JANUARY 2015

Volume 2 Issue 1

Fraternity News

Fraternity News

February 2015 Chapter

Meeting and Fellowship
By Mac Macrohon 90

What would a chapter do after successfully concluding a

major project? For the U.P. Vanguard Makati Chapter,
embark in a new major project. This is the gist of the
presentation made by Makati Chapter Commander Brod
Sig Fortun78 in the first chapter meeting for 2015 held
last February 24 at the McKinley Room of the Manila
Polo Club. Brod Sig reported to the members the
positive outcome of the recently concluded gala
presentation of the Beauty and the Beast play
sponsored by Makati Chapter last February 1, 2015 at
the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The Chapter
Commander proposed to the brods that the chapter
sponsor the renovation and rehabilitation of Peralta
Hall.. Although a big undertaking in itself, the chapter
also finds time to co-host another fun shoot of the U.P.
Vanguard Gun Club slated on the first week of March
2015.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

The decades social event of the year was what most brods called the
Beauty and the Beast gala show at the CCP last February 1. Everyone
was clad in formal attire with the cadet officers and sponsors in their
uniforms. Despite the modest returns from ticket sales, most everyone
agreed that the Makati Chapter pulled off an entertaining, spectacular and a
most welcome treat to all benefactors of the UPVI.

As the brods savored the course offerings of all-Filipino

dishes, Vice Chapter Commander Ray Apostol 85
briefed us about the much talked about West Philippine
Seas and the resources contained therein. Brod Ray
being one of the prominent geologists of the region was
very informative and precise in his lecture that the brods
appreciated.

The Makati Chapter is also happy to announce the

addition to our roll of members, Vgd. AC Fernando 84
and Vgd. Erwin Flores 86. Makati is now a 62-member
strong and dedicated chapter of the UPVI. We look
forward to this coming March 2015 meeting as we
celebrate the one year anniversary of the revitalized
Makati Chapter.

CONTRIBUTORS
Vgd. Deo G. Orpilla
Editor-in-Chief
Vgd. Atty. RE Ramirez
Assitant Editor-in-Chief

Vgd. Atty. Sig Fortun

Contributor
Vgd. Bimbo Salazar
Contributor
Vgd. Ray Apostol
Contributor

The U.P. Vanguard Makati Chapter sponsored the showing of the original
broadway musical Beauty and the Beast at the CCP Main Theatre last
February 1, 2015. Relentlessly driven by the persistence of its Chapter
Commander, the Makati Chapter officers unanimously decided to undertake
this daunting project on its own, that is without any outside professional
assistance. Imagine trying to fill up 1,800++ seats of the Abelardo Hall of
the CCP.

To be continued in page 6

For comments and suggestions, please e-mail deog.orpilla@yahoo.com / 09985100285

Vgd. Mac Macrohon

Contributor
Vgd. JP Yusingco
Contributor
Vgd. Jun Aragon
Contributor
Vgd. Atty. Jonah Jimenez
Contributor

Page 1

THE VANGUARD PROFILE:

MGEN SILVINO A.
ALCABASA, JR.
UPVI 79, BS PMA 82, UP BSCE 89, MNSA 04
By Sig Fortun 78, Chapter Commander

The Chapter succeeded in mustering a good number of brods to pay

tribute and participate in the retirement honors given by the PMA to
Brod Jun Alcabasa 79 in the morning of January 17, 2015. He is set to
retire in June 2015, but he and 4 other star-rank officers from the Navy,
PNP, and Army were given the traditional parangal way ahead of time.
Jun hosted the brods who had motored up to Baguio from Manila for
dinner the day before the parade. In attendance at that dinner were
members of the graduating class of cadet officers from Diliman, their
sponsors, and the tactical staff of the Corps. Everyone were up and early
in the chilly morning of the 17th to view the arrival honors for Brod Jun in
front of Melchor Hall in Fort Del Pilar. A quick reception followed. The
COs and sponsors were in their crisp office attires, and were
subsequently joined by hundreds of guests of the honorees and their
families at the grandstand of Borromeo Field.
After the parade in review where the honorees led by Brod Jun were
given plaques of commendation by the PMA Superintendent and the
Academy, the Brods, COs and Sponsors were invited to partake of lunch
with the cadets at the Mess Hall.
After a healthy serving of roasted chicken and fish fillet was consumed,
Brod Jun gave a speech to serve as inspiration for the graduating cadets
of the PMA. He traced his roots as a student in Bian, Laguna who made
it to UP as an engineering student, then as a Cadet in PMA, returning to
the UP to conclude his engineering degree, and thereafter his completion of an MNSA degree from the NDCP. He
said that despite his ascription to hard work, luck was still elemental in his achieving 2-star rank as current Chief
of the AFP Corps of Engineers. His advise to the young cadets were (a) do not give your all to what you do as
life is not a sprint to the finish, but a marathon, hence, pace yourself, (b) be ready for opportunities as they
come and always be prepared to take them on, and (c) know the priorities in life, as not all things that come your
way are important.

