U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity of Southern California

Brod Gamaliel "Gamy" Manikan

UP Diliman ’65

July 1, 1947 - September 10, 2014

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Betan Rites - Sept. 12, 2014

Saint Peter Chapel Commonwealth, Q.C.

[Photos by Rolly Reyes]

[*Web note: To view/download all pictures, go to Current Features>Photo Albums]

Black Saints President Pol Moral

Black Saints Mon Ventura

Black Saints Ed Baldoria

Black Saints Ollie Santos

Black Saints Larry Tumaneng

Black Saints Ricky Tolentino

UPBSF Central President Rolly Reyes

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Messages

Beloved batch mates,

It is with deep sorrow that I have to inform all you about the demise of our dear batch mate, Gamy, at about 12:20 this afternoon. Dulce told me that interment schedule will be announced soon and any brod who wishes to visit the wake shall be informed accordingly. Those who wish to get in touch with Dulce may do so in order to console her and somehow uplift her sadness in these trying times. Let us all pray for the eternal repose of Gamy's soul. May he rest in peace.

Hi, brod Rolly, please announce the sudden demise of my batch mate, Gamy Manikan at about a little past 12n today. Details to be announced later as soon as they are finalized. Best regards and thanks.

Ricky

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Our beloved brod GAMY Manikan is gone as per the message of Brod Ricky Tolentino. Let us pray.

RGR'66

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A Vry sad moment for us. Wil be praying for the repose of Brod Gamy's soul.

JoeReb

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Brod GP Gamaliel "Gamy" Manikan shepherded the UPD Beta Sigma Fraternity at a very challenging period. He was larger than life and led the brods with lots of passion. He was always there for the brods...in good times, in bad times. He will always be remembered. He will be sorely missed...

Brod Gamy now leads the brods who have gone ahead of us as they march to that place beyond singing " Glory, glory Beta Sigma. Glory, Glory Beta Sigma"....... My deepest condolence to Sis Dulce and family. Rest in peace Brod GP Gamaliel "Gamy" Manikan.

Ed Abon, UPD 69A Panzer

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Brods, It is with deep sorrow to hear about the passing away of our Brod Gamy. My sincere condolence to Dulce and her family. We will include Brod Gamy in our prayers. Rest in Peace with GOD beloved Brod Gamy!

Gilbert66

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I'm gonna miss Brod Gamaliel GAMY Manikan. He was my GP in Diliman more than 40 years ago. My deepest condolences to his family.

Jaime Madrasto 71d, Argentum Pandemonium

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A sad day to lose another respectable pillar of our fraternity. During my time in UP, Brod Gamy Manikan was the influential force and leader who was not afraid to open boundaries, cross borders, lead political innovations, negotiate with grace, and guide the fraternity with class, alway inspiring the Brods to act with courage and decency!!! My personal fanatic stance as a younger Beta Sigman was influenced by many Brods but ring proud, strategic, tactical, and open -minded in embracing a global fraternity, I learned from him. Rest in peace, Brod GP Gamy!!!

Joe Lalas, 69C

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Farewell Kabatch,

May your soul rest in peace!

Ollie Santos'65

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Rest in peace in Peace, O Noble Cataline.

Rest in peace my brother, kabatch and dear friend Gamy. I shed tears as a wish you would not go and only get comfort from the thought that you're going to a better place where we will someday meet again.

Goodbye and Cheers !!!!
Ding UPD'65 Black Saints

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Prayers and deepest condolence to Dulce and the Manikan family for the untimely death of our Batchmate, Gamy. The Black Saints shared "hardship, sweat and tears as well as pleasant times. His legacy will be forever etched in our lives . Thanks for the memories,
Ka batch.

Boi '65 UPD Black Saints Batch

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May you rest in peace kabatch.

