University of the Philippines President Emerlinda Roman’s visits to the U.S. during the first three years of her term have proven prolific, not only for U.P. Centennial Fund Drive, but for the Friends of U.P. Foundation in America (FUPFA) as well.

President Roman’s first visit to the America as U.P. President in 2005 saw her attending the U.P. Alumni Association in America’s (UPAAA) Annual Convention in San Diego, California, which enabled her to meet with alumni from all over the United States. From this visit, President Roman was able to raise close to $ 200,000.00 in pledges and donations, including a faculty grant and a professorial chair from Ms. Evelina Galang and Ms. Alma Onrubia respectively, which was channeled through FUPFA.

During the same visit, President Roman was able to talk with Mr. Francisco L. Juan, then sitting as Executive Director of FUPFA, which lead to discussion about the revitalization of FUPFA as a corporate entity.

In 2006, the President flew to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, where she was the guest of honor of U.P. Medical Alumni Society in America’s (UPMASA) annual Alumni Homecoming and Convention. Unlike her first visit, where President Roman only visited with alumni’s in California, this visit saw her across America.

She visited with alumni associations in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and San Francisco and brought the message of UP’s upcoming centennial. In Chicago, Illinois, President Roman spoke at the Philippine Consulate and joined the members and officers of the UPAA Greater Chicago (UPAAGC) in celebrating their 35th anniversary. President Roman once again met with the officers of FUPFA to discuss its status.

She was able to gather a little over $ 250,000.00 in donations and pledges on her 2006 visit. Ms. Josefina Wee Sit and the Carangal Family chose to channel their pledges through FUPFA.

President Roman expanded the scope of her 2007 tour, touching base with alumni, not only in the United States, but also in Canada and Hong-Kong. First in her agenda was a meeting with the Board of Trustees at the Westin Hotel in San Francisco. During the meeting, President Roman was officially appointed as chairperson of FUPFA’s Board of Trustees, along with a new set of officers.

The Board reviewed FUPFA’s current status and reaffirmed their commitment to aid UP’s development projects, especially in light of the centennial in 2008.

From San Francisco, President Roman flew to Canada and visited with alumni there, then returned to America, where she visited the University of Michigan and met its president, Sue Coleman. The president also passed by Florida and Washington D.C., before flying to Hong-Kong, the last stop of her tour.

On this three-country tour, President Roman raised over $ 320,000.00 in donations and pledges, including a professorial chair pledge by Ms. Reda Labite through FUPFA.