Having recognized the maturity of the theater arm of the organization, the Solidarity for People’s Power (SPP) invited us to perform in Tanza, Cavite. When the SPP saw the impact of the performance on its advocacy, they commissioned us for a fee of  2000 pesos to come up with a full production to help raise funds for the community. I decided to launch a full version of the L&B skit and added new songs and dances as intermissions. Later on, I heard that other versions of these performances were done by different agencies like ERDB and PCARRD, courtesy of Vrods Kent and Larry. Other outstanding talents that emerged during this era included Vrods Ramil Alcala, Jonar Sara, Ichie de la Cruz, Reynante Ramilo, Ogie Silvestre, Benedict Muncal, the late Oliver Manset, and Sisses Joyla Nerona, Ellen de Villa, Edna Sabaten, Ellen Parañaque, Ina Guillermo, Djanvi Asibor, Lilebeth Vicencio, and Jocie Tope.

Organizational Milestones. Circa 1990s brought tremendous achievements to the UPVL. We co-sponsored and produced two pop concerts to generate funds for our cause. We celebrated our anniversary in larger and more glamorous venues.

We embarked into well-meaning civic projects, some of which even replaced some of our organizational excursions. We continued to win awards and prizes in various competitions such as the February Fair celebrations, Gymkhana, FFD and NFO, and other quiz contests. We embraced new concepts and challenges that came along our way. These included the revival of the UPVL Aggie Chapter which was initially headed by Sis Jocie, and the election of the first female Grand Varron of the Forestry Chapter, Sis Grace Penales-Marza.

I consider two historical events that summarize circa 1990s of UPVL. The first was the staging of Sa Kanlungan ng Kalayaan (SKK), a centennial offering of the UP Varrons Ltd. – an event that has not yet been equaled by any organization in the university. Sis Grace requested Vrod Tonton to write a script for a play production to mark her term. As the Production Manager, I asked my brother, Rudyard (not a Varron at that time yet) to direct the production. Having had previous difficult experiences with huge production, the membership was reluctant and quite nervous about the project. They thought they would end up paying for some costs long after the production was done. Such reluctance was understandable but the production staff was determined to make it happen. The project started from scratch (as in zero balance) but the production staff was able to raise about P90,000 solely from solicitations and ticket sales. The cost of the production was around 110 thousand pesos which meant that I had to shoulder some of the pre-production costs and director’s allowance. But being so focused in fulfilling this production, I took up the costs as the production manager and senior adviser of the organization.

Indeed in March 1996, SKK was staged for three gala nights and one special presentation for schoolchildren. The entire college was surprised to see the grandeur of such project. Deep inside me was a big sigh that we started with 0 and ended with no accounts payable just as I promised Sis Grace. The gains of the said production were earned by the next term of Vrod Moreno when the university-wide centennial celebration was held. Upon request from the Centennial Committee of UPLB, Vrod Tonton agreed to re-stage an abridged version of SKK at the D.L. Umali Hall. UPVL was paid 5,000 pesos which Vrod More and his council allocated for the construction of the permanent benches at our tambayan. Yes, folks, those sitting areas are products of the theatrical prowess of the UPVL in-house artists during the 1990s!

The second event involved the finals night of batch Tanglaw in 1996. The climate during that time was saturated with untoward events surrounding hazing during fraternity finals. Some alumni raised concerns over the traditional physical contacts that were being used by the organization during initiation rite. In response to these, the UPVL membership voted for the first time not to employ physical contact during its initiation! Rather, under the leadership of Sis Grace, the members were able to come up with creative ways to inculcate UPVL’s organizational creed. This has become the precursor of the creative psychological and symbolic rituals that were invented for the next batches to come.

In conclusion, the 1990s have served as the most inspiring era for future leaders and professionals in UPVL. The driving force in this era remains the organizational pillars of truth, love, justice and freedom. As UPVL moves forward, the stars of the 1990s continue to pave new roads for the organization.

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*Editorial notes: The following are the full names of Varrons mentioned in this article (in alphabetical order with batch name in parenthesis): Ramil Alcala (NAME ’93), Kent Apostol (Youth of Liberty ’89), Kathryn Araño-Gazal (Eureka ’93), Djanvi Asibor (Orion ’98), Carmen Baylon (Eureka ’93), Sheila Borel (Youth of Liberty ’89), Baby Jhane Clemeno (Sibol ’98), Antonio “Tonton” Contreras (Survivors ’78), Rowena “Ichie” de la Cruz (BUTA ’91), Manny de la Peña (BUTA ’91) , Ellen de Villa-Caleja (Sturnidae of Decembirth ’91), Rico Gazal (Admirable Sixers ’88), Myla Gonzalvo (Secret ’94), Myla Gucilatar (Youth of Liberty ’89), Ina Guillermo-Kadda (Kavan ’95), Josephine “Josie” Makiling (Exemenarao ’97), Pastor Malabrigo (BUTA ’91), Oliver Manset (RATBOO ’95), Larry Melegrito (Augustinians ’90), Benedict Muncal (Eureka ’93), Joyla Nerona-Ofrecia (Noah’s Ark ’92), Amadeo Palacpac (Tanglaw ’96), Ma. Elena “Ellen” Parañaque (BUTA ’91), Antonio “Tony” Pega (Anahaw ’88), Grizelda “Grace” Penales-Marza (BUTA ’91), Rudyard “Buboy” Pesimo (Tanglaw ’96), Edwin “EJ” Pila (Augustinians ’90) , Roselle Planas (Youth of Liberty ’89), Diomedes “Medic” Racelis (Honorary Member), Reynante Ramilo (Noah’s Ark ’92), Edna Sabaten (Agila ’92) , Evelyn Saludo (Youth of Liberty ’89), Ronald Samonte (Augustinians ’90) , Moreno Santander Jr. (NAME ’93), Jonar Sara (JAD ’94), Oliver “Ogie” Silvestre (Secret ’94), Jimson Solatre (Youth of Liberty ’89), Alfredo “Dodie” Torres (Victorious Octavians ’89), Jocelyn “Tambe” Tope-Briones (D’ Determiners ’88), Noel Urriza (Tanglaw ’96), Lilebeth Vicencio (Tanglaw ’96)

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Dap (BSF 1994, MS 1997) is spending her time, together with her family, in self-exile in the US to pursue her doctoral degree in Sociology. She aspires to embody the ideals of UPVL and to extend her service to more people outside the organization.

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin