-PRAYER-

A COMMANDMENT AND A

BLESSING

JESUS CHRIST. Our

SAVIOUR and REDEEMER. The

LIVING GOD

As we commemorate the birth

of Jesus Christ, two millennia ago,

may we remember the reality of

HIS matchless life and the infinite

virtue of HIS atoning sacrifice.

None other has had so profound an

influence upon all who have lived

and will live upon the earth.

HE was the Great Jehovah of

the Old Testament, the Messiah of

the New. Under the direction of

HIS FATHER, HE was the creator

of the earth.

"All things were made by HIM,

and without HIM was not anything

made that was made" (John 1:3).

Though sinless, HE was baptized

to fulfill all righteousness. HE

"went about doing good" (Acts

10:38), yet despised for it. HIS

gospel was a message of peace and

goodwill. HE entreated all to

follow HIS example. HE walked

the roads of Palestine, healing the

sick, causing the blind to see, and

raising the dead. HE taught the

truths of eternity, the reality of our

premortal existence, the purpose of

our life on earth, and the potential

for the sons and daughters of GOD

in the life to come.

HE instituted the sacrament as

a reminder of HIS great atoning

sacrifice. HE was arrested and

condemned on spurious charges,

convicted to satisfy a mob, and

sentenced to die on Calvary's

cross. HE gave HIS life to atone

for the sins of all mankind. HE was

a great vicarious gift in behalf of

all who would ever live upon the

earth. HIS life, which is central in

all human history, neither began in

Bethlehem nor concluded on

Calvary. HE was the FIRSTBORN

of the FATHER, the Only

BEGOTTEN SON in the flesh, the

REDEEMER of the world.

HE rose from the grave to

"become the first fruits of them

that slept" (Corinthians 15:20). As

Risen LORD, HE visited among

those HE loved in HIS life. HE

also ministered among HIS "other"

sheep" (John 10:16). HE will

someday return to earth. "And the

glory of the LORD shall be

revealed, and all flesh shall see it

together" (Isaiah 40:5). HE will

rule as KING of KINGS and reign

as LORD OF LORDS, and every

knee shall bend and every tongue

shall speak in worship before HIM.

Each of us will stand to be judged

of HIM according to our works

and the desires of our hearts. I

know that JESUS is the LIVING

CHRIST, the immortal SON of

GOD. HE is the great KING

IMMANUEL, who stands today

on the right hand of HIS FATHER.

HE is the light, the life, and the

hope of the world. HIS way is the

path that leads to happiness in this

life and eternal life in the world to

come. GOD be thanked for the

matchless gift of HIS divine SON

our SAVIOUR and REDEEMER

JESUS CHRIST. May I invite you

my Brothers and Sisters of the SM

Family to learn more of

HIS unconditional love and HIS

great atoning sacrifice for all of us.

May the GOOD LORD bless us

all. With Mutual Love and Respect

- Adolf'63A

Petaluma

California Odyssey

SEPTEMBER TO

REMEMBER- 2015

It was a balmy Saturday

afternoon, the 5th of September

that this glorious gathering started

taking shape, right in the heart of

the redwood empire area in

beautiful northern California;

amidst fabulous wineries known

all over the world. The distinctive

towns of Napa, Sonoma, and Santa

Vol. 7 No. 3 University of the Philippines, College of Veterinary Medicine December 2015

Rosa were the CenterPoint of this

grandiose gathering of the

alumni of our beloved UP Sigma

con Ratbu/ Society of Men.

The heartwarming and unending

generosity of Brod Emilio Zamora,

wife Ampy and their children were

beyond comprehension and

description. Theirs was the never

ending shower of love and

affection to all of us who attended

this wonderful gathering, with

their beautiful home as the focal

point of all our activities. The

winery tour guide and redoubtable

wine expert was Brod Fred Aquino

of Sacramento, as ever the undying

raconteur of our alumni group. He

did a great job showing the world

renowned wineries in our wine

country here in northern

California.

