When the online version of TUDLA was being conceived early this year, publishing a scanned version of an old mimeographed issue came to mind to show and remind everyone what TUDLA looked like in the old days. Needless to say, the team was extremely disappointed when an old copy was nowhere to be found in time for the launching.  And then there was so much excitement when a Sis* indicated that she had kept an old copy.  Surprisingly, it appears to be intact, a little bit frail on the edges and the acid showing its corrosive effect on the paper – but overall in a good state after 26 years. The TUDLA team is proud to show the old masthead, pictured above, after a cosmetic touch up with Photoshop software to cover some of the little imperfections. The original masthead was designed by Vrod Leandro Sanchez (Batch ’72) in the mid-1970s, with an abstracted figure of an arrow aimed at a lone star. It was rendered in navy blue. TUDLA was sold then to the members at 35 centavos per issue, and despite its relatively cheap retail value (just to cover the production cost), many Varrons at that time were recorded to be delinquent (for one reason or another) in paying the required amount.

Nars**, you are right when you said TUDLA Online is a revival. TUDLA used to be published in mimeographed form using a Gestetner mimeo machine.  It may have existed in a crude form (in today’s standard). But the Varrons then were proud to have it published because it was able to serve its purpose of communicating and reaching out to the members-at-large. Some of the news items may have been trivial and ordinary, although there is nothing trivial and ordinary in activities like the rummage sales and picnic – highlighted in the September 1981 issue of TUDLA, but the Varrons always strive to be responsive to the time and to be relevant to the needs of the organization.

In other words, Varrons are always able to adapt. The technology may have changed but the purpose stays the same. TUDLA is the Pahayagan (literally translated: an outlet) of the UP Varrons. TUDLA Online will try to continue to uphold that tradition, to be useful as a communication tool, and to be receptive and relevant to the organization’s needs and goals. Every member is encouraged to participate and to take the challenge.

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Footnotes:

*     The TUDLA team appreciates the help of Marilou “Malou” Torrizo-Santos (Repertory ’76) for being a sentimental Varron and for keeping old copies of TUDLA   and for providing a scanned copy of its masthead.

**    In one of the electronic chatters of the UP Varrons, Narceo “Nars” Bajet (Batch ’68) brought up the fact about TUDLA being published in Gestetner mimeographed form.

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin