From

IN MEMORIAM

Brod Carmelo "Mel" Gulfin

UP Los Baños '65

July 16, 1948 - December 11, 2020

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Obituary and Wake

Thomson Memorial Home, Red Bank, NJ, USA

Funeral Mass

St. James Church, Red Bank, NJ, USA

December 17, 2020

~ The Facebook Live of Papa's viewing, which is 1:35:39 long. It shows family members (myself, Mama, my brothers Felix and Miguel, my husband Todd, and Papa's siblings Tony and Bing) thanking people for coming to the virtual viewing, and then Mama speaks and sings around the 1:11:00 mark. https://www.dropbox.com/s/el1u8qdxg54jugl/Facebook%20Live%20Video-Carmelo%20Gulfin%20Viewing-2020-12-17.mp4?dl=0

~ The video slideshow we put together for Papa, which is 8:32 long. You can hear Papa singing and playing guitar. The songs he sings are "Seasons", which my Papa wrote; "Silver Threads Among the Gold", an old song that my Papa's late mother Lilia taught her children; and "Try to Remember" from the musical The Fantasticks, which my Papa loved to sing. https://www.dropbox.com/s/38ps74246oq3rcv/Carmelo%20Gulfin-In%20Memoriam.mp4?dl=0

~ The funeral mass at the church can be found on sjredbank.org. Scroll down to the media player (which shows an image of the St. James Church exterior) and click play during a time when there is no mass. It will give you a message saying, "St. James Church, Red Bank, NJ is not broadcasting right now." Click on Previous Broadcasts and then select Funeral: Carmelo Gulfin Thu 12/17/2020 10:56 am.

Thank you!

[Note: the arrow is part of picture only.]

Betan Last Rites via Zoom

New Jersey - Dec 29, 2021

Some family pictures from the video slideshow

Messages

My text message to Mel & Bebys, Oct. 11:

Hi Mel & Beybs,

Great talking to you both yesterday. It was fun reminiscing about our younger days. Those were memorable moments when you were doing your gig at Butterfly in the early 70’s. After our night MBA class in Diliman, we’d head to and be sipping that Butterfly ice tea and relax listening to your soothing folksongs.

I’ll pass your thanks to Ike. Mel, you’re always in our prayers and our thoughts.

I’m sharing these three pics when we spent some time together at Monterey last year. As usual, you were the mastermind of the fun with music at the nightcap after the ball.

Cheers and always with faith in the Lord,
Norman

Thank you very much Beloved Brod!! The fun is so contaminating!!

What a reunion. The pictures show Mel nung masaya n healthy pa sya!! Salamat, these pics mean a lot!! God bless you and all the brods always!!

Thank you Norman. He will be very happy to see this. Tomorrow I will show him when I visit, all 3 photos!!

Beybs

Rest in peace, Brod Mel Gulfin, UPLB’65. My prayers and deepest condolences, Bebys and family.

Norman Bituin

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Mel Gulfin the folk singer. Sad. His wife Beybs with a lovely voice is a friend. We worked together at Responsible Parenthood Council. And also with Norman and other Brods (and wives of Brods). Nakikiramay.

Boyet Fernandez

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My condolences to the loved ones of Brod Mel. May he rest in eternal peace.

Edwin Acuña

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Naalala ko si Brodee MelG, pag tumutugtog sa Chattanoooga/Apaloosa sa Kamias Road, lakas ng boses at pag humataw ng acoustic guitar parang mapuputol ang strings! Galing! Rest in Heavenly peace, Brother Mel Gulfin, with the music of angels, in Father God's loving presence. Sincere Condolences to the bereaved family.

Butch Madarang

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My condolences to the bereaved family of Brod Mel G. Rest in peace, my brother.

Dutch Aragones

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Condolences to the family of Brod Mel. May our beloved Brod Mel rest in the presence of our Lord.

Dan Lachica

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Rest in peace Brod Mel Gulfin. Our prayers and sympathies.

Billy Sevilla

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Prayers and condolences to the family if Brod Mel Gulfin. Rest in peace brother.

Bong Beredo

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Sincere condolences to the family of Brod Mel Gulfin. May he rest in peace.

Ross Fernando

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Rest in peace, Brod Mel Gulfin. Condolence to the family.

Nandy Paras

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R I P Brod Mel Gulfin!

Edgar Flores

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Condolences to the family of brod Mel Gulfin.

Jojo Alejar

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Rest in peace brod Mel Gulfin! No cheers!

