Showing posts with label UP Ibalon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UP Ibalon. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Eusebia Paje of Pamplona, Camarines Sur & Culpeper, Virginia

11/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post




Eusebia (Nanay) Paje
In Memoriam
1926-2009

Nanay Paje, 83-years old died peacefully today, in the early morning of November 10, 2009 in Culpeper, Virginia, USA after a brief illness.

Originally from Pamplona, Camarines Sur, Nanay, a respected and distinctively affable retired mentor, was the loving mom to Ibalonian Dr. Yasmin Paje-Banzon of British Columbia, Canada, Errol Paje of Culpeper, Virginia, USA and Dr. Leida Paje of California, USA.

UP Ibalon expresses its sincere sympathy to the family and asks readers to pray for her eternal repose. So long Nanay! We love you! (Photo Credit: Tangentier)

Requiescat in Pace.

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PostHeaderIcon UP Ibalon of yesteryears

11/10/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post






"All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it." ---John Berger

Here are three faded photos that exactly tell what John Berger wants us to know. What meaning can you find in the young innocent faces which you barely recognize? Whether they are touched by the breeze in an exciting afternoon in a park or bathed with salty water of the sea or seen with other faces in a comfy chair of unity and togetherness. Ah! somewhere in our recollections, there are spritely days of UP Ibalon that excite the senses and edify the soul. =0=

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PostHeaderIcon UP Ibalon son among winners in China Math Competition

8/22/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


An elementary grader and two high school students of Naga City won bronze medals from the recently concluded international China Math Olympiad hosted by the People’s Republic of China.

In a rigorous mathematics competition held in Ziamen and Tianjin last August 11 to 16, 2009, high school students John Reiner Bulaong of Ateneo de Naga University, Brian James Masalunga of Hope Christian School, and 6th grader Joseph Maria de Leon bagged the medals among a total of 90 garnered by the Philippine team.

Bulaong is the son of UP Ibalonian Melissa Sieglinde Borromeo-Bulaong and Joseph Rommel O. Bulaong. A triumphant welcome awawaits the winners when they return home. Congratulations!!! (Photo Credit: tthanes) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon UP Ibalon trivia: the mystery guy in the BNAA convention

7/22/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Now that the Bicol National Associaton of America (BNAA) Convention has been concluded in the Northeast, it can be said that an Ibalonian attended the affair from far away Houston, Texas. In the picnic last Sunday, July 19, 2009 at the Freedom Park, New Jersey following the gala dinner, a guy in blue with a friendly smile, loud laugh, and scintillating demeanor came along.

I heard someone mentioned his name. I almost couldn't believe it. As if I was hearing somebody from yesterday right under the shadow of the statue of Lady Liberty.

I had to be sure and so I asked. True enough, it was him, our Ibalon pal---found after more than 30 years! Who could he be? What might be your guess? =0=

Answer: Stephen (Steve/Tibo) David, originally from Legazpi City who was part of the core-group that established the UP Ibalon in Diliman, Quezon City. Steve spent time with the Department of Foreign Affairs and serve as a consular official in USA before assuming the presidency of the Filipino American Caucus for Empowerment. He is currently based in Texas.

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PostHeaderIcon Ibalon friends in New York

7/04/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post



Among recent visitors of New York City, Ibalon friends Mrs. Modesta Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Lossiete and Arceli Oracion of Carson, CA and Harbor City, California respectively breezed trough the big Apple for the Independence day weekend.

Mrs. Wilson, the widow of Fred B. Wilson is from Indianola, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Oracion, originally from Fairview, Quezon City are the loving parents of Dr. Renato M. Oracion, a well-known dermatologist in Odessa, Texas. They are house guests of Dr. Marietta F. Mesia. (Photo Credit: AFM) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Ibalonian Dr. Vines N. Reis in the Big Apple

7/03/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Ibalonian Dr. Vines Nolasco-Reis, from Goshen, Indiana and a toxicologist of Michigan State Environmental Quality Department visits her pals Dr. Franz (Punch) Evangelista-Daquilag and affable hubby Ed of Bloomfield, New Jersey and Dr. Augusto F. Mesia, of Astoria New York.