Dante Morales '65

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Our kabatch Gamy is gone.
We are saddened, hurt, and numbed by the swift turn of events.
January 2014 was our last get-together with Gamy at the Podium to welcome visiting kabatch Ding. At that time, though bothered by emphysema, Gamy looked fine and certainly didn't appear like he would be departing less than a year later.

We will always remember Gamy as a true Betan, a loving kabatch, a great GP, leader and warrior. We will also recall with fondness Gamy's rumble-tested green Fiat, his small caliber handgun, and his dry wit and humor. We are praying for you Gamy and the Lord to have a great meeting. Farewell our beloved, farewell. We love you kabatch.

Pol65, UPD Black Saints.
We shall overcome.

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Iin Flash News 9/10 Farewell Gamy Manikan

We cry and pray for you, beloved kabatch Gamy.

Norman Bituin, UPD'65 Black Saints

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Hi Norman,

I join you and all your batch mates in praying for peace and comfort for bro. Gamy and his family. I knew him then at P.Faura as I was also attached to Hannibal with the Corps in Diliman. May he rest in peace and God bless his soul.

Fraternally yours,
Bro. Tito Campomanes'63

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Brod Gamy,

Rest in peace in the presence of God. As GP, you suspended me twice and got ostracized for several weeks and it got me going to be more responsible in my acts not only during my college days but also in the years after. Your strong leadership guided me well and I thank you for that!

My condolences to Sis Dulce and your family.

Jec Marquez, UPD69a

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Brod Gamy will always be remembered as a leader, a fighter, a passionate man, a true friend, an intellectual, an exceptional Betan, a dedicated family man… In 2001, Gamy also had a hand in crafting the UP Beta Sigma-International Manifesto that we now see at our website when Danny Galoso brought Gamy and his family to my home. He said, as it is now written, that one of the responsibilities of a UP Betan is "To be an asset, never a liability. To help UP Beta Sigma go forward, never to drag it down." His emphasis was on the 'never'.

He has passed on from this life to another. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away. We all go the same path, a powerful reminder of our very own mortality. May the good Lord welcome Gamy, and embrace him for a life well lived.

Willie "Tatang" Vergara

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My thoughts and prayers are with Dulce and her family. Wish I could be there to pay my final respects to a very close friend and brother. He loved me but did not put up with my immature actions when I was a resident brod . Gamy suspended me many times for actions unbecoming of a good Betan. Boy, did I give him head aches then! He was at the helm when we celebrated our fraternity's 25th anniversary. I was paroled from a suspension to enjoy the festivities. Just to let you know Gamy- I haven't grown up - I just behave better in public ;)) Rest in peace brod.

Judge '68a

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i was Master of the Rolls when Brod Gami was the Grand Princep
i was Managing Editor of The Betan when Brod Gami was the Grand Princep
i was an Editorial Board Member (twice) of The Philippine Collegian when Brod Gami was the Grand Princep
i was Managing Editor of the Fine Arts College Paper when Brod Gami was the Grand Princep
i was a Councilor of the UP Student Council when Brod Gami was the Grand Princep
i was the President of the Marikina UP Varsitarians when Brod Gami was the Grand Princep
i was the Founding Chairman of the SDK chapter when Brod Gami was the Grand Princep

i was a Loyal Betan Soldier because Brod Gami was MY Grand Princep

Cheerz to Brod Gami. I will miss you !!!

willienep69a

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My deepest condolences to brod Gamy's family. He WILL be remembered always.
Jopet 63

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Condolences to the Manikan family . Our prayers are with them for the eternal repose of Brod Gamy.

Russo UPD'63

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Gamy? How can I forget him. He was a morale booster, a mentor, an inspiration and a true friend. I made it thru the frat with Gamy mostly around. Only one of HIS kind. A pinnacle! He'll be missed! May he rest in Peace.

