Tribute to Brod Silverio T. Lopez

Jan Arcinue, Most Exalted Brother, starts tribute to Brod Silverio Lopez

Rellan Casto, Esalted Brother, reads the definition of a gentleman

Duana, daughter of Brod Silver

Reporty of Doc Loeny:

Program:

Greetings/Intro by MEB Jan Arcinue'08 (2nd gen of BEAI Pres Oca Arcunue'70)

Roll Call of Betans

The ff. gave eulogies to the late brod Silver Lopez'36

Ernie Tabujara BE'49 (i was so engrossed with listening to him that I forgot to take his photos)

Egbert Abiad BE'62 (who recounted the times of Silver Lopez in WW2 (survivor of the Death March & a guerilla) and the 1960s-70s as a public servant and soldier, ... and also said that the frat's definition of a gentlemen is different from the definition given by Rollo Mauricio. I have to check the BE emails of Rollo for reference but I know that it is shorter and reads differently).

A resident brod recited the DOAG (Definition of a Gentleman, by Cardinal Newman).

Tito Aliga BE'63 (who recalled playing tennis with Ernie Tabujara and Silver Lopez)

The Lopez family members who spoke were:

Barbara (who also recited the interesting biography of Brod Silver)
and Elizabeth (family response)

Cesar "Tikboy" Lopez BE'65 and Drake Lopez BE'74 were present in the necro rites too, with their wives Taiko and Gilda, resp. and their children. They also took photos.

Their mother, the late Mrs Encarnacion Castillo Lopez, was the engg librarian in the 1960s-80s.

Their first cousin is UPCOE Dean Aura Castillo Matias.

We ate pansit, goto, kutsinta and sushi/maki.

The brods appointed them Beta Epsilon Choir for Life: Joey, Ed, Pepe

Nits and Bing, Betanettes of Tito and Boy, respectively

Elizabeth, daughter of Brod Silver

More notes from Doc Leony:

In the time given to the evening's necrological rites, I found very enlightening and significant the reading of the deceased's biography by his own family member (such as daughter Barbara's reading of brod Silver Lopez's biography which parallels Philippine History 1935-present, from Commonwealth "peace" times to present). Thus, two Lopez family members spoke - Barbara for the deceased's bio (before or during the eulogies) and Elizabeth (for the family response), She said that Cesar Tiboy and Drake would not speak anymore (QED: baka lang magpatawa?),

In the future, we have the option to drop the reading of a long essay on gentlemen during necros (maybe the DOAG, before the frat song is sung, should be forced-read during Grand Stags if only to moderate the rapid flow of free drinks and prolong the stag). We can replace, as hinted above, with a reading of the deceased's complete bio (by a family member or a batchmate w/ some research) for completeness sake, before the localized, picky, individualized eulogies would follow (by Ernie T, Egbert A., T. Aliga. e.g.). We learned last night that Lt. Col. Lopez was a Death March Survivor, served as military attache, and headed the Presidential Security Command of Pres. Dadong Macapagal (that should be written in our BE yearbooks). Afterwards, Ernie T and T Aliga mentioned that Silver was the Tennis Pro to BEat all the Tabus and Titos (that's how I heard from the back row). It was a Tennis players' night (and the BE golfers were nowhere or silent) for at least three - Ernie, Tito and Silver.

In the case of last night's necro, another treat was the powerpoint slide show of Silver Lopez's photo-bio prepared by the Lopez grandchildren. That was a very welcome component of the rites.

Message prepared by EB Abiad for October 4, 2010 Necrological Service

I shall answer for our Brother Silverio T. Lopez, βε ’36. He has gone ahead to our Father’s home. He left a message in my heart. Let me share it with you.

Allow me to highlight and elaborate on certain years mentioned in the brief biography of our Brod Berio Lopez. I believe the events that happened in these years helped shape Brod Berio as a person. These were also the early years of our fraternity, and so we can also get a glimpse of the cultural attitudes that shaped our fraternity. These would be the years:

1917 – the year of Brod Berio’s birth

1935 – the year he entered U.P.