With Dr. Reis is youngest son Vergel who travels with her to Pittsburg, PA for a quiet family reunion in the July 4th weekend. =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Ibalonian archeologist in New York for the Henry Luce Foundation seminar

6/29/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Among those who attended the recently concluded seminar of the American Council of Learned Societies---Henry Luce Foundation are past fellows and Southeast Asian archeologists. Held in Tarrytown, New York this June 2009, Ibalonian Stephen Bercasio Acabado of Tinambac, Camarines Sur, a faculty member of the Department of Anthropology of University Hawaii attended the conference.

Stephen who has interest in Archaeology, Landscape, GIS, Heritage Management, Southeast Asia, Philippines presented an abstract (part of his dissertation) during the conference. Previously a teaching associate of UP Department of Anthropology (Diliman) and a lecturer of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in Ateneo de Manila University, Acabado has been awarded a string of research grants and fellowships which includes the Henry Luce for East Asian Archaeology (2007) and NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant (2006)

The young archeologist-anthropologist had occasion to meet with fellow Ibalonian Dr. Augusto F. Mesia, an Obstetrical and Gynecological pathologist of New York University Medical Center-Bellevue Hospital Center (ret.) and Dr. Marietta F. Mesia, who are based in New York City. (Photo Credit: AFM) =0=
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PostHeaderIcon Obituary: Corazon Padilla

5/24/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


UP Ibalon-Bicol expresses its deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of Corazon Padilla, loving mother of Ibalonian Dr. Delen Padilla de la Paz. The remains of Mrs. Padilla lie in Magallanes Chapel in Manila, Philippines prior to her cremation on Sunday, May 24, 2009.

The organization asks its members, friends, and readers to pray for her eternal repose. Requiescat in Pace. (Photo Credit: Istanbulko)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon In Memoriam: Aida B. Abella-Felipe, 84

4/18/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


For a time, she was one of Naga City’s most admired citizens. In the tradtion of devoted domesticity and homely calm, Aida B. Abella-Felipe lived the full life of a loving mother to children Cecile, Annabel, Amelia, Marlene, Emeterio, Ramon IV, Antero and Jesus. In peace, she died on April 4, 2009 at the age of 84 to be with the Lord.

Married for 66 years to the respected Naga ex-mayor Ramon H. Felipe, Jr., the faithful and resolute lady won’t be forgotten as the convent-bred granddaughter of Manuel P. Abella, one of the 15 Bicol Martyrs. She was a woman whose passing makes her family and those who know her feel the big loss.

In Colegio de Sta. Isabel (Naga) where the genteel and polished women of her days got their Catholic Christian upbringing, Mrs. Felipe got her character formation---just right for her to become the admirable matriarch of the Abella-Felipe clan. Helped by the Daughters of Charity sisters, she got further learning in Manila's Assumption College at a time when not so many women in her community devoted themselves to higher education.

In the backdrop of World War II, she married the guy who was to be one of the nation's top-notch lawyers and public servant. At peacetime, she patiently nurtured their 8 children, 7 children-in-law, 19 grandchildren, 6 grandchildren-in-law, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson, for a total of 52 descendants.---Bicol Mail (04/16/09, Escandor, Juan Jr)

UP Ibalon Bicol and friends offer their prayers and sympathy to Hon. Ramon H. Felipe Jr. and his bereaved family at this time of mourning. Photo Credit: Maya) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon UPCAT---The Movie Links UP Ibalon And UPAA

3/03/2009 | Posted by andygimpaya | Edit Post



There is a bunch of inspired members common to UP Ibalon Alumni and the UP Alumni Association of Camarines Sur. Inevitably, both organizations teamed up when the latter brought the premiere of UPCAT --the Movie to Naga City on Feb 28, 2009.



