“Upsilon Sigma Phi’s Batch 1959 Golden Fellowship”
If I were to list down my important activities in my lifetime which I consider very enjoyable, after acting in television and movies as the most enjoyable, my second most enjoyable activity is my fraternity life. I was initiated into the Upsilon Sigma Phi of the University of the Philippines in 1973. In fact, these two activities are related: it was during my fraternity life in UP that I came to meet brod Tony Mabesa who became my mentor in acting having been my director in several college plays. Having learned the rudiments in acting from brod Tony Mabesa became my passport in pursuing acting in television and movies!
Last saturday, 19 December 2009, I woke up late and had brunch at 10:00 a.m. The day before, a friday was a very hectic day with my office party from morning till 5:00 in the afternoon followed by the May Bukas Party in the evening. I have to sleep again after eating brunch in order to gain strength for another party night – the Golden Fellowship and Ball of the Batch 1959 of our fraternity.
The iconic Manila Polo Club was the venue of this memorable event. Anticipating the heavy of traffic being a weekend before christmas where people would do their christmas shopping rush, I decided to leave our Bulacan home at 3:30 in the afternoon. I intended to be within the vicinity of the Manila Polo Club a few hours before the 6:30 p.m start of the Fraternity Fellowship. I was already at the Bonifacio High Street inside The Bonifacio Global City at 5:00 p.m. I was killing time window shopping. At 6:00 p.m. I had an easy drive to the Manila Polo Club.
Being early, I had the luxury of choosing the best parking slot. There were only about 10 brods when I entered the hall of the Manila Polo Club. A red cowboy scarf with an Upsilon seal and the words “Ang Batch '59 still doing fine like a a great vintage wine” written around it was the give away which we wore to give an accent to our barn dance costume!
I was so happy to have met brod Romy Alcasid of batch '59 as one of the early birds. We used to work together at the Department of Agriculture, he being the Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry while I was with the Special Concerns Office. When President Joseph Estrada was sworn into office, brod Romy Alcasid was replaced with Dr. Ted Abilay of UPLB while I was appointed the Director of the Planning Service. That was in 1998, the last time I saw him. After 11 years, brod Romy was still looking good although he told me, he had to slow down after suffering a mild stroke.
Brod Romy joined me after sister Bing Santos '64 invited us to taste the Lechong Baka which she supervised in the preparation. It was so soft,juicy and very tasty.
Quickly, more brods arrived. My co-batch Arris Rabajante joined us in our group together with Micksey Macan '75 and Pepot Barcenas '80. Another co-batch Tony Zuniga arrived with the brods from Los Banos. I also met two more co-batches Butch Aguila and Guido Canero.
We noticed another famous batch '59 in the person of brod Eric de Guia '59 popularly known as Kidlat Tahimik moving around with his digital camera and wearing g-sting!
Seated next to our table was brod Behn Cervantes '58. I had a souvenir photo with Direk Behn (as seen in the attached photo). Although he is now inactive in the TV and movies, he was a known critic of another Upsilonian Ferdinand Marcos!
I greeted another batch '59, Leon M. Arceo who is the Director General of the Philippine Sugar Research Institute. I also spotted Brod Christian Monsod '55 with wife Sigma Deltan Sister Solita. But the most prominent brod that joined the fellowship was presidential aspirant Brod Dick Gordon '68!
There were Dance Instructors (both male and female) who gave the brods and sisters company on the dance floor. Music was provided by a band that dished out popular and danceable songs of the '50s, '60s, '70s and the '80s.
Aside from the Roasted calf, there was a sashime table, mexican tacos, lechong baboy and many many more food. All kinds of drinks from San Miguel beer to red wine were free-flowing.
I left the party at 11:00 p.m. An early time to go home, but as they say, the spirit is willing but the body is no longer capable of dancing, drinking and eating beyond that time!
I must say, it was one of the most memorable affairs with the brods specifically the golden jubilarians batch '59!
