The CAPITOL

The Official Newsletter of the Capitol Chapter, UP Vanguard Inc.

The The CAPITOLCAPITOL

CONTENTS

Capitol Chapter RevivalCurrent Members/Page 1

UP Vanguards push for Advance ROTC graduation, certificates /Page 2

Capitol Chapter Co-Sponsors Fun Run of the UP ROTC/Page 2

Corps Commander 2013, answering the Call/Page 3

Revitalized ROTC program lobbied in Congress /Page 4

UP ROTC/UP VANGUARD Continuing the Grand Ideals of the Fraternity (Old and New Photos)/Page 5

By Vgd Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema ‘09

THIS YEAR marks a symbolic event not only for the UP Vanguard Jubilarian Classes but also for the entire UP Vanguard brethren.

Under the leadership of long-time DILG Undersecretary Eduardo “Ed” Soliman of UP Vanguard Golden Jubilarian Class of 1964, the oldest and finest chapter of the Chosen Few, The Capitol Chapter, where most of the former political, military, academe, and business leaders of the Philippine Republic belonged, is now resurrected to pursue its grand ideals once again. The UP Vanguard Capitol Chapter will now take the lead in the Fraternity, the University and the Country.

The revival of the Chapter attracted distinguished leaders to join, including five former UP Vanguard National Commanders, namely: former Education Deputy Minister and Undersecretary for North Luzon Quadrangle Growth Hermie Dumlao, former Globe Telecom President Mark Javier, Agricultural Economist Pablito Villegas, Colonel Sonny Ventura, and former Congressman Romy Lumauig.

Joining Chapter Commander Ed Soliman and the former UP Vanguard National

Commanders are: incumbent UP President Fred Pascual, incumbent UP Alumni Association Director Dodie Lagman, Brigadier General Silvino “Jun” Alcabasa (Commanding General, Corps of Engineers) retired Brigadier General Robert Gervacio (former Commanding General, Army Reserve Command and BCDA-SCTEx spokesperson), retired Major General Romy Tarrayo (former Commanding General, 8th Infantry Division), retired Lieutenant General Mel Rosales (former PMA Superintendent and DILG Undersecretary).

New Chapter Members are leaders in the Army Reserves and in the Professions namely:

Colonel Rey Antonio (Chief Security Officer, Filinvest Corp), Colonel Gil Aganon (Commander, NCR-Standby Reserve Division), Dr. Santiago Obien (former Director, Philippine Rice Research Institute), Professor Ferdie Manegdeg (UP College of Engineering), Professor Carmi Liwag (UP System NSTP Director), Dr. Zoilo Lapus (Director, Asian Pig Veterinary Society), Atty. Santi Dumlao (Former President, Management Association of the Philippines & of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines), Atty. Filomeno Balbin, Atty. Narciso Tadeo, Businessmen Art Pascua, Jun Mocas and Jass Mercado.

UP Vanguard welcomes Capitol Chapter’s revival

Capitol Chapter members in the sacred grounds of the UP Vanguard Hall of Fame

Revival/ Page 6

Homecoming 2014 Issue

The CAPITOL

“LET US recognize again their academic achievements in the field of Military Science .”

That is the sentiment of the UP Vanguard Inc., the alumni association of Advance ROTC graduates of the University of the Philippines, on its on-going effort to restore the graduation ceremonies and issuance of certificates of completion for the graduating first class cadet officers of the State University.

In a letter sent to UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, UP Vanguard National Commander Melito Salazar Jr. raised his concern regarding the alleged non-recognition of the University Registrar of the ROTC as a Certificate Program. The letter also noted that since 2012, the UP Alumni Association has not been sending any notices to jubilarians of the ROTC program, based on information from the Office of Alumni Relations. The UP Vanguard

Program by the University. On March 5, 1925 during their 273rd meeting, the UP Board of Regents approved the granting of University Certificates to cadets who

have completed the prescribed advanced courses in Military Science and Tactics, making them alumni of the University even when they have not yet finished their academic course.

UP Vanguard urges UP Campuses to return the recognition ceremonies and certificates for UP’s Advance ROTC graduates

then requested the University to update the records of Advance ROTC graduates from all UP units, resume the issuance of Certificates to Advance ROTC graduates, and restore the recognition of Advanced ROTC graduates during University Commencement Exercises.

