An open letter to all Vanguards and friends
From Class 1966, "The Invincibles"
06 Mar 2010
Dear Fellow Vanguards and all who care,
Please allow us to seize this moment and sound off the call for help from our Alma Mater.
LCol Roland Rodil, Class ’81 and UPROTC commandant and the UP Vanguard University Chapter called on all Vanguards for help in making the Cadet Officer’s living quarters (barracks) more livable.
Note that the barracks (now named as Granadillo Hall) was constructed during the time of Gen Ver, more than 30 years ago. Considering that the University and the national government do not provide appropriations for periodic repairs and maintenance, the barracks is seriously in bad condition.
Needs Survey
University Chapter members and representatives from the UPVI Board of Governors inspected the barracks a month ago and prioritized repairs urgently needed. Among the priorities are badly leaking roof, tattered ceiling, hazardous electrical connections, bad toilet and water connections, pealed and faded paint and mosquito-infested living quarters etc.
A Project to Build Upon
Windows of the sleeping quarters were supposed to be fitted with screens, but none was installed or due to disrepair they might have been taken down years ago. Without the window screens, Cadet Officers are very much at risk for dengue, not to mention the difficulty in getting good sleep.
The Cadet Officers female quarters are separated by a wall partition. However, the male quarters only have curtains serving as the partition. If there are no wall partitions that will seal off mosquitoes, it is useless to put up window screens.
As our contribution to the barracks renovation project, Class 66 has started the construction of the wall partition and installation of window screens for both the male and female quarters. The estimated cost of Php 80,000 will be shared among us, all senior citizens.
Reminiscence of the past
Remember living in the barracks as cadet officers in the 60s (widely known as “DMST” Building)? We regularly had reveille formations along that wide corridor every morning for PT. Thereafter, we attended to our daily cleaning assignments including latrine detail. COD inspection was conducted everyday.
Remember “Lady Diliman” walking late at night at the DMST corridor dragging a heavy chain? And of our classmates donning boxing gloves to settle individual arguments among ourselves and occasionally with upper classmen?
Remember the large rooms we used for Cadet Officers’ classroom training and critique room in preparation for Saturday drill days? They double as the University’s Euthenics classrooms, a good source for spotting potential sponsors.
We secretly called our sponsors “Sponggays”, our own special term of endearment. It was a well guarded secret, or so we thought. The sponsors knew but played along.
During the day, and at the expense of missing our classes, we would wait for our favorite sponsors as they take their tour of duty in the Sponsors Room. At night, we would sneak in to read their private individual entries in the Sponsors logbook.
Yes, the “barracks” was special to us, to our “Sponggays”, and many other cadet officers before and after us. We can’t let go of the barracks, we must all help in the barracks restoration.
Our Challenge
This is a gigantic task. We encourage other classes to build upon what Class 66 started. The barracks have many other urgent needs, such as the replacement of the roofing and the renovation of the comfort rooms. Let’s all get involved.
When all is said and done, we shall have quarters for Cadet Officers that we, Vanguards, can be proud of, that Cadet Officers can be proud of, and comfort for the parents that their beloved sons and daughters do not have to live in squalor while pursuing their dreams.
The Cadet Officers and Corps of Sponsors of
the Invincible Class of 1966
A Salute to 100 Years of UPROTC:Duty Well-Performed,
Honor Untarnished,
& Country Above Self