The simplicity of Brod Juns speech, coming as it did straight from his heart, was only matched by the wit with which
he had crafted it, complete with acknowledgements to the Brods in attendance who he said had given him honor, and
his glee for having been accepted by the Brods as one of their own. Congratulations Brod Jun and

Godspeed!
Page 2

At the reception of the PMA Retirement Honors for Brod Jun Alcabasa 79 on
January 17, much attention was given the UPVI, the brods who were in attendance, cadets and
sponsors, and even the Commandant of Cadets (Colonel Boyet Imbang), as all were introduced
and asked to rise to be recognized during the luncheon speech given by Jun. We all were proud of
Jun and he reciprocated by ensuring that we felt at home and comfortable in the company of his
peers and the cadet corps of the AFP.
By Sig Fortun 78

Page 3

UPVI GOES TO BAGUIO

Showing our support to the members of U.P. Vanguard Northern Luzon Chapter and the UP Baguio ROTC, brods
and cadet officers of UPLB ROTC embarked on a 3-day tour to Baguio to participate in the activities set on
January 24 and 25, 2015.

Travel
While other brods travelled going to Baguio by bus or through their own vehicles, more than 30 brods and cadet
officers opted to join the caravan with the vehicles provided by Brod Sig Fortun 78. UPLB brods and officers rode
the Toyota Hi-Ace while the rest of the brods were assigned to the mini bus complete with complimentary drinks
and videoke. We left Friday night from the UP DMST in Diliman and the brods sang to their hearts content as we
travelled up to Baguio. Arriving at the city of pines before sunrise, we converged at one of the open shops to have
an early breakfast of tapsilog and lugaw. We then proceeded on the lodging areas to take a short rest before
joining the days activities.

Wreath-laying Ceremonies and January Birthday

Fellowship
By Mac Macrohon 90

We assembled again at the UP Baguio Oblation this time with all the brods and cadets officers in
attendance for the wreath laying ceremony and memorial for the Vanguard Dead. National Commander
Bimbo Salazar 71 led the group as we gave tribute to our Alma Mater and honor our fallen brods. After the
ceremonies, brods attended to their other tasks, some joined the board meeting of the National
organization, others continued their preparation for the scheduled fun run the following day and the rest
spend the afternoon enjoying the sights and the Baguio climate. That night, we gathered at the clubhouse of
Pinewood Golf and Country Club Estates to celebrate the January Birthday Fellowship hosted by Brod
Bimbo Salazar 71. Enjoying the camaraderie with the brods as we drink and dine in the chilly Baguio night
is really an event to remember. The group had to end the party early in anticipation of the early wake-up
time for those who are participating in the run. Our group staying in Brentwood was welcomed by a bonfire
prepared by our neighbor from Fortun Narvasa and Salazar law offices who happen to be joining also the
fun run. Before we can call it a night, we joined the group for a nightcap and a bonus of bulalo soup for the
finale.
Page 4

UPVI NORTH-LUZON CHAPTER

TAKBO AMIANAN 2015

By Mac Macrohon 90

Brods from Diliman and Los Baos participated in the UPVI-NL Amianan fun run held on January 24. Everyone
was roused from their brief sleep to savor the cold air and mountainous terrain of Baguio. How the brods were able
to contend with the climate and lack of sleep arising from whole-night partying starting from the Pinewood Clubs
UPVI meeting to drinks galore at Brentwood townhouses were most of the brods were billeted, was a fete in itself.
We should expect next years run to be better attended and funded, with full support from our Chapter.

