IT WAS a party like no other as Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity brothers from Davao City and out of town came to celebrate the birthday of frat brod Robert Lester “Bobby” Aranton (Batch '81) at his house near Ecoland Subdivision, which a storekeeper described as “kanang balay na nag-asu-asu,” as Gari Tiongco '62 related.

Thick smoke from roasting and barbecuing was indeed billowing from the house of Aranton (or Tong-Arts to his brods) while a whole fresh sashimi-grade tuna and a whole roasted sheep (carnero) cut straight out from the roasting pit welcomed the brods.

As Tiongco described it, “Wagyu pales in comparison as it sorely lacks the stimulant. The combination of the best part of the carnero roasted to perfection and the finest tuna, belongs to the region of romance and poetry. I was mystically enthralled in this rare visual and culinary adventure. Indubitably, this raises the standard of what any foodie tripper can ever aspire for.”

The seniors Joe Confessor '55, Ading Macatangay '61, Melchor “Boy” Quitain '63, and Prudy Afalla '63 came with the present leaders Mon Allado '73, Jeff Catotal '80, Nelson Villamor '81, Jose Ariel “Ogie” Mata '81, Roel Castro '84, and Nelson Militante '89. Dion dela Serna '57, while sorely missed, was represented by son David '91.

There too were Wilfred Teves '90, Ted Garcia '92, and the Upsilon Davao Alumni chapter president Jeff Coronel 2001.

From Manila were Theo Panga '86 and Mike Asuncion '90. Nelson Sese '77 came from Bukidnon, while Jonelle Llavore '84 came from Cagayan de Oro.

Lt. Col. Choy Merioles '88, commanding officer, 2nd Field Artillery Battalion, from Camp Manuel T. Yan in Mawab, Compostela Valley also took time to celebrate with the brods.

With Tiongco was Gladys, a Sigma Deltan, Upsilon's sister sorority.

Wine came aplenty, so did single malt and specially blended whisky, while coffee came from a brand new coffee machine, all drank to the croons of a torch singer, hired to entertain the uninitiated.

The Upsilonians had all the reason to celebrate and gather as they prepare for Bangkaw sa Mindanao, the launch of Upsilon's centennial year celebration, to be held in four key Mindanao areas -- Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, and Bukidnon on November 4-8, 2018.

Manning the preparations are Aranton, the overall chair, with Bok Mata '81 and Villamor for the golf circuit, Sese for Bukidnon, Tito Mora '78 and Castro for Cagayan de Oro, Anton Montalban '95 for Butuan, Jay Quitain '90 for Davao, Jerome Bonto '85 and Raphael Abragan '17 for media and publicity, and Mata '81 and Garcia '92 for ways and means.