NUS Alumni Manila Chapter held a Christmas Gathering on Saturday, 11 December 2021 at the MESA Restaurant. The restaurant is known for its innovative Filipino modern dishes, and is located at the Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metropolitan Manila. To provide reassurance to alumni for their personal safety and health, the event was held in accordance to the government’s protocols, with an al-fresco set-up.

21 alumni from seven faculties and schools attended this gathering, which began at 7pm. To begin the evening, Chairperson, Mr Richard Tan (Public Policy ’12), gave a welcome speech, followed by a short sharing from guest speaker, Atty. Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones (Public Policy ’06), Chief Operation Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

During his speech, Mr Tan reiterated the purpose of alumni organisations – to provide a platform for face-to-face social, professional and business networking opportunities, and to enjoy the company of fellow alumni from Asia's leading university who currently work and reside in and around the Metropolitan Manila area. Part of the activities for the coming year was to hold smaller gatherings, such as inviting sub-groups of alumni from various faculties and schools from the first quarter of 2022. Depending on the situation, the chapter may also consider holding a general membership meeting by the second quarter of 2022.

Guest speaker Atty. Thonette shared with attendees the importance of tourism in the economy of the Philippines, the recent activities of TPB, and the current reopening of the islands to domestic tourism. After her speech, Atty. Thonette graciously gifted each attendee a coffee table book from the TPB, titled “Bucket List Philippines [Sustainable Edition].

Dinner was then served after the end of the short programme. To round off the evening, the Chapter raffled off numerous prizes to alumni who were present.

Submitted By Mr Nestor Precioso (Science ’06).

After nearly two years, NUS Alumni Toronto Chapter held its first in-person gathering on 4 December 2021. The Chapter had last met for Chinese New Year in February 2020, as restrictions on the number of individuals allowed to gather due to the COVID-19 had put all plans on hold. With the number of COVID-19 infections subsiding and a significant percentage of the population with at least two or three vaccine doses, the Chapter met in high spirits at the Jerusalem Restaurant in mid-town Toronto. With nearly 40 alumni in attendance, the Chapter managed to secure a private room for the gathering. The gathering was a huge sigh of relief, and was also filled with happiness as alumni were delighted at seeing familiar faces again. At the rate alumni were mingling with one another, it felt as if they had not met up in decades!

Kicking off the evening, Chapter Chairperson, Mr Tejas Aivalli (Public Policy ‘11) welcomed all alumni with a few words. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, Mr Aivalli urged all alumni to keep in mind of the less fortunate and donate where possible. He also acknowledged the efforts of EXCO members, Ms Jean Lian (Arts and Social Sciences ’97) and Ms Billie Lu (Arts and Social Sciences ’85), who made the dinner possible. The group then enjoyed dinner and the evening ended with a group photo.

Submitted by Mr Tejas Aivalli (Public Policy ’11).