The UP Vanguard said this is an issue since the ROTC is recognized as a Certificate

The ROTC, now one of three optional components of the National Service Training Program, aims to provide military education and training for students to mobilize them for national defense preparedness and for disaster relief and rescue operations.

Currently, advance ROTC cadets have to take two years of Military Science and tactics courses, administered by the University’s Department of Military Science and Tactics and the Philippine Army Reserve Command.

This initiative of the UP Vanguard is part of its aim to restore the prestige of the military science education in the State University and to reinvigorate the ROTC program through the full implementation of the NSTP Law and execution of the UP ROTC 5-Year Strategic Plan.

UPROTC Dash 2014 a successBy Vgd Daniel Manuel O. Macrohon Jr. ‘13  CHALLENGED to “outplay, outdo and outlast” each other, a total of 938 runners joined this year’s UPROTC DASH 2014 fun run.

 Held last March 2, the DASH 2014 again opens the streets of University of the Philippines Diliman to running enthusiasts from the public and private sectors, of all size and ages. It featured a 2-mile Army standard run, a 5-kilometer solo and buddy run, and a 10-km run. After the run, the runners were then treated to

activities such as rappelling, marksmanship, field-stripping and a static display of weapons used by the Philippine Military.

 The UP Vanguard Inc. Capitol Chapter, along with the Quezon City Government, co-presented the event with the law firm of Vgd. Atty. Sigfrid Fortun and with the UP Vanguard Class of 1979, said its participation will be part of the Chapter’s thrust in promoting disaster prevention, response and relief operations.

 The DASH 2014, which was a spin-off of the Centennial Run

in March 2012, was organized by the UP Corps of Cadets Diliman and UP Vanguard University Chapter. The fun run aims to promote the UP Department of Military Science andTactics Complex, ideally

situated at the heart of Quezon City, as a center for disaster management and operations.

 The running community can expect for more fun, adventure, and military-based athletic activities next Dash.

2

The CAPITOL

“Where are the Youth who will consecrate their golden hours..” -Rizal,1891

excellent marks in subjects. Most students were not aware of the ROTC. Some simply see the military program as an inconvenience.

However, I only began to realize the truth when I enrolled in the ROTC. This was also the time when I was able to escape the status quo. I entered the Cadet Corps when I was a sophomore. Out of 120 Biology students in my batch, I am the only one who finished the one-year Basic and two-year Advance ROTC course.

Good thing those who came before me paved the way. The summer before my training began, the Department of Military Science and Tactics, under new leadership, pushed strongly to recruit more cadets. This resulted to a healthy increase in the number of enrolees and improvement in training and facilities, a trend which remains today.

There were a lot of lessons that the ROTC introduced

and developed in each and every cadet. Most of them sprung from the numerous trainings, while the others are discovered by the cadets on their own. For instance, I paid close attention to my physical wellness and committed several hours for running and exercises. I took lessons in military leadership by taking charge of group work during classes. And I became aware

ANSWERING the call can easily be done when you hear and know the source of the ring. When your other senses are down, you can still feel it and thus you pick up the receiver. For the young generation, who has yet to prove themselves, a response to that call is needed for a better Philippines.

After a decade of the ROTC not being mandatory for college students, the UP Corps of Cadets is still struggling in its mission to train the student body of the University into citizen-soldiers, ready to serve the country in any situation, in peacetime or even in disorder. For the past five years, cadets and cadet officers barely reached a total of 1,000.

Nowadays, many people fell into a system of complacency and comfort. Majority of the iskolars ng bayan preferred the subjects that require minimal effort but give good grades, or classes that are more convenient. Students prefer to join organizations that are related to their course or something that suited their interest. I’ve been there during my freshman year - indulging in a purely civilian life that only focuses on achieving

of the crises the community and our country face. I sought to help in any way that I can and I believe that graduates of both the Basic and Advance ROTC share this sentiment.

Training coincides with regular classes in the University. Cadets and cadet officers are not sheltered; they interact with their peers. I find this important as it allows free exchange of ideas between other students and us cadets, a unique and holistic condition that distinguishes us from military academies. Furthermore, the ROTC imbues to us cadets

Vgd Daniel Manuel O. Macrohon, Jr. ’13 UP Diliman Corps Commander 2013

Last year’s UP Corps Commander speaks on the spirit of volunteerism and its relevance to the times

the spirit of volunteerism, the embodiment of the youth’s patriotism, which pushes us to seek the knowledge to meet the demands of the present and the future.

