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Fraternity and Friendship
Thirty-two years ago this month (August 2007), eight teenagers founded a fraternity. A fraternity in a female-dominated school at a time when fraternities were frowned upon and banned in all campuses. After all, it was still martial law in the country. As classes started in June, two of the founders agreed to convince others to join. I was the eighth and the last to accede amidst my protests against the necessity of initiation rites, much more hazing. Not surprisingly, initiation rites commenced soon after the eight firmed up their commitment. At one time, four served as “masters” and the other four as “neophytes”. Then the roles inter-changed. Initiation rites included reciting a credo, going through humiliation and obedience rites and yes, the much-vaunted hazing - all as means to cement brotherly relationship. Each was required to read Saint Exupery’s The Little Prince focusing on its sections on relationships. We all read through and discussed the relationship-building episodes of the Prince and the Fox, the Prince and his Rose. We differentiated the vanity of focusing too much on “matters of consequence” and the essence of doing and living with, and for, others. The child-like but incisive look into the value of relationships as well as human fivolities were taken to heart. Eight weeks passed and the finals came. Quietly, we packed our bags and travelled from Manila to San Luis, Pampanga. It was to a farm with a secluded farm house, away from the peering eyes and ears of the locals. Arriving at lunch time, we were treated to a decent meal. Then the afternoon rites. My memory partially fails me, but vividly I remember each of us wading through the irrigation canals, the rice paddies, then off we went back to the farm house. After dinner, we recited our credo. Then as the paddling ensued, we each recited, “It is the time you wasted for your rose that makes your rose importaaaaaaaant!”, “It is only through the heeeearrrrt that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye!” We also did a copycat from the Valachi Papers where we signed our credo on a piece of paper, crumpled it, set it afire, then allowed it to completely burn on our palms. The emotional final rite was the singing of the SEM anthem, Bridge Over Troubled Water, where each sang (perhaps in 8 voices) with tears streaming down our cheeks. I don’t remember now, but it is very likely that our mucuous membranes were also active. Then the tight bear hugs and the characteristic Semian hand shake. Thus, on August 15, 1975 in San Luis, Pampanga, the Society of Emancipated Men (SEM) was born. There were eight of us who lay claim to its birth: Hernando Cao (thank you Brod and rest with your smiles and the assurance that your ideals are well alive), Ricardo Pascual, Crisostomo Mago, Manuel Mangrobang III, Patrick Okubo, Zaldy Cabangcala, Raul Guerrero and me (Jonathan Bayogan). Through the years, there were additions. The second batch included: Rene Espano, Romeo Isaac, Michael Arteche, Levi Descallar, Marlon Tecson, Arnel Raymundo and Carmelo Tubal. Fifteen (15) souls after 2 years. Then, Felsimore Gumtang in 1979, Manuel Ramirez in 1980. And finally, Rey Vencer, a couple of years after. Attempts at recruitment were made after that but were not as successful. Each one then needed to build his respective career and start a family. And none was anywhere near our alma mater, the Philippine Normal University, to recruit members. Thirty-two years after, the brotherhood proved and continues to prove worthy of the word. Through thick and thin, we thrived. We connected and still do. We communicate as much as we can. We mutually assist and do essential things together and for each other. We send greetings on special days and messages of affection and support. Thirty-two years by now, and we lost our dear brod Hernan. Some went to far places to permanently reside there: Manny in San Jose, California, Raul in Chicago, Ric and Levi in Australia, Mike in Singapore, Montits in Saudi and Chuck in Canada. But the heart that binds each Semian to another continues to pump, transcending space and time. Thank you dear brods for 32 meaningful years. Advance happy 32nd Anniversary. I know we all look forward to many more years living the Semian virtues of friendship and brotherhood, the way we best understand both.
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February, 2012
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