Manny del Rosario UPD'66

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A very dedicated Beta Sigman. I am fortunate to have served the fraternity as the Chamberlain when he was the GP. We put a lot of time together in making the fraternity the envy of campus life. We had a lot of one on one at the Butterfly thinking of several fraternity goals while waiting for Dulce to show up. It was then that the Ladies Corps was conceived. We had to ensure that such move will not hurt our relationship with the Sigma Betan and would get an OK with Dulce. Gamy, Fredddie, Rudolf, and other Betans have influenced my life. All will have a place in my heart.

Rolly Balingit'69A

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Our condolences to Dulce and the rest of Brod Gamy’s family. As I think of our dear brod, I am reminded of the poem written by Mary Elizabeth Frye in 1932, that has been translated in many languages, including Tagalog. You are shining for us, Brod Gamy, as a soft star at night.

Huwag tumindig sa aking libingan at tumangis,
Wala ako roon, hindi ako natutulog.
Ako ang sanlibong mga hanging umiihip,
Ako ang diyamanteng kisap sa ibabaw ng mga niyebe.
Ako ang sikat ng araw sa ibabaw ng hinog na butil,
Ako ang banayad na ulan ng taglagas.
Kapag gumising ka sa kapayapaan ng umaga
Ako ang maliksing papailanlang na pagmamadali
Ng magagandang mga ibong nasa paikot na paglipad,
Ako ang malalambot na mga bituing kumikinang sa gabi.
Huwag tumayo sa aking libingan at umiyak,
Wala ako roon. Hindi ako namatay.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Benild Pires'64

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We shall miss you brod. This is to express our sincere sympathy to your family and love ones. Beta Sigma lost a HERO. We love you Brod Gamy.

Jimmy de Luna'65

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So sorry to hear about our kabatch.... much more difficult to accept it.... may God console those left behind ....he is now in a better place...the laughter we have shared...the camaraderie...the brotherhood.... the memories of our beloved Gamy will remain in our hearts for as long as we go through the rest of our borrowed life.We pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

With a heavy heart,

Nat Mandac'65

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We pray for the eternal repose of my kabatch Gamy and let eternal light shine upon him.

Rene Padilla, UPD Black Saints 65

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Brod Gamy is a heavyweight. He is an icon to most, openly and secretly. Brod Gammy truly represents all that is good and noble in man. We do not measure him, we just enjoy being with him. Yes, he was a true leader, but his strength lies not just in his principled mind but in his soft spot to love and care for others. His brotherly affection transcends batches and geography. his memories well entrenched to be emulated. His eagle-eyed disposition on things is well known to everyone more so with his Black Saints batchmates of which I am deeply attached. He knows when to bark and when to laugh. We will miss your presence but we will never miss your company. ever.

RGR'66

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We, the Chesapeake Bay brods, are saddened by Brod Gamy's passing. He exemplified true leadership when he headed the fraternity during those difficult times. He was firm but compassionate and strict but fatherly. He was well-respected by everyone. Above all, he was a true brother. For those of us whose lives he touched, we will miss him.

Our deepest condolences to Dulce and the Manikan family.

Ernie "Togi" Igot UPD70
Raoul Reyes UPD65 ( Gamy's batchmate )
Abe Agulto UPD71D

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Totally agree with every word you said brod. I still remember the brotherly embrace I received from him back in 2003, when he saw me again after 30 years. Tears of joy, brod. Kilala natin si Gamy. A gallant leader, a compassionate man. A true brother.

No cheers...

Ike '71

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Joining the chorus of sad voices, and bereaved hearts over the untimely loss of brod Gamy Manikan. Indeed a tragic loss for all of us, and for his young family.

To all of the Manikan family goes my sincerest personal condolence, prayers for the repose of his soul. May his passing teach us to nurture each other with mutual love and respect.

All the best, and Viva UP Beat Sigma ,
Winston '61 Diliman

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Sometime in 1966, Wally Garcia, Edwin Moscoso, Rey Matulac, Gamy Manikan, Oyette de Guzman, Tony Senga, Ding Cavestany and I were imbibing our usual Gilbey's London Dry Gin at Wally's house. We had been regularly hanging out together for several months and eventually we got to be close to each other. That night started no differently from the others. There was the usual stories, jokes, banter, loud voices, singing, etc. In the wee hours of the morning, talk turned a little serious and sentimental. We decided to officially form a group. One of the brods, I think it was Wally, pulled out a one peso bill and divided and tore it into 8 equal pieces. Barkadang Piso was born. We promised to meet at Eagle's Nest 20 years from that day. It never happened.

Wally, Gamy, Edwin and I were almost inseparable. We were relatively new brods. We may have gotten into trouble frequently, but there were times when we would talk of serious matters too. We were young, wild and irreverent. But we were dreamers too. We had this vision of getting to know and becoming acquainted with our alumni brothers and start involving them in resident affairs. It never happened.

Fast forward to 33 years later. I talked to Gamy about the UP Beta Sigma USA, a movement that would institutionalize the link between the residents and the alumni brods. He was beyond excited. He felt that our little dream of more than 30 years ago was now within reach. He became part of the organizing group.

Gamy promptly shared and contributed his own life's philosophy: "To be an asset, never a liability. To help UP Beta Sigma go forward, never to drag it down." Now that phrase has become a cornerstone of the UPBSFI Manifesto. It will live on. For in death, you have become bigger than life. And today, all of us, the brods, celebrate your life and give honor and respect to your lasting legacy. Ang Piso singkwenta na lang pero buo pa rin tayo.

However, there are a few misinformed that have called for the dissolution of the UPBSFI, the Movement that you were intimately a part of; a Movement that you have helped organize and nurtured to fruition. They say that it is closed for business. They're trying to drag it down, seemingly unable to appreciate what we have gone through. They have even declared it dead. But Gamy, kabatch, I promise: IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!

Danny Galoso'65

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"Let a thousand flowers bloom". The fraternity had posters all over the Diliman campus prior to the opening of the first semester of the school year 1971. Gamy Manikan was the Grand Princep and it was the 25th anniversary of the U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity. After the orientation of the freshman students at UP Theatre, the brods were outside handing out a rose to all the female students. This was one of Gamy's projects to draw attention to the fraternity and to show other students that we were not just a group of trouble makers on campus. We had a lot of good memories during his term as Grand Princep.

My condolences to Gamy's family.

Ed Rivera II, UPD 68A Blitzkreig

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To Dulce and the Manikan family,

We are deeply saddened by the loss of your loved one. He was an exemplary leader and a dependable brother who was always there in times of need.I surely missed his quiet and unassuming demeanor. We all loved him so dearly.

Bobby Pascual 68A

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POSTSCRIPT:

Dear Kabatches,

The final rites came to pass.
When Gamy's name was called thrice and no response was heard, the final rites commenced.
For a moment, time stood still and it was eerily silent - the silence was broken by the humming of
our Betan hymn. Our candles lit, we stood to honor and pray.
Eulogies from kabatches and Rolly Reyes66 followed.
Pol, Mon Ventura, Ricky, Chax, Ollie, Larry. Lito arrived late and begged off.
The undersigned narrated the Black Saints story, Gamy's rumble-tested Fiat, handgun,
overall leadership - marching to battle only when peace was not an alternative.
Mon Ventura read Danny's "Piso" and "dreams" email.
Ricky read eulogies from kabatches not present.
There was a very emotional moment when Chax appeared like he'd choke.
Chax praised Gamy for his leadership during trying times.
Ollie related Gamy's other side, being a guitarist, a musical person.
There was a light moment when Larry struggled to remember his batch year.
Larry recalled his high school and fraternity days with Gamy and his visit to La Union.

Farewell Gamy farewell.
We love you.

Pol65, UPD Black Saints.
We shall overcome.

