From

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Betan Rites

Claret Chapels, UP Village

January 26, 2018

[Photos from Joel Paredes and Caloy Agulto]

Eulogy

by Benild Pires, UPD'64

I first met Brod Jimmy after I arrived in the Philippines in 1962 and started living in Area 14 in the Diliman Campus. Our family came from India to U.P. because my dad was assigned by UNESCO to the new Southeast Asia regional teacher educators training centre at the College of Education.

When I enrolled at U.P., I joined the U.P. International Club headed by Brod Tosiwo Nakamura of Micronesia. Brod Tosi was well known on campus and had many friends who became my friends too. One was Brod Jimmy. He was also enrolled for a degree in architecture, so we were classmates too.

We had many things in common. We were poor students academically. We had many distractions . . . extra-curricular activities. When we both realized in our own ways, after fours years at the College of Architecture, that we could not be architects, we both shifted to journalism and mass communications. I am not sure why Brod Jimmy gave up on architecture because he was much better in draughting plans than I was. I definitely lacked creativeness too.

It took me six years to get a degree. Some called me a perpetual student. I was never sure if Brod Jimmy ever got his but we shared the same tag.

But what we lacked in academics we made it up in extra-curricular activities. Fun stuff. When I headed the International Club of U.P., Brod Jimmy was an active member and officer. I leaned on him heavily to carry out our activities. In 1964, Brod Tosi and Brod Boy Morales persuaded me to join the fraternity. I am sure Brod Tosi also persuaded Brod Jimmy and Brod Belhaim Sakuma, from Micronesia, to join. Brod Jimmy knew the campus life well since he had lived in Area 5 for years. He was my mentor on how to avoid being caught by “masters” for physical initiation. Thus the only physical initiation I had was on our final night. When we finally became Betans, he knew how to use this fact to pursue coeds to go out on dates. Since I was raised in all-boys Catholic schools in India, I had much to learn from him as I had little experience in dating.

UPBSI-International website>Artwork>Caricatures by Brod Ely Santiago, UPD'58

ICUP Prez Benild being interviewed by Mao, Nixon, De Gaulle and Kosygin.

Brod Jimmy and I bonded well and he became one of my closest friends. We even worked together on The Collegian editorial board when Brod Jimmy Yambao was editor.

And when Laila and I got married in April 1969, he was one of our secondary sponsors. We kept in touch at Christmas and in 1982, when our family visited the Philippines, he was there to transport us around, have lunch with his family, and even made three large photographic canvasses of our two young sons, which we still have in our home in Victoria.

When our three adult children visited the Philippines, he was there to drive them to show them U.P. And to meet his family.

In 1986, when Vancouver hosted the World’s Expo Fair, the British Columbia government asked the residents of the province to invite friends to come to Vancouver with a program to expedite visas. I invited Brod Jimmy and he easily got a visa and came to visit us in Victoria. He stayed with us for six months hoping that he would be able to immigrate to the U.S. He took up some jobs in Victoria and helped me build a covered deck for our home. He knew more about construction than I did. One thing he loved with his meals was bagoong, so we ensured we had a good supply.

The next time I was honoured to enjoy Brod Jimmy’s company was when I went to the Philippines solo to attend the frat’s 50th anniversary celebration and again Brod Jimmy was there to drive me around and to visit the places we frequented in the 1960s.

In 2002, Brod Jimmy was in San Francisco when I attended the frat ball there and we had a great time together. The big ICUP reunion in 2013 at Diliman gave Laila and me another opportunity to enjoy his company at the reunion activities and at the home of Brod Vic Ramos, who hosted a grand dinner. More treasured memories.

UPBSI-International website>Picture-an 4

Former DENR Sec. Vic Ramos hosts grand dinner at his home, 2013.

UPD'64 batch mates Jimmy Santos, Jess Abrera and Benild Pires.

This year, our entire family vacationed in Palawan in March and six of us took the opportunity to visit Brod Jimmy at his home in Marikina when we were in Manila. He was by this time bed-ridden and unable to walk. He was in great spirits and he told us when we entered his room that he was determined not to cry. It was a sad moment to say goodbye to him, but his cheerful smile — as always — carried the day.

UPBSI-International website>Picture-an 6

Benild visits Jimmy at his home in Marikina for the last time, March 2018.

When Brod Joel Paredes extended an invitation to attend the frat ball on July 14 — just a few months after we had visited the Philippines, I bought my ticket to fly to the Philippines with the hope of being able to visit my dear Brod Jimmy on his 74th birthday on July 13. But it was not to be.

