TRANSITIONS

“He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.”

- Antoine de Saint Exupery

PATROCINIO CALARA "PAT" PANTUA JR. '63, retired entomologist and businessman. Pat passed away in Los Baños, Laguna on June 13, 2024. He was born on November 7, 1936 in Los Baños and joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi while a graduate student in Entomology. He worked for the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) until his retirement and ventured into business raising tilapia. An accomplished scientist and researcher, Pat authored and co-authored many research studies which were published by the IRRI.

FERMIN MORALEJA "JUN" CARAIG JR. '77 - gentleman farmer and agriculturist, brod Jun passed away in Lobo, Batangas on June 6, 2024, at the age of 64. Born in San Juan, Batangas on November 5, 2024, Jun finished his bachelor's in Agribusiness in U.P. Los Baños in 1982 and worked as an account executive for Zuellig Pharmaceuticals. He received the accolade as top salesman and salesman of the year consistently while at Zuellig. After his retirement from Zuellig, Jun devoted his time managing his farm in Lobo, Batangas.

Jun was a founding member of the U.P. Caballeros, a group of Batangas students of UPLB.

AMADOR DE CASTRO "ADING" MACATANGAY JR. '61, businessman and entrepreneur, passed away on May 17, 2024 at the age of 80; Brod Ading was born in Ibaan, Batangas on November 22, 1943, he studied Business Administration in U.P. Los Baños and relocated to Davao City in the mid-80's, where he established a successful fertilizer distribution business. Mr. Macatangay was one of the stalwarts of the Davao Chapter and its precursor, the original Zambasul Chapter, where he served as board member. Mr. Macatangay is survived by his two Upsilonian sons, Amador Jr. (Madz) '96 and Augusto (Leo) '97.

RAMON ACEBEDO "MON" PEDROSA '49, retired business executive, lawyer, author and civic leader passed away on May 3, 2024, at the age of 94. Mr. Pedrosa studied law at the University of the Philippines and obtained his doctorate in civil law from the University of Salamanca, Spain. He was the former Chairman and CEO of Oriental Petroleum & Mining.

A researcher and scholar, Mr. Pedrosa authored several books namely, A Legal Basis for the Historical Crime Against Culture; The History of the Philippines before History - Conversations on Pre-Magellanic Philippines with the Last Sultan of Sulu; Active Nonviolence in the Philippines; TEPEYAC, Our Lady of Guadalupe Revisited – full (2006), abridged (2015), and Spanish editions; The Four Gospels are One; GOLGOTHA – Notes on Agony and Death by Crucifixion (2014); The Assassination of Benigno Aquino; Notes on the Ancient LupaSug and the Philippine Constitution Rewritten; Some Faith: I. The Prayers of my Life, II. Insights into my Faith, III. Backgrounders; Grammar for Revolution of the Filipino Race.

Mon Pedrosa '49 seen here at a protest march, assisting former Senator Lorenzo Tañada, also in the picture is former President Corazon Aquino.

As a civic leader, Mr. Pedrosa was very active in the protest movement against former president Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., he helped found the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) and served as its president. He was a key member of the opposition that helped oust the Marcos regime.

Mr. Pedrosa is a second-generation Upsilonian, the son of former Secretary of Finance, Pio Pedrosa '29, and brother to three Upsilonians, Alberto (Bert) '51, Fernando (Nanding) '55 and Carlos (Lito) '62 who all preceded him in death.

ARISTEDES RAFAEL "TED" GONZAGA '58 of Spring, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 26 at the age of 84 after a brave journey fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Ted was born in the spring of 1940, to Jesus and Eugenia Gonzaga of Manila, Philippines.

Ted grew up in Manila and was the youngest of eight children. In school, Ted was passionate about music, literature, and poetry. He was on the staff of the school newspaper at Torres High School and continued his literary pursuits in college. Ted studied Economics at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He penned the Upsilon Sigma Phi's Concept of Brotherhood.

Ted started his first job at Philippine Airlines in the Human Resources department and worked there for 10 years. In 1972, Ted accepted a job opportunity with the United Nations as a field officer and moved to New York City. Shortly after moving to the United States, Ted met Rose in New York. They were married in Los Angeles and went on to have two children, Nikki and Kara. Ultimately, Ted and Rose settled in Houston, Texas, where he became an active volunteer in his children’s dance and musical activities. Ted was always seen behind a video camcorder capturing memories at football games and music competitions. Ted and Rose remained in Houston after their children were grown and moved across the country.