UPCAT--the Movie is an independent film that features upstart talents: Felix Roco, Hiyasmin Neri, Director Roman Carlo Olivarez, scriptwriter Alfred Reyes, and producer Joselle Acuña.



According to Director Roman Carlo Olivarez passing the UP College Admissions Tests (UPCAT) has become a common symbol of hope and dreams of the Filipino youth in their quest for intellectual excellence, a commodity that young people appreciate more personally as tough global competition stares then right in the face in the 21st century. This Communication Arts graduate of La Salle says he has no intention of creating a mystique around UPCAT, but its compelling symbolism is so significant and so timely UPCAT deserves to be a movie title. (You can view our video interview with Director Roman Carlo Olivare at our other website www.upibalon.com).



The UP Ibalon Bicol is happy to have supported the premiere of UPCAT---the Movie in Naga City, indirectly cheering up independent film makers and teaching the Filipino youth to dream.



Producer Joselle Acuña, also a UP alumna, promises to be back to Bicol for a sequel to UPCAT. She likes Bicol to be the setting and she likes to feature stories of real-life UP graduates. (You can view our video interview with Joselle at our other website www.upibalon.com).

Many Ibalonians of course have life stories worth telling. (Mighty be prepared to tell your story).












Acknowledgment: All photos in this post courtesy of Director Roman Carlo Olivarez, who had his Nikon digital SLR camera handy all the time.

Go to our other website www.upibalon.com for more photos and videos related to this activity.
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PostHeaderIcon UP Ibalon with Physicians for Peace in Naga City

2/07/2009 | Posted by andygimpaya | Edit Post


The Physicians for Peace gave out free wheelchairs to pre-screened indigents in Naga City. UP Ibalon Bicol was a partner in this project and may act as conduit for future donations by the Physicians for Peace, an international charity organization headed by a Fil-American, Dr. Juan Montero.

This partnership of the UP Ibalon and the Physicians for Peace came as a result of the efforts of Dr. Josephine (Jenny) Robredo-Bundoc, a UP Ibalon alumna and currently a world consultant of the physicians' group. Jenny is the younger sister of UP Ibalon Bicol president, Butch Robredo and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo.

The wheelchairs were pre-fabricated and the UP Ibalon members had the fun of their life assembling the equipment. The activity was a satisfying spiritual experience for Ibalonians, having been exposed to disabled while having the capability to offer help, however small.

Having grassroot reach in the city's 27 barangays, the members of the Kapisanan ng Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad (KSBK) Naga City chapter had searched for recipients. Lolit Nantes heads the KSBK as President.

The City Social Welfare Department further screened the recipients.

Watch the video above and share the fun.














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PostHeaderIcon Physicians for Peace, UP Ibalon, and civic-minded Naga residents conduct the free wheelchair project

2/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Wheechair and Limb Prosthetics Project
by Ann Mariano

On Thursday February 5, 2009, the wheelchair and prosthetics project spearheaded by Ibalonians Dr. Josephine (Penny) R. Bundoc and Jose (Butch) Robredo pulled through in Naga City with the participation of the Physicians for Peace, the city government, and the Rotary Club.

Held in Naga City Gymnasium on a hot humid day, the setting up of wheelchairs for the indigent disabled was made possible with the help of Rene Fornoles, Totoy Badiola, Tess Avenido-Arbo, Sieg Borromeo-Bulaong, Jun Olin, Dr. May Velasco-Yorobe, Alaine Alberto-Fornoles, Lala Moreno, Ann Mariano and Dr. Andy Gimpaya--- all kind-hearted Ibalonians.

The humanitarian project started with the usual registration. Dr. Bundoc went ahead with the free screening and interviews of patients, some of whom were referred to the UP-PGH in Manila for further evaluation and management. Prosthetic limb technicians came to make casts for the handicapped indigents. The last to be fitted was Sandy Valleno, a former reporter and stroke victim.