I am writing this eulogy in Toronto where we attended the wedding of Laila’s niece and we leave for New York early tomorrow morning. This is being done in a rush in the hope it can be read at the Betan last rites for Brod Jimmy on Tuesday, many hours ahead of our East Coast time. Thus this eulogy has not received the thought and proper preparation that Brod Jimmy truly deserves. My apologies Brod Jimmy.

Thanks for being a good friend, a truly brotherly Brod, and for being someone I could lean on in times of need.

And since you’ve reached heaven before I will, please bore a hole and pull me through.

Rest In Peace dear Brod.

UPBSI-International website>Central>July 2014

"Malmon's Got Talent: Heavyweight @ 68"

Jimmy and his Golden Jubilarian batch mates

Messages

Sad news: Sis Lorna sent me a message today that Brod Jimmy Santos passed away today. He was my batchmate and my closest Brod and friend. His deathbed wish was for the fraternity to have the Betan last rites for him. I hope this can be arranged.
I was hoping to see him when I go to Manila for the frat ball on July 14. I was planning on visiting him on his 74th birthday on July 13. I visited him when my family was in the Philippines in March.
He was bedridden from prostrate cancer that spread to his bones and he could no longer walk.
He is in pain no more and is resting in peace.

Fraternally,
Ben Pires Diliman ‘64

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Quite sad. I commiserate with Brod Jimmy’s family and with you Brod Ben. I knew how close you were to him. In his simple ways he had shown compassion and brotherly care. That’s why I relayed to you immediately the message from Brod Sandy about Brod Jimmy’s worsening condition and you responded quickly. I suggest you write a eulogy that will be read during the frat’s final rites.

Vic R

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Sad news, indeed. Deep condolence and prayers to the family. Rest in Peace brod Jimmy. You are now in the care of the Lord. You will feel pain no more. No cheers.

Ed Abon, UPD 69 A Panzer

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May he rest in Peace and God’s perpetual light shine upon him. Our condolences to the Santos family on the loss of Jimmy.

Brandy Ancheta

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Our deepest condolences to the family of Brod and kabatch Jimmy Santos. Has anyone have any information of interment of Brod Jimmy?

Eddie Jose, Batch 64

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Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. Rest in eternal peace Brod Jimmy.

Tony Frio

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Beautiful memories is all I have for Brod Jimmy Santos. As a neophyte, he indoctrinated me very well to the ways of our Fraternity. Among other things, he told me to pay our first Frat Adviser Tio David Wico a visit as one of my first acts as a Betan. As a new Brod, he was my mentor. He was gentle to fellow Brods but a warrior in battle. As a young professional, he worked as if there was no tomorrow. He married Lorna, the woman he so loved, a girl who I’ve known since high school. Faced with advanced stage of cancer, he bravely faced his fate and went through aggressive, but experimental form of treatment while he was in Los Angeles years ago. This bought him some more years, it appears.

We will miss you, Brod Jimmy. You have been an institution in our beloved Brotherhood. I’m sure we will meet again, in the bosom of the Almighty.

Tatang

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I will say a prayer for Brod Jimmy. Rest in Peace Brod!

Brod Jay Jay

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I join you and the rest of the members of the Beta Sigma Fraternity in praying for the repose of the soul of Brod Jimmy Santos '64. May he rest in Peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Brod Mon Ventura' BlackSaints 65

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Deepest condolences to Brod Jimmy's family and prayers for the repose of his soul.

Joe Rebano

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I have tried several times to contact him by phone to know how he was doing and to inform and share with him the exciting processes I have undergone and the procedures I have experienced at Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta, Canada
in my personal battle with prostate cancer from April-May, 2018, but to no avail.

My last phone conversation with him was last February 2018. We shared our frustrations in dealing with this malady and how he expressed his determination to face his problem without remorse or guilt although I could sense his pain and frustrations. He jokingly encouraged me to be as brave as he is. I shed tears for him that day for I know that he has some Life's dreams still to be accomplished.

We offer our sincere condolences and prayers to Brod Jimmy's family, relatives, and friends.

Betan regards,
Noli H. Nolasco'62B
President, UP Beta Sigma International

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Rest in peace brother Jimmy. Condolences to the family.

Josue Castillo

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Condolence to the family....

Binji

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My condolences to the Santos Family.

Humphrey Tumaneng

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Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Brod Jimmy Santos at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

Bernie Bantegui

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Our deepest condolences to the Santos Family. May the soul of Brod Jimmy rest in peace and eternal light shine upon him O Lord!

Bing Garcia

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Deepest sympathies to Brod Jimmy Santos' family.