The Bienvenida dinner was hosted

by Brod Emil and wife Ampy, and

for those who were not fortunate

enough to attend this gathering,

you have missed a grandiose feast

of gourmet food, of which I have

no words to describe; Giant

shrimps, Caldereta par excellence,

Ox tails a la Zamora, various

noodle dishes, a Grand Lechon de

Leche, Gran Carne de Adobo,

distinctive "Bangus" purportedly

from Dagupan, Pangasinan, and

many, many more that my feeble

mind cannot now recall.

The evening brought continuous

warm camaraderie, the usual

recollection of youthful

shenanigans at the up CVM

College grounds at Diliman and

perhaps at Los Baños. It was the

same old stories, told over and

over again; stories that form our oh

so close filial bond toward each

other.

Gatherings like these, affirms us,

keeps us close to each other’s

hearts, and yes, makes all of us

true brothers, no matter what

career patterns we follow. Love

and affection were the prevalent

and overwhelming feelings. There

was dancing, with some showing

unbelievable prowess, most

notably our host, Brod Emilio;

How he could still do the "boogie"

beguiles my mind. And oh, Tatang

Willy Q was dancing in his

wheelchair; it was a sight to

marvel!!!! My heart grows warmer

as I continue to chronicle

these events.

Topping our grand evening were

the parlor games between the

brods and respective wives. There

was the banana and peanut game,

and indeed it was a riot!! You

should all have been there to

witness the embarrassing

moments, including yours truly.

The topper was the musical chairs

game, leading to Jimmy Velasco

saying, "Carling is bleeding", let us

stop the game!!! Who won the

game, I ca not now recall. To all

those who were there, please

confirm the winner of this

wonderful game we had.

Tremendous laughter, embraces,

jokes, "kantyawan" galore.

Everyone had a great time. I must

not forget to mention that Melvin

Valera won big at Graton casino in

Rohnert Park. I asked him for my

10% commission, but he refused to

give me my commission and

promised that part of his winnings

he will donate to the benevolent

fund of our fraternity. Will

someone check on this as Melvin

is the treasurer of the USA alumni

Group? I wonder how one would

check the treasurer's honesty.

Vangie and I missed the despedida

brunch as we were scheduled to be

with our grandchildren that

Monday, an activity we would

never miss. I would presume

everyone went home with happy

hearts, treasure troves of

memories, and a strengthened

feeling of brotherhood, mutual

love and respect other.

It is my prayers and wish that the

Divine Providence will give us

more opportunities like these to

nurture and ensure, in perpetuity,

the existence of our beloved

fraternity, of which I have dared

say before, as the best fraternity,

bar none at the University of the

Philippines.

All the best, and viva UP Sigma

con Ratbu!

- Winston '62

Events December 12, 2015 (10am)

UPSM Family Day/Christmas Party,

at the Senior Citizens Hall, BF

Homes, Quezon City.

ACADEMIC EVENTS

Clinico-Pathological Conference

with Dr. Raymond de Villa

New Beginnings Seminar with Brod

Ogie Laranas

UPSM Cares and Shares

Goes to LB Dog Pound

One of the saddest things

anyone can experience in life is

the feeling of abandonment, the

feeling of not being wanted

anymore. And this applies to not

just people, but to dogs especially,

dogs who were once members of

a family, who, for whatever

reasons, just couldn’t and

wouldn’t be able to give them the

care and love they deserve.

On the 21st of November,

UPSM volunteered to spend the

day with the furbabies of the Los

Banos Dog Pound. It was both sad

and heartwarming to be able to

meet the 15 dogs currently

residing there as the property

where the pound stands is shared

with the local dump site. Not even

20 minutes into our visit, one of

the dogs, Granny, managed to get

past the gate and got hit by a

speeding car. We monitored her

afterwards to make sure she was

okay and she was kept in a

separate area from the other dogs

to avoid the occasional dogfight.

After Granny’s incident,

we went off in pairs or threes to

proceed to either wash the old

sacks used as the dogs’ towels or

to give the dogs their weekly bath.

After each dog was given a bath,

they were dried and put in their

own cage for feeding time; their

lunch was a hearty mix of rice and

dogfood, enough for seconds

especially for the big dogs, like

Jumbo and Jordan. It was doggy

siesta time and the dogs stayed

calm in their cages. We helped

carry out some repairs around the

pound, such as a makeshift roof,

so as to shelter them when the

rain comes.

All in all, it was a great

day. Nothing comes close to the

feeling of accomplishment that

accompanies volunteer work,

especially as vet students because

volunteering at a dog pound hits

close to home – seeing the

conditions under which these

animals live. If anything, this is one

of the activities I am immensely

proud of as a vet student and as a

Mulieri. Carrying out my duty as

an aspiring vet, even in tiny steps,

is already a step forward both in

the community service UPSM is

known to promote and the

responsibility we are charged with

under the College of Veterinary

Medicine.

One might be tempted to ask a

brod or a sis who chose a different

path “Why?” Why spend time and

money studying veterinary

medicine when later on he/she will

pursue different goals or follow a

different calling. Sometimes it is a

question that I would want to

answer, for I was one of those who

have wandered away from the path

I had earlier chosen. I choose to be

a housewife, to raise a brood of

kids who are all grown up now.

Having more time in my hands, I

now have the luxury of time to

think about the might have beens

and the endless possibilities of a

life as a vet.

Of the brods and sis who have

wandered away from the beaten

path, there are two brods who

stood out for their

accomplishments. Why them when

there are other brods and sisses

who excel in their endeavors much

like them. For one, I had the

privilege of knowing them in a

more personal level during my vet

med days. And their chosen

vocations, to exaggerate are a far

cry from their former ones.

Fr. Ron Sandoval belonged to the

teaching staff of Animal Science

then. A teacher who could pass off

as a vet student, he had an

infectious outlook in life and he

was the calming and steady rock of

the “amuyongs” and the

newcomers. He was one who

valued relationships and always

the person to patch things up when

relations get rough. The door to

his office was always open to

anyone, especially troubled Brods

and Sisses. But his heart was not

only open to us, but to other

students as well, even from rival

frats and sorority. The censuring

look for a misdeed, the sad smile,

the understanding words made for

a more effective punishment

than harsh words or censuring

actions. The twinkle in the eyes

and the wide smile were sure signs

that he was happy and satisfied by

an accomplishment. He was one

person that one wouldn’t want to

cross not because he punishes, but

because you would not want to

hurt a gentle person like him.

When news of his being ordained

to priesthood went out, I was not

surprised. Happy that he can be the

universal man, sad that he won’t

be ours exclusively. But if by

being a priest he can be of service

to more, letting him go is the most

generous thing we can give. The

machos among us may snicker and

make fun of his choices, but by

being true to himself, he has

surpassed expectation. He is where

his vocation led him, he is where

his heart is.

There’s a FB page by Filipinos in

Kuwait dedicated to the embassy staff

of the Philippines. And if there’s a

poster boy contest, he is the hands on

winner. The memories of him are

fleeting and short, for one he was an

upperclassman then and the times he

spent with SM were few and fleeting.

But I remembered a guy who was

always on his tees, hanging out with

the older brods and his batchmates. I

remembered hearing the younger

years casting eyes on that select group

of brods who were the epitome of

class and manliness and looks. I also

remembered a guy who was quite

good in volleyball, or was it

basketball?

The second memory I had of him was

just two years ago. We were planning

then to feature brods and sisses who

were in the political arena and in

community service but the article did

not push through. But he graciously

answered one of my emails/ messages

for him requesting for an online

interview.

The FB page of his embassy staff

pictures a dedicated public servant

who has a heart for the OFW’s. The

animal kingdom’s loss is the human

race’s gain. Like Father Brod and

some Brods and Sisses who have

chosen differently, they are making a

difference in the life of people they are

encountering in their life’s journey.

We might not be like Father Ron or

Amb. Dado but we can make a

difference for others, like the Ratbu’s

calling.

