Brod Melchor de Santos, UPD'68a

died October 2, 2009

"Mel the Beloved"

  (Eulogy in honor of Brod Melchor de Santos, UPD '68a

by Brod Manuel Gaspay at the fraternity’s final rites on October 7, 2009)

Mel the Beloved

He has been called Mr. Beta Sigma, The Fearless and Feared Warrior, Kuya Brod Mel…and even Lolo Brod Mel I hear. He was all these, but the name to me that distills the essence of Melchor de Santos as a Beta Sigman most, is Mel the Beloved. For he gave us as much brotherly love as we now witness countless brods express for him.

Tears flow, sadness grips us, grief rips our hearts... and it is to the gift of remembering we turn to comfort us. For there is much to break our long faces to a grudging smile as we reminisce the good times, and even the trying ones we shared with Mel.

Where is the memory of Mel? It is in the faces of these mourning brods, in every word of remembering they utter, in every act of bereavement they make. It’s in a weeping Gerry Abenes in Richmond, California pouring precious spirits to the ground for Mel, lamenting - “Hindi ko man lang napainom ng masarap na alak ang aking mahal na brod.” Mel’s palmprints and footprints on Beta Sigma spans generations of resident brods. It’s in the e-mails of brods outpouring their grief.

Mel as a Beta Sigman Long Before He Was One

Judz Rey 68, a batchmate of Mel, fondly remembers in Indiana and says: “Mel was a Betan way before he became a brod. I remember sitting next to this very tough looking guy…with a huge Beta Sigma sticker on his text book, he looked even more intimidating. I was an amuyong and from then on, I sat as far away from this young 'Betan'. When our initiation resumed in 1968,  additional applicants to our batch showed up, and one was this tough looking "Betan" Mel. We had fond memories in Diliman - taking care of the more important non-academic matters!! I last saw Mel in February 2008 when we got together to celebrate our 40th year as Betans.  He had lost a lot of weight and before I could ask him how he was, he flexed his muscles and assured me that everything was fine. I'm sure he's fine now - with batchmates Mon, Butch, Conde and Lee giving him comfort after his courageous dash through life's difficult gauntlet.”

In the collection of pictures of the early sixties of Wally Rodriguez, you will see Mel as a high-school kid already hobnobbing with the likes of Eding Hizon, Dolf de la Rosa, batchmates of his brother Tito, and wearing Beta Sigma tees.

Mel as a Fearsome and Fearless Karateka

Noli Nolasco 62 in Alberta, Canada writes: “Brod Mel was among the “cream of young full hearted brods” with UP Beta Sigma School of Martial Arts that had persevered during the significant and golden days of martial arts in the fraternity in the 70’s. He was one of my most advanced students that had shown the devotedness of learning the art without compromise and grievance. His raw aggressiveness and rugged determination had created an undefined aura within the UPBSSOMA and in the brotherhood. I will always cherish those activities of the UPBSSOMA performing martial arts exhibitions at Philippine Science High School, at the Diliman Campus, at the UP Los Banos tournaments, at the KAFEPHIL tournament in Bicol, etc.  Brod Mel was at the center stage of those memorable days. Those moments will remain with me as well as in the thoughts and recollections of his fellow practitioners of the arts in the BSSOMA and brothers in the fraternity. He will continue to live with us in our hearts and through our Betan tradition of honoring brods that have made a difference in our brotherhood.”

Mel as the Gentle Master and Mentor

Grief-stricken Bong Jamir 72 in Honolulu recalls: “This is my first time to participate in any discussion in our group.  I am doing this since I am one of those amuyongs who survived our dreaded initiation due to Mel de Santos.  I first joined the frat summer of 71 right after high school and was forced to quit since my dad and eldest brother are Upsilonians.  Mel and my ninong Joe Lalas talked to me every opportunity they had to convince me to apply back. Mel talked to me and ka-batch Vio Acuna when our batch was down to just the "Dos Desperados".  He constantly encouraged us to go on even if our batch was down to two. Mel even carried me on his back just to enable me to cross the vicious "final gaunlet".  I will never become a Betan if not for him. The last time I saw him was January of 1996 when my eldest son was doing summer classes in UP.  Bobby  Manansala is right that no Betan has done anything comparable to what Brod Mel de Santos had done for the fraternity.  He had saved my behind so many times not only in frat rumbles but also with my various involvements during the early 70’s.  Kuya Mel was my constant visitor when I was confined at Camp Panopio for several months.  Kahit nga tatlong sticks ng sigarilyo ay dadalhan ka niyan.  He will always be my big brother forever. Kuya Mel, paalam at maraming salamat sa lahat ng ginawa mo para sa akin at sa ating fraternity... “

