Miguel “Mike” Marave (Skylove ’73) is an alumnus of the College of Forestry, UP Los Baños and the University of Washington’s International Business Program. He currently serves on the board of the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority, Washington State Export Finance Assistance Center, Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Pacific Northwest, and the Filipino Community of Seattle Community Development Corporation.
Mike Marave

Mike

He is married to Fe Relampago Marave, a registered nurse at Provident Everett Medical Center (Washington). They are blessed with two sons, Voltaireand Vincent. They live in Mill Creek, Washington.

Tudla extends its warmest congratulations to you for being elected as the President of the UP Varrons Ltd. International (UPVI). For the benefit of those Varrons who may be wondering about the UPVLI, can you describe the purpose of UPVI, why it was created, and how do you view its relation to the whole UP Varrons organization in general?
First of all, let me express my appreciation to the core group of Tudla for according me the opportunity to be interviewed. It is indeed an honor and privilege. As one of the movers and shakers of our organization here in the US, I take pride in blazing the way for the future leaders of our foreign-based organization. By all means, I am not taking all the credits for organizing the UPVL International (UPVLI). I have to recognize Vrods Terry Sarigumba (Magnificent Seven ’67), Lino Blanche (21st BCT ’67) and Gil Menodza (Dirty Dozen ’69) for maintaining the burning light of our esteemed organization abroad. Before UPVLI was conceived, Vrods Terry and Lino were already having regular Varrons get-together in the East Coast. The bond of the East Coast Varrons was equally matched by the bonds of our West Coast Varrons. Regular get-togethers by our vrods and sis in the Pacific Northwest, California and Canada proved that the ideals and camaraderie are alive and well. UPVL International is a foreign-based social organization composed of members who subscribe to the Varrons ideals and dedicated to assisting each other, in terms of education/research, morale and sometimes financial support. If a Varron wants to visit a certain place in North America, one could ask assistance from a Varron from that particular location for scenic locations and perhaps suggestions on the best place to dine, play, relax and sleep. A get-together with UPVLI members will help us reminisce the college life and be updated of what is going on in our organization. Our mother organization back in Los Baños can also derive some benefits from the UPVLI. It can and will aid and assist distressed worthy vrods and sis financially or on his/her travel plans to North America. UPVLI can also be part of larger projects that our alumni and undergrads want to embark on.

Can you give us your vision as to what you want to accomplish in your tenure as president and where you want the UPV International to go?
UPVL International was organized in 2004 and to date, it has no legal identity. This means the organization is not incorporated and has no non-profit status. We do not even have bank account. In the next six months, I will do everything to make this organization fully functional, recognized organization, capable of accepting donations that can be declared as a charitable contribution. For my longer goal, I hope to establish a scholarship program that could assist our deserving vrods and sisses complete their undergraduate studies or provide funding assistance for masteral or doctoral thesis. For a lighter moment, I would like to reach out to our USA- and Canada-based Varrons to organize get-together parties/reunion in their home turf before my term ends.

I want the future UPVL International to be self sufficient financially so that it can aid and assist on whatever endeavor our home base organization plans to embark on. With the aid of our more prominent Varrons in North America, I would like then to assist on a fund raising effort before my term expires, to fund a small but visible projects at the CFNR (College of Forestry and Natural Resources). Stay tuned for more update in this regard.

Mike with his family

Mike with his wife Fe and two sons, Voltaire (a Sociology major at the University of Washington) and Vincent (a History and Communication major at Western Washington University).

You are currently the Senior Vice President & Manager of International Banking Services at Bay Bank / Cowlitz Bank in Washington State. Several questions that are probably in the minds of most Varrons include the following: How did you go from a forestry graduate to being involved in banking?  Why did you decide to change your career area?  We hope you don’t mind giving us the whole story. Please include whatever “twists and turns” that you encountered.
International trade business was first introduced to me by my late uncle 28 year ago. He owns a trading firm and a logistics company in Los Angeles. After a couple of months of going to his office and hearing him talk to customers and explaining the intricacies of international business and logistics, I fell in love with it. I was put on the spot when he told me to look after the business while he went on vacation to the Philippines for a month. I did the best I could to service existing clients and was astonished by the growth of my knowledge and interest for this line of business.

A change in profession from a forester to a banker, an engineer, a health care professional or a public servant is pretty common in America. In the late 1970s, the forestry graduates have the highest unemployment rate in the USA. To date, forestry graduates that have immigrated to the US that are still in the forestry profession are mostly in the academe. Forestry graduates need to reinvent themselves to survive and make it in America.

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin