ERNESTO 'TOGI' IGOT,
FROM TAMBAYAN TO WORLD-CLASS BETAN
by Dan Galoso
Hear ye, all young Betans!
A few weeks back, a picture of Togi receiving an award came across the egroups
and it immediately caught my attention because it was for a winning brew. Years
ago, I actually thought about brewing as a hobby. I used to have conversations
with Hec San Juan who was actually home brewing in the '90s. But that hobby
didn't pan out.
And here was Togi with an award on beer brewing. The last time I remember seeing
him was in the '70s in the tambayan. I vividly recall him as a humble, down to
earth brod. I also remember him getting into drinking sessions and into fights,
of course -- the usual fare for a typical Betan. He could finish 26 bottles of
San Miguel in one sitting and still able to attend class afterwards. It is
nothing short of a miracle that he graduated with a degree in Chemical
Engineering.
UP Diliman tambayan in early 70's
At the wake of Mon Agulto'68a
I pore over the picture and it seems his appearance has not changed. It seemed
that he had not aged at all. Not like his beer, maybe, I thought. He still had
that pleasant, ever smiling face. I felt the urge to communicate with him and
delve deeper into his passion. I just had this hunch that there was more to this
story.
I remember learning from brods that Togi went on to work for San Miguel
Corporation where he was a Brewmaster since 1990. In 1996, he was promoted to
Assistant Vice President. But by 1997, he and his family had to leave for the US
and in 2000 started brewing in the US.
Togi with some classmates 1986 taking Brewing Course at
VLB, Berlin: Togi was
3rd in the class. In 1984, he topped the San Miguel Brewing School and in 1980,
he topped the SMC Supervisors Brewing Course.
Togi travelled extensively when he was a San Miguel executive (India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Canada, Germany, UK,Venezuela, etc.).
Left photo shows Togi with Governor Pedro Tenorio in Saipan with another San Miguel colleague. Right photo, at Taj Mahal, Agra, India.
At Tien-An-Man Square, Beijing At Katmandu, Nepal
In the 10 years of the Best Beer in Maryland (the State of Maryland award), Togi
has won four (4) out of 10 state awards. Since 2000 when he started brewing in
the US, he has won eight (8) National Medals from the Great American Beer
Festival and five (5) medals at the World Beer Cup!
Who would ever think that he would accomplish all these? Not bad for a barrio
boy from Basilan. Truly remarkable! Who would ever think that in the gin soaked
corners of our minds we would find nuggets of excellence that would propel us to
success? Togi does show us. He is one world class Betan, indeed.
Left photo: with Maryland government officials - Boyd Rutherford, Maryland's Lt. Governor; an unidentified owner of
Baltimore Orioles; and Dick O'Keefe, brewery owner. Right photo: with Mary Washington (D), Maryland State Delegate.
With Congressman Dutch Ruppersbereger (D), 2nd District Maryland.
With frat sponsor Ed Abon at Luray Caverns, Virginia.
Singing with Gerry Abenes and Joe Lalas in SF. In 70's,
the three of us serenaded Ilang-Ilang dorm with CSNY songs.
With younger brother Robert, Xavier University '75.
With my family, l-r: Grace Sophia, Eva holding Oishi, our Toy Schmauzer, Grace Forsythia and Hernan Francis.
*Web note: To read about Togi's 2015 Maryland Craft Beer Competition 1st Place Award, click here.
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Postcript:
Date: Fri, 13 May 2016 07:25:25 -0400
From: eligot9@aol.com
To: nmbituin@msn.com; dhgaloso@gmail.com; tatang_up@hotmail.com
Subject: Website feature
Brods,
Thanks for the wonderful feature on our website. I never thought I could reach
this far from all those
bottles of beer and gin bulag in the 70s. The best training I got was not taking
up chemical engineering
at UP or MBA classes in La Salle but by joining and being a member of UP Beta
Sigma. I experienced
in the fraternity all emotional extremes from being sad, happy, angry, crying,
laughing, drunk - which
eventually contributed to my personality. I also learned to deal with people -
from Basing, the turon vendor,
to my professors and up to the president of UP.
Cheers!
Togi 70A