The hardest part with coming out

with the newsletter is the waiting.

Waiting if articles would be

submitted in time for the

publication, waiting for feedbacks

good or bad, waiting if the promised

articles would materialize…

Even the actual publication, the

outlining, the lay-outing, all in the

course of a few minutes especially in

the hands of a tech-savvy person…

It is then that questions would arise

– Do we really need to come up with

the newsletter when daily updates on

the members’ live are posted online,

and in an instant stories and

comments are shared on fb, concerns

emailed, photos shared and

commented on. The internet has

greatly revolutionized our

communication lines that no one

seemed to bother with the

newsletter.

So why?

Probably the Estrellas can provide

the answer? The editorial staff can

explain the need?

This is my personal take.

Traditions.

Traditions had kept the Ratbu a

coherent group. Traditions kept the

Societas intact. Our shared history

kept us glued together. Why do we

insist on memorizing the Estrellas’

name and details because by

knowing them even in this capacity,

we shared a link with the past. The

frat did not just materialize out of

thin air, it was formed not just for

Monday clubs and horseplay, there

was a reason related to the dilemma

of a Philippine society and the

Estrella’s ways of dealing with it.

Why was the sorority formed when

an exclusive men’s frat is doing fine

on its own. Because the brods

realized that the other half of the

populations are just as worthy as

their male counterparts, and their

sign of acceptance of the larger roles

women are playing in society.

Why do we keep the credo, our

cardinal rules as is? Because doing

otherwise would not produce the

Ratbu or Societas we envision.

Otherwise we would be just another

organization with the Greek

sounding name. Otherwise we

would be flooded with members

who joined for personal benefits

only, and lose the identity that is

Ratbu or Societas.

Why can older brods and sisses talk

to younger brods and sisses without

the need for long introductions? That

by saying his or her name and the

year he or she was inducted a door

easily opens and bridges are crossed.

No questions. It is an unquestionable

acceptance that the officers have

done their share of indoctrination

and the new member is now family.

Precisely the reason why I believe

the editorial staff headed by Iggie*

keeps on publishing even if articles

come in trickles or none at all. Even

if they have to nag, and nag, and nag

for articles to be submitted.

It takes personal effort to write and

edit, but if it contributes to the

threads that keep us together, why

can’t we do it.

It doesn’t have to be a Palanca piece,

as long as it come from the heart,

and written with the desire to

contribute something to keep a

tradition alive…

It doesn’t have to be long, written

eloquently as long as it connects us

to a brod or a sis, in different ways.

As long as it triggers

something…his first Ratbu meal, his

being an amuyong, his being the

youngest, his memories of a brod

who went ahead to the Maker, the

first crush, the sis who broke his

heart..

The newsletter is not out to win a

prize for publication. It is out there

to keep us together and to draw out

our thoughts in the most outdated

way. We might choose to ignore it

or not read it. But as long as there’s

a member who contributes to keep it

alive, D’Sire will be out there,

among the fb comments and emails,

waiting to be read.

Contact Information

Resident Grand Ratbu

(Bossman: Paolo Medina +63-917 524 3983

Resident Praefectus(Mulier: Tash Hife +63-

917 853 3835

Alumni Contact Persons:

Zoi Lapus ‘65D (Phils.) +63-

9175200627/+63 918 922 8596

zmlapus@yahoo.com

Carling Taguinod ‘60 (USA) mobile + 714

272 6999 home + 714 773 9434 office + 562

923 0762 carlotagdvm@sbcglobal.net

Congrats!!!! To the Cheerdance

Champions Vet Olympics 2015

Estrella Clengcleng Calimlim

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Katangi-tanging Guro sa Larangan

ng Pagtuturo 2015

Tarlac College of Agriculture

Asst. Sec. Dave Catbagan

Father Ron Sandoval 77

Walter Pabale

Cesar Policarpio 80c

I. Mulieri.

Before entering college, I

was one of those people that have the

negative notion of a Sorority. When I

entered here in UPLB, I really don’t

have any intention of joining any

organization, what more a sorority.