1936 – the year he entered Beta Epsilon

1938 – the year he entered PMA

1941 – the year his PMA class was not able to graduate because they were hurriedly commissioned into the army, and

1942 - the year he survived the Death March

1917

Brod Berio was born at a time when many Filipino political leaders were clamoring for Philippine independence. Their efforts were not in vain, for in 1916, the year before Berio was born, the U.S. Congress passed the Jones Law which stated in principle that the Philippines would eventually be granted political independence. In furtherance of this objective, Filipinos were allowed to vote into office senators to compose a Philippine Senate.

1935

Brod Berio entered U.P. as a freshman. In the same year the Philippine Commonwealth was established. The Commonwealth was supposed to be a 10-year transition period to political independence. In this year, a constitution drafted by a constitutional convention headed by Claro Recto was adopted, Manuel L. Quezon was elected Commonwealth President, and for the first time since 1901, we had an all Filipino Supreme Court.

In 1935 also, the Filipino sculptor Guillermo Tolentino completed the Oblation, and it was unveiled by the widow of Andres Bonifacio, Mrs. Gregoria de Jesus-Nakpil. The Oblation symbolized the Filipino youth dedicating himself to a life of service to his country. I can imagine that Brod Berio and his generation must have shared this sentiment of service to the country, because the same is mentioned in the objectives of the Beta Epsilon fraternity.

1936

In this year, Brod Berio joined the Beta Epsilon fraternity. It is significant to note that Beta Epsilon religiously followed, and follows to this day, the university guideline that only sophomores can be recruited into a fraternity. The fraternity was not even ten years old at that time. I believe the adviser at that time was Professor/Honorary Brother Antonio Albert, a gentleman of the old school. In a discussion of initiations I personally witnessed, Professor Albert was indignant that even during his time as adviser, there were resident brothers who abused the system. He remembered in particular that Berio, as a blindfolded neophyte, was made to walk into a classroom wall.

The following were the members of Batch 1936:

Francisco Carillo
Vicente Dinglasan
Segismundo Hulinganga
Leonardo Javier
Alfredo Juinio
Silverio Lopez
Vicente Lozada
Felizardo Mangonon
Baldomero Nevada
Carlos Ramos
Sergio Ramos
Pergentino Sandico
Rillo Santiago
Bonson Satrahaya (Thailand)
Pablo Sevilla
Domingo Tansingco

The U.P. President during the years 1934 – 1939 was Jorge Bocobo. He is best remembered as the U.P. President who mandated that a fig leaf be added to the Oblation. Perhaps his action was just in keeping with that “Puritan” period of our history.

Influences of that period remain in the fraternity to this day. At that time, the roles of men and women were very much differentiated, so that to this day most of us still strive to be gentlemen as defined by Cardinal Newman. Some brods, particularly Rollo Mauricio, are contesting this definition. I think it is healthy that the issue is at least being aired and discussed.

Nevertheless, until it is decided and decreed otherwise, we will continue to feel duty-bound as Betans to respect and take care of the fraternity Sweetheart, and all the women in our life that the Sweetheart symbolizes.

1938

In this year, Brod Berio entered the Philippine Military Academy. A world war was in the air. Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany already dominated Europe. The Japanese had already invaded China. In keeping with the Oblation ideal of the time, I imagine Brod Berio entered PMA in the belief that the best way to serve his country was to defend it from invaders.

1941

On December 8, the Japanese bombed the American military bases in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and also in the Philippines. Berio’s PMA Class of 1942 did not have time to graduate. They were commissioned into military service right away.

1942

The Philippine effort to resist the Japanese invasion came to an end with the fall of Bataan in April 1942. What followed was a long, hot walk of around 75,000 Filipino soldiers to prison, from Bataan to Tarlac. Many died along the way that the event became known as the Death March.

Brod Berio survived this Death March. I imagine that this was the singular experience of his youth. He probably was surprised he was still alive, and must have thought: “Now, I am a man.” He must have been grateful too for the gift of life, and in exchange, committed himself to a life of service to God and country.

Video clips

Note: I did not make the video public. The privacy setting of each video is: "Unlisted"

It means that only people who know the link to the video can view it. The video will not appear in any of YouTube's public spaces, such as search results, your channel, or the Browse page, but the link can be shared with anyone.

Entry of Betans

Roll call and tribute of Brod Ernie Tabujara

Tribute of Brod Tito Aliga

Tribute of Brod Egbert Abiad

A video on the life and times of Brod Silver produced by the Lopez family

Betan brods sing the fraternity song

Photos

Courtesy of Doc Leony

Betan brods and sons of Brod Silver, Tikboy '65 and Drake '74

Col. Silverio Lopez – A Coach for All Seasons

by Alfonso Aliga, '63

To the Lopez Family, brods Tikboy and Drake and the entire clan, friends and fans of the Colonel, brother Betans, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

Given the task of delivering a short talk for our beloved Betan brother, Col. Lopez, in this memorial for him, was an opportunity that I gladly accepted. Thank you, Egbert, for thinking of me.

I got to know the Colonel way back in the early sixties, at the UP Tennis Courts. I entered UP in 1961, and took to tennis and basketball to balance my academic efforts.

At that time, I recall that the UP Tennis Club was made up mainly of UP faculty and staff, with some alumni. I remember guys like Betans Ernie Tabujara, Roy Gil, Chito Elumba; our registrar Mr. Bobis, Dr. Enrique Ostrea of Mining Engineering (father of our brod Tony), Enchong Mateo, and two young instructors Miles Ordillas and Roger Juliano. These two are now in their mid-seventies, but still play regularly at present. Brod Ernie stopped playing about 4 years ago, but would have a better recollection of personalities then.

The Colonel was the # 1 singles player of the club, and a great mentor as well. Although he was probably in his mid-40s then, he was a cut above the varsity players. Thus the Varsity coach asked him to practice with the players and to teach them a stroke or two, and some game tactics. The UP Varsity Tennis Team during the 1961-66 years, included such friends like the Clemente brothers (Ador and the late Fred), the Roque brothers (Efren and Ruben), Rolly Cayabyab, Bob de la Rosa, Bonjing Puyat, Mario Tayag (husband of our 1963-64 sweetheart, Yev Manalang), a Thailander named Tharvorn Lertlam, and Ernie de Castro, to name a few.

I was in our Engineering Intramurals Tennis Team from 1963 to 1966, but I did not make the grade for varsity tennis. Like our Engineering Basketball Team though, where I was also a member (with brods like Bert Salgado, Johnny Manaloto and Vic Angodung), our Tennis Team always contended for the championship, finishing runner-up for two years. The better intrams players were asked to form the Varsity Training Team as a reserve pool. There were about four of us, and our task was to round up foursomes in case the varsity players were not complete for practice.

Between sets, I recall that the Colonel shared his words of wisdom with the varsity players, and I would listen in intently too. Much more so when I told him that I just joined the Frat that he asked me to always be at the courts in my free time, especially during the practice periods of the Varsity.

I recall three key points that he always stressed, ideas that should be good for all seasons:

1. The UP varsity player is, first and foremost, a student, seeking a good education for life. He must satisfy eligibility rules, one being that the player must pass at least 24 units in the academic year. He encouraged the players to focus on their academics in the first semester, taking and passing a full load of 18 units or 6 subjects, so that in the second semester, they could afford to have a light load of 9-12 units, and devote more time for practice and games.

With this, the graduation rate of players was high, almost all of them graduating with their chosen degrees. Compare this to the present, where I heard that graduation rates are wanting: about 75% in tennis, but below 30% for some disciplines.

2. The second point deals with discipline and preparation, and in this case, mental toughness more than physical attributes. He believed that college-age persons are naturally prepared physically, but it is in the mental aspects that they need to mature quickly, especially for competition. And this mental toughness is the result of a disciplined life. With the academic issues cared for in Point 1 above, the players can concentrate and be ready to fight at the court, instead of being distracted in the middle of a crucial point in the match while thinking of an exam or term paper.

3. The third item concerned sportsmanship and court presence. He said that the UP athlete must be a model sportsman – playing his best, enjoying the game, showing grace under pressure, applauding an opponent’s best shot. He said that tennis is a fun game, for players and spectators alike, pointing out if you enjoy what you’re doing, and you connect with the energy of the crowd, then you get a an edge.

This characteristic is something that you could feel when he himself played. And that’s probably one big reason why he was number one!

I guess the varsity players believed in him, and who would not. And as long as they put these ideas into play, they would succeed as students! Winning the UAAP games was but a cap to a job well done.

I did not see the Colonel anymore after I graduated, as I played in another club, and then spent many years abroad, returning in 1987. The Colonel rarely came to the UP Courts. But no deal - those who knew him would always think of him as a great player and mentor.

Unfortunately, brod Tikboy did not try his hand at tennis, as I think he was more concerned with becoming an electrician. As for Drake, he only inherited 60% of the Colonel’s tennis skills. But mind you, Drake is better than many of us on the court because he got 100% of the Colonel’s mental toughness!

Okay then, beloved Colonel, we bid goodbye to you. Our tennismates are waiting for you at the courts in Heaven!

And to the Lopez Family, may your grief be very brief as you celebrate the birth of the Colonel to eternal life. May your memories of your beloved father live forever in your hearts!

And now, may I ask everyone to give a generous round of applause for the Colonel, a champion for all seasons!

Kaineros (members of the Kain Club) Lino and Leony

From: Egbert Abiad <ebabiad@yahoo.com>
Subject: [be_matters] Project closure report: Memorial Service for Brod Silverio T. Lopez '36
Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010, 9:25 AM

October 7, 2010

Brods,

The objective of this email message is to document the elements (events, activities, personnel and material resources) involved in the necrological rite for Brod Silverio T. Lopez, βε ’36. In this way, we increase our “corporate intelligence”. To conduct another fraternity necro service, all that will be needed is to reference our “corporate intelligence” under the heading “necrological rite”. Conducting another necro service, especially in a geographic area distant from Diliman, should no longer be dependent on the experience of persons who had organized one before.

In a way, this is some kind of a project closure report. The conduct of a fraternity necro ritual for a departed brod fits the definition of a project, because a project has the following characteristics:

It is a purposeful undertaking;
It aims to create a tangible result or service; and
It has a definite start time and end time.

We hold a necro service for a departed brod to be able to express our sympathy to the bereaved family and hopefully give spiritual comfort to them. Hopefully also, the alumni and resident brods attending the service will pick up some good lessons from the way our departed brod led his life.

One characteristic of this necro project is the element of surprise- we don’t really know when one will be needed. One major constraint of the necro project is that it has a short time period, on the average, a total of only four days for preparation. For example, news of the death of Brod Silver (as Ernie Tabujara called him), was posted in our yahoogroups on a Friday. The same day, Ojie Alzona “volunteered me” by email as necro organizer to the BEAI Board. The same day, I was able to pay my respect to Brod Silver at the Claret memorial chapel, and agree with Drake Lopez to hold the necro at 7 PM of the coming Monday. I also gave his sister Diana the assignment of writing a brief biography of her Dad.

The other major constraint is finding speakers to deliver eulogies. For example, Brod Silver was just a few days short of 93 years when he passed away. Many of his batchmates, of whom the more known to us are Alfredo Juinio and Leonardo Javier, have died. The whereabouts of others, like the Thailander Bonson Satrabhaya, are not in our records.

As BEAI-appointed organizer and seeker of speakers, I could only think of Tito Aliga and Ernie Tabujara as potential speakers because they and Brod Silver belonged to the U.P. Tennis Club. I was able to get in touch with Tito Aliga by cellphone on Saturday, and although the death of Brod Silver (or Colonel, as Tito called him) surprised him since he has not been opening his email account, he nevertheless readily agreed saying “it would be an honor and his privilege to do so”. So I had one speaker, but I could not get the contact number of Ernie Tabujara.

So that there would at least be two speakers, I decided to start writing something about Brod Silver. Since I had not interacted with him personally, I thought I would just try to correlate some of the events in his life (as related by his daughter Diana during my visit to the memorial chapel) with the historical events of U.P. and the country at the time. (*I will send this by separate email as reference for future brods who may have to write something about a departed brod they may not have met.)

The necrological program for Brod Silverio T. Lopez had the following parts:

1. Processional and Song #1

2. Opening Prayer and Remarks by the Brother Chaplain (Actually performed by MEB Jan Arcinue.)

3. Roll Call (Conducted by resident brother Bobbit Castro. The names and batch of the brods present were called, and they responded by saying Present or Here. The last name called was that of our departed brod; it was called three times without response. )

4. Eulogy Speaker No.1 (Brod Ernie Tabujara. He prefaced his eulogy with the following: “I shall answer for our Brother Silverio. He has gone ahead to our Father’s home. He left a message in my heart. Let me share it with you.”)

5. Brief Biography (Prepared and read by daughter Diana. This was followed by an audio-visual presentation prepared by a grandson. In previous necro services, this portion was really brief; but this time, the presentation was well prepared and detailed.)

6. Song #2

7. Eulogy Speaker No.2 (Egbert Abiad)

8. Definiton of a Gentleman (Read by resident brother Rellan Castro.)

9. Eulogy Speaker No.3 (Tito Aliga)

10. Song # 3

11. Response from a member of the family (By daughter Elizabeth)

12. Final Song: the Fraternity Song

Notes:

A. I remembered that in the previous necro rite for Brod Ric Quebral ’49, a buffet dinner was beginning to be served just before our necro service started at 7 PM. So as not to burden the bereaved family with a sudden influx of about 30 persons, I asked permanent treasurer Lito Manahan if BEAI would be willing to reimburse the cost of snacks. Lito said yes, and so I asked the resident brods to bring about 30 sandwiches. MEB Jan Arcinue was at the chapel by 6 PM with the sandwiches. But the Lopez family really prepared a lot of noodles and arroz caldo, so that the sandwiches became redundant.

B. I thought that it would be great if we had music intermission numbers. I went to the College of Music to inquire how much it would cost to have a violinist play 2 songs: one at the beginning to quiet the crowd and set the mood, and another in the middle to serve as a break. The violin teacher I talked to quoted P2,500, suggesting “On Wings of Song” as opening number and “Meditation” from Thais as middle song. When I said I thought it would cost about 1 k to 1.5 k only, she said maybe a student would charge that much only. Anyway, she said it was not possible at the mon=ment since a day or 2 days notice was needed. How I wished Brod Joe Cruz was around to do the violin numbers.

It turns out, Ojie Alzona had called his ka-batch Pepe Balderama to bring his guitar and lead the singing. Pepe obliged, although he had to come all the way from Makati to do so. When he arrived, Ed Paynor and Joey Villar joined him to form an instant choir of 3 to signal the start of the service with their opening song, and to lead in the singing of three more songs. The singing with guitar accompaniment seemed more solemn, than our previous a capella singing.

C. The resident brods Jan Arcinue, Bobbit Castro and Rellan Castro were very poised and eloquent. Parang mga graduates ng Ateneo High School. Or maybe it was because they were already veterans in necro rites. These same resident brods were also involved in the necro rites for Brod Ric Quebral.

D. Overall, I think we achieved the objectives of the necro service—we were able to express our condolence and hopefully gave spiritual comfort to the Lopez family. I am sure the brods picked up valuable lessons in life especially from the eulogy delivered by Tito Aliga.