USC-KMTRI-E Fraternity… ‘Only the best is good enough’

Nowadays, it is sad that the words “fraternity”, “brotherhood”, “society” connote a sinister meaning related to gangs with the purpose of inflicting harm towards rivals and against civil society, innocent or otherwise. News about gang violence perpetrated by members of so-called “fraternities” surfaced in blatant repudiation of  norms. This should not be, it doesn’t have to be.

Back in the 50s, 60s and early 70s, a “fraternity”, “sorority” or a “society” was an acceptable facet of campus life at the University of San Carlos. One of the vibrant fraternities was the KMTRI-E composed of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering undergraduates. The fraternity was formally established in 1954.

The names of the members that have excelled either in the academe or later in their field of endeavor are too numerous to enumerate. But then, as an inspiration to the fraternity, the following brothers come to mind: Arturo Rusiana (BSME ‘56–4th  place board exam), Buddy Labro (BSME ‘58), Gerry Lipardo (BSME ‘59-1st place board exam ), Gene Corazo (BSME ‘59), Carl Dobluis (BSME ‘60), Paulito Durano (BSME ‘61–cum laude), Leo Yau (BSME ‘62–summa cum laude), Vine Darcera (BSME ‘62), Niting Codina (BSME ‘63), Cassy Nadela (BSME ‘64), Cesar (Dodong) Corazo Jr. (BSME ‘65), Boy Villacorta (BSME ‘65), Winston Misa (BSME ‘65),  Raul Briones (BSME ‘68–second place board exam), Panky Perez (BSME ‘73), CPO Lyness Bacaltos (BSME ‘77–USN Retired) and Col. Lyle Paras (AFP), to name a few.

The late Dodong Corazo concisely phrased the goal of each individual: “Only the best is good enough.” But what is considered “best”? In this age of the “Theory of Relativity,” what is best to some may be just normal to others, such as the works of Leo Yau (BSME ‘62) who deals with quanta, photons and atoms, and Niting Codina (BSME ‘63) in NASA’s “big-bangs.” Nevertheless, the works of Eric Orat (BSME ‘66), who preaches the word of God, and Cassy Nadela (BSME ‘64), who loves to tend to his farm and flowers, are in a sense as important. They bring forth the meaning of where we came from, albeit where we are going is still deeply unknown to those who have no faith. 

First a dream, then an idea and from it sprung a feeling lying dormant through the years of aging brothers to see each other in one setting. Mars Pastor (BSME ‘65) who lives in Maryland sent his dream of a reunion over cyberspace and the idea spread like wild fire. It was a blessing that Carl Dobluis is already retired and with his previous work experience as Vice President-Marketing of a firm, he was able to steer the reunion to fruition.

Ground zero was the Holiday Inn Hotel, Buena Park, California on the last days of spring June 20-22, 2008. A total of 37 fraternity brothers came from all over North America, 1 from Cebu, Philippines and our special guest from USC–Fr. Margarito Alingasa, SVD; Cheddette Corazo who represented her husband, the late Dodong (BSME ‘65), came from Las Vegas; Julius (BSME ‘72) and Jeannette Corazo, Vic (BSME ‘65) and Dolly Orcullo came from Canada; Art (BSME ‘56) and Lydia Rusiana from Illinois; Art Sanchez (BSME ‘59) and Niting (BSME ‘63) and Lorie Codina from Texas;  Eleno Monares (BSME ‘66) from New Jersey; Cesar and Cleo Paez from Florida; Mars Pastor (BSME ‘65) from Maryland; Carl (BSME ‘60) and Paullette Dobluis from Chino Hills, CA; Panky (BSME ‘73) and Rita Perez from Palmdale, CA;  Ven (BSME ‘82) and Ledy Darcera from Chino Hills, CA; Roy (BSME ‘65) and Dolly Gacasan from Camarillo, CA; Winston (BSME ‘65) and Pat Misa from Alta Loma, CA; Jesus Mario (BSME ‘73) and Stella Verallo from Harbor City, CA; Art (BSME ‘59) and Inday Yuliongsiu from Harbor City, CA;  Joe (BSME ‘73) and Erma Acol from North Hollywood, CA; Art (BSME ‘65) and Lee Garainod from Chula Vista, CA; Leo (BSME ‘62) and Bella Yau from Portland, Oregon; Rodulfo and Zenny Segura from San Jose, CA; Mariano (BSME ‘73) and Violeta Avila from Torrance, CA; Leo (BSME ‘59) and Baby Bontuyan from Maryland; Ric Gacasan from New Jersey; George and Carol Aldeguer from San Jose, CA; Noling and Laura Labaria from Daly City, CA; Raul (BSME ‘62) and Carmen Jimenez from Buena Park, CA; Joey and Nattie Garces fromVallejo, CA; Frank (BSME ‘59) and Lucy Cabugwason from Henderson, Nevada; Tony (BSME ‘59) and Sally Estoque from Cerritos, CA; Tarcing and Lydia dela Victoria from Rancho Cordova, CA; Tinoy and Fely Cadigal from San Jose, CA; Eduardo Muyco from Sunnyville, CA; Ric (BSME ‘66) and Joy Paracuelles from Norwalk, CA; Richilieu Trocio; Fred (BSME ‘62) and Perla Diaz from  Carson, CA. I saved the last for Intoy (BSME ‘66) and Ellen Palacio.  Intoy was once rumored to have left us the living. It was a joy to see his reincarnation…happily as his old self.

The presence of Fr. Mar Alingasa was sentimentally nostalgic for all. He made us remember the good, as well as the bad, days at USC. The well deserved good grades and the questionable 5s when one was certain that he copied religiously the answers of a bright classmate…aha, that’s why!  The copier was caught cheating because he copied the name too, instead of writing his own name…nincompoop!!!

In the end, Winston Misa aptly summed up the reunion with these words:  “As long as we have memories, yesterday remains…as long as we have hopes, tomorrow waits…as long as we have friendship, today is beautiful.”

Goodbye, spring flowers, hello, summer sun, until we meet again in 2010.