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Pictures

[republished from Memory Lane and Picture-an]

UP Diliman Beta Sigma Fraternity circa 1969

*Standing, L-R: Bobby Manansala, GP Gamy Manikan, Bart Gacad, Ed Baldoria. Brod GP Gamaliel "Gamy" Manikan and Brods Bart Gacad, Ed "Chacks" Baldoria and Bobby "Ahas" Manasala in their usual Betan stance..

*Beta, L-R: Mario Pekas, Walter Navarro, Judge Rey, Fred Young, Fred Ang, Mel De Santos, Eric Ines, Nat Mandac, Babes Galoso, Bernie Bantegui, Ed Abon, Greg Banacia, Mon Ligason, Roliie Aquino, Ticks Manalang, Perry Callanta, Mike Cruz, Ross Fernando, Torch Manalang, Joe Lalas, Pol Damasco and Josue Castillo.

*Sigma, Right-L: Gene Puente, Joe Bautista , ____, Rey Bello, Sonny Aguilar, Jorge Sales, Danny Pamilar, Mon Agulto, Gil Marzo, Teofy Villanueva, Gabby Moraleda, Roger Aragon, Orly Fadera, Rey Rivera, Madz Gonzales, Engie De Gracia, Rollie Balingit, Elyboi Ongtangco, Boy Pawig (?) and Ale Bayangos.

"Some brods commented that this picture was taken days if not a day before that fateful UP Hayride in 1969. Jericho 69C was the youngest batch then. Brod Perry Callanta is seen on the picture wearing the long sleeved black sweat shirt for the event. The number of the brods in the picture, 46, is nowhere near the total number of resident brothers in UP Diliman which if combined with UP Manila, to my recollection, at that time is more than 120-brods strong. Lots of notable brods are missing in this picture which could be due to the fact that they had classes or simply were not around when the photo opportunity presented itself. All brods in the picture are the "taong tambayan" then which was a policy by Brod Gamy to show our big number and very close camaraderie. This was taken close to the old Betan Tambayan. Some brods say that it was taken at the grassy part above the road between Colleges AS and Business Ad on d way to Pavillion 4, This is a priceless picture capturing that period when we, resident brods, sang loudly and walked the campus proudly. This is a gem, a part of the Frat's legacy that should be preserved, memorialized and shared with all the brods old and young alike. Cheers. Cheers." -- by Ed Abon

UP Diliman Beta Sigma Fraternity circa 1970

[Photo by Noli Nolasco, ID by Pogs Gaspay and Bobby Manansala]

*The brods standing on the roof are Fred Young, Rawlinson Dimayuga, Macky Lamarca, Boyet Fernandez, Mike Cruz, Mon "Galit"
Ligason, Ed “Papainks”Paz, Buddy “Bajour” Curameng, Togi Igot, Cyrus Fagar, Cedric “Ninja” Gloria, Mel “deSade” de Santos,
Bobby Pascual, Walter Navarro, Chaks Baldoria, Rey Bello, Danny “Baduday” Pamilar, Gabby Moraleda, Gil Marzo, Ruben Medina,
Carlo Gervasio, Mike Anonuevo, Ed Tadiar, Alex Montero, Rey Carandang, Julius Cada, Emil "Uhu" Divinagracia, Bernie Bacosa,
Yen Mangahis, Bert Aberin and Gene Puente; and at the center, then new GP Gamy Manikan.

*Seated in front are: Orly Padera, Paeng Ochoa, Willie Nepomuceno, Bobby Manansala, Ed “Amang” Rivera, Ross Fernando
and Jun “Nokiboy”Bernal.

UP Diliman Beta Sigma Fraternity Silver Anniversary 1971

l-r:: Ed Maaba'64, Boi Wico'65, Larry Tumaneng'65, Raoul Reyes'65, UP Diliman GP Gamy Manikan'65,
Gilbert Joven'66, Jimmy de Luna'65, Norman Bituin'65 and Elmor Villanueva'65.

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Gamy and the Black Saints - through the years

1976

11th batch reunion, at ChaxB residence