Rollie Santos

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Rest in peace, Brod Mel Gulfin. My sincerest condolences to the family.

Lionel Latoja

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Rest in peace brod Mel Gulfin!!! Our love and prayers.

Carlos Agulto

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Brod Mel Gulfin was one of local folk singers I idolized even before I became a Betan. Regret not having met him personally though. May your soul rest in peace idol brother Mel!

Nilo Punzalan

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Rest in heavenly peace, Brod Mel Gulfin.

Victor Ramos

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Mel and Babes were a lovely pair in the campus. Mel and I from time to time sang together in school presentations while Babes and I sat together as representatives to the UP Student Council. Nakikiramay sa pamilya Gulfin!

Willie Nep

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Condolences and prayers to the bereaved family of Brod Mel Gulfin, may he rest in heavenly peace.

Ferdie Echiverri

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Deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Brod Mel Gulfin. May he rest in peace.

Rene de Grano

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RIP Brod Mel Gulfin. May God’s eternal light shine upon you.

Yay Topacio

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Rip Brod Mel G.

Minoru Espartero

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1968 in UPLB. Annie and I just got married and rented a house at the UP College of Forestry Makiling Heights. Many brods usually came to visit us.

One of those was Brod Mel who always regaled us with his folk songs. This is the Brod Mel we see. Our condolences to the family.

Rest in peace Brod Mel. We will surely miss your wonderful songs. Our condolences to the family.

Tony Frio

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I remember Brod Mel G. during my residency stay in UPLB. Brod Mel would make haranas to beautiful girls esp the daughters of American Peace Corps who were assigned in the College. W/ just a guitar & riding the ikot jeep in the campus he attracted the white girls w/ his singing & guitar renditions competing w/ Cassanovans w/ their flashy cars coming from rich families. In the end you would see Brod Mel w/ the girls just walking w/ the guitar on his shoulder going to a place where his wares & talents were rendered! The great talent of a Beta Sigman!!!

Vic Tupaz

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Rest in peace, Brod Mel Gulfin. My sincerest condolences to the family.

Ed Paz

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Rest In Peace Brod Mel G.

Ben Ferriols

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Condolences and prayers. RIP Brod Mel G.

Rudi Oviedo

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Remembering brod Mel Gulfin, UPLB '65...Writer Edmund Silvestre, in an article in "The Filipino Reporter", writes that before Carmelo (Mel) and Aurelia (Beybs) left their UP Village home in 1991, were producers and composers of several regular radio-TV advertisement jingles. Among them were the San Miguel Beer "Bilmoko", "Sh-Boom" jingles and all other San Miguel jingles that featured the late Fernando Poe Jr and also the Johnson's Baby Powder jingles.

Freddy Fajardo

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Condolence to brod Mel's family and prayers to brod Mel Gulfin.

Poni

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Rest in Peace, brod Mel.

Caesar Michelena

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We pray, brod Mel, rest in eternal peace, Amen.

Brandy Ancheta

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I remember Mel dropping by our School (SAMP) in PGH to serenade us in the late 60's. We express our sincere gratitude and sympathy.

Jimmy de Luna

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Farewell, Brod Mel.

Carlo Malabanan

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So sad. Rest in peace with our Lord Brod Mel Gulfin. Our heartfelt sympathy to you sis and your family.

Long Belen

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So sad to hear that our Brod Mel just passed away.

UPLB with Mel and Beybs

Mel loved crispy pata

Nick Galvez

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This is a sad day for all of us. May the soul of brod Mel peace.

Bob de la Torre

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Rest in peace Brod Mel.

Jun Cornejo

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Rest in Peace , brother Mel, I will ever miss you. My thoughts and prayers, finally!!! Brod, no more pain, no guts no glory!

Manny Cayetano

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May u rest in peace Brod Mel.

Ruben Umali

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Rest in Peace, brod Mel.

Edwin Maninang

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My sympathies and prayers to the family of Brod Mel. May he Rest In Peace.

Art de Vera

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Deepest condolences to the family of Brod Mel.

Ric Bartolome

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Brod Mel with Rots, Ferns and me last May at Monterey, Ca. Sure gonna miss the Gentle Giant of a man soft spoken and great Folk singer. We love you.

Nol Banzon

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Nakikiramay sa nagluluksang pamilya.

