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Turning 65 with lots of fun by Gabby Moraleda'68
After a 12 hour flight I was still jet lagged. But I had to wake up and get ready. It was a special day. The sun was hiding behind the clouds. There was a slight breeze and as I drove along the old faculty center, the smell of acacia tree leaves brought me back in time – the sixties. The flashback became more vivid as I drove past the Arts and Sciences lobby where I saw students carrying out a protest rally and heard the words “Ibagsak and pamunuang Aq…” I knew then -- I was back in UP.
This trip, I came ahead of Cy for a special reason. It was July 14, 2011 – our 65th foundation day! My brother, Julius who was with me, parked the car on Fernandez st. And as I walked towards the (old BA) Tambayan I was met by thirty or so resident and alumni brods. (Before I go any further, please forgive me if I miss to mention you names – just too many to remember.) Among them were “baby face(s)” Danny Galoso from LA, and Butch Madarang consultant, food and restaurant magnate Caloy Agulto and engineer and brewing expert Elmer Reyes. As what has been a trademark, they had just completed handing out roses to ladies passing by the tambayan. After the handshakes and greetings – we got hungry and had to move to the Vinzon’s Tambayan – it was tsibugan (and jug-a-lug) time.
There I met familiar faces. And the exciting celebrations began. A food (and booze) tent was set up catered by Caloy’s crew. Brods began to trek. Some of the early birds were media consultants Dante Fagar and Joel Paredes, former UP FG Pat Roman, entrepreneurs Dante Agulto (vet med), Ben Medina (fisheries) and Walter Navarro (energy). And there was “ang bangka” and political consultant Perry “walang kupas” Callanta who humored the brods with tsismis, classical jokes and intrigues. And yes the pictures (with the laughs) tell it all -- ang saya talaga !
Midway through the afternoon – Founder Rico Arranz and more brods came – among them were President’s Rene De Rueda and Willie “Tatang” Vergara, VP and media guru Rolly Reyes business industrialists JJ Jayme (waste to energy), Gilbert Joven (milk), Buddy Curameng (recruitment) retiree’s (to be) Lito Lazaro, Ricky Tolentino, Ollie Santos and Gary Flores of Pagcor. Lechon and more food came and boxes of GSM (Ginebra San Miguel) – the new bilog. The group got bigger at 100.
As the sun was setting, more joined -- among them were Vio Acuna of DAR, Ed “Chacks” Baldoria of the Office of The House Speaker, business professionals Llyod Dizon, Ron Justo, Nugget Aquino, Dennis Belmonte, Chris Michellena and frat icon and “fit na fit” Boy “Asyong” Morales. The celebration went through the night and the brods and ladies corps swelled to 200+. Lots of revelry and fun.
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Strong and Alive @ 65 + more by Gabby Moraleda'68
Together with brods JJ Jayme and Rex Iwuanyanwu a brod from Nigeria (he looks like Eddie Murphy), we were one of the first to arrive that Saturday afternoon of July 16, 2011. There was a slight shower. However, we did not let it dampen our excitement. Since we came early and had time to spare, we ordered coffee and orange juice (OJ). It turned out to be an expensive proposition. We were expecting a can of ordinary OJ but was served freshly squeezed -- so when the bill came -- ouch! So beware of what you order. Anyway, let’s move on.
As the clocked ticked 6 pm, brods began to arrive. And when you hear Oca Mamangon (grand alalay) whisper to you “Gab, tignan mo si Gemo Santos (consultant at Belman Laboratories) pan..it pa rin !” (duh ) or Torch Manalang (kape) tell you “doggie kunan mo nga kami ng letrato ni Sandy Daza (gatas)” or you hear familiar voices calling out names such as “atam:”, “chako”, “magoo” – then you know you’re at home court -- the Tambayan – alas, a classy one – the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel ballroom. Yes, the brods are in town and it’s party time.
As the evening grew, the decibel levels became louder. The camaraderie was electric. Mainit ang batian and except for gray hairs and added inches in waistlines. walang nagbago sa samahan. We were back in our elements. There was much fun and laughter. The stage was set – to enjoy the evening, meet the old guards as well as the upcoming ones and together deliver a strong message – we are strong and alive @ 65!
The first brods I met were DENR BM regional director Rey Juan, solid waste consultant Rawlinson Dimayuga, aggie entrepreneur Vic Tupaz and political consultant Cedric Gloria.
