President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has formally appointed Ambassador Willy C. Gaa ‘66 as Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Malacanang announced last August 9. In his weekly press conference that afternoon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the appointment of Gaa was signed by the President recently together with those of five other officials in various government offices.

By virtue of Department of Foreign Affairs Assignment Order No. 311-06 signed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo last July 15, Ambassador Gaa had been assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. as Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission effective July 25. He arrived in Washington, D.C. from Los Angeles on July 26 and assumed his official duty on the same day. Prior to this current assignment, Ambassador Gaa served as Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.

Ambassador Gaa met with US State Officials on August 1. In the photo below are from left: Nathaniel “Chip” Dean, Philippine Country Officer; Angela Dickey, Director, Office of Maritime Southeast Asia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Peter Hemsch, Philippine Country Officer; Minister Carlos “King” Sorreta ‘88, Philippine Embassy; Ambassador Willy C. Gaa ‘66; and Evan P. Garcia.

Independent film director Michael Francis E. Sandejas ‘91 won the “Best Film,” “Best Sound” and “Best Editing” for the film “Tulad ng Dati” at the 2006 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Eight films battled each other in the full length category. These are “Ang Huling Araw ng Linggo” by Nick Joseph Olanka; “Batad: Sa Paang Palay” by Vic Acedillo, Jr. and Benji Garcia; “Donsol” by Adolfo Alix, Jr.; “In Da Red Corner” by Dado C. Lumibao and Bong Ramos; “Mudraks” by Arah Jell G. Badayos; “Rotonda” by Ron Bryant; “Saan Nagtatago si Happiness” by Florida M. Bautista and Rea Florido; and “Tulad ng Dati” by Michael Sandejas.

“Tulad ng Dati” is a unique film because it’s a semi-biographical movie about the legendary rock band, The Dawn. The film follows the lives and careers of the members of The Dawn through the many ups and downs of the band’s 20 years in the music industry. The film’s cast includes the members of The Dawn (Jett Pangan, JB Leonor, Francis Reyes and Buddy Zabala) playing themselves, and Ping Medina, Agot Isidro and Mylene Dizon.

The festival will move over to the UP Film Institute in Diliman on August 7 to 10.

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Click image below to view the trailer of “Tulad ng Dati”

Francisco “Jun” Aniag ‘66 was elected chairman of the Philippine College of Rotary Governors for 2007 at their elections last July 21 held at the Forbes Park Association Pavilion in Makati City. The said organization is the association of about 300 past and present district governors of Rotary International. Congratulations brod!

Leading the Upsilonians at the helm of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA), Atty. Gari M. Tiongco ‘62 took his oath as president of the UPAA together with other members of the UPAA Board for 2006-2009 last June 29. Other Upsilonians in the board are Ponciano E. Rivera ‘61 (First Vice-President), Benjamin H. Cervantes ‘58 (Public Relations Officer), Leon M. Arceo ‘59 (Auditor), Dr. Virgilio A. Fernandez ‘63, Romeo H. Gecolea ‘63, Mariano Hidalgo Jr. ‘54, Atty. Ramon M. Maronilla ‘66 and Alfredo E. Pascual ‘67.

UP University Professor Emeritus Gemino H. Abad ‘55, renowned Filipino poet and literary scholar, was invited by Allegorien in Rome’s cultural association as one of the featured poets for the third Mediterraenea Intercontinental Festival of Literature and Arts to be held in Rome last July 10 to 26.

Abad read his poems with other poets in the town of Cerveteri and the University of Rome La Sapienza. His poem, The Pope Expels Certain Saints, was exhibited in a Roman public square with other poets’ works and included in an anthology of poems on Rome. He also delivered a public lecture at the University of Rome La Sapienza.

He was the only Filipino invited to the cultural event, which gathered poets, writers and artists from the Mediterranean nations, as well as writers who, while they may not be Mediterranean,” recognize themselves ideally and expressively in the dialogical and multicultural values of a common Mediterranean identity.”

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Everyone is invited to support the entry of Michael Francis E. Sandejas ‘91 entitled “Tulad ng Dati” at the Philippine Independent Film Festival from July 17-23, 2006 at the CCP Dream Theater (Tanghalang Manuel Conde). For the schedule of screenings, visit the CCP website.

Ten finalists will be competing at the said festival which aims to “honor the cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.” Good luck brod!

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.