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).