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"Gabby's Travels" with apologies to Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels)
Revisiting the Tambayan by Gabby V. Moraleda upd 68b
Located on Fernandez st at the UP campus is The (UP Beta Sigma) Tambayan. This July 2009, I together with Cy, had the opportunity to drop by and meet the resident brods which included GP Elmer Reyes and Migs Alo. I gave her a brief history of the Tambayan.
To us who grew up in the sixties, the first and the original Tambayan was at the West Wing of the Arts and Sciences Bldg. It was adjacent to the ladies bathroom. It was a “strategic” spot to meet girls. As I walked up on Fernandez St. below the covered walkway leading to the old Tambayan, I felt nostalgic once again. Yes, I was reliving the past and scenes of my times flashed before me. It was the site that was signature Beta Sigma. It was the site of many dreams, tales and stories which we relive to this day – the site where Betans met Sigma Betans/Ladies Corps and where brods brought their sweethearts, where the gin was hidden in 7-Up bottles singing the Chad & Jeremy songs during jug-a-lug sessions. In me, I was yearning for the “good old days”. Ang sarap sariwaiin ang nakaraan – di ba?
September 21, 1972 changed all that. After Martial Law was declared and because of security reasons the Arts and Sciences Bldg. was cordoned off. Barbed wires were setup and we had to move. The site of the current Tambayan at the old Business Administration Bldg. was the most convenient since it was closest to the old one. Hoping that the wires were temporary, we moved our bulletin boards and other Betan paraphernalia to that site. And since then it has remained our Tambayan - where I assume much of the same wonderful memories and events transpired.
The 2 Tambayan sites shared the same colorful history – many wonderful events and experiences (pleasant and unpleasant). It was where brods with Sis/Ladies Corps found friendships and joy among one another. The Tambayan was our home in campus. Sadly the 2 Tambayans share the same sad “state” – it is damp, looks old with wood rotting and not bright as it was and it is fast deteriorating in its physical state. See photos taken.
I don’t know if we can petition the UP Administration and find out how we can work with them to revive the place – or even transfer back to the old Arts and Sciences Tambayan. I just feel that we should hand down the resident brods a brighter “spot” to build wonderful memories of their campus life like we had. I believe we must “save” it ! Do you think that this a project the alumni can adopt ? Takers anyone ?
Fernandez St., between Arts & Sciences and old BA Bldg. Walkway leading to old Arts & Sciences Tambayan
View of old Tambayan from Fernandez St. - still with wires Current Tambayan at old BA Bldg.
BA Tambayan view from Fernandez St.
Gabby with resident brods and neophyte/amuyong (in black shirt) at old BA Tambayan
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The Black Secrets School of Martial Arts in Naga by Gabby V. Moraleda 68b upd
I did not know what to expect. It was my first trip to Naga after many years and as my m.o. I wanted to connect with brods in the area. Brod Noli Nolasco who hails from Bicol got me in touch with Brods Dr. Ozzie Villaver and Dr. Perry Goingo, both professors at Ateneo De Naga and 6 th and 5th dan blackbelters in the Black Secrets School of Martial Arts (SOMA). Ozzie and Perry were recruited by Brod Noli Nolasco and trained in his Dragon Tiger style of Karate.
We first met one night at Hotel Villa Caceres. After the usual chit chat, a few rounds of San Mig Lite and exchange of tsismis, we agreed to meet at one Saturday training session. With me was Brod Jun “Buban” Villanueva UPLB 63 and several brods from the University of Nueva Caceres, Collegio de San Isabel, and Mariners Polytechnic. For the first time, we all saw and learned, first hand, about the Black Secrets School of Martial Arts. It is based in Ateneo De Naga, the leading university in the Bicol Region and they have been in existence for 44 years. Headed by Brod Romy Castilla, a division chief at the provincial assessor office and 3 rd dan blackbelt, the school has at least 20 active members and growing. It is coed and trains regularly. Training is rigid and in accordance with the standards of excellence set by Brod Noli. Belting is tough, so one has really to work hard to get up a belt. An integral part of the training is getting introduced to the Betan Credo and Principles. So part of the “training package” is learning about us and becoming one with us.
On the sideline, Ozzie coached me on hand techniques. As he did this, memories flashed before me, and I saw in Brod Ozzie – a Noli “clone” (and I mean this in a very positive sense). I knew then that the art, style and discipline of Brod Noli has been passed on. After the session, brods from other Naga Beta Sigma chapters committed to train. It was an historic event because now the school will now open “its doors” to other Beta Sigmans in the area - bolstering the numbers of brods committed to the Black Secrets SOMA training. With this, I have no doubt that the art will grow and flourish and will be passed on to future brods in Naga.
I must say that I am impressed by what brods Ozzie, Perry and Romy are doing. In them I saw dedication and love for the art and Beta Sigma – something handed down from Johnny Chiuten, Noli Nolasco and Jopet Laraya.. The 3 brods are working hard, for free, unselfishly giving their time and talent to keep the art alive and well. This is the good news I bring. The Black Secrets SOMA is alive and well. I commend and wish them well!
The School of Martial Arts defined us during my campus days. In addition to academic excellence, SOMA distinguished us by a mile from other fraternities. What am I saying - our chapters must keep this art alive. Like Brod Noli, it is my dream that SOMA will grow within our ranks and chapters - to be passed on from generation to generation of Betans. I know it can be done. I have witnessed it in Naga – the rest can follow.
Gabby Moraleda and Jun “Buban” Villanueva Jr., UPLB'63
Dr. Ozzie Villaver demonstrating the Dragon Tiger kata Romy Castilla demonstrating defense techiques
The students and members of Black Secrets SOMA
Ozzie demonstrating hand techniques to Gabby
The Group
Ozzie and daughter Alyssa, Cy, Gabby, Richald Caceres of Ateneo & Perry Goingo
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