Moreover, my parents were not so

supportive about the idea of me

joining a sorority either, although they

let me decide for my own, they would

prefer that I’d rather not join.

But it all changed during our

freshman (2014) college tour. I met

Societas Mulierum for the first time.

Right there and then, I was sure, I

want to be a part of them; I want to be

a part of that fun crowd. But being the

scaredy-freshy that I was, I did not

join. I was scared that if I join, I would

have no time left for my academics

and to be honest, I was also still scared

of joining a sorority.

After a year, after adjusting

to college life, I decided to attend

Societas Mulierum’s orientation. I was

more convinced of joining than I

already was. I presented myself and

then took the process of becoming a

Mulieri. I learned that Societas

Mulierum is so much more than just

“fun”. It is about being confident,

pushing limits, and discovering who

you are. Our process was no piece of

cake. There were times that I think I

was going to give in to the pressure of

quitting but every time that pressure

kicked in, I just concentrated on the

reason, why I decided to join in the

first place. Then after the process,

everything was so worth-it.

Deciding to be a Mulieri is

one of the best decisions I have ever

made. I know there are still a lot of

things that I should know, and a lot of

things that I should learn, but I know

that with every step of that process I

got my sisters in the sorority to

support and help me. I can confidently

say that I am proudly a Mulieri.

- Car ‘ 15b

Societas Mulierum was introduced to me by a close friend. She was so intrigued and excited to attend their orientation—which every organization, sororities, fraternities and others have—and of course that feeling of her towards the sorority applied to me as well. This close friend of mine invited every single friend of hers to come, but unfortunately they did not have the time to do so. In the end, I was the only one who came along with her. And so we were already at the orientation, and of course I was scared because I didn’t know what sororities were really like or how they treat other people, but to my surprise, they were friendlier than most of the other organizations I came across with. During the orientation, they told us what they do and what they not do and I began to realize that the term ‘sorority’ has been stereotyped as a group of women that are only interested in having fun—parties, drinking, and whatnots. The idea of seniority also came into my mind because all I know about it is that it will have a negative impact on a person. Sororities gave me an impression that they are spoiled, they

only care about looks, we need to get hurt to get in and other whatnots that I usually see on televisions—but all of a sudden, my perspective changed. After a while, I decided to join because I liked what the sorority stands for. Fast forward, I underwent their so-called process and I got to know them more, and all those things that I thought sororities were not really like that. I will admit that it went like hell for me, because juggling my priorities were difficult but I tell you, it was all worth it in the end. After a while, I got used to juggling everything although sometimes I made mistakes which I should put first. The sorority taught me a lot of things. One is that it is a give and take relationship and another is all these common courtesies that they do that will come naturally if I get used to it. And now, as a member of Societas Mulierum, the process it still not over. Being a member does not mean that I could just slack-off and do anything I want. A lot more responsibilities and priorities are added to my daily life, and all I could say is that I feel more responsible. This sorority is helping me to become a better student, member and individual. I just wish I could return everything they did for me in the end. Although, I am just new and

a junior and still need to learn and

experience a lot of new things, I can

say that I am a proud Mulieri.

- Mon ‘15b

Noong unang panahon may isang

tribu ng mga daga na nag aaral

maging dalubhasa sa sakit ng

kanilang mga kapatid na hayop.

Nabubuhay sila sa gitna ng mga

aso, kabayo, kalabaw, pusa at iba’t

ibang lipi ng mga hayop. Subalit

naiiba ang mga dagang ito, maliban

sa hilig nilang uminom ng gin at

San Miguel beer, bukod pa sa

makikisig at matatalino, meron din

silang mapanuring pag-iisip at

malawak na imahinasyon na isang

mayamang lupa para sa binhi ng

mga ideya.

Sabi ng isang dagang Makisig,

“ganito na lang ba tayo?

Sumusunod sa daloy ng tubig na

iisa lang patutunguhan”

At sumagot ang isa “Hindi, nasa

atin ang lakas at talino para tayo ay

maiba”.

