MISSION
To reconnect and continue alliance with all the high school and college/university graduates of PUP in the United States and other countries all over the world. To increase involvement of the alumni in building a strong and beneficial ties with the Alma Mater in order to serve and provide support to programs that will benefit deserving students.
VISION
To create an environment where alumni can make their best contribution to their Alma Mater to assist in projects that will provide deserving students opportunities to excel in various academic, cultural and sporting activities.
Monette Santillan-Rivera
Chairman of the Board
Monette Santillan-Rivera graduated from PUP in 1973 BSC major in Accounting and became a Certified Public Accountant. Joined Philippine Airlines right after graduation and became an Internal Auditor. Migrated to the U.S. in 1984 and worked as an Accountant and Controller. After retiring from the corporate world, she is now the President and Broker of RE Partners Inc, a real estate, mortgage and investment company. She is also the owner and administrator of Desert Springs Assisted Living Home, LLC. A Past President of Philippine American Society of CPAs-LA, Past President of LA Cosmopolitan Lions Club and currently a Zone Chair of Lions District 4L-3. Her passion is raising funds to give scholarships to less fortunate but deserving students. She is married to Vladimir Rivera.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (818) 970-8317
Violeta Dela Cruz Cristobal
Vice Chairman of the Board
Violeta (VEE) Dela Cruz Cristobal, CPA, CGMA migrated to California more than 30 years ago with her whole family, Cesar, her husband and two children, Glenn and Samantha. She graduated at PUP/PCC with a degree in Business Education in undergraduate and graduate studies. Prior to forming her own CPA firm, Cristobal & Company, CPAs, of Brentwood, California in 2001, Vee had been in public practice for over 30 years & has accounting experience in various field of industry. Vee was past president of Philippine American Society of CPAs (PASCPA) and past president of Los Angeles Chapter of the California Society of CPAs (CALCPA). She is currently the Chairperson of the Los Angeles Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards and Council of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) since 2010. She has received several awards for her exemplary dedication to her profession and the community. Her goal is to build a library in PUP in the near future and continue to teach financial literacy in the community.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (310) 880-5808
Honeylette Monteverde-De Leon
President
Honeylette Monteverde-De Leon is the president and owner of World Class Freight, Inc. a NVOCC and freight consolidator located in Carson, CA. She graduated at PCC/PUP in 1978, where she received her BSC major in marketing. After graduation, she was hired by Majalco Insurance and Investment in Makati and after two years, was offered a job at Maglines/Mitsui OSK Lines. In 1983 she migrated to New York and worked for Biddle Sawyer Corp. in Manhattan. In 1985 she moved to California to work for various NVOCCs and freight forwarders as import manager and later as VP Sales & Marketing. In 1991, Honeylette along with her husband, established World Class Freight Inc. with a head office in Carson, a branch office in Jersey city and an office in Manila. Honeylette is a member of various business associations. She is married to Robert Z. De Leon Jr. with three children, Noel Ed, Kristine Claire and Robert III. Her goal is to continuously help the less fortunate people and empower the young achiever to become an entrepreneur.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (562) 480-5743
Jose “Jun” Mapoy Jr.
Executive Vice President
Jose (JUN) Mapoy JR. became a Certified Public Accountant in 1984 and finished his Master in Business Administration in 1989. With the intention of strengthening his public speaking skills, he took Master in Mass Communication at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in 1995. During his career, he worked in various capacities as an Auditor, Chief Accountant, Bank Examiner, Accounting Manager and Controller. Currently, Jun is working with the California Department of Justice as an Auditor. He is living with his wife Myra, who was also a PUP alumna, children Kim, Santa and Shane. Jun is also an active member of Filipino Cursilloin Christianity-Los Angeles (FCIC-LA) and assigned as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Rose of Lima in Maywood, California.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (323) 627-2960
Dr. Gerry Fernando
Vice President – Finance & Treasurer
Dr. Gerry Fernando is the Management Accountant for ICON Tax Group, Inc. Dr. Gerry is an innovative and driven accounting professional with over 28 years of experience. He is a California registered tax preparer and eligible to sit in the Uniform CPA exam in the US. Dr. Gerry holds a PH.D in Business Management from Manuel L Quezon University in the Philippines. He was a cum laude graduate of Bachelor in Accountancy from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. In addition, Dr. Gerry has an MBA from Far Eastern University. Before coming to the US, he was the Accountancy Program Head at the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance at FEU and served as the Quality Management Representative for ISO 9001:2008 certification in Quality Management System. He began his teaching stints at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and De La Salle University – Dasmarinas handling accounting, auditing and taxation subjects. Dr. Gerry has an extensive private working experiences for multi-national manufacturing firm, retail and financial companies.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (818) 860-6339
Rosemarie Belle Trinidad-Mejia
Vice President – Goals & Planning
Rosemarie T. Mejia is a seasoned real estate agent with over 15 years of experience that helped numerous clients turned their bank savings into a thriving investment portfolio. Rosemarie is also a financial consultant, a real estate investor and a Certified Resident Property Manager. Over the years, she has been given numerous awards for excellence in real estate, community leadership and held various positions in different organization in L.A. such as Philippine Women’s Club, Filipino American Community of L.A. Filipino American Service Group Inc., National Association of Professional Women, National Association of Realtors, CA Association of Realtors, Philippine Chamber of Commerce, including President of MOTHER (Movement To Help End Rape & Child Abuses) and Chairman of Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown. Aside from her career, Rosemarie is a benefactor of many charitable organizations. She has recently won beauty pageants and crowned as Ms. Earth and Ms. Lakambini ng Kalayaan. Also been dubbed the titles of Lakambini ng Pag-ibig, Lakambinin ng Pag-asa at recent community events.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (323) 997-3838
