Tell us some of your childhood experiences, which made you, decide to pursue Forestry.
I had always been at least two years younger than my classmates. Mixing with older classmates did not automatically mean losing out in physical games, although it meant having crushes on older girls. I kept my crushes secret, being a very shy guy and afraid of rejection. I had my first girlfriend only after graduation when I was already an instructor at the College of Forestry. She was a College of Forestry freshman at that time but only 2-3 years younger – a Varron sis – pioneer Varrons would know who she is. My last girlfriend is 12 years younger – a Varron sis, too – you know who, my wife of course!
How I got into forestry was not by choice, but by fate. I wanted to be a civil engineer. I could not have gone to UPLBCF had I not been chosen as one of five Reforestation Administration Scholars through a scholarship examination held nationwide. While becoming a forester was my fate, being an engineer is still my destiny. My BSF specialization was in logging engineering and I have been practicing engineering by building roads, subdivisions, and houses. I built the Forestry Campus road (the one-way road fronting FBS and FORI buildings) and a couple of other roads in LB. Jubileeville is my creation. My third child, who was born when I was developing Jubileeville, is now a graduating civil engineering student at CEAT (without my prodding) – her name is Marisse Jubi Lee Bonita – get the connection? I have designed and supervised the construction of at least 50 houses. I have a really crazy dream of going back to study engineering at UPLB so I can get a CE license. I was the youngest UPLB student then, I would become the oldest UPLB student if I give in to this dream. Who knows? I might even re-establish the lower campus UPVL as an undergrad. At my age, still I have other dreams too, which would take up my time, so I guess that crazy dream would have to remain a dream.
How did being a member of UPVL impact your life?
From the Varrons Archives: Doc (left) in a graduation party with some Varrons in 1980.
I joined UPVL at seventeen when I was already a junior student at UPLB. Two of my co-batch members in Magnificent 7 were about 10 years older and were my guardians away from home. I owe much to my UPVL batch mates, who as my older brothers, helped to shape my life. After coming back to UPLB from graduate studies, it became my turn to be the older brother to the Varrons. I was the only Magnificent 7 batch member remaining on campus, so it was up to me to shoulder the task of nurturing the upper campus UPVL. The 1970s though were among the most memorable years in my life. During those times, UPVL was my only life aside from being a university professor.
“To the Stars, Through Difficulties” is the motto of the organization: how can you relate to this?
Our motto has been chosen well by our elders. It teaches us to persevere no matter how difficult the way turns out to be. Equally important is choosing your star – your goal – in your life and in whatever endeavor you are engaged in. Although I have generally been lucky in my life, it is perseverance, which our motto teaches, that helped pave the way to my success. Bear in mind that luck comes only 1% from heaven, but 99% from earthly toil.
Through the years that you had been with the Varrons, tell us some activities, projects or events that you enjoyed most with them.
During the 1970s the enjoyable activities with the Varrons came flooding rather than in trickles. Our stars shone much brighter during February Fairs. I remember one such Fair in particular when I designed and built with the Varrons a geodesic hemispherical dome booth that won the grand prize. We fabricated its parts at the Forestry Campus from split bamboo and built the booth at the last minute. Other orgs had their booths already built. Spectators watched in awe, wondering what we were up to, as the dome took shape from its vertex down to its base.
Last Updated on April 11, 2021 by Tudla_Admin
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