Manolo Banzon 68 in San Francisco, California similarly recalls: “Last night during our conversation, Ike and I were reminiscing our younger years. During initiations one does not have to be bruto. One just has to be unique. One name came up -- Mel de Santos. Ike was so touched by Mel during his amuyong days; how he made a lasting impression. Mel was a brod who touched many brothers not only in our mother chapter, but also in Los Banos where he was a star in our Dual meets, always there with that smile, that look and eagerness to show who he was at SOMA. He had lots of admirers, and friends too. Cross-enrolled in Diliman I met him -- his fame, fearlessness and readiness to handle difficult situations anytime. He was indeed far beyond compare during those days. We shall surely miss him. He is homebound now.”

Yay Topacio 88 writes from Hawaii: “Nalalaman kong totoo lahat ang tinuran ng Brods tungkol kay Brod Mel. Isa rin ako sa humanga sa kanya mula pa ng ako ay isang neophyte…Brod Mel was one of the more "gentle" masters sa mga neophytes.  Ang galing niya talagang mag-alaga sa amin noong mga amuyong pa kami. Ng maging Brod na ako, ilang beses akong nag-volunteer sa mga "overnight" silk screening ng mga Malmon t-shirts (anniversary, Palakas, Operation Big Brother etc.) sa bahay nila Mel just so I could get to know him better as a Brod and also get some "karate tips." Nakakalungkot isipin na sa susunod na anniversary sa July 14, 2010 ay hindi na makikita ng mga resident brods at ng mga ilang alumni Brods si Brod Mel at ang kanyang motorsiklo sa ating tambayan. Kasi naman Brod Mel never missed the tambayan festivities (umaga hanggang gabi) every July 14 of the year. It makes me even sadder thinking that our new Brods from hereon will never get to meet him. Surely, they will have the consolation of hearing stories about him and how he lived his life as a Beta Sigman. Magkasama na nga sila ni Brod Tito ngayon. Makes me wonder how both these icons, together with our other departed Brods will celebrate our anniversary up there.”

A clearly shaken Joe Lalas 69 e-mails from Southern California: “Mel was a Betan legend -- a warrior, a gentleman and a loving frat brother. He was a gentle, loving frat brother. Just like his older brother Tito, he listened well and I felt respected and cared for…Sayang, wala na si Mel.”

And Mel as the Incorrigible Beta Sigma Presence on Campus

A very saddened brod Rolly Reyes 66 in Bulacan writes: “My heart bleeds for this great loss. When "ninong" Tito de Santos gave me the honor to sponsor his blood brother Mel de Santos, he tapped me on my shoulder and said - "Inaanak, ikaw na bahala kay Mel... I can't bear the pain of seeing him suffer, at least ikaw, kaya mo siyang alalayan coz alam nyang malapit tayo." I'll never forget these words from my sponsor brod Tito. From a distance, I watched him evolve as a true-blue UP Beta Sigman, give his best and all to try and follow Brod Tito's sizeable footprints in the fraternity. His candor and easy-going ways masked his inner pain in surmounting his own difficult encounters in this sometimes difficult life. His own little ways of delivering his message of tight affinity to our brotherhood transcends batches as we all know: Mel de Santos is Mel de Santos to anyone, everybody or anybody - young and old. Sometimes he would ask me, "Ninong ikaw na magsabi kay Tito, hindi ko kayang sabihin sa kanya" and I would definitely oblige. I felt so close and comfortable with these two "de Santoses" as I was close to their family. He was always ready to lend a helping hand in all activities of the frat, always giving more than what was expected of him. Brotherhood and friendship are sometimes two virtues that are poles apart... Mel was able to give and emulate both for the fraternity. Dear inaanak: paalam and I love you.”

