On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the UP Engineering Research & Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI) successfully concluded its 2026 Annual General Membership Meeting. Held in a hybrid format, the event officially proceeded with its formal business agenda after duly securing a quorum of dedicated members.
During the meeting, Treasurer Glen Tabios reported on our Foundation’s financial highlights for 2025, showcasing a healthy balance sheet, following a significant jump in 2024. Through highly optimized fund management, UPERDFI ensured that its resources flowed directly into student scholarships, faculty development, research-to-market projects, and modernization of instructional and research facilities.
To maintain this rigorous standard of financial transparency and accountability, SGV & Co. was reappointed as our Foundation’s external auditor for 2026.
The general membership also elected four new Trustees to serve a three-year term, bringing a wealth of diverse industry leadership to the Board. The newly elected Trustees are Amante “Teng” Aguilar, recently retired as Group Head of Supply Chain at Del Monte Philippines; Manfred Guangko, Chairman of the Board and CEO of PERTMA Corporation and 2025 UP Alumni Engineers President; Edgardo “Jon” Kasilag II, former president of AMH Philippines; and Rafael Nestor “Chicho” Mantaring, a Professorial Lecturer and Consultant in Electronics Product Development at the UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute.
Words of thanks were extended to the four Trustees who completed their terms: Chairman Jeng Pascual; 2024-25 President Winnie Torres-Ordonez; Treasurer Glen Tabios; and Gilbert Santa Maria. They committed to continue being active in driving current and prospective initiatives.
ED Tito Aliga also reported on the current developments in our traditional focus areas for UP Engineering. Also exciting a lively discussion are the new challenges that invite UPERDFI’s involvement in nation-building, particularly in our Industrialization efforts. In his In The Loop messages, President Lito Bermudo has emphasized time and again the clamor of the times – for us to get involved in matters beyond our College of Engineering.
