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Dear Beloved Brods and Kabatches,
Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime evening to remember.
The Black Saints (UPD'65), celebrating GOLD, was both privileged and
honored to have shared the spotlight that evening with Founder Brod Rico
Arranz+, who was honored with a tribute, and the Magnificent 7 Brods*,
the last 7 standing in Diliman in the late 80s, who, through grit and
imagination, kept the Fraternity alive.
The video-tribute to Brod Rico was a "docu-monument" to his passion and
lifetime dedication to Beta Sigma. In an interview with Tita Sol, Tita
said that Brod Rico was ailing but that whenever the Fraternity called,
he would somehow find the strength to attend, participate and
contribute. Co-founder Brod Ben Arcinas paid tribute to Brod Rico's
vision and leadership. Nugget Aquino'79 said that he was Brod Rico's
unofficial driver, accompanying him in his countless Frat-related trips.
On the left side of the stage hung a tarp of Brod Rico's graduation
picture: handsome, dignified, lawyerly, and looking every inch a Beta
Sigman.
The Black Saints UPD'65 and Scarlet Ribbons UPLB'65A presented a
resolution to the Alumni Board to approve, recognizing the Magnificent
7's outstanding contribution to the Fraternity and perhaps to
institutionalize the Fraternity's search for its own heroes.
Present to celebrate GOLD were UPD Black Saints Mon Ventura, Lito Lazaro,
Ricky Tolentino, Ollie Santos, Raoul Reyes, Ed Baldoria, and Pol Moral.
Dougie Mondoņedo represented UPLB Scarlet Ribbons. Black Saints Larry
Tumaneng, Charles Macalalag and Mon Amparo could not make it. A video
interview of Larry, Lito, Ollie, Chax and Ricky was shown. The images
were excellent but the audio was barely audible. Pol Moral read the
"The Saga of the Black Saints" - a story of blood, sweat, tears, grit and
survival, and brotherhood.
The UPD and UPLB Beta Sigma bands played retro music: Beatles, Zombies,
Gary Lewis. The catered dinner by the Agulto brothers was sumptuous.
Drinks were overflowing. Hic hic hic, up to the bar for more. Brod Ted
Topacio graced the once in a lifetime affair.
Feeling Fine at Sixty Nine.
Seventy is just around the far corner.
Cheers,
Pol65. UPD Black Saints. We shall overcome
*Web note: To read about the Magnificent 7, go to
Memoirs & Reminiscenses>Diamonds in the Rough, or simply
click here.
[Photos by Randy Malayao]
l-r: Mon Ventura,
Dougie Mondoņedo, Raoul Reyes, Pol Moral, Chax Baldoria, Lito Lazaro,
Ollie Santos, Ricky Tolentino.
Raffy Hidalgo'86,
one of the Magnificent 7 and author of "Diamonds in the Rough", is
rightmost at front row
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Saga of the Black Saints
by Pol Moral
THE QUEST to become brothers of the UP Beta Sigma fraternity began in
July, 1965. For a few like Mon Ventura, it began as early as 1964. This
was an era when protesters in America marched, struggled, and died for
civil rights, chanting "we shall overcome". This was an era when
Ferdinand Marcos was elected President and would rule for the next 21
years. This was an era when the Beatles music and Beatles look reigned
supreme. This was an era when the Beta Sigma banner flew proud and high
as Betans dominated campus politics, the ROTC Corps, the Philippine
Collegian, the Varsity in athletics and sports, various campus
organizations, and when the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine,
Architecture and Fine Arts were bastions of Betan glory.
On that rather cool evening in July in the garden of the Jeje de la
Santa residence, nearly 170 sweated at the screening session, anxiously
waiting for the presentation rites to begin at the Hizon Laboratory of
Eding Hizon. When the first session began at the Sluggo Rigor residence
a week or so later, the number of neophytes was down to about 100. After
the "instrument" second session at Bobby Pecson's+ place, the number of
aspirants fell to 40. Bobby Camins+ would be remembered as an inspiring
indoctrinator.
Following the particularly rough first session, one neophyte was
confined at the UP Infirmary for hematoma and bruises all over his body.
In his pocket was found a list of names under the heading B.S. The Beta
Sigma leadership under GP Ed Soliman vehemently denied any involvement
and theorized that B.S. was probably a group called Black Saints. That
is how we became the Black Saints batch.
But as our initiation was saved, it was also postponed indefinitely.
This was November, 1965. The missions and the private, aka "kidnap or dukot",
sessions continued, until when, we could only hope and pray that it be
soon. After a "refresher" third session again at the Sluggo Rigor
residence, mercifully, it was deemed safe to hold the finals on December
9 at the residence of Buddy Pongos.
We were down to 29 and vowed to stay at 29...spurred on by grit,
determination, and the inspiration of our batch song "we shall
overcome".
Tonight, we stand before you, celebrating GOLD. It was an amazing run
and the journey continues even as Edwin Moscoso, Aquilino Leyco, and
Gamaliel Manikan have fallen.
On campus, Gammy Manikan, Norman Bituin and Ed Baldoria served as Grand
Princeps. Beyond the campus, Ed Baldoria has sat on the Alumni Board;
Boi Wico and Norman Bituin have served as GPs in Southern California;
Bogs Cabanatan and Ding Cavestany are presently GPs in Toronto and
Northern California respectively. Norman Bituin has served the UP Beta
Sigma Fraternity International as president and webmaster.
March on Brothers for the glory of Beta Sigma. Take our fraternity
banner far and wide.
UPD'65 Black Saints through the
years....
1971 with Silver Anniversary
two-term UPD GP
Gammy Manikan
1976
2005
2005
2013
2015 San Francisco Ball with UP North GP Ding Cavestany
& Toronto GP Bogs Cabanatan
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