The NUS Food Science and Technology (FST) Class of 2019 had their end-of-year Christmas gathering at the S13 Department of Food Science and Technology Food Labs. Five years has gone by since graduation and since then, NUS FST has become its own department and newly renovated its labs. The evening consisted of a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) popiah dinner, catching up on how life has been these past couple of years, and a tour of the newly renovated facilities, the food lab, the chemistry lab, and the clinical labs. The night ended with a photo-taking session at our old FST food lab followed by dessert and drinks. The evening was extra meaningful because some teaching and administrative staff joined us, people who walked alongside us during our undergraduate days! We look forward to the next time we can gather as a class!

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni Network Manila hosted its annual Christmas gathering, NUSparkle 2024, on Saturday, 30 November, at Alba’s Restaurante Español in Estancia Mall, Pasig City, Metro Manila. Held on Bonifacio Day, a public holiday in the Philippines, the event provided the perfect setting for a meaningful celebration.

This year’s NUSparkle saw an impressive turnout of 55 alumni, representing 11 faculties and schools, including Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Computing, Design and Environment, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Public Health, Public Policy, Science, and Yale-NUS.

Doors opened at 11.00am, warmly welcoming early birds with cocktails and opportunities to mingle with fellow alumni. As part of the registration process, attendees demonstrated their generosity and commitment to giving back by contributing to NUS Cares. Each alumnus or alumna donated a minimum token of PhP 500 (approximately SGD 11), with all proceeds directed towards the chapter’s community service initiatives. During the Christmas gathering, PhP 44,000 (SGD 1,000) was successfully raised for NUS Cares.

The programme commenced at noon with a warm welcome from Chapter Vice-Chair Nestor Precioso (Science ’06). The guest of honor, Logaventhan Karuppannan, Deputy Chief of Mission/Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore to the Philippines, delivered an inspiring address. He emphasised the strong ties between Singapore and the Philippines and highlighted the upcoming celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, inviting alumni to continue their engagement with Embassy initiatives. Chapter Chairperson Richard Tan (Public Policy ’13) led a toast in honor of Mr Karuppannan, followed by a "State of the Chapter" address. In his speech, he highlighted the chapter’s 2024 achievements, including four major events—such as the successful NUS Innovation Forum in May—and its active participation in the Singapore Embassy’s National Day celebrations. These milestones demonstrate the chapter’s unwavering commitment to fostering connections and further strengthening the NUS alumni network, particularly among the majority of faculties and schools that remain unorganised. Inspirational messages from alumni, including Marcelino Lizaso Jr. (Arts & Social Sciences ’03), Edsel Mercado Jr (Arts & Social Sciences ’04), and Bernard Afable (Design and Engineering ’18), added a personal touch to the programme.

Attendees indulged in a sumptuous Spanish buffet spread featuring callos, lengua, paella, vaca asada, and creamy baked eggplant, complemented by hot appetisers, desserts, and a choice of soda, juice, beer, or coffee. Although the programme officially ended at 2.00pm, guests stayed on, enjoying the camaraderie and the festive atmosphere. Alumni departed with hearts full of joy and a renewed sense of community.

NUSparkle 2024 was more than just a year-end celebration—it was a powerful testament to the enduring spirit and strength of the NUS alumni network. The Manila chapter now looks forward to another successful year of connection, collaboration, and community impact in 2025.

Prepared by Nestor Precioso (Science ’06)