But the ROTC must continue to address the concerns of students, so as to let them make informed decisions when it comes to the National Service Training Program.

In this, the UP Vanguard now plays an active role. The UP Vanguard has answered the call to serve the country, and Vanguards will now take the lead in inspiring the community to answer that call.

3

Capitol Chapter Member Dan Macrohon’13 leading the UP Students as UP ROTC Corps Commander and as

UP Vanguard Fraternity Supreme Commander (President) during the UP ROTC Centennial Year (2012)

Capitol Chapter Member Ronald Cardema’09 leading the UP Students as UP ROTC Corps Commander and as

UP Vanguard Fraternity Supreme Commander (President) during the UP Centennial Year (2008)

The CAPITOL

ROTC: We need it now more than ever

forces will adopt the “Russian Crimean-Annexation Strategy” to conquer our territory.

Some people say that this will never happen because we now live in a modern world empowered by social media, within a closely-knit global community strengthened by diplomatic ties. But how about the annexation of Crimea a few days ago?

For several weeks, billions of people around the world were updated in social media, by the minute, on what’s happening in Ukraine, in Russia and in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and even Russian Television (RT) were giving us updates every hour. Crimeans were posting photos and videos everyday to show how they are silently being annexed by a country with a stronger military force. Millions of people around the globe sharply commented, but nobody sharply responded physically.

In 1912, UP began ROTC in the Philippines. In 1914, companies of UPROTC-trained military personnel were being prepared by the US Colonial

A FEW days ago, the Russian Federation successfully “annexed” the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Even with the strong uproar from Ukraine (where Crimea is part of) and the joint condemnation of many countries, the international community was still unsure if it will send its armies to stop the Russian Forces.

If Russia can easily annex a foreign territory that has a population of two million, even under the condemnation of the free world, it will be easier for the People’s Republic of China to annex a vast area of the Philippine territory which has a zero population. If Europe can’t dispatch its forces to Ukraine even if the country is physically between the European Union countries and the Russian Federation, how can the international community defend the Philippine Archipelago against Chinese annexation when the country is situated in a vast ocean and the only nearest population are schools of fishes.

The answer here is we must teach ourselves and our countrymen with the basic knowledge in Military Science. We must organize all our able-bodied citizens, especially the Youth, into reservist groups that can be mobilized during Disaster/Calamity Relief Operations and can be mobilized to our coastal territories if Chinese

Government in Manila to support the Allied Forces in Europe during World War One. UP Faculty Members and UP Students volunteered and that day is now being commemorated in the two

Vgd Ronald L. Cardema ’09 Political Affairs Officer III, House of Representatives

oldest UP Campuses, UP Manila and UP Los Banos, as the UP Loyalty Day.

During the Second World War, ROTC cadets from different Colleges and Universities in Manila were able to defend their communities and survive because they have the basic knowledge on using weapons like machine guns, on organizing themselves into small tactical units, and on using maps and compasses to either attack the enemies or to guide their own families in rural, urban, and forested areas.

Nowadays, what are we doing to prevent foreign

intrusion in Philippine territory? Yes we have the PMA and the Officer Candidate Schools, which produce a combined military force of less than a thousand every year. During times of war and calamities, the combined strength of a very few thousand military officers will not be able to function well because the millions of Filipino Citizens that they’ll be commanding and helping would not know how to act in unison, to handle military weapons and to shoot them accurately, and to use maps and compasses to locate their families and loved-ones.

If a huge storm that lasted one day, with no human intent

China’s so-called “Nine-dash line” area which encompasses sovereign Philippine territory that we must defend now.

4

Manila ROTC Cadets being trained how to move and operate weapons.

The CAPITOL

UP ROTC and UP Vanguard Fraternity:102 Years of Fine Leadership in the University and in the Country

The UP Vanguard Fraternity led by Vanguard Senator Ferdinand Marcos (Senate President) at the General Antonio

Luna Parade Grounds (now known as the UP Sunken Garden)

Vanguard Senator Heherson Alvarez, Vanguard Congressman Romulo Lumauig, Vanguard Congressman Roquito Ablan,

Vanguard Melito Salazar, Vanguard Astro Del Castillo, Vanguard Ted Javier and Friends of the UP Vanguards; Cong. Lito Atienza, Cong Gwen Garcia, & Cong Jonathan Dela Cruz

Vgd. Gen. Fabian Ver (AFP Chief of Staff), Vgd. Gen. Romeo Espino (Former AFP Chief of Staff), Vgd. Gen. Josephus Ramas (Commanding General, Philippine Army), Vgd. Adm. Simeon Alejandro (Flag-Officer-In-Command, Philippine Navy), Vgd.

