BACOLOD CITY – Against the backdrop of sugarcane fields and a city steadily developing, nearly 300 Upsilonians and Sigma Deltan sisters—spanning eight decades—gathered in the “City of Smiles” for Layas Pakadto Visayas 2025, a weekend marked by warm handshakes, shared wonder, and boisterous, guttural laughter.

The Hiligaynon phrase “Layas Pakadto” loosely translates to “let us all head off to,” which is why the phrase needs to point somewhere, a destination, in this case, Visayas. More than just going on a trip, though, the phrase expresses a desire—no—a yearning to leave for adventure. In the Upsilon context, this means reconnecting with brothers across generations and building good core memories.

Least it be forgotten though, this event also grew out from a brother’s birthday celebration. This year’s event marked the third time Roel Z. Castro '84, alongside his wife Jazz Castro, brought brothers together to celebrate his April 1 birthday. What began as a small gathering with just a few Upsilonians and their wives in Iloilo in 2022 left a warm impression—enough to inspire a follow-up gathering the next year that was bigger in scale. The second celebration in 2023, also held in Iloilo, became the first official Layas Pakadto, attracting a larger crowd and setting the tone for a grander fellowship. In its third and most expansive iteration, Layas Pakadto Visayas 2025 has become a full-fledged convergence of brotherhood, heritage, and fun. (Technically, though, this is only the second Layas Pakadto since the first one in 2022 was not labeled that way.)

Day 1: Of Ruins and Revelry

The festivities began on Friday, April 4, as brothers and sisters touched down at Bacolod-Silay Airport to a reception that was no less spectacular. Just past the arrival gates, a giant banner proclaimed: “Welcome to Bacolod Mga Brods.” MassKara dancers dancing in full regalia greeted the brothers against the staccato of drum beats.

Behind the scenes, Jonelle Lavore '84 coordinated transportation logistics so that brothers were placed on the right buses at the right time.

After checking in at the Seda Hotel, brods collected their registration kit consisting of a specially designed shirt, an insulated mug, and a face towel. Brods then ventured out for lunch. Some went to Aboy’s Restaurant, where they enjoyed grilled seafood and Negrense home-style favorites such as squid fats, pagi, and delicious clam soup. (An observant diner might notice the masks on the walls from the collection of the late Behn Cervantes '58.)

Others made their way to Sharyn’s Cansi House, a hole-in-the-wall known for its signature sour beef shank soup—cansi—that warms both body and soul, quite literally, because the place had no air-conditioning. Still others had lunch at Sugba Sugba, a grill just a few blocks from Seda, known for its flavorful chicken inasal.

That evening, Roel Castro '84 officially opened the celebrations as Upsilonians gathered at the historic Ruins in Talisay. As he welcomed the brothers, it felt less like addressing a crowd and more like receiving family into his home for a gathering for the ages.

The Ruins was once the mansion of sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. It was built in the early 1900s in memory of his wife, Maria Braga Lacson. The structure was set ablaze by Filipino guerillas during World War II to prevent its use by Japanese forces, leaving behind its now-iconic skeletal frame. Often called the 'Taj Mahal of Negros,' The Ruins has since become a symbol of love, a perfect venue for the fratenity's celebration. Live singers serenaded the guests while MassKara dancers returned to perform under the stars.

Later, Batch ’89 kept the night alive with an impromptu party at Seda Hotel. A DJ played classic ’80s hits, which led the brods to belt out the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way,” a song they would not have been caught dead humming when they were on campus, an observation by a brod who refused to be named for this article.

Day 2: A Celebration in Full Swing — Games, Heritage, and the Business of Governance

Saturday, April 5, was the clear highlight of Layas Pakadto Visayas 2025—a day when the fraternity’s presence was everywhere: on the greens, in basketball courts, at heritage landmarks, and in a boardroom. That it all happened at once—and ran smoothly—was a quiet triumph of planning and coordination.

Morning at Marapara: Fairways and Friendships

At the Marapara Golf and Country Club, the Layas Pakadto Golf Tournament teed off under clear skies and cool breezes. While camaraderie and cheerful mis-hits were the true highlights of the morning, it wouldn’t be a tournament without scores. And scores there were.

Mark Jomalesa '98 emerged as the Overall Champion with a net score of 66, while Boy Crisostomo '74 took Lowest Gross honors with a Gross score of 83. In the Founder's Division (handicaps 16.9 and below), Bok Mata '80 won Champion with a net 69, followed by Abu Mata '23 as 1st Runner-Up with a net 71, and George Cadhit '99 as 2nd Runner-Up with a net 73.

In the Chairman's Division (handicaps 17–23.9), Jean Maningo '90 emerged as Champion with a net 66. GP Equipaje '96 placed 1st Runner-Up with a net 72, and Nelson Villamor '81 followed as 2nd Runner-Up with a net 73. In the President's Division (handicaps 24 and above), Iggy Fernandez '97 was named Champion with a net 70, while Anton Montalban '95 and Sherwin Hermosa '01 took 1st and 2nd Runner-Up with net scores of 71 and 73, respectively.

In the guest categories, Din Equipaje topped the Guest Ladies Division with a net 78, while Archie Acuña led the Guest Division with a net 68.

Special awards went to George Cadhit '89 for Longest Putt, Rico Villareal '86 for Longest Drive, and Nonong Dela Cruz, a guest of the 92s, for The Accurate Drive award. The Nearest to the Pin award went to Don Liamzon '89, which was impressive as it was his first time to hold a club in months.

Time Travel through Negros: The Heritage Tour

The group consisting of non-golfers set off at 9:00 a.m. from Seda Hotel for a full day of cultural exploration of the heritage sites of Negros. The tour began with a behind-the-scenes factory tour of Merzci, where piyaya was sampled fresh from a stovetop. At 10:30, they departed for a brief photo stop at the New Government Center (NGC), capturing "drone" shots of the city's modern center.

By 11:45, the group arrived at St. James the Greater Church in Talisay for a short visit before heading to lunch at Seaside Restaurant by 12:45.

At 1:45, the buses split into two. One group visited the Ramon Hofileña Ancestral House, known for its impressive collection of Filipino artworks and antiques. The other group explored the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum—also called the Pink House—a coral-painted structure filled with period furnishings and family relics.

It was a packed day of travel and stories, so much so that members of the board of trustees who joined the tour arrived at the board meeting an hour late.

Heat on the Court: The Hoopsilonians Face Off

Simultaneously, around 2 p.m., Hoopsilonians clashed in spirited matches for the Hoopsilonians Cup in Bacolod. From students to veterans, ages 18 to 60, the game drew a multigenerational lineup representing Diliman and Los Baños, with brods grouped by decade—from the 1980s to the 2020s. The match was organized with the help of team owners Jesse Andres '81, Raul Paras '90, Jean Maningo '90, and Phillip Alpajora '14, and managed on the ground by Dan Salvador '07, Dan Vilda '93, and Esdee Dulay '12.

The game was competitive but never tense—marked by friendly heckling and pure court-side fun. Jesse Andres '81 and Zoilo 2021 each sank four three-pointers, Jesse's final shot beating the buzzer. Jayvee Villagracia 2001 hit a half-court miracle. Paulo Devanadera '98 brought the pressure on defense, while Sherwin Hermosa 2001 and Santo Bibal '98 kept the perimeter sharp. From the inside game of Bags Turalba '94 to Phillip Alpajora 2014's reverse layups, it was a showcase of baskeball flair. Still, not all the action was on the court. Jean Maningo '90 cheered hardest from the sidelines.

Leadership in Action: The USPAAI Board Meeting

Later that afternoon, the third meeting of the current Board of Trustees was called to order at The Row, hosted also by, who else but the big boss of Negros Power, Roel Z. Castro. It was the largest in-person meeting of the current Board, as twelve trustees were present at the venue, with Erik Mendoza 2003 coming in from Fukuoka, Japan, just to attend. The meeting was joined by invited guests: Franz Vincent F. Legazpi ’18, Most Illustrious Fellow of UP Diliman; Luis Gabriel N. Rellosa ’18, Most Illustrious Fellow of UP Los Baños; Albert Villanueva ’84, President of USPNA; Aurelio Guillermo “Gigoy” Tayao ’83, Chairman of the USPLBAA; and Manuel Ray "Nel" Almario ’93, President of the USPLBAA.

Discussions focused on the schedule of fellowships, a report on the fraternity's finances, and the schedule of work regarding the new digital infrastructure. The board meeting felt surreal against a backdrop of games and fun, but it had to happen, not as a buzzkill but as a reminder that Upsilon is about business as much as it is about knowing when to blow off steam.

An Afternoon Toast, A Bottled Conspiracy

That afternoon, in a place called Delicioso, just across The Row where the USPAAI board meeting was taking place in all seriousness, a discreet and impromptu meeting of the Whiskylonians was also called to order. The Whiskylonians compose the newest group of brods who devote themselves to a common passion: whisky, of course. True to their name, they gathered around carefully selected bottles, swapping stories and toasts that blended memory and the slow aging of friendships that only deepen with time.

The Grand Fellowship that is the Upsilon

The day was capped off by—what else?—a grand fellowship, which began with a mass. For Buddy Vargas '84, this was the highlight of the weekend. "We know in our hearts where the gift of brotherhood comes from. That’s why we pause, to give praise and thanks to God," he shared.

Charvy Parra '89 and Alan Austriaco '86 then took the mic as the evening's emcees. Their banter kept the energy high while lechon and chicken inasal were served alongside whisky and ice-cold beer.

