A Betan Star turns 65

by Willie Vergara

Born in the month and year the fraternity came into being, Union Bank President Brod Victor “Vic” Valdepenas, Forestry ’63, also turned 65 last July. He celebrated his birthday in a grand fashion at his sprawling Los Banos resthouse in the attendance of some UP Betan greats such as Founder Rico Arranz, Justice Raoul Victorino, Congressman Mat Defensor, and illustrious lawyer Benjamin Santos. Brod UP Beta Sigma Central (Mother Chapter) President Rene de Rueda, my wife Tess and I, together with Aggie’s Freddie Fajardo and quite a number of Batch 60s Forestry Brods were also there to witness this landmark event.

With President Rene de Rueda, Freddy Fajardo and 60's Forestry Brods

A professional band was hired for the occasion

A photo-op with the celebrant

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and ex-Congressman Brod Mat Defensor

This is the biggest and most magnificent birthday party I have attended during the past quarter of a century, complete with an orchestra, rondalla and numbers from professional entertainers and Vic's grandkids. Aside from the scores of officers and staff from Union Bank, there were at least two busloads of Tuguegaraoans – relatives and kababayans of the celebrant. This grand affair started with the celebration of the Holy Mass and testimonies from friends extolling the qualities of Brod Vic while several buffet tables were being set up by the caterer. During the party, Brod Vic and his pretty wife, once a Sigma Beta MIS and Betan sweetheart Noni Pamulaklakin, spent a lot of their time in the company of their fraternity brods as well as other luminaries who attended the affair – Professor Gerardo Sicat and former NEDA Director-General, Vic’s namesake Dr. Vicente Valdepenas who was himself also a NEDA DG, Mayor Lito Atienza, who happens to be Vic’s in-law by virtue of the marriages of their progeny, and many other government officials and executives in the

 private sector.

Ladies Nina Valdepenas and Tess Vergara with Betans

About 400 people attended the affair

Athletic Courts and Giant Gazebo among three dining area

This basketball court served as a ballroom with stage

Brod Vic is one of the fraternity’s pillars and is UP Beta Sigma Central “President-in-waiting”. He is considered by his peers in the financial sector as one of the best and brightest economists and bankers the Philippines today (Philippine Daily Inquirer). Brod Vic was one of the AS Tambayan mainstays while he was taking his Master of Economics in Diliman way back in the late 60s, and since then put on only about 15 to 20 pounds. But he has retained his humble and self-effacing demeanor and mild manners in spite of his successful journey to the mountain top. It was heartening to know that Vic has been following up events in the frat through our international website.

Atty Ben Santos, Justice Victorino, Cong. Defensor, Brod and Mrs. Vic Valdepenas, Vergara and Fajardo couples
 

Trivia from Rene de Rueda: While in the university he and Vic Valdepenas didn’t immediately join a fraternity and gave themselves some time to observe not only what is truly the best one, with some emphasis on which one had the prettiest company of co-eds.

 

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