From another Mel batchmate, Walt Navarro, somewhere in flood-ravaged Manila: “I feel very special to have had the opportunity to really get to know Mel de Santos, up close and personal, not only as a friend, a kabatch, a' kumpare', but most of all, a Brod. Mel's love for the Beta Sigma was deep, limitless and unconditional. If you look in the dictionary the word diehard, you will see Mel's picture! Mel was the dedicated, relentless,  sterling Betan. A true swashuckler! ( Naka BMW bike, with matching denims, helmet and cowboy boots!)

I was a witness to Mel's longevity, in terms of being a Brod 'na tumatambay'! I cannot believe how Mel was able to find the precious time, through the years, (having a family to raise), to consistently perpetuate his personal relations with the Brods by going to the Diliman Tambayan that spanned 41 YEARS! In the past two years, the Resident Brods, already called him Lolo Mel, in jest, of course! Living in the Loyola area helps, but the diehard spirit of Mel as a Betan, kept him coming back  'home'!  From time to time, Mel and I used to silkscreen t-shirts at their house in Loyola, to give to the new incoming batch. I said to myself, we used to do this when we were residents, 'di na kami tumanda!"

From Bobby Manansala 67 in San Fernando, Pampanga: “I think we should start thinking of giving a lifetime award for Mel, something that no other brod had ever received or would receive, focusing on his being a generation  bridge, the only one siguro na who performed a lifelong passionate service to the fraternity, tumambay from 1968 up to the present time, that means more than 40 years of succeeding Betans ay nakilala siya first hand.  No one will ever touch that service record.  He was truly one of a kind. Walter and I were on the phone a while ago, both of us choked with emotions, pareho kaming umiiyak but trying not to let our voices crack  and he mentioned that Mel award again.  I heard this idea from him some years back  and he said the alumni should think of an award for Mel before it was too late, and again, he said, "Ngayon, it's too late. Matagal na maysakit si Mel," and he paused a bit and I knew he was trying to compose himself. I thought that the guy is right. Something should be done to perpetuate the memory of a Mel de Santos. He made the warrior image of the Beta Sigma tougher and fiercer and because of brods like him, Butch Landrito and Lee Manikan included (his departed batchmates),  lalo tayong naging mga guwapo sa campus...”

From Willie Vergara 67 in Sacramento, California: “Mel touched so many of our lives... in so many ways. He was most feared by other fratmen, being so skilled and fearless in encounters. Yet he was most gentle to the amuyongs and was best friend of many brods. He did a lot of artworks for us, mostly in silk-screening, and donated all his labor as a student, like all other Fine Arts brods in the 60’s. And even when he did this for a living, he never knew how to charge the Frat or the Brods for all his services and I'm not aware that he ever complained that he was underpaid most of the time.

Mel, we derive our consolation in the fact that your image will always be there in the many photographs of you, because you have been a most visible brod in so many frat occasions. Like your blood-brother Tito who is likewise a true UP Beta Sigma legend, we will always nurture the beautiful memories of your company.”

From Ted Quijano 67 in New Jersey: “I' m so saddened by the passing away of brod Mel. Can't help but bring some old (very old) memories - those silkscreening nights with a little round bottle thing and Coke as chaser that brought us to cloud 9. How about that long walk in the wee hours of the morning from tambayan to their house after the hayride of '69…”

From Harlean and Bobby Pascual 68 (another Mel batchmate) in Salinas, California: “We heard about Mel's passing away. We are shocked and in grief. We share the family's sorrow and we pray for everybody's peace and God's keeping. Mel, like Tito, was very, very close to us and we love them dearly. Please extend our deepest sympathy to Jen and the children and to all the de Santos family.”

From Gabby Moraleda 68 in Santa Clara, California: “I must concur with Ollie to give him (Mel) a special award -- the "Mr. Beta Sigma" award -- this his legacy and his life; he dedicated his life to Beta Sigma!! “

From Ike Araneta 71 in Palo Alto, California: “You are right in saying that Mel touched so may lives of brods and had served the frat in so many ways and for so long. The last time I saw Mel was in 1996 for the 50th.  He , Walter and myself went to Los Banos together to continue in the celebrations there.  He was still the same Mel, always smiling always teasing. I will always have fond memories of Mel. To me he was Mr. Beta Sigma.”

From Bong Beredo 73 in Stockton, California: “He was indeed one of those Betans who touched a lot of our lives and was actively supporting our residents. I will cherish my fond memories of Mel.”