Then there were brods from the public sector namely former DAR Sec and social architect Horacio “Boy” Morales, former Congressman Atty. Mat Defensor, newly re-appointed Tariff Commissioner Atty. Ed Abon, Ambassador Jimmy Yambao, consultant to the Office of the House Speaker Ed Baldoria, former DENR Asec Manny Balangue, former assistant customs commissioner Jet Arriola, town administrator Gene Puente and DAR consultant Butch Madarang.
Also present were brods from media and political consultants such as Buddy Garbanzos, Joel Paredes, Dante Fagar. emcees -- Chris Michellena and sis Riza Baldoria, Perry Callanta, Ick Angeles and Ruben Pascual.
Seated in a special table were Founder Mel Arranz, educator and industrialist Dr. Magdaleno Albaracin, former UP President Dr. Jose “Pepe” Abueva, National Scientist Dr. Teddy Topacio, former DENR Secretary Victor Ramos, former Usec and PTV 4 President Rolly Reyes and Ambassador Tony Villamor.
Seated in another table with UPBSFI President and former DENR Usec Rene De Rueda were distinguished brods from Los Banos and Forestry led by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje, former DENR Usec Dr. Delfin Ganapin with his wife, Ding Sabandal and Emyboy Roman. Other LB brods were Jojo Alejar (whose wife is preparing for the bar exams together with my brother Robert), Douglas Mondonedo, former UP FG Pat Roman.
The spotlight was on 3 Betans. Secretary Paje was the keynote speaker. Dr. Albaracin was awarded the UPBSFI Lifetime Achievement Award while Founder Arranz was given the Order of Supreme Grand Princep. All worthy role models.
All the way from the USA were Roy Antonio and family, Eding Hizon, “Tatang” Vergara and myself.
There were notable brods from the 60’s and 70’s among them were businessman Ross Fernando, Buddy Curameng with his lovely fiancée, my sponsor and kababata Jun Bernal, Atty. Boyet Fernadez and wife , Atty. Joey Zulueta, Atty. Ferdie Echiverri, Atty. Jelly Nacino, IT specialist Mars Robosa, food entrepreneur Nonoy Tagarao and event coordinator Nugget Aquino. Gigi Zenarosa retired VP of PNB, Pol Moral, Rudy Oviedo, Architect Nap Cruz, Agulto brothers – Dante and Caloy and certainly much more.
There were Sigma Betans, Ladies Corps and brods from other schools and universities. We thank them for being with us on this wonderful occasion. The Dean of UP Padre Faura, Dr. Jo Del Mundo, was likewise with us.
Equally represented – and in full force were the 80’s and 90’s. They’re the emerging breed of Betan leaders. Let’s take a look at them.
In the corporate world, we have Raffy Hidalgo VP Corporate Planning Steel Asia, Jerry Lacson Country Manager of Apple Computers, entrepreneurs Dennis Belmonte, Alex Bermas, Raymond Tolentino, Morris Tuazon, Managers (Accenture) Berns Palang and Neil Hidalgo (formerly based in NorCal), Lloyd Dizon Business Development Manager, Jun Justo General Manager of Richmonde Hotel, Beni Supan Head of Corporate Planning. Arnold Magno Sales Manager Wi-Tribe, Manny Gomez HR Manager – BPO, Managers in the Linde Group, -- Leo Robel and Mon Mamaril, Alex Miranda of SM and Marco Montes Geologist.
In the public policy sector we have Conrad Castillo Secretary General Akbayan Partylist, and in the House of Representatives we have – Ron Justo, Mel Ladip, Bino Aguinaldo, Owl Balmores
Their generation have their share of brilliant prosecutors and lawyers in Rex Gingoyon Prosecutor DOJ, Jason Justo Corporate Legal Counsel Banco De Oro, Pete Danao Managing Partner Madrid Law Offices and Charlie Mendoza Lawyer. The list does not end here. There’s definitely more.
The residents brods were not to be outdone. Led by GP’s Josh Caringal and Raymond Juan, the main event of the evening was the induction of new members and the time-honored pinning ceremony -- siyempre with lots of kisses. In time they will make their mark. For now, the order of battle is to keep up the grades, acquire more skills and more importantly – recruit .
If they do so, and If the attendance of 300+ is any gauge, then we are in great shape -- for another 65 years + more. Cheers.
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