Horacio “Ace” C. Dimanlig ‘67 was named one of nine Outstanding Pasiguenos during the 433rd Founding Anniversary of Pasig City last July 2. Brod Ace was cited for his outstanding work as one of the country’s leading landscape architects. He was previously honored in 1995 when the Professional Regulations Commission awarded him as Outstanding Professional in Landscape Architecture. Congratulations brod!

They did the impossible and signalled what could be a breakthrough year for the Residents. Read on and be ready for some heart-warming story of how the tried and true spirit of the Upsilon cannot be broken and instead be forever bridged thru time and generations to come.

This is the lesson of the successful “FIRST DAY HI!: a free breakfast treat for freshmen” held last June 20, 2006.

LOS BANOS, LAGUNA. It would otherwise been a normal Tuesday. The sun spread its rays along the foothills of Makiling as the fresh vibe of nervous energy and first day dread was sweeping the morning campus dew as freshies started to congregate inside the campus. It was the first day of classes and the fresh scholars of dear old UP are up in numbers as they carefully tread the grassy and asphalt pavements of the main campus corridor to start their new life in UP. Like clockwork, the intolerable noise of jeeps once again roar, breaking the early morning stupor the upperclassmen are known for. Its just six in the morning but the campus looked like it had a big day ahead. Heads were popping in from different direction, alighting from jeepneys, cars even bicycles.. Many were just walking, looking about. Eyes wary but betrayed by the erupting smile of freshness. After-all they are the new kids on the block..

LOS BANOS, LAGUNA. In a dramatic effort to show unity amid the rumbling noises of mis-understanding, discord and apathy, the Upsilon Sigma Phi Los Banos Alumni Association, Inc (USPLBAA) during its First General Membership Meeting (GMM) for 2006 last June 10 unanimously passed a surprise resolution to bid for the hosting of Upsilon Congress XI.

The Board of Foreign Service Administration of the Department of Foreign Affairs voted last Wednesday to recommend for promotion to the rank of Chief of Mission Class I Ambassador Oscar Valenzuela ‘64 (currently Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs) and Ambasador Jesus Yabes ‘66 (presently Consul General in Shanghai). Also recommended was the promotion of Minister-Counsellor Jose Ampeso ‘68 to Chief of Mission Class II and Consul Julius Torres, second in command at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. Congratulations brods!

During the anniversary of the Office of the Solicitor-General last Friday, Eric Panga’86 was cited as the Most Outstanding OSG Lawyer, besting more than 100 other OSG lawyers and getting a 99% rating. Congratulations brod!

The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on its 73rd Academy Meeting elected Rey L. Vilareal ‘64 as a corresponding member to the Academy for his significant and outstanding scientific accomplishments in Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology. Corresponding membership is conferred to non-resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science in the country.

His election to the Academy brought to nine the number of Upsilonians who are members of the Academy. These fellows are: Jose Encarnacion Jr. ‘48, Bienvenido O. Juliano ‘53, Jose O. Juliano ‘49, Faustino T. Orillo ‘41, Ricardo M. Lantican ‘54, Ruben L. Villareal ‘57 Onofre D. Corpuz ‘47, Romulo G. Davide ‘54, and Rey L. Villareal ‘64. Four of them have been conferred the rank and title of National Scientist namely Encarnacion, B. Juliano, Corpuz and Lantican.

Fellow Upsilonian,

From our humble beginnings in the late 40’s, the Upsilon Sigma Phi Los Banos chapter is now celebrating 59 glorious years as Asia’s premier university-based fraternity.

Together with our brods in Diliman and Manila, we count the days to the celebration of our fraternity’s 88 years. Now nearing its ninth decade, our fraternity remains to be a vibrant force in politics, business, the academe and many other major fields of endeavor.

For our part, the USPLBAA is blessed with showers of Upsilon light as we continue to support the 1st term of Chancellor Rey Velasco ’74. We have reason to celebrate as six young Upsilonians join our alumni ranks led by Martin Mayou 2003, who marched magna cum laude (BS Biology) last April. We also successfully celebrated out 87th Fraternity Anniversary last November at the UPCO Social Hall with the presence of over 60 LB Brods and Residents. There we honored UP Regents Romulo Davide and Ed Varona of Batch 1954. We were also the 1st to toast Brod Ric Lantican ’51 on his conferment of the title, National Scientist of the Republic.

The City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga had chosen Ivan Anthony S. Henares ‘98 as one of the recipients of The Outstanding Fernandino Awards (TOFA) for 2006 in the field of Promotion of Arts and Preservation of Heritage. Awarding ceremonies were held 28 May 2006, in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

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An Upsilonian will be at the helm of the official student publication of UP Los Banos. Congratulations to Samuel Jay C. Pasia ‘05 for being selected as the editor-in-chief of the UPLB Perspective for AY 2006-2007! This victory continues the tradition of leadership and excellence in campus journalism following the close of the term of Juan Paolo E. Colet ‘04 as editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian for AY 2005-2006. Again, congratulations brod!

The 2006 national officers and board of directors of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA) take their oath today in induction ceremonies to be held at the Manila Polo Club. Among them is VP for External Affairs Renato P. Dragon ‘56, former Cavite representative. Expected to grace the event is Paranaque Rep. Eduardo C. Zialcita ‘68, a former executive vice-president of CREBA and currently the chair of the House committee on housing and urban development. 

The results of the February 2006 Physician Licensure Examinations have been released. And among the successful examinees who garnered the ten highest places is Gino Antonio S. Castaneda ‘96 who placed 8th with a score of 83.17 percent. The new doctors will take their oath on March 12 at the Manila Hotel. Congratulations brod!

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Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Administration Wencelito T. Andanar ‘69 was appointed acting secretary of the DILG by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo while secretary-designate, Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno, waits for confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. Andanar previously served as Undersecretary for Police Matters and Transnational Crime and is a former provincial governor of Surigao del Norte.

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