After several years in the making, We Gather Light to Scatter: Ninety Years of Upsilon Sigma Phi, a coffee table book on the Upsilon Sigma Phi published by the Leopoldo Yabes Foundation through the efforts of Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1966 was launched at ceremonies held at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni last November 19, 2009. Gracing the affair was UP President Emerlinda R. Roman, UPAA President and Alumni Regent Alfredo E. Pascual ‘67, UP Regent Gari M. Tiongco ‘62, UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco ‘74, former Justice Secretary and Alumni Regent Ponciano G. A. Mathay ‘48, USPAA President Jacinto “Tong” S. Puno ‘65, and Diliman Illustrious Fellow Paolo Marco R. Mapula among other resident and alumni fellows of the Upsilon Sigma Phi, and members of the Sigma Delta Phi. For reservations & inquiries, contact wegatherlight@yahoo.com.

The Bantayog ng mga Bayani on November 30 will honor several more men and women for the courage they showed in opposing, at great risk to their lives, the dictatorial government of the late Ferdinand Marcos ‘37. Among the honorees are Alfredo L. Malicay ‘64 and Melito T. Glor ‘67, who will be honored together with four other individuals including former president Corazon C. Aquino.

Ceremonies honoring the martyrs and heroes will be held on November 30 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani shrine at the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue. The rites will include the unveiling of a section of the Wall of Remembrance on which the names of this year’s honorees have been inscribed, adding them to the illustrious names which include brods Armando J. Malay ‘34, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. ‘50, and Merardo T. Arce ‘70.

The Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation Inc. was organized in 1986 to nurture the memory of those who have “given their lives for the cause of freedom and justice.” It undertakes research and documentation on the lives of these exemplary Filipinos, building up an archive not likely to be found anywhere else.

Cory Aquino, nun, 4 activists join Bantayog heroes

On October 15, Quezon City will honor the achievements of this year’s Outstanding Citizens of Quezon City. Among the recipients for 2009 are Jorge L. Araneta ‘53, owner of the Araneta Center in Cubao, and Dr. Serafin D. Quiason, Jr. ‘50, former chairperson of the National Historical Institute. These annual awards shall be given on the occasion of Quezon City’s 70th anniversary. Congratulations brods!

Alfredo E. Pascual ‘67 (1st row, 4th from right) recently took his oath as president of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) for 2009-2011. As president, Pascual also sits as the Alumni Regent in the UP Board of Regents.

Also inducted as members of the UPAA Board were Benjamin H. Cervantes ‘58 (2nd Vice President), Virgilio A. Fernandez ‘63 (Auditor), Simeon A. Cuyson ‘57, Romeo S. A. Carlos ‘63, Diosdado D. Lagman, Jr. ‘66, Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. ‘84, and Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr. ‘61 (Immediate Past UPAA President).

Over 40 participants competed in the 75 Clay Tournament at the Goma Sport Range in Taytay, Rizal recently. The event, organized by the Philippine Sporting Clays Association and sanctioned by the sport’s world governing body, FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse), drew a host of competitors in what served as a preliminary to the Philippine Open in October.

The three-category tournament was topped by SEA Games gold medalist Manuel “Joey Valdes III ‘76, who emerged as overall champion by tallying 65 out of a possible 75 points. Congratulations brod!

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Whenever President Ferdinand Marcos was in the mood, he would gather his loyal generals in his study in Malacañang for an hour or so of leisurely discourse on issues that mattered most to him and his martial law administration.

Over coffee and pastries, the Commander in Chief would toss a question or statement for his court to comment on or contemplate in a relaxed, casual atmosphere so different from the formality of their ranks and position.

Indeed, it was an honor to be part of the gathering because it meant one was part of Marcos’ inner circle.

In one tête-à-tête in late 1980 or early 1981, the conversation drifted to the “succession issue.” Marcos was already sickly then but this was not known to the public. But the generals knew. They kept the secret to themselves.

What Marcos said that day was totally unexpected of the strongman as the generals knew him.

“My best successor,” Marcos said in a serious tone, “is Ninoy Aquino.”

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Thursday, August 28 was an Upsilonians’ night out on air with radio hosts Tony Toni, Slick Rick, and Sam Y G of Magic 89.9’s regular prime time program Boys’ Night Out. As part of the fraternity’s continuing effort to promote a renewed awareness on one of its most esteemed members, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. ‘50, the brods talked about up-and-coming activities about Ninoy on campus, in addition to the Upsilon Month this coming November.