Fighting the urge to get more sleep we had to get up

early as the assembly time for the run is at 5am. We are
greeted with a crowd of runners as we arrived at the gun
start for the 21km run. We are privileged of joining the
first Amianan run hosted the UPV Northern Luzon
Chapter and the UPB Corps of Cadets. Some of the
brods assisted the organizers in manning race areas,
while the rest participated in the fun run. High light of the
event is a wedding proposal from one of the runners to
his longtime girlfriend. The crowd greeted the couple with
applause and cheers.
We are happy to witness a successful staging of the fun
run and hope to join the succeeding runs organized by
our Baguio brods.
As the culminating activity of the Baguio visit, more than
one hundred brods and friends converged at the Rose
Bowl Restaurant for lunch hosted by Chapter
Commander Brod Sig Fortun 78. Although tired from the
run and sleepy with lack of rest brods still have the
appetite in enjoying the places signature dishes. After the
sumptuous meal and endless poses for pictures and
handshakes most of the brods started their tour back to
basehome.
Page 5

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

By JP Yusingco 78

Continued from page 1

Disneys Beauty and the Beast is an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13
countries. Based on the Academy Award winning animated feature, the stage version includes songs written by Alan
Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and
was nominated for 9 Tony Awards.

The story evolved around the Beast, actually a very handsome and rich Prince who was cursed by an old witch to
become so ugly and repugnant. Only the true love of a lady would break this spell and bring him back to his true self
as a Prince.
Beauty on the other hand was a barrio lass so devoted to her father as she was beautiful. When her father was
captured by the Beast, she offered herself to be his prisoner in place of her father. This selfless sacrifice catched the
curiosity of the Beast who then paid attention to her.
Finally, they fell in love with each other, in a true way, and the Beast turned back into the handsome Prince. They
married and lived happily ever after.
The proceeds of this project are for the benefit of the U.P. Reserve Officers Training Corps of our beloved Alma
Mater, the University of the Philippines. We intend to improve the welfare of our Cadet Officers and the improvement
of its facilities. It is our way of giving back to the Cadet Corps from where we all come from. The Corps that molded
us into great citizens of our great nation.
Specifically lined up is the refurbishing of the Peralta Hall where many cadet officers have fond memories. We
remember the arcade in front of the old flagpole where the COCC Class 25-A were received and welcomed and of
course braced up. As most of us knows, this group became the Class of 1978 of Diliman. The arcade was also the
place where we could talk with the spongays as we called them then. Can we bring back this arcade?
The project was also the recipient of inspiring messages from our nations leaders led by the President himself, the
Vice-President, Senate President and Speaker of the House, the Chief-of-Staff, the U.P. President and our
Commandant.
The Makati Chapter officers wish to acknowledge the unwavering support of our National Commander and the many
brods who assisted the project. True to its character as leaders, the Makati Chapter is now preparing to plan out its
next project for the Corps. Hail! Hail! Lead the Way!
Page 6

UPVI MAKATI HONORS THE FALLEN 44

By Jonah Jimenez 86
The UP Vanguard, Incorporated gathered last Saturday, February 7, 2015 for
a high noon mass capped by a wreath laying ceremony to honor the fallen 44
PNP SAF commandos killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao .
Led by the members of the UPVI Makati Chapter, the brods initially gathered
the cadet quadrangle where a mass was celebrated. Several brods, cadets
and sponsors braved the noon sun while Brod Fr. Joey Bautista 82, Rector of
John Paul II Minor Seminary, said the mass prayers. Joined by family and
friends, the Vanguard brods celebrated the gallantry of the SAF troopers.
Afterwards, the brods proceeded to at the Vanguard Memorial where an honor
guard detail held post. The words inscribed on our Vanguard Memorial could
not be more apt for the ocassion. Part of its says: To the chosen few... who
gave their lives for dreams stronger than death
A wreath in memory of the SAF troopers was laid by no less than the Chapter
Commander himself, Vanguard Sig Fortun 78, assisted by Vgd. Hermie
Dumlao 58, UPVI Governor, UP ROTC Diliman Assistant Commandant Major
Nida Gutierrez, UP Corps of Sponsor Ms. Angela Mae C. Tullo and Corps
Commander C/Col. Jelyn Dades. The brods gave their snappy salutes to the
valiant SAF men while taps was solemnly played. The Philippine flag was
then placed at half mast.
These men of the SAF have shown that they share the same Vanguard values
of Honor untarnished, Duty well-performed, Country above self. By laying
down their lives for our country, they truly deserve to be called heroes.