Alex

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So sorry to hear the passing of my beloved Brod Carmelo “Mel” Gulfin. He’ll really be missed. How can I forget him when we both a SERVICE awardees during the frat!s year 1966-67. Goodbye my Brod ‘till we meet again.

Carlos Belleza

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Our deepest condolences to Beybs , Gem and the rest of the Gulfin family and May Brod Mel Rest In Peace , we pray that eternal rest grant unto him O Lord.

Benjamin Garcia

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My condolence to you and your family. Your father will be missed. He was a good man.

Otto Kaufmann

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With a heavy heart Pio & I receive the news of the passing on of beloved Brod. MEL GULFIN. MAY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

Victoria

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Farewell my dear Brother. May your songs fill the heavens. Sincere condolences to Beybs and family.

Vee de Vera

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Descansa en paz (RIP)... mi hermano Mel... Descansa ya tu Mel...

Armando Dayrit

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Rest In Peace Brod Mel.

Wally Kison

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Rest in Peace Brod Mel.

Edgardo Carandang

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Rest in peace Brod Mel. Our deepest sympathy to the Gulfin Family.

Nestor Lawas

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Til we meet again, my brother! RIP, Brod Mel G!

Antonio Sarrosa

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Ang aming pakikramay sa pamilya n Brod Mel G. May his soul rest in peace.

Kiko Reyes

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Rest in peace Brodear Mel G.

Boying Liwag

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Brod Mel Gulfin I’m deeply saddened!

Edwin Antonio

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Farewell brother Mel Gulfin. Rest in peace. God Loves You! Our sincerest Condolence to Baybes & family. I remember Mel during our UPLB days...he was a very friendly person, he sang beautiful folksongs and most of all he could not speak Tagalog...farewell my brother.

Dave Ramos

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My condolences to the Gulfin and Sarrosa Families.

Bernie Bituin

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RIP Brod Mel G. Our prayers for your eternal rest, and our condolences to the Gulfin family!

Rene de Rueda

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I am very very sad to lose again another batch mate who are specially very dear to my heart....Ray Matulac, first, Douglas M second and now Brod Mel.

After a long battle with his medical issues, Brod Mel was able to face it calmly with his very strong faith. I know he will be happier up there. I will surely miss our many hour long FaceTime before he went to bed. Surely, he is now resting peacefully with HIM.

Eric Punzalan

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Condolences Brod Toto and rest in peace Brod Mel.

Ed Cheng

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Condolence to the family. Rest in Eternal Peace Brod Mel.

Jay Cruz

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Condolences to the wife and family of Mel G. May he Rest In Peace.

Jesse M. ‘70b

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RIP Brod Mel. Condolences to his love ones.

Willy Ibarra '76D

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Rest In Peace, Brod Mel. You’ve physically left us, your fraternity brothers, but your name and memories will ever be remembered.

Jim Gonzalvo

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Thank you Gem for posting Brod Mel’s picture. It was my wife who also remembers your father with a golden voice. Singing in some of our occasions.

Long Belen

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Rest in peace Brod Mel. Condolences to the family.

Adrian Liberato

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RIP Brod Mel G.

Henry Chua

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Condolence to the bereaved wife of Brod Mel and the whole Gulfin family for the demise of our brother Mel. May his soul Rest In Peace. Let's all include the soul of Brod Mel Gulfin in our prayers.

Maeng Ramirez

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Rest In Peace Brod Mel and condolences to Beybes n family.

Ben Hur Aguila

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My deepest condolence to Brod Mel's family and loved ones. I remember well his beautiful folk singing and his guitar. Rest in peace brother.

Vic Valdepenas

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May you rest in peace with our Lord brod Mel.

Mark Nubla
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Brod Mel Gulfin, ur folksinging wil b surely missed! My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of brod Mel.

Remembering brod Mel Gulfin, UPLB '65...Writer Edmund Silvestre, in an article in "The Filipino Reporter", writes that before Carmelo (Mel) and Aurelia (Beybes) left their UP Village home in 1991, were producers and composers of several regular radio-TV advertisement jingles. Among them were the San Miguel Beer "Bilmoko", "Sh-Boom" jingles and all other San Miguel jingles that featured the late Fernando Poe Jr and also the Johnson's Baby Powder jingles.

Freddy Fajardo

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I remember being with Mel when he was mixing and putting final touches on Fred Panopio's "Bilmoko" in a recording studio in Makati. We were unaware of the heavy ashfall outside from Pinatubo. Memories. Malalim ang aming pinagsamahan ni Mel and I deeply grieve his passing but the Lord willed to put an end to his suffering.