Guests included incumbent UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) Councilor Mario C. Cerilles, Jr. ‘07, former UP Manila USC Chairperson Chrysanthus “Bojit” Herrera ‘06, Edrich Jordan D. Ayroso ‘08, ABS-CBN talent Raphael Dominic “Nico” Ibaviosa ‘09, and Michael Bryant E. Tiu ‘09.



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Last year, another U.P. Diliman building was named in honor of an Upsilonian. On November 17, 2008, the UP School of Economics (UPSE) Main Building was renamed José Encarnación, Jr. Hall in honor of UPSE’s former dean. Professor José Encarnación, Jr. ‘48, University Professor and National Scientist, served as dean of the School from 1974 until his retirement in 1994. The renaming of the building coincided with Encarnación’s 80th birth anniversary.

How relevant is Sen. Benigno S. Aquino ‘50 to young people today, most of whom were born after his martyrdom in 1983? Several brods guested on “Heard on Thursdays” on RX 93.1 last August 20 and talked about the life and heroism of Ninoy Aquino in “The Ninoy Aquino Legacy: What does Ninoy mean to today’s generation?” Listen to the show below.

Guests included Ilocos Norte Board Member and former chairperson of the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) Michel Kristian R. Ablan ‘00, UP Diliman USC councilor Mario C. Cerilles ‘07, former USC Diliman councilors Ivan Anthony S. Henares ‘98 and Victor Lorenzo “Bikoy” Villanueva ‘07, former UP Manila USC chairpersons Albert Francis E. Domingo ‘04 and Chrysanthus “Bojit” Herrera ‘06, former UP Manila USC vice-chairperson and current external vice-president of the San Beda Law Student Government Ezekiel Joshua L. Villena ‘05, Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) awardee and former UP Medicine Student Council chairperson Benjo A. Delarmente ‘05, former UP Junior Marketing Association vice-president Gregorio Angelo “Gelo” Villar ‘05 and UP Law Order of the Purple Feather member Jerwin James C. Lim ‘07.



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The Upsilon Sigma Phi is one with the Filipino nation in commemorating the martyrdom of Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. ‘50

Visit “The Life and Heroism of Ninoy Aquino” in UP Manila
The Upsilon Sigma Phi invites you to a photo exhibit commemorating the martyrdom of Sen. Benigno S. Aquino at the UP Manila CAS GAB Lobby. The exhibit celebrates the late senator and Upsilonian’s life and contributions to the Filipino people.

Watch the premiere of “The Last Journey of Ninoy” at Rockwell Cinema 4
Unitel Productions and the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation invite you to the special premiere of “The Last Journey of Ninoy,” a full-length documentary-drama on the final eight days of Ninoy Aquino’s life—as told through the final interview of the late President Cory Aquino. The documentary-drama is produced by Antonio “Tony” Gloria ‘65 of Unitel Productions.

The premiere will have three screenings—7 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.—on the 26th anniversary of Ninoy’s assasination: Friday, August 21, at Cinema 4 of the Powerplant Mall Cinemas, Rockwell Center, Makati City. Tickets are priced at PhP 300. All proceeds from the premiere screening will benefit the unfinished projects of President Aquino at the BSAF. The seats for the screeenings in Cinema 4 are limited—and will go quickly—so please reserve/book your tickets early at the cinema ticket counters (tel. 898-1440, 898-1437).

Don’t miss “The Last Journey of Ninoy” on the ABS-CBN Network
“The Last Journey of Ninoy” will be broadcast on August 23, 10:45 p.m. on TV (the ABS-CBN TV network with ANC, Channel 2 and TFC) and through live Internet video streaming.

Independent filmmaker Eric “Kidlat Tahimik” de Guia ‘59 is this year’s recipient of the highest award given by the University of the Philippines (UP) to a media practitioner, the UP Gawad Plaridel. De Guia received the award for his outstanding contributions to independent filmmaking last July 10 at the Cine Adarna of the UP Film Institute.

Kidlat Tahimik was chosen for his excellence in the art and craft of cinema, as well as for pioneering efforts in introducing Philippine independent filmmaking to the global audience. His independence as an artist is reflected in the non-commercial nature of his films, inspiring budding Filipino filmmakers to follow his example and to listen to their “inner duwende (dwarf).” Last October, De Guia received the Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award for Filmmaking. Congratulations brod!