What do you suggest that other members should do during weekends in order to keep the spirit of camaraderie always burning?
Every little thing counts, but I think many things are already going on especially for the undergrads who still have to work hard to finish their studies. We really do not have to think of something out of the ordinary, but it would be nice for alumni on campus to increase the frequency of getting together with each other and with the undergrads not only for basketball games but in nature walks and picnics in mud spring or flat rocks, sing-along sa bahay, etc., and for those on-campus alumni, who have not been showing their faces in past Varrons get-together, to start doing so. This would entice the off-campus alumni to come and join the fun whenever they could spare the time.

As one of the founding members of the UPVL, which is now a well-established organization on campus, what do you think are the best qualities of the members that brought about this success? Though successful, what are some of the weaknesses of its members?
Our early beginnings had been one as a gang of idealists. Our early years had been one of trying hard to compete with older, already well-established orgs. We competed successfully because we lived up to our ideals as a group of well-rounded individuals who would like to shape themselves in the mold of Marcus Terentius Varro. In our early years in the upper campus, we cornered the scholars, exemplary athletes, and student leaders into our membership. As a result, we had a succession of one or two cum laudes from the late 1960s to the 1970s and a strong grip on athletics and other competitions on campus. At the same time, we did not discriminate against those who were short in the desired qualities for membership. After all, being a UP student already marks one potentially as a better than average university student. We simply had to help the members to develop their latent qualities. We were quite strict then. Members who failed to maintain an average of 2.5 were put in an inactive list to allow them more time for their studies.

As for weaknesses, we did not have the flamboyance of an Upsilonian, Betan, Sigma Deltan, or Sigma Betan. We did have members of star quality like Pepot or Meris to bring us some glamour, but our down to earth qualities should not be perceived as a weakness – these helped shape us into what we are now.

The long-debated topic on the expulsion of a member had not come to an end. From your perspective, being a member of a valued opinion, when does a member deserve to be sacked?
I come from a very large family. As the lucky one, my not-so-lucky brothers often come to me with their problems, and for countless times I have been disappointed with them. However, how can we sack our own brothers? Within the Varrons as well, I believe no one deserves to be sacked for whatever reason. If some Varrons do not seem to belong or have done something really wrong, we should try to make them belong or let us give them all the chances to right the wrong. If that does not work, then let them come and belong at their own pace. Expulsion burns the bridge and closes the way back. I do not believe in burning bridges but in rebuilding them. Of course others do not share this idea, which is why we have a provision for expulsion. If we change our by-laws I would support removing that provision and always leave a way back for a prodigal son or daughter to return.

There is no doubt that UPVL is now in command in Forestry. What do you advise the members in order to meet the expectations of maintaining supremacy in College?
Perhaps this statement makes more sense to the Forestry Campus Varrons of the 1970s and 1980s when rivalry with other organizations was most intense, especially in the battle for supremacy with much older orgs and one org, in particular. I think the UPVL of today is already at ease with its place on campus and not as engaged in being supremely in command. Even so, let us all remember that life and things that are dynamic tend to go in cycle, what comes up could come down and what is down could come back up.

Do you see any threats as to the disintegration of the UPVL?
Not any right now.

What viable projects should members invest money, time and effort into so that in 5 years time we have something we can all be proud of having supported?
I am into housing business so that is the first thing that comes to my mind. There is already a Gawad Kalinga housing program for the poorest among the poor, which was started by Couples for Christ. It is already well supported from all corners, but it would be a great experience for many of us to spend time as a volunteer in one of the many Gawad Kalinga projects; there is one nearby at Putho, the largest GK project in Laguna.

Concerning my own endeavor on housing, I am targeting the not so poor – the low-middle to middle income earners, especially civil servants – who, although having steady incomes, are still lacking in savings required for building their own houses. I am also catering to the high-middle class for a cross-subsidy scheme, so that quality houses can be built for the low-middle class at low prices.

My ambition is to spread this program – I have no name for it yet – all over the country, just like Gawad Kalinga. Since we now have Varrons everywhere who can spare efforts, if not invest money on it, I think spreading such a program would not be difficult. I can devote my time on this program after I retire from my current consulting project.

We are aware of the plight of some of our members especially during times of emergencies, how about devising a sort of contingency plan or putting up something like a Varrons Bank/Credit Coop?

A Varrons Credit Cooperative, which could grow into a Varrons Savings and Investment Bank, seems like a good idea. We don’t have to be limited by space since international links via the web have shrunk that space. We have some banking and credit experts among us like Berong and Eloy who should study this and, later on together with others like Neneng and Terry, could work to realize it. Passing the hat in times of emergency will still be there, but I am not so keen on getting everyone to contribute in advance for an emergency fund. It’s better for them to invest so that their capital remains intact while part of the profits go towards meeting the immediate needs of Varrons.

Any words of wisdom or advice?
Not that I already felt great when I was young, but even as a small boy, I had always opted for humility. It is enjoyable to indulge in a self-admiration society; it is not wrong to enjoy one’s fruits, so long as you realize what you are doing, humility is not cast aside, and you come back with your feet on the ground.

One of many memories that bring me down to earth is that of our batch’s finals at flat rocks. Already a junior with four consecutive semesters as a college or university scholar awarded by the UP President, I was asked by Sis Cion to define “scholar” — I could not give a good answer.

Last Updated on April 11, 2021 by Tudla_Admin