Evergreen August Fellowship with the University Chapter
August 26, 2023 – The University Chapter, in celebration of their 55th (Emerald) Anniversary, in partnership with the Fellowship Committee, hosted the August Birthday Fellowship with over 80 brods and guests in attendance at Joemag’s, DMST Complex, UP Diliman.
The UP ROTC Jazz Band, composed of a wind quintet with saxophone accompaniment serenaded the attendees during dinner. At one point, Vgd. Benjamin de Leon ’57 joined the band on stage and sang the classic Filipino love song, “Dahil Sa Iyo”, reminiscent of the kundiman era.
The program started with the invocation, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and UP Naming Mahal, and the recitation of the UP Vanguard Vision, Mission, and Values. To formally open the program, the University Chapter Commander, Vgd. Ma. Rhea Andaya ’14 delivered a short message.
On behalf of the University Chapter, Vgd. Andaya expressed her gratitude to the crowd, with special recognition to the most senior Vanguard, Major General Jose Magno Jr. ’52, and members of the Board of Governors, for gracing the celebration despite the long weekend. She also took the opportunity to share the story of the founding of the University Chapter: The Chapter was formally established on August 17, 1968, by the Class of 1967 led by Vgd. Mark Javier. At the time recent graduates from the Corps, they were having a hard time relating to the more senior brods in the other Chapters, which led them to form their own Chapter. Since they have just recently graduated from the Corps, and some of them were still students, the University was their geographical base, hence the name University Chapter. Since then, University has become known as the Chapter of the young brods. Vgd. Andaya then thanked all the past and present members of the Chapter and expressed that even if a lot has changed since then, one thing that hasn’t changed is University’s penchant for having fun in its youthful ways. She closed by encouraging everyone to stay around for the fellowship to enjoy the band music, the mobile bar, and many more.
After the Roll Call and Brotherhood Round, the August birthday celebrants were recognized. Present were Vgds. Graciano “Jass” Mercado ’71, Manuel Reyes ’80, Alfonso “Al” Pinto ’81, Augusto “Ogie” Gaite ’88, Edwin Tolentino ’90, and Jose “Corty” Cortez ’95, who each received a wooden coaster as birthday gift from the Fellowship Committee. The brods joined in for the singing of the birthday song and Vgd. Mercado delivered a short thank you message on behalf of the celebrants.
National Treasurer Vgd. Anthony Reyes ’84 formally closed the program noting with pleasure that with the August Fellowship, the Vanguard has had a series of well-attended events in a row. He expressed hope for membership engagement and participation to continue to increase in subsequent Vanguard activities and events.
After the singing of the Vanguard Hymn, followed by the group photo ops, General Magno gave a short message. He said that based on what he witnessed that night, he feels confident of the future of the organization because the young Vanguards are here, and they have taken charge.
The fellowship continued with brods enjoying the performance of the 51st Engineer Brigade Combo, the Prima Brigada Band. Brods from the different class decades, as well as the cadet officers, jammed with the band until after midnight.
As a token of appreciation from the University Chapter, all registered attendees received a commemorative shot glass.
Happy 55th Anniversary to the University Chapter!
Congratulations to the Chapter and the Fellowship Committee for a fun Saturday night!
Important Dates to remember:
- September 23, 2023 – September Birthday Fellowship
- October 7, 2023 – Balik Barracks 2023
