Our Most Treasured Filipino Jewel That Is Betan WillieNep

by Willie Vergara

This article has two parts, and I hope the Betan reader will find the time to read the second part found at the bottom of this section. This part is all about Brod WillieNep's grit and determination to become a UP Beta Sigman, an episode of his life that most people never knew. Most of the pictures are taken by Brod Rolly Reyes using his full-frame D5 Canon camera. This article would not be as meaningful were it not for his photographs.

Part One: WillieNep's Award Night

6:30 p.m. October 13, 2010. It was my final evening of a 12-day visit in the Philippines.

The paparazzi and the TV crew were prepared for Quezon City’s big night, starring this Philippines’ largest city’s Outstanding Citizens. The main ballroom of Crowne Plaza at the Ortigas Center was half-full when Founder Rico Arranz, former National Broadcasting Network President Rolly Reyes and I entered the room. The lights and sound systems from different parts of the ballroom were all set to go. The stage portended of one big production.
 

All tables at the first and second rows were occupied, except Table One, which was nearest the center of the stage. For some reason, Brod Rolly got the waiter to seat us on this special table. National Scientist Brod Dean Ted Topacio and Justice Brod Raoul Victorino joined us after a few minutes. And then Brod WillieNep, clad in a unique red-white-and-blue striped barong, arrived together with daughter Frida, one with oozing charm and disarming smile.

Awardee Nepoy and lovely daughter Frida
 

With National Scientist Dean Ted Topacio and Justice Raoul Victorino

Founder Atty. Rico Arranz was also in our table

Plus RGR, of course
 

The Programme indicated that Philippine President P-Noy, Speaker of the House Belmonte, and QC Mayor Bistek Bautista would be in attendance. I immediately got the feeling that we were mistakenly seated. It was enough to give me a feeling of uneasiness, but then none of the brods budged even as I heard Dean Topacio’s loud whisper, “Baka tayo paalisin dito.”

Omigosh, the people behind us included former Philippines Vice President Teofisto Guingona; his son Senator Teofisto III, who received the award of behalf of President Noynoy; Ping de Jesus, former DAP President, now Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications; and so many other QC Who’s Who like Senator Helena Benitez and Boots Anson-Roa. Not even Congressman Re-elect Bingbong Crisologo (my boyhood and long-time buddy) could get a seat at the front rows!
 

        On front table - Justice Victorino, Dean Topacio, Columnist Neal Cruz, Speaker Belmonte and Founder Rico Arranz.

.       Senator Guingona is behind Dean Topacio. Ex-VP Teofisto Guingona is behind Speaker Belmonte.

             Left:   DOTC Secretary and former DAP President Ping de Jesus with Dean Topacio and Justice Victorino.
             Right: Posing with boyhood friend and long-time buddy Congressman Bingbong Crisologo.

True enough, Speaker Belmonte and his young daughter Joy, newly-elected QC Vice Mayor, and Columnist Neal Cruz took the remaining three seats of Table One. Mayor Herbert Bautista was seated at who-knows-where.

With Neal Cruz and Speaker Belmonte

As Rolly mentioned in his article at http://upbetasigmafraternity.com. QC’s foremost stars like Gary Valenciano, Dingdong Dantes, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Joey Ayala and Noel Cabangon were there to provide entertainment.

Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gary Valenciano were among the major performers

Joey Ayala and Noel Cabangon sang a nationalistic, environmental song

Dingdong Dantes and Izza Calzado made a perfect pair as the night’s emcees
 

But the night’s euphoric moment as far as we Betans are concerned came when WillieNep was called to the stage to receive the award as one of the city’s Outstanding Citizens. Most of us know Willie has his residence in Marikina, but he is in truth and in fact, a citizen without borders, a citizen of global proportions, one who is admired anywhere in the world for as long as there are Filipinos. I wasn’t surprised when our Beloved Brod Willie got the loudest applause of the evening, next only to President Noynoy Aquino. It was Nepoy's shining moment. And we were there to witness this glorious event from Table One.

Giant images of Nepoy and some of his characters on stage. Who is the real Nepoy?
 

Nepoy going up the stage as his name is called

Nepoy receiving his award

Nepoy with Awards Chairman Alba, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista
 

Awardee Boots Anson-Ria is the sister-in-law of Brod Ezra Castillo ‘73b

Boots Anson-Roa and Nepoy with their loved ones

                       l-r: Founding Father Rico Arranz, UP Fine Arts Faculty Vim Bacaltos, Tatang, Freida, Nepoy,

                             Neal Cruz, RGR, ?, Greg Banacia, Justice Victorino and Dean Topacio

 

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

Part Two: A Betan Story of Grit and Determination (by Willie Nepomuceno ’69a)

I entered the frat 3 times. I couldn't help it because it's like a goal to me since I graduated from high school.

I got exposed to fratmen shortly before my graduatIon. My 4H club adviser took me on a trip to Los Banos where he introduced me to his friends who lived In a near campus subdivision. I immensely enjoyed my time with them, exchanging funny anecdotes and scholarly discussions. They made a good impression on me.

The summer before my freshman year In Diliman I started working as an Illustrator at the Science Education Center that publishes experimental books for high school. I got particularly close to my boss who to my surprise happened to know my 4H club adviser and practically everyone I met at the subdivision.

They all belonged to the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity. That adviser was Hector Romasanta '56 and my boss who would eventually be my ninong sa kasal was Popoy Castaneda '55. Their kind of bonding so affected me that I've made up my mind... It's Beta Sigma for me or I'll stay a barbarian. I can't exactly remember whether I applied on my own or was it Orly Magistrado'64 who enlisted me in 1966.

Nadukot agad ako! But I believe I impressed my masters (pwede na sigurong i-squeal) Raoul Reyes, Alex King, Emil Covacha, Romy Cucio, Joey Tolentino...a rather 'brutal' bunch.

I went home very proud of the experience and told my dad, "tay, pumapasok ako ng fraternity sa UP". I was given a douse of ice water when he retorted, "anong pate-paternity, tumigil ka!". I attempted to appease him by mentioning a cousin is also a member, the son of his Senior police officer, Major Tolentino. "Hindi!" was his stern reply. Ano magagawa ko eh pulis din ang tatay ko?

The following year 1967, I knew how to handle my case rather in a clandestine manner. In between the sessions however, the whole country was shocked as newspapers headlined the death of Ferdinand Tabtab, who died during the APO initiations. All other initiations were frozen. I, too, became a frozen delight. I lost contact and concentrated on my failing subjects. In my mind though, I was feeling guilty for not being able to continue the chain of my 'kababayans' entering the fraternity--- Tony Senga, Lito Lazaro, Bobby de la Paz, Ollie Santos and yes, my pinsan, Ricky Tolentino.

But I had to maintain my grades, otherwise I would be kicked out of school, so 'pass' muna ako sa batch 1968. It was a blessing in disguise though. Had I pursued to enter that year, I'd probably had been part of the mass quitters, who were my Fine Arts barkada who made a "quit one, quit all" pact among themselves. Medyo swerte pa rin.

1969, my now or never year to be a Betan. As I entered the slaughter room full of masters for the presentation, they all chorused "Suki !!!". A familiar face returned, the prodigal neophyte.

Everything was running "smoothly", though rough as I figured It would be.

On the day before the 3rd session something went wrong. I met an accident (fell off a jeep on my way home). I missed the last session. I thought maybe it was not really meant to be. But my mind's made up. I was determined to make it so I made a historic deal --- I'll undergo an extra session before the finals-- ALL BY MYSELF!

I am now a Betan of 41 years... and still proud of it!

Nepoy

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