Gen. Joe Magno, & Vgd. Ambassador Nick Jimenez.

VANGUARD CARLOS P. ROMULO University of the Philippines President

5

The UP Vanguard Fraternity led by Vanguard Senator Manuel Villar (Senate President) at the General Antonio Luna Parade

Grounds (now known as the UP Sunken Garden)

VANGUARD ALFREDO E. PASCUAL University of the Philippines President

The CAPITOL

The CAPITOLVGD. NOLI ERMITANIO’10 - Editor

(Writer - Philippine Daily Inquirer)

VGD. RONALD CARDEMA’09 - Contributor(Political Affairs Officer III - House of Representatives)

VGD. DANIEL MACROHON’13 - Contributor(UP Diliman Corps Commander 2013 & Incoming Medical Student)

VGD. EDUARDO SOLIMAN’64 - Adviser(Former Undersecretary, DILG)

From the Government Sector, we’re also proud to have the following as Capitol Chapter Members: Mayor Ding Villena (Quezon Province), former Quezon City Congressman Matias Defensor, long-time Ilocos Norte Governor and Congressman Roquito Ablan, and Court of Appeals Senior Associate Justice Pol Bruselas,

We also have two very active, young brods like Philippine Daily Inquirer writer Noli Ermitanio and UP Diliman Corps Commander 2013 Dan

UP Vanguard welcomes revived Capitol Chapter

Editorial Board

Macrohon.

With this initial strength from UP Vanguard Fraternity Brods in the Government, Military, Academe, and Business Sectors, the UP Vanguard Capitol Chapter aims to inspire the entire UP Vanguard Brethren, the UP Community, the AFP Community, as well as the other distinguished ROTC Alumni Associations in the country, to unite in reforming, promoting and strengthening the ROTC Program of the Philippine Republic.

From Page 1

Distinguished members of the old Capitol Chapter. The current Capitol Chapter aims to restore the glorious days of the ROTC Program in our country.

to harm or kill people, brought chaos to some parts of Eastern Visayas for a few months, what more can happen if China, projected to become the most powerful nation in the world in 20-30 years, deliberately invades us? Yes, we can upload all the pictures and videos to the Internet to show how foreign military forces are invading and maltreating our grandparents, men, women, and children but can the online viewers do something about it?

The Capitol Chapter of the UP Vanguard Inc. (The Association of Advance ROTC Graduates of the University of the Philippines) is very grateful to Philippine Statesmen who have the insights of reforming, strengthening, and promoting the ROTC program for the Philippine Republic to be able to utilize its greatest resource – its almost a hundred million citizens - in nation-building and in protecting the sovereign Philippine territory now and in the future.

The UP Vanguard Capitol Chapter would like to commend former AFP Chief of Staff, former Senator and now Muntinlupa Congressman Rodolfo Biazon for House Bill 522, Cavite Congressman

ROTC: We need it now more than everFrom Page 3 Francis Gerald Abaya for

House Bill 144, Bohol Congressman Erico Aumentado for House Bill 1720, and Valenzuela City Congressman Sherwin Gatchalian for House Bill 2338, all of which are legislative measures supporting the ROTC program.

We’d also like to express our gratitude to House Higher and Technical Education Committee Chairman, UP Regent, and UP ROTC Graduate, Pasig Congressman Roman Romulo, for guiding the proposed ROTC legislations in the Committee level. The UP Vanguards and the distinguished members of different ROTC Alumni Associations in the Philippines will be forming a legislative support group and closely partner with Members of Congress for their milestone legislations on ROTC to be passed in the 16th Congress.

More than a century ago, our Great Filipino Leader said that “The Filipino Youth is the hope of the Motherland”. We would like to amend that now to read as follows: “The well-trained and well-organized Filipino Youth is the best hope of the Motherland in times of War and Calamities.” Let’s Support the Philippine ROTC Program!

6