Edwin Acuna 76 writes from Alberta, Canada: “When we were neophytes, we were taught, reminded, indoctrinated about the importance of "tatambay ka", after which heavy fists pounded our swollen bodies.  Stark descriptions of our brutal initiations, and how it is far more difficult to become and sustain thereafter our being a Beta Sigman.  Mel did more than "tambay".  He was a dominating presence.  He was an inspiration, not only to the younger brods, but to all the brods. If you are a Beta Sigman, think of it this way:  If you are in awe of another Beta Sigman, that Betan must be extraordinary.  Among other things, I discovered Mel's love for brewed coffee.  I did get a kilo or two of raw ground "barako" coffee from our "bukid" in Cavite, brought it to the Tambayan in Diliman and requested the resident brods to hand it over to Mel.  This was sometime in late 2006, after Tito's death.  I regret not being able to give Mel this thing which he loved when I was on a short vacation in Manila early this year.  I was planning however on do it on my next visit to Manila.  Sayang.  I could compare this "slip" of mine to the issue of whether the Frat should give Mel an award.  Like I said, I will stop short of saying my two cents.  I leave that to our leadership.  My heart grieves heavily for a Betan whom I look up to.  I almost fell from the chair I was sitting on when I read of the news on our website.  Tears welled in my eyes.  I asked myself why I am feeling this way.  I am not even Mel's contemporary.  I know why.  We grieve, we weep because we share Mel's deep love and passion for Beta Sigma.  The difference is, Mel showed us more.  More than what any brod has given to our beloved Beta Sigma.” 

From Nilo Espino 79 in Toronto, Canada: “Mel has endeared himself to the brods. He was a gift of inspiration to the resident brods during his visits as an alumni. We will remember his selfless dedication to the brotherhood; a role model of a true Betan that would rather give than receive. He possessed a big heart that is compassionate but fearless in testing times. He was a lot of fun. He is homebound now. He will be in a safe and comforting place. He will be met by friendly faces, including my brother Noe. Our lives have been touched by Mel. He is an icon, in his own right. We will miss you Mel.”

Ferdz Hallare 91 from Kansas says: “I too, was saddened by Brod Mel's sudden passing. He was a constant force/presence in the Frat, transcending generations of Betans.  One thing that  I will never forget about Brod Mel was when he learned that there was a new brod (me) who was currently teaching Math at the university; he personally went to my classroom… sang Cheers! Cheers for Beta Sigma, and he called me "Brod heto ang tagay mo!" Ang nagdala ng tagay ko ay isa sa living legend ng Frat, si Brod Mel. Nothing can beat that. Natuwa rin ang mga estudyante ko kasi nakita nila kung gaano kalalim ang kapatiran ng Beta Sigma.”

To Sum it All

Because Mel had such a warrior image, I did not realize till now how gentle he was when it came to neophytes. The recollections shared by the younger brods speak for thenselves. But I now distinctly remember he and Mon helped me save my sponsored neophytes cope with hellish initiations rites – when Boy Jaurigue was dazed and faltering, when Jorge Sales could no longer take the abuse and started cursing the masters, and perhaps others I could not specifically remember.

He was indeed one of our fearsome karatekas and the frontliners during confrontations – of which regrettably there were many in our time. He was a drinking companion, when you needed one. The trio of Gerry Abenes, Bobby Pascual, and Mel meant drinking for the pure joy of it. Mon and Mel, Paeng and Mel – these pairings shared some universal angst in their souls not easy for us more parochial souls to comprehend, but fascinating just to observe.

I last saw Mel at the 2006 Folkways at Diliman. Time had taken its toll by then, as the handsome youthful face and frame was now gaunt, and his clear light skin now dry and rough. But the smile and warmth was still there as he hugged and greeted me. That was probably ten years since he came to see me at my EMB office at Kamias. He wanted me to help him make something out of his Mindoro property. I explained to him that I only had some influence over the securing of environmental clearances, but not the titling and development of land. I did ask Manny Balangue to see what could be done, but I remember Manny saying the property was too inaccessible and in area that lacked key public infrastructure for developers interested in resort development. I tell you this to let you know that Mel had dreams other than frat. I recall that Mel on some occasions took some brods during our resident years to hunt and enjoy the wild country life of Mindoro – where tamaraws and crocodiles still roamed then.