Jopet

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Brod Jimmy is now free of pain and worries. Rest in peace brod Jimmy. My deepest condolences to the family of Brod Jimmy for their loss. We also lost a true Betan.

GilbertJ

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RIP Brod Jimmy.

Jun Mamaril

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Brod Jimmy aka Gemmo was not only a brother but a good friend as well. Our friendship started when I was just a neophyte when he asked me to report to him. At the time, I feared that it was one of those “additional sessions”. On the contrary, he conducted a special indoctrination that included paying Tio David Wico a visit to show my respect as soon as I passed the initiations. He was my mentor during my first six months as a fratman. Whoever I am today, I partly owe Brod Gemmo. A gentle person and soft-spoken person that he was, Gemmo was fierce in battle.

He would later marry my high school acquaintance Lorna Manalo, the love of his life. When he was in sales, I’ve never seen a person work so hard, going from office to office with his motorcycle. He often visited me at the Development Academy of the Philippines, where I worked for almost 20 years.

Fast-track to the 2000s. While he was in Los Angeles, Gemmo called me to say that he was going to undergo an aggressive but experimental procedure for his advanced prostate problem. I thought everything went OK after that, and there wasn’t a mention of this problem when we saw each other on fraternity balls.

But God had other plans for him. God gave him more years but would later summon him to His fold.

Go, Rest In Peace, Brod Gemmo. You have made a name for yourself on this earthly life. Till we meet again in a place where there is no more pain and suffering.

Tatang

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Hi brods,

Brod Jimmy will be cremated Tuesday morning at Heaven's Gate Memorial Garden along Marcos Highway in Antipolo CIty. After that his remains will brought to the Claret Church inside the Claret school compound on Mahinhin St. UP Village, QC. The family said the wake will start late Tuesday afternoon until Thursday morning, where his ashes will be brought to Heaven's Gate for interment.

OUR FINAL (LAST) RITES FOR BROD JIMMY IS SCHEDULED AT 7 PM TUESDAY NIGHT (ON THE REQUEST OF THE FAMILY ) AT THE CLARET CHAPELS. PLEASE WEAR WHITE.

We also offered to help the family in their expenses. They really need it badly.
For brods who would prefer to remit their "abuloy" please deposit to BDO Kabayan Savings Fairview Branch. Jaime M. Santos Jr, ACCT #0003 9035 2241. swift code;BNORPHMM. Yu can later text Brod Jimmy's son Jaybee at 09266491515.

joel p. '73

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Farewell, Brother Jimmy. May his family find solace in the knowing that he is now back with God, in bliss.

Carlo Malabanan, UPLB 77C

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Yes it is indeed sad and tragic that Jimmy suffered from such a terrible illness . I do remember him and his group at Diliman. They were a very lively, active group; indeed an asset to the fraternity during our time on campus. My condolence and prayers for the repose of his soul and for abundant blessing and grace from our God to his grieving family. I'm sure we all collectively share the loss of Brod Jimmy Santos.

Fraternally,
Winston '61- Diliman
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Late afternoon in Diliman, frat residents Jimmy and I are seating on a concrete bench near the College of Law fronting the Sunken Garden. Chatting, just killing but enjoying the time. He tells me about the year when he was a member of the UP Varsity baseball team, not a Betan (yet). He and his team mates had a run-in with the Sigma Rhoans. Jimmy said they attacked and caught them by surprise. He pulled out a knife and slashed at one of the big Sigma Rho "frontliners". Fast forward to the 80's. My close high school buddy, a Sigma Rhoan, invited me to the baptism of his son in Anaheim, CA. I knew his brod, the big "frontliner", was the godfather to his son. He introduces us - "Brod, barkada ko, Beta". Frontliner smiles, almost proudly shows me a small scar on his arm, and says - "Pare, eto bigay sa akin ni Jimmy Santos". We share more "war" stories and other campus tales over a few bottles of beer.

Another memory of Jimmy and Lorna that I remember was at the '69 frat ball when we were seated at the same table. I have kept the picture below and had posted it for him to see in our social media.

When Jimmy came to LA, probably some 12 years ago, he told me about his medical condition. He felt very fortunate that the prestigious USC Hospital had taken him in as a free trial patient. Like all the other concerned brods who knew him personally, I had given him moral and financial support and my prayers in his ordeal thoughout the years. I feel sad that the time has come. God bless your soul, Brod Jimmy, and the Lord bless your family too.

UPD '69 Frat Ball

l-r: Eliboy Ongtangco, Agnes & Bogs Cabanatan, and Lorna & Jimmy Santos.

P.S. No more knives in heaven.

Norman Bituin, Black Saints '65

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