundation in America (FUPFA) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible under U.S. law.

For more than forty years, a quiet but powerful force has been at work connecting Filipino-Americans and friends of the Philippines to one of Asia's most prestigious universities. The Friends of the University of the Philippines Foundation in America (FUPFA) — a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization — has spent four decades bridging the distance between the U.S.-based Filipino community and the University of the Philippines, turning goodwill into scholarships, professorial chairs, research grants, and life-changing opportunities for generations of Filipino students and faculty. A Vision Born from Passion for Excellence FUPFA's story begins in 1981, when distinguished UP alumnus and former Senator Edgardo J. Angara was elected as UP President. From the outset, President Angara had a bold vision: to reach beyond Philippine borders and engage the global alumni community — particularly those in the United States — in the university's mission of excellence. In the summer of 1982, President Angara and his team — including the notable Prof. Solita C. Monsod and Mrs. Sally Zaldivar Perez — embarked on a nationwide U.S. tour, meeting with alumni communities from New York to California, from Chicago to Texas. The response was overwhelming. Alumni leaders across the country rallied, organized receptions, and opened their hearts and wallets to the cause. From that energy and enthusiasm, FUPFA was born — chartered in California in 1982 as a tax-exempt public benefit corporation, through the legal expertise of UP alumnus Atty. Juan C. Collas , Jr. of Baker & McKenzie, who became its first Corporate Secretary and Trustee. What Makes FUPFA Unique? Unlike traditional alumni organizations, FUPFA is not a membership organization, nor is it limited to UP alumni . It is an independent U.S.-based philanthropic foundation, open to anyone — alumni or not — who believes in the transformative power of education and the enduring legacy of the University of the Philippines. FUPFA serves as the official vehicle through which U.S.-based donors can make fully tax-deductible contributions to support UP's programs, students, and faculty. Donations are transmitted through trust funds handled by the University of the Philippines Foundation, or directed to specific UP colleges and organizations designated by the donor. Forty Years of Tangible Impact Over its four decades, FUPFA has funded an impressive and wide-ranging array of programs and initiatives, including: Professorial Chairs — funded by both UP alumni and non-alumni, honoring and sustaining distinguished faculty Faculty Development Grants — helping UP's educators grow, research, and lead Student Thesis Grants — supporting the next generation of Filipino scholars Student Financial Assistance — ensuring that financial hardship never stands in the way of academic potential Dormitory Rehabilitation and Facility Improvements — investing in the physical environment where students live and learn College and University Targeted Campaigns — responding to the specific needs of UP's many campuses and colleges Scholarship Programs — the UP Kaagapay Project and other scholarship funds ensuring deserving students can pursue their dreams High-Performance Computing — in 2020, FUPFA's Board of Trustees approved a $125,000 commitment toward the purchase of a high-performance computer for the UP College of Engineering, keeping the university at the cutting edge of research and technology During the UP Centennial Campaign (2005–2011) alone, 197 professorial chairs were established and 408 scholarship grants were created — milestones in which FUPFA played a significant supporting role. Why Donate Through FUPFA? Giving through FUPFA is not just a donation — it is an investment in the future of the Philippines. Here is why channeling your philanthropy through FUPFA makes sense: Your gift is tax-deductible. As a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS since 1982, contributions made to FUPFA are fully deductible under U.S. tax law, making your generosity go even further. Your gift reaches its intended destination. FUPFA has spent 40 years building trusted relationships with the University of the Philippines and its Foundation, ensuring that every dollar is properly transmitted and applied to the programs and beneficiaries you care about. You can direct your legacy. Whether you wish to fund a professorial chair in a loved one's name, sponsor a student scholarship, support a specific UP college, or contribute to a university-wide initiative, FUPFA can make it happen — and make it meaningful. You join a community of changemakers. Every donor becomes part of a 40-year tradition of Filipino-Americans and friends of the Philippines who chose to give back to the institution that shaped generations of leaders, doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, and public servants. Every dollar counts. FUPFA is governed entirely by volunteers — all trustees and officers serve without compensation — which means more of your donation goes directly to UP's students and faculty, not administrative overhead. Governed with Integrity, Built to Last From its founding in 1982, FUPFA has been chaired by the sitting President of the University of the Philippines, ensuring the highest level of institutional accountability and alignment with the university's evolving needs. Today, UP President Angelo A. Jimenez serves as Chair, with Atty. Lourdes Santos Tancinco as Vice Chair and Executive Director, leading a dedicated board of trustees who continue the mission with the same passion that sparked it forty years ago. Be Part of the Next 40 Years The University of the Philippines has been shaping the minds and futures of Filipinos for over a century. FUPFA has spent the last four decades ensuring that the Filipino-American community can be a proud and active partner in that mission. Whether you are a UP alumnus carrying the maroon and green in your heart, or simply a believer in the power of education to transform lives and nations, F UPFA welcomes your partnership . Your gift — of any size — becomes part of something larger: a legacy of excellence, a bridge between communities, and a promise to the next generation of Filipino scholars. To donate or learn more about how you can support the University of the Philippines through FUPFA, please contact us . All donations are tax-deductible under U.S. law. Friends of the University of the Philippines Foundation in America (FUPFA) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization established in California in 1982. EIN available upon request.

The University of the Philippines (UP) developed a Strategic Plan for the term of UP President Angelo Jimenez, with the theme of “Transformative University in the Service of the Nation.” With a focus on fostering a just, equitable, and sustainable society, UP’s strategic themes prioritize preparing graduates for the future, promoting public service for the common good and ensuring transparent and accountable governance. The Strategic Plan 2023-2029 embodies UP’s commitment to contribute to national growth and sustainable development. Rooted in the principles of “Honor, Excellence, and Service,” UP aims to address pressing societal challenges through its roles as a teaching, research and public service university, and as the country’s sole national university. Read full text

Dear Alumni and Friends, Thank you for visiting our website. Through your generosity and that of our alumni and friends, the Friends of University of the Philippines Foundation in America (FUPFA) has remained steady in its mission of receiving and managing donations for professorial chairs, faculty and student scholarships, research grants and other development initiatives that promote academic excellence in all of the University of the Philippines (U.P.) Colleges and Departments. Through the passionate leadership and foresight of its founders, past and present UP Presidents and Board of Trustees, FUPFA has navigated its mission for the past 38 years. However, achieving any of its missions would not be possible without the consistent commitment and generous support of our Donors. On behalf of the current FUPFA Officers and Board of Trustees, I encourage alumni and friends to keep or renew their ties to our institution by making donations or annual gifts. Your financial support will go towards academic programs, innovations, and research opportunities for students and faculties. These programs will help our institution to address the modern complex global problems we are all facing today. Your philanthropic commitments can be directed to specific areas of your interest that supports U.P.’s initiative and priorities as envisioned by our current Chairman and U.P. President, Danilo Concepcion. You can choose the most convenient way of providing support by going to our donation page. For planned gifts and bequests, asset and stocks donations or other charitable contributions, please feel free to contact us at friends.univphil@gmail or call at (925) 876-7695 or (415) 439-0007. Thank you and we look forward to working with you as our philanthropic partner. Together we can make UP the home of our nation’s future leaders and help provide a better tomorrow for the current and future generation. Sincerely, Lourdes Santos Tancinco, Esq. Vice Chair and Executive Director

Watch the video