Just some months ago, I saw Mel’s pictures as the brods here in Manila proudly joined in the honoring of student heroes who gave their lives opposing Martial law. He was proud of his ka-batch Butch Landrito for having stood and fallen for it. And he seemed energized working with Chito Tapawan on an environmental development project of sorts in San Jose del Monte. Perhaps still driven by his treasured Mindoro dreams of farm and nature.

It must be hard, if I were a son of Mel, to understand the depths of Mel’s affection for his fraternity and brods, and be kept wondering why he diverted so much precious time from his family. I too wondered why he never completely abandoned that phase of his life. But I understand it now from the deep sense of loss betrayed on all our brods faces. Thank you Jenny, Jonathan, Joseph, Jessica for your graciousness in sharing Mel with us. We owe you much.

We have recently lost a number of equally beloved brods. Koyang Pepe was one. But Mel’s death perhaps hurts the most, for he did a service so unique it transcends batches and seemed timeless.

From our hearts, from our now orphaned souls, we bid goodbye. God must have assured you He will take care of your brods, that’s why you finally allowed your death. I’ll look for you when my own time comes to pass your way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Priceless"

Mel de Santos was just an ordinary brod but who always felt that he was attached to every brod because he was divinely and inseparably bonded to them from the beginning to the end of his tenure in life. The first time I met him back in 1988, he presented himself as an unpretentious and humble individual who didn’t take himself seriously. He would go to the tambayan and introduce himself as a questioning member who loves to provide service to all the brods irrespective of whoever they were; no matter what their flaws were. His undying commitment to help and support the brods is an enigma because you wonder why God created such an amiable soul like Mel who seemed not to aspire for richness nor had any grand ambition and always put the Fraternity at the top of his agenda.

During my days as a resident, Mel would often visit us at the tambayan and tell us great tales of valor and courage during the Golden Years of Beta Sigma. He would share his Ginebra San Miguel with us as we feasted on his favorite pulutan, “kilawing kambing.” Mel taught us the art of karate, the essence of brotherhood and the love for Beta Sigma.

Mel’s undaunted spirit is mystifying because despite of his legend as a fearless warrior, in his mellower years, he would humbly impart wisdom especially to the younger brods that they should always look out for their own individual welfare, to fully utilize their talents so that they may harvest the full benefits in life. This is coming from a brod who has not attained richness and power but retained a simple life.

Mel was deeply concerned with the individual welfare of each brod, even to the point of sacrificing the needs of everything else, including his family. He was a black-belter in karate, a silk screener, a tireless worker for the frat, a constant companion and friend who treated every brod equally, no matter what generation they belonged.

He inspired us because he sacrificed his blood, sweat and tears for the sake of all of us. He defended all the brods most especially those who were not recognized and considered the bottom of the totem pole. He was not afraid to criticize those who neglected to help brods who were more unfortunate in life. That was because he understood the sentiments of each of us.

In his passing away, let us celebrate his life because it has been a wonderful experience for us all. Right now he is being welcomed to that great Fraternity house in the sky by those who have already crossed over. He is being greeted with cheers and questions like “Brod, what took you so long?” Mel would only bashfully smile with that twinkle in his eye and reply “Kailangan pa ako ng mga Brods sa baba, kaya hindi ako nakapunta kaagad sa inuman dito.”

We will never forget the LEGEND.

Ron Justo
88-B Semper Paratus
with contributions from Bob Diliman, Mel Ladip and Bino Aguinaldo

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From: J. de Santos <misterdesantos@gmail.com>
To: Victoria De Santos <vjrdes@sbcglobal.net>; arceo321@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Oct 8, 2009 10:50 pm
Subject: UP SoCal Donation for Mel De Santos
 
Just a quick update again. We have received the $1,300 sent through Western Union.  
We are overwhelmed by the support of Papa's family and fraternity. 

