From the pages of the 45th Anniversary Souvenir Program:
By Larissa “Dap” Pesimo-Gata (Batch With No Name II ’90)
I accepted this task of writing some of the most significant remembrances of the 1990s for two reasons. First, I have personally witnessed the era since I entered the organization in 1990 and stayed as a faculty in UPLB from 1994 onwards. Second, important events in my adult life almost coincide with some of the most impressive achievements of the said circa. However, I would say that my recollections have dealt mainly on my general impressions of the organization, with more detailed accounts on events that I have personal knowledge of.
In retrospect, circa 1990s for UPVL has been the peak of Varrons’ quest for excellence. It was a time when most of the members were passionately persistent to prove UPVL’s ability to pursue its noble causes, surpass its limitations, and produce well-rounded personalities among its members. From various aspects of academic realm, UPVL has left its imprints not only in the upper campus but the lower campus as well. Individually, the members excelled in both curricular and extracurricular activities that carved historical niches in UPLB. Collectively, the UPVL engaged in bringing its social and environmental agenda to real world applications. The overall characteristic of UPVL in the 1990s is marked by activist leadership, academic excellence, sports domination and theatrical superiority that facilitated various exemplary milestones and transformative changes in the organization.
Activist Leadership. 1990s have produced some of the strongest leaders in the UPVL history. For three consecutive years, the College Student Council was headed by a Varron, namely Vrods Tony Pega, Jimson Solatre and Dodie Torres, together with other Vrods and Sisses who served as councilors. At the University Student Council, the likes of the late Sis Roselle Planas paved the way for a line of Forestry students being fielded as potential candidates. The undeniable influence of UPVL in these councils had engorged the already present rivalry among CFNR organizations. The political turmoil that emanated from such resulted to what is now a very polarized political atmosphere in the college that bans UPVL from fielding its own candidates. In fact, aspiring UPVL candidates have to appear “independent” for them to be saved from the lashes of this feud. Moreover, such challenging situation had not stopped UPVL from producing outstanding leaders who were recognized both by the College and their peers. These were the likes of Vrods Pastor Malabrigo, Moreno Santander and Ina Guillermo. Sis Ina became instrumental, as the initiator and co-founding member, in the creation of Association of Filipino Forestry Students (AFFS). While other UPVL leaders were confined within the organization (the likes of Amadeo Palacpac), others went far beyond UPVL. These are the likes of Sis Sheila Borel and Vrod Noel Urriza.
Academic Excellence. Academically, the curse of no-cum laudes in CFNR for eleven years was finally broken by our very own Vrod Rico Gazal in 1993, followed by me as the first magna cum laude in the college, and by Sis Kathryn Araño as another magna cum laude in 1995. Other cum laudes include Sis Myla Gonzalvo and Sis Josie Makiling. Academic excellence awards were also garnered by Vrods Kent Apostol and Vrod Pat. Forestry Licensure Exams were also dominated by Varrons. For the first time, the College of Forestry was also represented in the National Forestry Olympiad by four Varrons: Vrod Kent, Vrod Pat and I as contestants and Vrod Medic Racelis as coach. The various extracurricular activities and community service projects of the organization contributed much to the nomination of Vrod Rico and me to the final selection of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 1993 and 1994, respectively. I was able to win the competition in 1994, besting 30 top students all over the Philippines. Later on, Sis Baby Jhane Clemeno was selected as an exchange student to Michigan State University.
Sports Domination. Aside from excelling in academics and leadership, the organization also dominated in sports competitions. In fact, with sports stalwarts like Vrod Pat, Vrod EJ Pila, Vrod Ronald Samonte, Vrod Manny de la Peña, Sis Grace, Vrod More, Sis Evelyn Saludo and Sis Myla Gucilatar, UPVL won five straight years of grand championship for Gymkhana. This was a record – whether they recognized it or not! These gifted Vrods and Sisses were able to pursue their athletic prowess amidst tremendous organizational responsibilities simply because the membership was unanimously supportive of them in their chosen sports. For example, Vrods EJ, Ronald, Manny and Sis Grace were able to meet their hectic schedules in the varsity program while being active in the organization because of the undying support of the entire organization.
Theatrical Superiority. The first UPVL theatrical production during the 1990s was its entry to the Future Forester’s Day Skit Competition in February 1992 under the direction of Vrod Tonton Contreras. We were eight in the group namely, Sis Myla, Grace, Uchie, Vrods Larry Melegrito, Manny, EJ, and Ronald. We did not win the top prize as the judges might have not been familiar with the genre used in the street play or jokingly they might have been carried away by a hysterical Maria Makiling and a screaming bumblebee. Nonetheless, it marked the beginning for UPVL’s theatrical magic.
As the unofficial artistic director of the UPVL, I embarked into creative movements and short skits for the budding in-house artists. The superb performance of UPVL during the annual Freshman Night celebration never failed to wow the audience and earned the envy of other organizations. We would spend sleepless nights practicing the dance routines which would oftentimes be perfected only on stage. With supportive executive committee, I was able to explore some raw talents and train them as new artists for the organization. In fact, the following year, we finally won the FFD’s best skit with the phenomenal Lucresia at Baliwit skit (L&B), which was originally written by George de Jesus of the Teatro Umalohokan. The same skit had given Sis Grace and Vrod Kent the best actress and actor plums, respectively.
The Varrons productions came to the hilt in Dodies’s term in 1993. As the Arts Committee Chair, I was able to legitimize my theatrical passion. This position had opened up new possibilities for the UPVL to expand its artistic expressions. We became the designated student artists for the College of Forestry during the university-wide Faculty Follies competition where Sis Carmen Baylon won the Best Actress in 1994, while Vrod EJ and I won the Best Actor and Actress awards the following year.
Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin
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