In 2004, Ted retired and spent time traveling with Rose and connecting with friends and family. He served on a planning committee hosting events that united his college fraternity brothers near and far. Ted was also active in his faith and attended many church activities with Rose. He was genuinely loved by all who knew him. He enjoyed being a “Lolo” to his three grandchildren and late grand pup, Tuck. He taught “Filipino style” mahjong to his three grandchildren and played countless rounds of chess with his grandson. He shared his favorite pastime, napping, with Tuck.

Ted is survived by his beloved spouse Rose; his sister Fil; his children Nikki (Hector) Gomez, and Kara (Leland) Brown; and three grandchildren. Additionally, Ted will be missed by The Knabe and Blair Families, nieces and nephews, his lifelong friends, fraternity brothers, friends from the Cy-Fair area, and community members from Ivy Point Retirement Community.

(source: Klein Funeral Home obituary)

RHOEL REYES "RHOEL" DILAG '90 - IT professional; Rhoel studied BS Biology in UP Los Baños and worked in Singapore as a data processing manager and analyst for Elements of Research Pte. Ltd. . Rhoel passed away on April 4 and is survived by his wife Jenny and son Apa. Rhoel is the son of Crispin Dilag '65 and nephew of the late Rizalino Dilag Jr. '54.

ROGELIO SAN AGUSTIN "ROGER" RIONDA '58 - retired chemical engineer; Roger passed away in Kissimmee, Florida on March 25, 2024. Roger was born in Gagalañgin, Tondo, Manila on July 16, 1938. He worked for the Department of Trade - Bureau of Foreign Trade and migrated to the United States in the early 1980's. He resided in Los Angeles, California before relocating to Fairfax, Virginia in 1986. Roger worked for the Fairfax County Water Authority until his retirement in 2003, and moved to Florida in 2005. Roger was an avid golfer and founding member of the Upsilonians na Pumapalo. He was also a writer who excelled in the Filipino vernacular - Tagalog. His translation of Rudyard Kipling's "IF" which he entitled "KUNG" is considered by many Upsilonians to be the finest Tagalog version of the classic poem. Roger is survived by Zynia Rionda, his wife of 59 years, sons Ricky '83 of Aldie, Virginia and Jamie of Orlando, Florida, daughter Rachel of Herndon, Virginia, daughters in law Marilyn (nee Reyes) and Patty (nee Palanca), and grandchildren, Nathan, Matthew and Mikaela.

AGERICO BALUYUT "GERRY" CARREON '77 - businessman and entrepreneur; Gerry passed away in Pampanga, Philippines on March 21, 2024. He finished is MSC in Management in U.P. Los Baños and established his home and businesses in Concepcion, Tarlac before moving to Mabalacat, Pampanga. He was a ham radio enthusiast and member of the Central Luzon Amateur Radio Club (CLARC).

GABRIEL R. "GABBY" ARTILLAGA '68 - businessman and entrepreneur; Mr. Artillaga was a real estate investor and developer who built housing communities in Cavite, Philippines. Mr. Artillaga obtained his degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines in Diliman in 1970.

FRANCISCO ISIDORO "DV" DEL VALLE '79 - doctor and distinguished physiatrist. DV was a long-time resident of New Jersey and was affiliated with several hospitals in the area, including Bayshore Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Health and JFK University Medical Center. He headed Healthcare Pain and Rehabilitation in Holmdel, New Jersey. DV received his medical degree from the U.P. College of Medicine in Manila.

LEONCIO DIVINAGRACIA "LEE" MIRALAO, JR. '65 - researcher and author, Lee made significant contributions in the field of facilities management and served as the university physical plant administrator of the Ateneo de Manila University for more than twenty years. His dedication and long service was recognized by the Ateneo during its 31st University Awards in December of 2020. Lee is survived by his wife Jean Miralao SDP '63 and sons, USPAA President Yari '88 and Sasa '98, a veterinarian.

AUGUSTO ALMEDA "JAKE" LOPEZ '48 - lawyer, passed away at the age of 91, former vice-chairman of ABS-CBN; he was detained twice during the martial law era and helped former senator Sergo Osmeña and ABS-CBN chief Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr. (no relation) escape from detention in Fort Bonifacio. He is recognized as a freedom fighter for his resolute defense of press freedom in the Philippines.

JUAN C. "JOJI" COLLAS, JR. '75 - film producer who founded Third Peak Films in Sherman Oaks, California; Joji was the executive producer of the movie Living in Peril (1997) starring Jim Belushi and Rob Lowe, he also produced Out of the Cold (1999), Renegade Force (1998) and Angel Town (1990). Joji also served as controller for many movie productions including the popular action movie series of Jean-Claude Van Damme and is recognized as one of the true pioneering Filipino American success stories in Hollywood.

GEORGE FERNAN OLAER "GEORGE" GUMBAN '91 - businessman who hailed from Davao City, dedicated family man and basketball afficionado.