PERALTA HALL GETS A MAKE-OVER, MAKATI-STYLE

By Jonah Jimenez 86
The UP Cadet Corps complex has always been the home of the Vanguard brods. It
is within these buildings that the brods transformed from boys into men, with the
walls therein being mute witnesses to all the stories, real and concocted, of the
ROTC/CMT classes throughout the decades.
Yet, the years have taken then their toll on our beloved cadet complex. The lack of
financial resources, exacerbated by the dwindling ROTC enrollment, have caused
our walls and roofs to fall apart.
It is with this in mind that the Makati Chapter embarked on an ambitious project of
renovating one of the key structures in the complex the Peralta Hall, named in
honor of General Macario Peralta, the Corps Commander of the UP Corps of Cadets
in 1934, who later became a soldier, lawyer, senator and Secretary of National
Defense. The achievements of General Mac Peralta have inspired several
Vanguard brods to excel in their chosen fields of endeavour. Yet, the building, in
recent times, has not lived up to its namesake.
On February 02, 2015, the Makati Chapter led the charge to bring the Peralta Hall
back to its old glory. With the invaluable assistance of Brod Jun Alcabasa 79, and
under the leadership of Brod Sig Fortun 78, the chapter forged ahead with the
rehabilitation of the Peralta Hall. The 51st Engineering Brigade, led by BGen.
Vicente M. Yordan CE (GSC) PA paved the way for the commencement of the
project on February 9,2015.
The rehabilitated Peralta Hall is expected to serve the requirements of the Cadet
Corps by March 28, 2015. It is planned to be furnished with updated lecture/seminar
and equipped with air-conditoning, CCTV monitoring system and supported by solar
panels.
The Makati trendsetter chapter members have shown that they are ready to dirty
their hands, and roll up their sleeves, to serve the Corps. Hail the Corps!
Page 7

The Cadet Corps of the UP ROTC has once again experienced first hand a tour of the Department of
National Defense Government Arsenal in Camp Gen. Antonio Luna, Limay Bataan. Below is an article
together with photographs describing the experience that have been obtained via the rigors of UP ROTC
training. (Thanks to CPvt Anne Lee B Deyro, 3Cl and C2Lt Carlos Joshua A Lazaro, 3Cl)
By Ray Apostol 85 and Myka Marteja 14

The UP Diliman Corps of Cadets along with the Corps of Sponsors visited the Department of National Defense,
Government Arsenal, Camp General Antonio Luna in Limay, Bataan. The cadets had their familiarization firing early
on their second semester of taking the UP ROTC course. They fired M16 A1 in various positions such as prone,
sitting and standing. Aside from the familiarization firing, they also visited the Government Arsenal Museum where
they were able to look at various weapons and equipment used in the different significant events in our countrys
history. They also had an educational tour of the arsenal plant facility, whose main focus is the production of
ammunition, where they learned about the different processes involved in making bullets to be exported to different
countries and to be utilized by our Armed Forces.
Everything has been a value-adding experience for the cadets, sponsors and Cadet Officers. They have expressed
their aspiration for the continuing exposure in weaponry as they found it fun-filled but meaningful.
The visit captured the interest of regular cadets who have conveyed desire to learn more military subjects and fulfill
the ROTC purpose of motivating, training, organizing and mobilizing the youth for national defense preparedness
(Sec 3, RA 9163). Related programs have now been started to implement reorganization in the training and
administrative procedures with the vision of the making the UP Corps of Cadets as the premiere source of reservists
in the country.
The UP ROTC is hoping for the enduring support of various units of the Armed Forces and the Vanguard Incorporated
in order to conduct worthwhile training and produce leaders that will help in securing the well being and security of the
country.
For the success of the fieldtrip, the UP ROTC wishes to thank the Government Arsenal Director, Major General
Jonathan C Martir AFP (RET) for his generous accommodation and the Army Support Command for the
transportation assistance.
Page 8