Representing the Physicians for Peace was Dr. Juan Montero. The said founder of the philanthropic organization came all the way from the United States to make available the free wheelchairs and distribute medicines for the needy.

Friends of UP Ibalon who attended were Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo and his team of government workers headed by Lolit Nantes, the president of Kapisanan ng Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad. Community leaders Charlie Ravanera and Achilles Lo of the Rotary Club and civic-minded Waging Manlangit-Tam were there to lend logistical support.

The indigent recipients who spoke of their disabilities and illnesses were grateful to have their donated wheelchairs. Scheduled on the 3rd week of March 2009, the next and final leg of the project will involve distribution of limb prosthesis. (Photo Credits: Sieg Borromeo-Bulaong; Donnamarijne)









NOTE OF THANKS



UP Ibalon extends its thanks to all those who helped in making this project possible including the unnamed supporters and contributors of this civic exercise. =0=

RELATED BLOG: "UP Ibalon Alumni-Bicol pursues its wheelchair & leg prosthesis project for indigents" Posted by mesiamd at 1/09/2009

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PostHeaderIcon We Knew At The Very Start That UP Ibalon Cannot Be A Political Organization

12/02/2008 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post
by Mighty Baylon



When martial law was declared in 1972 all student organizations in UP was banned. After all, there is even a presidential decree which says that any group of three persons is an "illegal assembly". And if this three persons talk they will even be guilty of "rumor-mongering" which is punishable by imprisonment! I even remember an incident with Nestor Raneses in the waiting shed going to Yakal Residence Hall from Molave. We intended to eat dinner in Yakal cafeteria and we were waiting for the rains to subside. There was another two students who were waiting for a bus.

Out of the rain a police patrol car came and directed us to "disperse" since they said we constituted an "illegal assembly". We didn't even know the two others who were sharing the waiting shed with us and we were only intent on filling our hungry stomachs without getting wet. Good we were not talking when the police car appeared.

So, then, when lighting a cigarette and you no match available, it is not healthy to say "Pasindi po (Can I have a light?) if the smokers are already in a group of two.

Up to 1974, troopers of the Metrocom would sweep at dorms and drag out "subversives". The parking lots of the residence hall were ambush areas where residents can be simply dragged away in the night. Even students going out of the classrooms can be picked up by waiting burly men.

In 1974, chapters of the national-democratic (ND) mass organizations like the KM are being disbanded and converted into legal organizations since they were ineffective anyway under the 'white terror' unleashed by Marcos.

It was only in the school year 1974-75 when student organizations were again recognized by the OSA (Office of Student Affairs). But not all organizations were recognized since some are proscribed--the mass organizations of whatever persuation, the fraternities, and some particular organizations like the UP Muslim Students Association (which was founded by a firebrand named Nur Misuari) and a UP Chinese students society which is suspected of mainland China links.

To form an organization that has obvious political leanings in those days is simply purchasing a one-way ticket to Camp Crame. Student organization are targets of infiltration then by intelligence agents who pretended to be students. Even UP Ibalon experienced two attempts of this (and this partly explains the feelings of some applicants that it was too hard to get to be accepted as member of Ibalon in those days).

Worse than Crame is Camp Vicente Lim in Canlubang (which produced more chills on the spine of activists). The name of Abadilla was then spoken with terror--electric wires to the genitals, an overdose of water and splints under the nails readily come to the minds of activists when that name is heard. Being beaten black and blue is considered a minor case of torture in those days (Ginulpi lang ako, pare).

But more than this danger we knew UP Ibalon can not be a political organization because if it is it cannot become the "home of Bicolanos" and we will lose our purpose in being.

When we analyzed UP Paglaom, our conclusion was that it was a social organization. Anyone is automatically a member when he or she fills up its application form and pays its membership dues. Aside from the party, it has no other major activity. And we did not want that kind of organization.

