Of cherry blossoms, chikahan at kainan

By: Gretchen Mangahas

More than 25 UPAAT members, family, and friends took delight under and around cherry blossoms at High Park on the Friday afternoon of May 6, 2022. Organized by the Education and Awareness Committee (EAC), this casual walk which started with a human bingo game is the first of a series of networking events aimed at creating not just professional relationships, but meaningful connections among UPAAT members.

A pack of UPAAT members, family and friends socialize while walking around High Park and admiring the cherry blossoms

led by EAC Chair Mayrose Salvador (Seventh from left, first row)

Participants who were mostly newcomers to Canada and are part of UPAAT's Mentoring Program met their mentors and UPAAT council members who, for some, were also seeing the famous cherry blossoms for the first time. There was not a dull moment while the group walked down the park's path. Participants had chikahan and some caught up with each other in this second in-person event of UPAAT. The nice weather and scenery added to the joyous activity which culminated in a sumptuous dinner at Islas Filipino Bbq and Bar where some treated themselves with kare-kare, bbq, pansit and halo-halo.

With the summer season coming up, everyone is hopeful that UPAAT will have more in-person events as we continue to support each other as Iskolars ng Bayan and settlers in Canada.