SCHOOLS ALL

OVER THE COUNTRY JOINS SOCC 1962

GRAND HOMECOMING!

Members of SOCC 1962 belonging to U.P. Vanguard joins SOCC 62' Executive Committee meeting held on March 20, 2012 at Aguinaldo Golf Course Restaurant to finalize the details of 50^th Golden Alumni Homecoming of SOCC 1962 at Fort Magsaysay on June 1 and 2, 2012!

The meeting was attended by graduates of ROTC Advance Course from the different Schools all over the country who are members of SOCC 1962, headed by its Chairman Emeritus Gen. Manuel C. Roxas of Arellano University. U.P. Vanguard graduates was represented by Gen. Ruperto Ambil, Jr., Gen. Rolando Crisologo San Juan and Col. Celestino Fernandez Desamito. Silliman University was represented by Col. Mateo H. Luga, Chairman of the Souvenir Program Committee. The University of the East was represented by Dir. Tito Nabua. Col. Arturo Abad from Far Eastern University, Col. Jameel JRM Jaymalin, Al Hajj and Bernardino “Monching Aguillon of Jose Rizal College and other schools from all over the country who were graduates of SOCC 1962 was also represented!

At right: Col. Celestino Fernandez Desamito,Former Deputy for Civil Military Operations, Southern Command, former Battalion Commander 20^th Infantry Battalion, Dr. of Veterinary Medicine, 1973 TOYM Awardee for community Development, former Commandant U.P. DMST (Diliman). Below: Co. Jameel RM Jaymalin in blue checkered polo shirt with Monching Augillon at left and Col. Benny a. Letrondo, standing.

Gen. Manuel C. Roxas with Col. Mateo H. Luga at the right of Gen. Roxas.

Gen. Roperto A. Ambil, center with Dir. Tito Nabua at his right and Col. Rigor, standing.

Pahingahan Area at Fort Mag . . .

Pahingahan Area at Fort Mag have a big hall for special events and a sleeping area that can accommodate about 100 plus persons. It is located beside a lake where one can relax in a floating nipa rig or enjoy boating and kayaking. It would be fun to reminisce the good old days over a bonfire and barbecue with friends, buddies and brothers, after all these years. We were really surprised how Fort Mag have transformed after 50 years since we graduated in 1962.

FORT MAG TODAY!

Col. Benny A. Letrondo, P.A. (Ret.)

Contrary to the perception of many, Fort Magsaysay’s beginning was actually not of war but, of peace and development. Fort Mag, as what it is popularly called today, transformed into a place we have been dreaming of for our country . . . peaceful, orderly, tranquil and with an environmental friendly atmosphere. Of course, with a well disciplined, always prepared, courteous soldiers with virtues of courage, integrity and honor.

It was after World War II when the remnants of Huk Balahap (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon), whose members were the armed combatants of the guerilla movement fighting side by side with the Philippine government against the Japanese Imperial Army, decided to part ways with the government when war ended. The issue of continued armed struggle to bring about change embraced by HMB was actually rooted from the tenancy problem among landless farmers, who are members of the guerilla movement. Originally founded in 1942, the Hukbalahap was part of a broad united front resistance to the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.^[2]

On March 29, 1942, peasant leaders converged in Sitio Bawit, Barrio San Julian, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, at the junction of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija provinces and formed the "Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon" was chosen as the name of the organization. After the meeting, a military committee was formed with Luis Taruc (chairman), Castro Alejandrino (2nd in command), Bernardo Poblete ("Banal"), and Felepa Culala ("Dayang-Dayang" – an amazon whose unit had killed several Japanese soldiers) as members.^[5]

In 1950, the Communist Party of the Philippines PKP reconstituted the organization which became the armed wing of the Revolutionary Party, changing its official name to Hukbong Mapalaya ng Bayan, ^[3](HMB) or "Peoples' Liberation Army," emulating the Chinese People's Liberation Army. HMB continued to be popularly known as the Hukbalahap, or popularly known as the "The Huks" from 1945 and 1952. The strength of the Huk organization came from the mostly agrarian peasants of Central Luzon. The group's leaders, among them figurehead Luis Taruc, Communist Party Secretary General Jose Lava, and Commander Hizon (Benjamin Cunanan), aimed to lead the Philippines toward Marxist ideals and communist revolution. Hukbalahap Insurrection (1946–1954).

Being a major threat to the central government, Quirino assigned Ramon Magsaysay, minister of national defense, to combat the Huk insurgency. The Huks would then be undermined by Magsaysay's strategy of gaining peasant support and reforming the army and constabulary. In early 1954, Benigno Aquino, Jr., then a news reporter, was appointed by president Ramon Magsaysay to act as personal emissary to Luis Taruc.^[1] After four months of negotiations, Taruc surrendered unconditionally to the government on 17 May 1954,^[4] effectively ending the Huk rebellion.

The place where President Ramon Magsaysay and Luis Taruc signed the peace pact, was later named as Fort Magsaysay, now popuplary known as “FORT MAG”.

Today, we were surprised that “FORT MAG” does not only honor the soldiers who fought for our freedom, but the civilians as well, who are then incarcerated at Fort Magsaysay, as well as the old guards, who were just doing their duties to secure and protect our country. Both of them are now welcome and being honored a “FORT MAG”! We were really surprised! The experience and the opportunity, the ambiance extended by the 7th ID shall surely be missed by our fellow graduates! Nevertheless, we shall return to this place, once again as bond of brothers! Join us in our Grand Homecoming!

WELCOME TO FORT MAG!

(Alumni of SOCC 1962 was welcomed by BGen. Arnulfo A. Atendido, Deputy Commanding General, 7th Infantry Division and Staff, in behalf of BGen. Alan R. Luga, CG, 7th ID)

(SOCC Class 1962 at the Aquino-Diokno Museum)

(SOCC Class 1962 with Col. alfredo Sanchez, at the First Infantry Tabak Division Shrine, were many of the Alumni served, then under BGen. Emilio S. Luga, Jr.)

(SOCC Class 1962 at the Heroes Memorial)

Heroes Welcome . . .

It was 4:30 in the morning when a group of men in their early 70’s started to arrive at Quezon City Hall. They shall embark on a journey to the place where they, then at the prime years of their lives as teenagers, turned into men. The “discipline we learned and adopt in this place where we became men, at the prime years of our teenage life, molded and motivated us to develop ourselves, our career and path in life. Our experience defined the purpose and meaning of discipline, valor and camaraderie. It enlightened us of our purpose in life, the meaning of our existence to our family, community and country as well. Let us rekindle this spirit at the very the beginning of our journey for others to follow", said Director Tito Nabua, then Director of the Commission on Audit, Central Office, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, SOCC Class 1962.

This is just the beginning of our fifty (50) years journey to the place where it all started, where we all learned the meaning of teamwork, camaraderie and valor, the experience of how it feels to belong a Band . . . the Band of Brothers. The SOCC Class of 1962! MABUHAY!