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UP VANGUARD FRATERNITY

UPV Iloilo Chapter

We have seen the deterioration of pre-reservist training in this country. The system crumbled before our very eyes, rotting in corruption and derelict by the powers that be.

But for the UP Vanguards, it matters not whether the very foundation of its existence is amidst uncertainty; The Brotherhood isfirm and lives under the shibboleths of 'Honor Untarnished, Duty well performed, and Country Above Self' since its inception 83 years ago.

Not an ordinary fraternity

The UP Vanguard is a civic-military fraternity in the University of the Philippines. It has its roots from the ROTC, and was formally established when the UP Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) was formally organized in March 17, 1922. It was formally called under various names, and the appropriate choice of the UP Vanguard Fraternity came about with the class 1934.

For many years, the UP Vanguard has been a training ground for Filipino leaders not only in the military but in the government as well.

During the World War II, many of these brave men fought with the resistance forces against the Japanese imperialists, some were even able to distinguish themselves from common soldiers. These distinguished men includeMajor Alfredo Santos, who later became the first four-star general of the AFP; Major Macario Peralta, who carried on the guerrilla warfare in Panay, and whose scientific approach to warfare earned him respect from hiscolleagues;Brig Gen Carlos P. Romulo, later the first UN Secretary General;and Ferdinand Marcos, a Bataan Death March survivor who lived to be one of the most brilliantPhilippine presidents.

There were also those who served during the Korean War. One of thosewas then 2Lt Benjamin Vallejo of class '51, hewas also one of the UP Vanguard men who served during theVietnam War and received a Silver of Gallantry in action and Medal of Honor for civic action duty.

The list of thesedauntless men whooffered their lives forthe service of the country is endless. They are not mentioned here but we know that their sacrifice was not in vain.

The queue of heroes continues

Saga of Heroes Exhibit

The UP Visayas Cadet Corps has been around since 1956, and the establishment of the UPV Iloilo Chapter has been a dream for a long time. This was realized in 2000 during the term of then UPV ROTC Corps Commander, Vgd Hilario, who personally went to UP Diliman to discuss the organizing processunder the supervision of his tactical officers, Vgd Rovel Tomambo and Vgd June Francis Tansiongco. The rest then, became history.

When the ROTC became optional the enrolleeslowered, and this proved to be a difficult time for the Corps. However, Vgd Rovel Tomambo, now a successful realtor based in Makati, encouraged the young UP Vanguards to remain strong and committed. He funded a tour which allowed the Cadet Officers to study the Philippine wars, sponsored the procurement of M16 replicas, air soft guns and other weapons.

A ' UP Vanguard Week' is held in the UP Campus to commemorate the institutionalization of the UPV Iloilo Chapter every year. During the celebration, activities that involve the students are initiated. Examples of such activities are film showing, weapons and visual exhibits, and alumni visit. This week-long celebration ends in a 'Frat Ball' where the young UP Vanguards get a dose of their elders' wisdom and simply enjoy their company.

Students of War

UPV ROTC

This coming November 20, 2005, the UP Vanguard Fraternity UPV IloiloChapter will be having a Paintball tournament in cooperation with the Junior Chamber International, Metro Iloilo 'Dinagyang' Jaycees, aptly titled 'Tiruhay sa UP Miagao'. The UP Vanguard has invited the ROTC units from the 604th CDC and student/ staff organizations from UPV to join. 'This is not a fund raising event,' says a member. 'In addition to a healthy simulation of warfare, this is meant to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among the units, and of course among the studentry of UPV'. After all, these students realize that the study of war does not stop in knowing the theories, analysing the geopolitics, foreign policies and local conflicts, but because the field is always the best place to learn.