History & Highlights

The Master is gone... but his art lives!

Brod Johnny F. Chiuten

UP Diliman 1960

U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity: Tribute to Brod Johnny Chiuten

Bonifacio Hall, U.P. Diliman, December 6, 2003

Johnny Chiuten's Tribute CD, produced by www.betasigma.org

[You may watch this by clicking on the CD icon at 'Explore' on left]

UP Beta Sigma Kung-Fu Karate Klan uniform and patch

Johnny Chiuten's black belt given to Noli Nolasco in May 1967

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It was my day off on Sept. 10, Friday but I got up early anyway to walk the dog. I anguished as I read the text message on my cell phone: "Brods, it is with great sadness that I inform you of Master Brod Johnny's passing away at 5PM today. He died at home at #31 Elizabeth Pond Extn., Cebu City". It came from Brod Ollie Jumao-as who was in Indonesia. Soon Brod Noli Nolasco from Alberta, Canada was on the phone. Holding back our emotions, we reminisced about our training in the mid 60's with Brod Johnny at the quonset hut at Area 11 with its hard-packed ground as our practice area. We recalled one quiet Good Friday when everyone was away and we were sweating in the hot afternoon practicing and hitting the makiwara boards, sacriligeously perhaps on this holy day.

I hurriedly posted the sad event on the International's "Flash News". That Friday night we were having a fellowship dinner at Brod Mando Enrico's for the Philippine-based brods who attended the UP SoCal Induction and Fraternity Ball. I suggested to GP Edsel Arceo that we give our respects to Brod JC and conduct the Betan rites at this opportune time. I taped the 2003 tribute poster for Master JC on a piece of board and the Chapter held what was probably the first rites for JC. All the brods signed the condolence card and with the special $640 collection Brod Kim Cabatit who flies back Saturday night to RP will bring our humble offering and most sincere condolences to Brod Johnny's wife Leony and family.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow...", wrote Shakespeare. Losing our beloved mentor, Master Johnny Chiuten, a great Betan, a frat icon, pillar and friend, is not easy. We will find a way.

Norman Bituin, UPD'65, 9-11-10

Betan Rites

Dr. Ed Cornelia, right picture, fondly recalls bumping into Johnny when walking in Diliman campus with their girl friends.

Left pic: Norman Bituin explains that he joined the UP Beta Sigma because of his awe of Johnny's martial arts reputation.

Right pic: Hernan Tabamo, following Johnny's 1960 batch, describes how Johnny encouraged his 1961 batchmates in the initiation.

Remembering Johnny

Seated: Joe Lalas'69, Jun Valenzuela'73, Buddy Curameng'70, Art Martin'69, Ed Rivera'68, Nonoy Bautista'60, Ed Cornelia'58,

Manny Boado'69, Carling Taguinod'57, Mando Enrico'63.

Standing: Norman Bituin'65, Joel Paredes'73, Boi Wico'65, Edsel Arceo'73, Aman Carolino'71, George Abrina'73, Rolly Balingit'69,

Jamesy Evangelista'88, Hernan Tabamo'61, Sonny Pagador'76, Kim Cabatit'82, Dante Agulto'73.

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Fellowship Dinner

Jun Valenzuela of Homeland Security puts the cuffs on Joel Paredes ... pero brod naman, kaya pinalusot

To RP Brods: Mario Valenzuela is "The Man" at Los Angeles International (LAX)

Cheers... Jugalug time!!

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Flashback 2005: Johnny Chiuten in California

(1) UPBSFI BOD Meeting, Pismo/Grover Beach, November 6-7, 2005