Sinang ayunan siya ng pangatlong

daga “oo nga, kailangan ng lipi ng

daga ng mapanuring species na

hindi sunud-sunuran bagkus sila

ang mangunguna sa mga gawain

para sa kapakanan ng liping

hayop”.

Sumabad ang pang apat na daga

“Pero paano?”

Si pang limang daga ay parang may

nakahanda ng kasagutan “Bumuo

tayo ng isang lipi na syang

magsisimula sa ganitong adhikain”

At sinang ayunan ito ng pang anim

na daga “Tama. Humanap pa tayo

ng may parehong adhikain sa buhay

para tayo ay makabuo ng isang

malakas na puwersa”

Sabi ng ikapito “Oo, pero dapat

maging mapanuri tayo at mapili sa

ating mga hihikayatin”

At sumabad ang pang walong daga

“Simula ngayon tayo ay makilala sa

pangalang Sigma con Ratbu”

Dumaan ang mga taon hangan

napansin ng King Ratbu “Ang mga

dagang babae ay may malaking

bahagi na sa pagsusulong ng

mundo, bakit hindi natin sila

gawing kasapi ng ating lipi?”

Subalit hindi naging madali ang

pagsuyo sa mga dagang babae.

Bukod sa paniniwala ng ibang

matatandang daga na esklusibo

lang dapat ang kanilang lipi, ang

mataas na panuntunan para sa pag

akit ng kasama ay tila balakid,

hangan dumating ang mga bagong

daga noong 1982 at nakita ng mga

daga na may isang grupo ng mga

dagang babae na nagtataglay ng

katangiang kanilang hinahanap

kayat lahat ng pagpapa pogi at

galing sa panghihikayat ay kanilang

ginamit upang makamit ang

matamis na oo ng mga dagang

babae. Walo silang naniwala sa

adhikain ng mga dagang lalaki,

kaya’t ang Societas ay nabuo at

nakasama ng lipi.

Lumago ng lumago ang binuong

lipunan ng mga daga. Subalit

kasabay ng paglaki nagkakaroon ng

mga suliranin na tila unti-unting

sumisira sa kanilang lipunan. Ang

ibang daga na sumasali ay para lang

sa sariling parte ng keso ang

ninanais. Ang iba naman ay

namamangka sa dalawang ilog,

sumasapi sa kanila pero hayagang

sumusunod pa rin sa kalakaran ng

ibang mga lipi. Ang iba naman ay

sumasali lang upang mapatabi sa

mga magigiting at magigilas, sa

isiping kung nakatabi ka sa hari,

pwedeng ka ring pagkamalang hari

at makaambos sa biyayang bigay ng

hari. Ang iba ay nagkaroon ng

pagnanasa sa mga babaing daga at

ginagawang tulay ang samahan

upang makalapit sa mga ito. Ang

iba ay nakalusot na tila hilaw pa sa

pagsusuri ng mga nakatatanda. Ang

iba naman ay parang kabute na

lulubog at lilitaw.

Mas nakalulungkot sa mga

matatandang daga ng parang unti

unti bumabalik ang kanilang

lipunan sa dating kanilang

tinakasan, at ang mga paniniwala at

adhikain nila at natatakpan ng mga

interest na mapang sarili. Nagagalit

na ang mga matatandang daga,

lalaki at babae. Nababahala sila sa

mga nangyayari at kailangang

mapigilan ang nga nangyayari dahil

kung hindi mawawasak ang

samahan at pagkakapatiran.

Ano ang dapat gawin? Tanong ng

mga daga sa kanilang Boss.

Anong dapat gawin? Tanong ng

matatandang daga sa kanilang

Senior Boss.

Hindi pa tapos ang kuwento.Hindi

matapos tapos ang kuwento. Ngunit

nangangailangan ito ng kadugtong.

Kung ano at kailan, kung ano ang

kahihinatnan wala pang

makapagsasabi.

Sanay ang maging kadugtong ay

mabuti para sa liping daga.