Marissa Sugay-Palanca
Vice President – Scholarship
Marissa Sugay-Palanca graduated from PUP in 1982 with a Bachelor in Business Management degree major in Management. She was a working student and was employed by St. Life Plan, Inc as Secretary for three (3) years. After her graduation, she joined Anchor Finance and Investment Corporation where she worked for 14 years initially as Administrative Assistant and then was promoted as Administrative and Cash Department Manager. She migrated to the United States in 2001 with her late husband, Rodolfo Palanca and their son, John Lawrence S. Palanca. Her daughter, Joanne Abigail Palanca-Diaz is now living in Abu Dhabi with her husband, Ralph Diaz and their 2 children, Jamilia and Jamir. She started her career in the U.S. working in a law firm. She is currently working at the Law Offices of John C. Ye and at the same time has recently started her own business, First Aid Medical Transportation, Inc., a non-emergency medical transportation where she is the managing partner and Chief Financial Officer.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (818) 281-7460
Evangeline R. Codilla
Vice President – Membership
Evangeline “Vangie” Reyes-Codilla graduated from Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 1982 with a degree of Bachelor in Accountancy. She is currently the controller of Empire PRO, considered as one of the largest distributors of professional audio, video & lighting equipment nationwide and highly regarded worldwide. Vangie has extensive training and work experiences in the field of finance and investment house operations, construction, manpower services, security & cash logistics services, imports and wholesale distribution. In 2000, she migrated to California and worked as an Accountant and Controller in various reputable companies. She is a member of Phil American Society of Certified Public Accountants and National Council of Philippines American Canadian Accountants. She is married to Bobby Codilla, also a Controller of a large food manufacturing company and blessed with two lovely daughters, Joyce and Vanessa. Joyce is currently serving in the Air Force based in Anchorage, Alaska. Vanessa is a Junior taking up Business Communications at UCLA.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (818) 468-3386
Maria Maico
Vice President – Awards/Recognition/Secretary
Maria Maico is a graduate of Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School in 1980, obtained a Bachelor in Business Management degree in 1984 and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Physical Education and Sports in 1992. She migrated to the United States in 2005 and got her Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership in Teaching and Learning at Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) in 2009 and her Post Masters Certificate in Educational Leadership & Administration at George Washington Graduate School of Education Human Development, Washington DC in 2022. She is certified in Special Education, Physical Education, and Administrator 1 with the Maryland State Department of Education. She is blessed with four amazing children. Her oldest son, Ronald Alejo, is a current faculty member of Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics and Coach of men’s varsity swimming team. Rayniel specialized and graduated with a degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland, Aaron is a highly skilled technician and her daughter, Toni, graduated at Johns Hopkins University and obtained dual Masters degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Mechanical Engineering (MSME) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She works as an Associate Director, Corporate Strategy & Operations in Bethesda, Maryland. Maria has committed to serve PUPAA with her capacity to facilitate communication through its global advocacy.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (443) 983-5381
Ronald Alejo M. Guiriba
Vice President – PRO/Social Media
Ronald Alejo Guiriba graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education in 2010, Master of Physical Education & Sports in 2018 and currently pursuing Doctorate in Educational Management at Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He is an Asst. Professor II with the College of Human Kinetics, Sports Specialist and Head coach of the Varsity Swimming Team. He is the Founder, Team Owner & Program Head of Guiriba Aquatic Tutorial Services, served as Sports Consultant of Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Sports Commissioner, UAAP; Events Manager, PSI Inc.; & Competition Manager, SEA Games. As a member of the National Swimming & Water Polo Teams, he represented the Philippines in several international competitions since his elementary grades. He was designated as International Referee of the Asian Games, ASEAN Para Games Swimming Federation, SEA Games, World Aquatics Swimming Federation & International Judge of the Asian Swimming Federation. PUP has equipped him with the knowledge, education, training & skills to serve both our national & international communities in multiple capacities at various levels. Being a part of PUPAA USA is an opportunity to serve our Sintang Paaralan.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +63995-0915223
Marie B. Valleser
Auditor
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in April 1989. Marie joined Rustan Commercial Corporation, a prestigious department store in the Philippines, where she flourished professionally. In December 2003, she made a pivotal move to the United States, becoming the first in her family to immigrate, driven by a profound belief in divine guidance. In January 2004, Marie began her American career at Tiny World, Inc., as a Purchaser. In December 2004 she moved to Lily, Inc. Marie’s steadfast commitment and expertise ensured her retention amidst layoffs during recession where she now serves as the Controller of the company. Marie takes immense pride in her children: Sergeant David Andrew V. Menchavez, serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and her daughter Psalm Nicole V. Menchavez, aspiring to become a digital designer. Since 2015, Marie has also excelled as a Realtor, helping numerous families achieve their dreams of homeownership. Her life verse from Jeremiah 29:11 underscores her faith and optimism, guiding her through each endeavor.
E-mail: mariebvalleser@[email protected]
Phone: (213) 321-0797
Dr. Henry Divina
Advisor
ACS ’59 graduate of Philippine College of Commerce (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines) is also a BBA graduate of the University of the East, Manila. He is both a US and Philippine CPA and is a Naturopathic Physician. He completed his PhD (doctorate degree) and NMD (Naturopathic Medical degree) from American Universities. He maintains membership in professional societies including the AICPA, AIHM (Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine) and ANHMA (American Naturopathic and Holistic Medical Association. He is also a CGMA and is certified in Addiction Counseling. He is retired now but continues to practice as a part time consultant when not traveling abroad with his wife, Carie.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (818) 441-6337
Beng A.Panado
Asst. Vice President – Goals & Planning
Beng Panado graduated at PUP Sta. Mesa in 1981 with the degree of BSC Executive Secretary. With the existence of the Ladder Program at PUP, Beng also completed and received three certificates for Associate Degree, Medical Secretary and Legal Secretary. These certificates were a powerful tool for Beng in gaining employment in prestigious companies. She started her job at The Medical City Hospital’s Medical Records Department from 1977 up to 1981. She then moved to Westinghouse International as Quality Assurance Executive Secretary in Bataan Nuclear Power Plant until its closure in 1985. In 1986, with her exposure to Import/Export, Quality Assurance and Quality control, she joined the Compañia General De Tabacos as Export Manager for Philippine Handicrafts. Upon arrival to California, USA in 1990, she joined Service Employees Internal Union, Los Angeles as Operations Director of Finance and Membership Departments to set up their newly founded local unions until she retired in 2015 after serving for 25 years.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (562) 702-5923
Amelita “Aimee” Sarmiento
Vice President – Ways & Means
Aimee is a graduate of PCC/PUP major in Marketing. Right after graduation, she was hired as Secretary by R.E.O.M.I.E. b.v., a company based in Wolfheze, Holland. She was sent to Holland for a year and after a year she decided to come back to the Philippines. It was a great experience for her. After another year of being a Hollander/Dutch, she joined RCA Global Communications, Inc. now Philippine Global Communications, Inc. in Makati and stayed for 24 years with this company as the Manager, Administration. She considered herself “semi-retired” when she left the company, PhilCom in 2000. It was in September 2000 when Aimee left for the United States for more challenges in life. In this new adventure, she got her first job in an electrical contracting company as Secretary and presently, an Admin Assistant in a Property Management Company. She is blessed with 3 beautiful girls, Anna, a Mass Com graduate from UP, Agnes and Andrea, both nurses from FEU. Aimee enjoys travelling especially the so called “CRUISE” with her very loving partner in life, Albert Hirsch. Lastly, she wants to express her BIG THANK YOU to PCC/PUP, her dear ALMA MATER.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (323) 450-6019
Teresita Schell
Asst. Vice President – Membership – Global
Teresita Clave Schell was born on May 12,1956. She is married with four grown up and successful daughters. She graduated in PUP in 1977 with Bachelor of Science, Major in Marketing. Presently residing in Maryland and connected with Freedom Equity Group for 10 years as a Senior National Vice President.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (972) 523-5273
Maylene Santiago
Asst. Vice President – Membership – USA
Maylene Guzman Santiago was born in Angeles City, Pampanga. She graduated with high honors from high school and continued her education at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 1998. Supported by her relatives, she passed the board exam and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1999. Her involvement in various Filipino organizations in Texas showcases her dedication to community services. Maylene Guzman Santiago’s unwavering commitment to excellence and her extensive expertise have made her a highly respected and beloved figure in her community, family, friends and professional circles.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone:
