The 45th: An Affair to Remember

The program started before 8 pm. There was no more time to hold a business meeting. Hence, I decided to make my short report as part of my welcome address. I took note of the suggestion of Vrod Rolly Uy (21st BCT ‘67) to include somewhere in the program a recitation of the Varrons’ Pledge. This I did before I ended my welcome message. With Vrod Deo manning the laptop and projecting the pledge in a wide screen upstage, I asked all Varrons to stand up and “do something that probably most of us have only done once as a Varron through all these years”. With all the lights off inside the hall and the only light available was that of the projector screen, I urged every Varron to raise their right hand and repeat the pledge after me. So far, I do not know if the recitation of the pledge made a difference. I hope it did.(Thanks Vrod Rolly for your suggestion.)

After my welcome remarks, the introduction of batches (from the latest to the oldest) was made by Sis Grace Penales-Marza (BUTA ‘91), the night’s emcee. Almost all batches in both aggie and forestry chapters were represented by a least one member. This was followed by Sis Cion’s introduction of Vrod Pons Batugal (Honorary Member ’64) who was the night’s guest speaker. A special dance number was presented by the undergrads after the inspiring message of Vrod Pons.

The 45th year being a milestone event, the UPVAA decided to give out lifetime achievement awards in the fields of Higher Education and Government Service. Vrod Ramon Razal (Skylove ‘73) chaired the Awards Committee with Vrods Dodie and Deo, Sis Cristina Madamba-Bajet (Innovation Batch ‘71), Eva Ferrer-Dacumos (Controversial ‘82) and Mutya Quintos-Manalo as members.

Sis Cion Karganilla-Raymundo was awarded the Varrons Lifetime Achievement Award for Higher Education.  She is the current Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, UPLB. Vrod Caloy Tomboc was awarded the Varrons Lifetime Achievement Award for Government Service. He is the current Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology.

Vrod Romy H. Huelgas was given a special lifetime achievement award as the Father of the Varrons. A plaque of appreciation was also given to the Charter Members (Original 1962), Varronettes 1963 and Magnificent Seven ’67.  The Charter Members who were present included Vrods Romy Huelgas, Peck Mapusao, Nelson Mercado and Armand Atienza who was present despite being wheelchair-bound. He has been to most of the past anniversary celebrations

Among the Varronettes, Sis Cion and Sis Elvie Talatayod were present while Vrod Manny Bonita was the sole representative of the Magnificent Seven.

There was a side question that went like this: “If Vrod Romy is the Father of the Varrons, who is the Mother?” I hope that Sis Cion and Sis Elvie and the rest of Varronettes can give us an answer someday.

Vrod Verong delivered the closing remarks. A video presentation prepared by the team of Sis Mae Macariola followed. The two shows elicited a lot of oh’s and ah’s at the sight of pictures from 1962 up to the present. Many were appreciative of seeing how they and their contemporaries looked before. Most of all, the video elicited sweet memories of the past. This feeling was not lost to the older Varrons present that night.

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin