Is the Orbos magic still around?

By Jun Velasco

IN the 60’s, a group of  160   Dagupan college students from Manila organized what turned out to be the Vox, actually a break-away group from the Dagupan City Varsitarians Association, who wanted to do more than just swing and party during the summer vacation.

Led by Salvador Bernal as chairman and this columnist as vice chairman, the group farmed out into the various elementary schools in the city to hold tutorial classes for would-be high schoolers. The record shows that those who underwent the tutorial classes easily outsmarted their high school classmates.

       Bernal, who much later became a national artist, had to leave for Manila in the middle of   the program because his alma mater, the Ateneo, had called him to teach English in the summer.

The other week, we bumped into the former Norma Crisologo – now, wife of famous Filipino artist Fred Liongoren – at tycoon Cesar Duque’s Chataeu Verde in Pasig City, and you  can stretch your imagination how two long lost friends recalled the old days.

Other Vox members like songbird Linda Magno, George Estrada, Min Gomez, Leo Palaganas, Ruben Olaer, Lito Gutierez, Ruben Sto. Domingo, Nenita and Bona Estrada, Dante Velasco, Joaquin Reyes, Eddie Tandoc, Ramon Aoanan, Rory and Nellie Calvero, Amy Macasieb, Catalina de Venecia-Sto Domingo and her husband Toti, and many others had hinted at a grand reunion this summer and, if possible, revive the laudable summer projects including tutorial classes, special classes for parliamentary rules for high school and college students, tree planting and jam sessions.  Did you know that one of our parliamentary procedure speakers was then Philippine Collegian editor Miriam Defensor, with us assigned to pick her on the campus to Badoy’s  home in Quezon City?

A little girl who hung around the Vox people was a cutie girl, Angie, Badoy’s youngest sister,   who became Mrs. Chito Samson, the councilor, and Jayceerette leader. We saw Angie again recently with the Estrada folk of Calasiao led by model couple Dr. Fer and Nancy, Tessie Catubig-Manaois (wife of former Vice Mayor Teddy Manaois), Mayor Roy Macanlalay and his wife, Malou, Dr. Nonong Martinez, Annie Ungson, General  Efren Ferrer and wife Lily Estrada and others who were plotting the political adventure of General Art Lomibao.

We recalled to Angie Badoy’s meteoric metamorphosis, but she finds him still the same affectionate ingenious brother. The group that gathered around the Estradas’ new Calasiao house called itself “the Palaris” of UP, rival of another UP group, “Subol,” and it looked like everyone was missing that kind of summer activity vacationing students can profitably do, to teach the young.

Get in touch. We can’t just allow this gem of a project fade away. It should be our contribution to humanity.

*       *        *

We just received a call that said Oscar Orbos has just made up his mind to run for Pangasinan governor. The announcement was received with nonchalance because the guy, who hogged the political scene in the 90’s like a meteor, had been telling everyone he had said goodbye to   politics for good. And so, unless he shows us a certificate of candidacy to back up this claim, the announcement would just fall on Doubting Thomases’ ears.

Oscar’s popularity reached its peak in the early 90’s when he could just as casually capture the presidency of the Philippines. Then when most everyone was urging him to run for the senate instead of the vice presidency, he followed the wrong route.

Oscar should heed Bob Dylan’s “The Times they are a-changin” because as a friend, we hate to think he’d suffer another political fiasco. He used to advise politician friends who would jump into the political fray without a modicum of scholarship, thus, “salute him who is able to hold when the finger itches to pull the trigger.”

Hold it, Oscar, have you done your homework well enough?

But by Jove, the guy is immensely popular, and his fundamental problem is how to convert. His handlers should be able to answer this, “Is the Orbos magic still intact?”

*          *          *

 When we were pre-schoolers, the footsteps of tatay would excite utter gladness when he came home from work, not really for the steaming pancit he’d bring to the table, for we, the children, would run to him for the latest Filipino comics, Pilipino, Hiwaga, Espesyal, Liwayway, Bulaklak, he’d dish out with gusto, perked up by the sight of his big abode hanging up to him like parched earth asking for rain.

We were so enamored with the common man’s reading fare because the comics before, which were of a healthy variety, have lately been blasphemed by sex-filled material.

Congratulate the comics makers the likes of Carlo J. Caparas, the late Mars Ravelo (he was our college classmate for a while), Francisco Coching who have decided to upgrade the industry and make it work for socio economic progress and wholesome culture.

What shall we do with the bold, below- the-belt, Xerex-filled trash? A government-sponsored program to upgrade the local industry could enhance the poor’s reading habits and, by a smart approach, rally the artists towards nationalism, not crass materialism. About time.

*            *             *

The youngest in the brood, Butch (he is Orpheus actually), was recently inducted Patrima president. He assures us the group remains non-partisan but that every member is free to have his favorite political viewpoint.

We understand that during his induction rite, Atong Remogat, who has had one too many, gave vent to his unruly mouth which blasted the sensitive heart of Butch’s pretty wife, Ana. We had counseled her that the press world is a snake pit and works at times like   the enclave of dirty politicians.

Butch was in earnest to bring reforms to the club, and naturally Atong, who acted as spokesman of the talibans, some members of the club who direly needed reformation, felt alluded to.

We had called Atong’s attention to his questionable behavior. He said he meant no harm and in fact knelt before Ana to beg for forgiveness.

 We urge Butch and his new knights in shining armor to crack the whip against errant members but widen the program to train the fumbling members.

Some of those present said the presence of Commissioner Al Fernandez at that late hour gave comfort as well as warmth to everyone’s tired and weary hearts.            

Ana told Orpheus, “Ang bait ni Commissioner Al,” to which young brod nodded approvingly praying politics won’t affect his presidency of Patrima.                    

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/)

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