Brod Manny Arejola, UPLB'57

August 26, 2009

This indeed is a sad news, much more for me. Brod Manny Arejola was my UPLB co-batch '57. The fact is most of the time we were together in reporting to those terror masters. We were the 36 survivor neophytes out of 83 at the famous ALABANG Final. I have not seen him since my graduation in 1959.  I pray that our beloved Brod Manny will be at peace now in the arms of the Almighty GOD!!!

Fraternally,
Brod Anggie Angliongto, UPLB'57, 8-27-09

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Brod Manny Arejola is on the third row (standing) sixth from left between Brod Nap Dagdagan (with glasses) and the parish priest of Sta. Cruz, Laguna, whose name I cannot recall (with glasses too).  This batch is composed mostly of participants from Sta. Cruz and sons of  high ranking PC officers from Camp Crame. Kaya malakas kami noon dahil may mga pambato. Arthur Alejar (father of Jojo Alejar) was an active member of the Cursillo and supporter of Khi Rho. He hails from Sta. Cruz.
Note: Nagtataka siguro kayo kung bakit parang nanghuhuli ng tutubi kaming mga nasa harapan. Ito ay sa dahilang yuong may dalang gitara on the left (Rod del Rosario) ay nahuli naming nananaginip na nanghuhuli ng tutubi. Kaya yoon ang issue sa kanya, hehehe...

Nol Banzon, 8-27-09

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This picture courtesy of Jojo Alejar'79 -- Knighthood of Khi Rho, Batch No. 7, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, April 19-21, 1968. I know Brod Manny Arejola is somewhere in this photo. But I could recognize the brods in the front row -- Rotsen Lawas'66, Orly Magistrado'64, the late Boy Vera'64 and Manolo Banzon'68.

Dutch Aragones, 8-26-09

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My condolence to the bereaved family of Brod Manny Arejola. I was a member of the Khi Rho Movement under his leadership when I was in UPLB.  I attended the recollection at the Jamboree site and it was my first time to join a religious movement. I didn't know how to pray at that time, even the "Our Father" or "Hail Mary."

When I left UPLB, I was told that he was actively involved with the Federation of Free Farmers. I met several of his members when I was in Calatrava, Negros Occidental. I was then involved with the PCCSJAR. Brod Manny is a great leader, maliit pero matinik. We will surely miss him. May his soul rest in the peace.

Johnny Regadio, 8-26-09

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Well said. he was indeed a very inspirational speaker and a good motivator. Condolence to the Arejola's.

Nick Galvez., 8-26-09

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I became a member of Khi Rho in Cebu in late 60's, the first time I met Manny Arejola, with Fr. Ed and Charlie.  I didn't know he was a Beta Sigman then, and never met him again even when I became a brod in 1973.  A very sorry miss!  He was indeed very gifted...  Cheers for Brod Manny!!!  May he find eternal rest...

Ollie Jumao-as, 8-26-09

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After watching Brod Manuel "Manny/Maning" Arejola on TV several times over during the pre-Martial Law years, leading the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) in rallies in front of Congress, it was a great honor for me to meet him in person in 1973.
 
He was a regional executive at the Population Commission (POPCOM) in the early 70s and I was a young professional. For many years, he lived in the Miag-ao, Iloilo and was POPCOM's Regional Executive Director (RED) for Region VI. He was to me the best and the brightest among the 13 REDs at that time, and at one time was even considered to be POPCOM's top honcho. 
 
As far I know Manny, he was always advocating causes that are bigger than himself. As an activist and outspoken person, he feared no one. A lot of people hated his guts and his intelligence. He had a way with words and could razzle-dazzle his listeners with awesome statistics and excellent presentation skills.
 
Until the day of his death, Brod Manny was Project Director of Kanlungan ng Buhay, Inc., a non-governmental agency promoting pro-life causes. He was a most sought-after speaker among Pro-Lifers.
 
Here is a toast to a fallen brother who spent his life dutifully advocating noble causes. You are gone, but you will not be forgotten for a long, long time.
 
Willie "Tatang" Vergara, 8-26-09

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Indeed a sad day for all.

I've known brod Manuel "Maning" Arejola in the late 60's and early 70's. He was Khi Rho Movement's leader, strategist and point man, a Christian youth movement born in UPLB that he co-founded with Kiko Hilario, Fr. Sluemman, Chuck Mooney and others. Composed mostly of students, members of the Academe, young professionals and progressive clergy and local members of the community and the final ingredient, his Fraternity brothers, the movement metamorphosed from local to national in scope.

He led the KRM in demonstrations in Manila, most famous are the demonstrations in Agrifina Circle, San Miguel Pro Cathedral and Malacanang Palace, bringing with him students from UP, "colegialas" from exclusive schools in Manila (Maryknoll, St. Scho, St. Theresa...), priests and nuns, seminarians, peasants, farmers from the FFF and men and woman clamoring for social change. He had that kind of fire and enthusiasm, a charisma that engulfed all of us. He was a writer too, a brilliant strategist, an outstanding speaker, a man that could read your mind and, when faced with a critical problem, render a fast solution.

And most of all he was a Betan Sigman. Yes, he will be missed but not forgotten. And for all of us of us who knew him, fond memories of a not too distant past. My deepest condolence. May you rest in peace.

Nol Banzon, 8-26-09

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Brod Tito Ordoveza, UPLB'52

July 28, 2009

Brods,

Another stalwart of the Fraternity, Dr. Tito Ordoveza passed away. Brod Tito was an honorary member of the Fraternity in '52, the same batch as Johnny Quijano, Dave and Frank Gorrez, Flor Quebral, Pat Laysa and many others.  He was a professor of agricultural engineering and hosted many sleep overs and one final initiation at the Ordoveza compound in Bay.

Tito took me in as his young brother even before I joined the Frat and I considered him my Big Brother while I was in college.  Let us remember him in our prayers.

Ed Quisumbing'56, 7-28-09

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Brod Eddie Mabesa, UPLB'50

July 25, 2009

Your accounts of Brod Ed Mabesa allow us to visualize what kind of a brod he was and makes me understand the depth of your feelings of loss at his demise. Stories like what you recount are very important, not only for aptly honoring their memory, but also for allowing us to better deeper our bonds as brothers in a community formed from different chapters and now literally scattered to the four winds. Your feelings of loss reminds me of the sadness I, and brods who knew Teddy Rey, felt when he passed away last year. Just a few days ago, Goddy Santiago (UPD batch 57) whom I had the privilege of meeting for the last time in 2006, and another brod who was my contemporary (Lee Manikan who died in his sleep) died and was again reminded by the fact that we are all diminished when one brother dies. 

To the memory of these brods!

Pogs Gaspay 7-27-09

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Brod Manny had several funny ideas during his time. He once suggested that to increase milk production in the Philippines we should pigs instead of cows. He said cows only had 4 teats while pigs can have 8 to 10 teats. Brod Manny will be truly missed. May the Good Lord take him into fold and raise him to heaven. Good bye Brod.

Ernie Tremor'58  7-27-09

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My family and I are deeply saddened by the death of Brod Ed Mabesa. My first job after graduation was with Brod Ed Mabesa at San Luis, Caraga, Davao Oriental at the Insular Veneer Inc. where we experienced of all kinds exciting activities. I was assigned in the mountain to perform timber cruising and it was a 2 day-hike to the area. From Davao, Ed and I went to Palawan to Conduct a preliminary survey of potential concession areas for Insular Veneer Inc. We parted ways when I decided to join the Bureau of Forestry. I last saw him in Tandag, Surigao del Sur when I was already a District Forester. He was passing by in connection with his job. That was probably 30 years ago. How time flies. Ed was indeed a true and die-hard Betan.
 
Ernie Tremor'58  7-26-09

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I am deeply saddened to learn about the death of Brod Eddie Mabesa when Brod Nestor Lawas told me the news on our way to a camping trip yesterday.

Brod Ed Mabesa is very close to my heart because I took several subjects under him when I was taking up my Masters degree in Forestry (Environmental Science). He was my thesis adviser and my critique on many technical papers that I prepared. He was so very kind, caring, approachable, jolly, and level-headed. What I really admire of him was his very fatherly approach especially in dealing with the problems of brods. Being one of founders of the UPLB Beta Sigma Fraternity, he made sure that not one would "stray in a direction that will cast dishonor upon the name of" the Beta Sigma Fraternity. Nagagalit din siya sa mga brods kung hindi tama ang kanilang gigagawa. He is one of the stalwarts of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity that I am proud to have associated with. I am also honored to have known him and be apart of my professional and fraternal life.

He is a professional forester and dedicated most of his life to forestry education in the Philippines after coming from abroad.  When I went back to the Philippines early this year I asked about him and even told some of the forestry brods that I would hopefully see him next year during the 10-10-10 celebration because I want reminisce the good old days of my graduate studies with a bottle of Fundador.

Now that he is gone, all I have to do is to keep his memories alive in my heart. So long, Brod Ed.  Thank you so much for being a good father and brother to the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity.

I will continue to pray for the repose of your soul. To the bereaved family, may you find peace and comfort in the Divine dwelling of the Holy Trinity in your soul.

Johnny P. Regadio Forestry '66, 7-26-09

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Indeed, this is another sad day for our fraternity. Per Brod Ruben Pascual, our incumbent President of the UP Beta Sigma Alumni Association, Inc., the death of brod Ed Mabesa is the 17th for this year, and the 5th for the week. Let us all pray for the eternal repose of the soul of brod Ed Mabesa and  the souls of all our departed brothers.

TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF OUR ESTEEMED BROTHER EDDIE MABESA, OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF HIS SOUL. MAY GOD'S ETERNAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM AND MAY HE JOINED HIS CREATOR IN HIS ULTIMATE AND PROMISED HOME CALLED HEAVEN.

Rene de Rueda, 7-25-09

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It is another sad day to learn about the death of one of the Founders of UPLB Beta Sigma. I had a chance to be with Brod Edie together with DENR Foresters during the December 2008 UP Christmas Party at Quezon City.

To the bereaved family of Brod Eddie Mabesa please receive my condolence.

Cosme Santiago, UPLB Forestry '67b, 7-25-09

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