Thaddeus Hamoy

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Back in the early ‘90s, I would catch up with you and Mel G. during the short furloughs from my Japan posting. What caught my attention then was the growing spiritual dimension to our lives, which, to my mind, could explain why Mel G. turned his back on a very lucrative musical career, away from promoting ‘sin’ items, like alcoholic beverages.

What remains to be my most cherished moments with Mel G. Were our meet-up in NY in 2014, when he drove all the way from his NJ place with Nick G. This was followed later by a long telephone call upon my return to my temporary abode in Chicago, when he serenaded me with his folk singing. About a month ago, on sick bay, we had our last conversation. Farewell, dear brother. You deserve to rest in the heavenly place Our Father has prepared for you!

Larry Santiago

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Flashback 2005

UPBSI website, Announcements: Raffle for Brod Mel's immigration deportation case raises $3,735

Postscript, 1/11/2021:

Saw the website posts last nite, it made me cry. I let go of my tears hoping crying will help me heal.

Thanks Beloved Brod (that’s how Mel addressed his brods!).

He left such a huge void that will be very hard to fill!! But let me take my hats off to you and all his brods. At many points in his life — in our detention, when he was sick, and when he said his final goodbye -- his Beta brods showed him genuine brotherhood that is more than lip service. There were no vows made such as in marriage: “in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer etc. till death do us part” and yet, you all remained faithful during those times and beyond. Truly, in all of you, Mel found a family.

I wish I could post this in your website but I don’t know how!! I love you all and now that he is gone, I pray you all will still consider me a sister. God bless you all!!

Beybs

We have a frat maxim: "Once a Betan, always a Betan". As Mel always will be.

Our utmost respect and love to you sister Beybs and your family.

Norman

Brod Jeremias "Jerry" Casala

UP Los Baños Forestry '65

July 29, 1946 - November 28, 2020

Message

It is again with sadness to inform the Brotherhood on the death of Brod Jerry Casala, uplb- forestry batch 1965, last November 28, 2020 at his residence in Casiguran, Aurora province. He died in his sleep, accordingly, due to "Cardiogenic Shock". His internment was on December 5, 2020, also in Casiguran.

He was reportedly suffering from renal disorder and was having a periodic dialysis procedure. Unfortunately, due to the restrictions imposed by the Philippine government on Covid-19 pandemic, the Brotherhood was not able to conduct the final rites for Brod Jerry.

Brod Jerry was a soft spoken Brother but very active in the affairs of the Brotherhood, and very helpful to Brods in need during his college days and even in his active years as a field official and as a Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Philippine' Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). He was born on July 29, 1946 in Casiguran, Aurora. He was married to Mrs. Carolina "Coring" M. Casala, and blessed with an only child- John Rhyan M. Casala, who is married to Charisel H. Casala. Brod Jerry was gifted with one grandson in the name of Matthew Murdock H. Casala.

I had a chance to talk to the wife of Brod Jerry, Sis Coring, and extended to her the Brotherhood's condolences and prayers for his eternal rest.

Brod Jerry first graduated his Forest Ranger Course and received his Certificate of Forestry at the UPLB College of Forestry in 1966. After his Forest Ranger graduation, he joined the then Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) as a Forest Officer. He was an accomplished Field Officer of the BFD, and as a reward, he was chosen to be a BFD scholar in late 1970s to pursue the course of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry at UPLB College of Forestry. They were called in the College as "Belo Boys", the term used to the BFD employees who were on study scholarship. He finished his BSForestry in 1981 and, thereafter, went back to his work at the then BFD. He retired as a CENRO of the DENR in the province of Aurora.

The last time I met Brod Jerry was sometime in December, 2018 when we visited Brod Jimmy Dimaano, uplb- forestry batch 1963, at Los Banos. We had a good lunch and great bonding for Brods who have not met for quite some time, not knowing that it would be our last of hugging and laughing together. Before we parted ways, he gave us "dried pork of baboy damo"/ wild pig, which was very good as pulutan when taken with a bottle of cold beer.

As they say, life is a gift that must be spent wisely while here on earth, and I am convinced that Brod Jerry had lived his life fully with his family and friends, including his life with fraternity Brothers.

Rest in peace, Brod Jerry, and hope that you are able meet in heaven the many Brothers who have gone ahead of us. We will continue to pray for your eternal rest.

We will surely miss you, Brother!

Rene, uplb '64

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