With gratitude on behalf of the family,  
Jonathan P. de Santos

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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At the Wake

[Photos by Ollie Jumao-as & Jayjay Jayme]

                          Jennifer                                                      Jonathan                                                   Joseph

Beloved Mel's family - daughter Jessica, wife Jennifer, sons Jonathan and Joseph

At the Betan Last Rites

[Photos by Bobby Manansala]

Diliman GP Elmer Reyes & UPBSFAA Pres. Ruben Pascual open the Betan last rites

Mel's batchmates Rafael Ochoa and Walter Navarro deliver touching eulogies

Ollie Jumao-as, Dan Lachica and Raffy Hidalgo read Pogs Gaspay's eulogy

Emotions and love for Mel tug at the heart

Mel's eldest son Jonathan gives response
 

Beloved Mel's family - wife Jenny and kids Jessica, Jonathan and Joseph - acknowledge and thank the Brods

Candlelight ceremony

Still crazy?, wild?, or mellowed? after all these years... Cheers pa rin!!

Ben Abon, Bobby Manansala, Walt Navarro, Cedz Gloria, Rawlinson Dimayuga & Gerard Alo

Bobby Manansala, Botit Reyes & Paeng Ochoa

              Cheers, one more time! Botit Reyes'68, Bernie Bantegui'68, Walt Navarro'68, Gerard Alo'72, Willie Nepomuceno'69,

                                                   Ben Abon'69, Bobby Manansala'67, Rawlinson Dimayuga'69, Sandy Daza'72, Jun Bernal'69.

Yesteryears

[Photos sent by Wally Rodriguez]

Mel, the 'Betan-to-be' (2nd from left beside Dolf de la Rosa'63), with the UP Betan "Amboys"

Mel - "The Gentle Master"

Mel, fifth from left

At the Farm

[Photos by Chito Tapawan]

50th Golden Anniversary 1996 at Splash Mountain, Los Banos

[Photos by Norman Bituin]

Ike Araneta, Yay Topacio, Mel de Santos, Walter Navarro, Norm Bituin, Hec San Juan 

Mel de Santos, Noli Nolasco, Walter Navarro

UPD'68a "Blitzkrieg" 40th anniversary - Feb. 2008

[Photos by  Judz Rey]

Judz Rey, Rey Rivera, Walter Navarro, Mel de Santos

Mel de Santos, leftmost 2nd row, with his batchmates and the residents

Mel's last birthday - January '09

[Photos sent by Jun Valenzuela]

... and finally, UPBS SoCal Vice GP Edsel Arceo's recent June '09 visit

                  Front row - Mel Ladip '87, Ruben Pascual '76, Boyet Fernandez '69 (sitting on desk)
                    2nd row - Ron Justo '88 (standing), Alexander P. Rullan (Leks) 2008 partially hidden
                    3rd row - Mel De Santos '68, Ceferino Villareal (Jonas) 2005, Alexis Dogwe (Dogs) 2006b, Joel Paredes 73d
                    4th row - Edcel Arceo '73d, Butch Madarang '75, Cris Michelena '73d, Edlin De Laza '73
                    5th row - Caloy Agulto '74b, Bobby Navarro '72, Robie Feliciano '74b, Chito Tapawan '72
 

Postscript from your 'web servant', NormanB:

My souvenirs from Mel. Many brods talked about Mel's boundless silk-screening chores.  One night before I was to emigrate to Canada in Sept. '73, I went to Mel's house at Esteban Abada St. bringing with me a "maong" jacket (b) and two sweatshirts (a) and (c).  I asked Mel if he could silk-screen them with our Betan icons.  In between our gulps of beer, he did them for me.  On the plane at my departure for Vancouver, I wore the blue sweatshirt (a) with the Betan seal in front and Banz' "Malmon Fung Ku" at the back; the gold sweatshirt (c) had "Beta Sigma" in front and Banz' "Malmon Samurai" at the back. I had worn these items over the years.  Even my three kids wore them at school when they were in junior high.  Early this year, since I could no longer fit in these sweatshirts, I donated them to charity. Now with Mel gone, I feel a bit sorry that I'd parted with them. Still I'm sure that if I see a poor, homeless kid in LA wearing these Betan sweatshirts, Mel would be just as glad and proud as well.  

                                                                       Wearing my souvenirs from Mel

                              (a) Leaving RP '73                            (b) In front of the White House, Wash., DC '75                (c) In my apartment in Toronto '76

(b) I will never part with this "maong" jacket which I have treasured for the last 46 years.  Thanks Mel for my souvenirs!!
 

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