"Why not make UP Ibalon a political organization?", Tibo David, a political, rhetorically asked.

The conclusion was that only activists and politicals will then be drawn into the organization and it is the surefire recipe for us to become isolated and the danger of other Bicol organizations sprouting will then be max. It should be understood that an outside threat from another organization hangs over our head then [See my article, "The Formation And Legacy Of UP Ibalon: A Testimony", 11/14/08]. We knew we will then blow all chances that we will be accepted by the Bicolanos in UP as their organization if we ever become a political organization. So we knew that even converting UP Ibalon after foundation is suicidal to the organization.

It is obvious that the politicals of twenty years after 1974 have no understanding whatsoever of the realities that exist when UP Ibalon was founded. There is simply no historical basis where a political organization of Bicolanos can exist in 1974. Now, isn't the term "political organization of Bicolanos" an oxymoron? One thing I know is we were not morons when we founded UP Ibalon. But I suspect that believing in UP Ibalon "history" that came from outside sources when the founders and seniors members of UP Ibalon are still alive is probably moronic.
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PostHeaderIcon The False Version Of UP Ibalon History And Orientation

12/02/2008 | Posted by myty555 | Edit Post
by Mighty Baylon



In the four academic years that I have been on-and-off a resident member of UP Ibalon (this covers the school years that started in the years 1974 to 1977 but his stretches up to March 1978), a total of about 110 members entered the organization. This includes the 19 doctors of medicine that I already wrote about ["The MDs of UP Ibalon Of Earlier Years", 11/15/08]. With my own eyes I have seen Ibalon grow big and flourish.

When I left UP Diliman it had nearly 90 members and its membership roll was still young, unlike when we first started out. Among the 90 are scions of the more prominent families in Bicol as do sons and daughters of teachers. We thought we had the best and the brightest of the Bicolanos in UP. Almost all graduated on time, the Bicolano holders of major scholarships are in the organization and so do those passed the entrance exam of the PSHS.

We even had a putative alumni association which I tried to half-seriously jump start in February 1978 in a meeting in the old Golf Course clubhouse near Philcoa. We already then have 20 alumni members but a significant number of them were in medical school. So, of course, a gesture half in jest does not mean it can be sustained.

But one thing I remember until the time I left UP Diliman, there was no discussion ever about UP Ibalon as a "political organization". This was not even discussed among the charter members in any length when the constitution was being drafted. The only discussion at length where this topic was tackled was in the Steering Committee [See my article, "The Formation And Legacy Of UP Ibalon: A Testimony", 11/14/08] where it was roundly and unanimously rejected.

Years after that stormy August night [See my article, "The Calm Before The Storm: A UP Ibalon Saga", 12/01/74], I needled the eminences grise of the original UG group of UP Ibalon. I asked them, "They said UP Ibalon was a political organization right from the very start". "Of course not", came the sharp reply in crisp English. "Saan naman nila nakuha iyon (Where did they got that?)". And to think that the person was formerly a top staff of the supreme eminence grise.

I am confident that not one of the 110 members of UP Ibalon whom I came to know in my years in UP Diliman will affirm that UP Ibalon "ay poon-sa-poon, sarong political organization". I have talked to over half of them over the years and all have no recollection that that term was ever used or discussed in referring to UP Ibalon. All the recollections about the nature of the organization was that it was a socio-cultural organization and a varsitarian.

I now dare those who said in 1995 that UP Ibalon is a "pol-org" to identify who told them that and what version of UP Ibalon history were they peddling then. I also dare them to produce even one among those 110 members I mentioned who will back their version of history.

Members should also know that years after that 1995 incident, and even before, they were peddling that false version of UP Ibalon history.

It is unfair to all members that a small cabal will try to "revise" UP Ibalon history when the founders and the senior members are still around. It is as if they are in a hurry to bury us all into oblivion.

It is also the duty of UP Ibalon to teach all the members the right version of history.
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