The organizers of the Upsilonians na Pumapalo—Cary Calimlim '93, committee chairman Mark Riofrio 2000, and GP Equipaje '96—handed out the awards to the day's winners. One peculiar recognition, "Most Exercised Player," went to Mon Solis '85 for recording the most strokes. He gave special thanks to Powerhouse '89 for the alaskahan. Mon played alongside George Cadhit '89, Gilbert Remulla '89, and Mike Camero '89, the three heckling each other fiercely throughout the entire game—but, thankfully, not enough to be blamed for Mon's score.

"Regardless of what batch you are, there are shared experiences that every brod went through during residency," Mon said. Though it was the first time he met his juniors from Batch '89, it felt as though they had known each other for years.

Prizes were raffled off during the entire event. The grand prize, an Apple Watch, went to Raul Paras '90. As his name was called, the crowd teased him to waive the prize. Unfazed, Raul took the stage and declared he would not be waiving anything. But before he could be teased any further, he added—he would instead be giving the Apple Watch to someone he believed needed it more: the Executive Director of the USPAAI, Lucas Buenaflor 2023.

The room broke into applause as Lucas made his way to the stage. The scene was moving as Lucas accepted the gift and took a moment to address the crowd. His voice, booming with gratitude, echoed with sincerity as he thanked the fraternity—not just for the watch, but for the weekend and the opportunity to bond with his seniors.

As the evening drew to a close, Roel Castro '84 returned to the stage to thank everyone who made the weekend possible. He called Eric Pilapil '86 to the stage and turned over to the latter P600,000 in donations to the USPAA. Eric called the members of the 2025–2027 Board of Trustees one by one, recognizing their work and contribution to the team.

Then a low murmur of "We're" began to ripple through the room. It started quietly and then grew louder until it took hold of everyone, and the entire room broke out into song. The brothers, dressed in matching shirts provided the day before, formed a large circle, arms over shoulders. As the chant rose, it created a shared moment of oneness that, for Roel Castro, stood out as his lasting memory of the event.

It was a day to remember—a perfect distillation of what Layas Pakadto has become: fun, fellowship, reflection, and renewal, all happening in parallel. As Noni Mauricio ’91 put it, “It was like 20 reunions rolled into one long weekend.”

And then there were the senior brods who filled any room they were in with their mere presence; like Eli Ilano '57 and Chitong Rivera '61, they show us that age doesn’t dim the Upsilon flame. They remind us how to love, nurture, and carry the fraternity forward, not through speeches but by showing up. Their quiet constancy is a steady torch that lights the way.

Day 3: Nature and Nostalgia

Sunday morning rolled in without fanfare. No drums this time, though. No Masskara dancers. Just the quiet hum of busloads of brods snaking their way to Almadria—a pine-covered retreat, its cool springs fed by the slopes of Mount Kanlaon. This wasn't a day for speeches or ceremonies. It was for breathing, for shaking off the buzz of the past two days, and for letting it all sink in.

There, under old trees, they laughed, in quiet snorts and full-throated bursts. The morning light broke through the pine canopy, and the sound of music drifted across the cool air. Beer was rolled in at 9:30 am, cold and unapologetic. Lunch was a whole lechon baka and two native pigs roasted slow and crackling. The jokes were recycled, the laughter was fresh, and somewhere between the crunch of skin and the buzz of beer, a truth settled in: this—this right here—was the point of it all.

There were no fireworks, no anthems. Just the kind of stillness that sneaks up on you and stays. Layas Pakadto didn’t end with a bang. It exhaled. And in that silence, you remembered what mattered most: old friends, a good meal, and the kind of fraternity that doesn’t need to be declared. It simply is.

Behind the Scenes: The Engine Room of Layas Pakadto

There’s the part everyone sees: the lights, the lechon, the laughter. And then there’s how the sausage is made—the part with the seemingly endless meetings that go into the small hours of the morning, the late-night calls, the fielding of last-minute questions from brods who didn’t read the announcements. That’s where the real work happens.

Roel Castro ’84 led the charge, but he wasn’t alone. With him were Jonelle Llavore ’84, Rey Nolasco ’84, Romy Lopez ’82, Mark Jomalesa ’98, GP Equipaje ’96, Jong Belano 2017, Cai Monteser 2017, Fil Sonza 2022, Marj Salvation from More Power, and Maricel Pe from Negros Power. They didn’t just plan a weekend—they moved mountains, quietly.

The gears started turning as early as Q2 of 2024. By the third quarter, teasers were out. Registration sites were tested—and retested. Logistics were sorted. Vehicles, venues, contingencies. The final push came in the first quarter of 2025, when things started to fall into place—or, more honestly, were hammered into place.

It wasn’t easy. Managing data, assigning buses, and chasing down confirmations—especially from the so-called "Dos"—tested patience and bandwidth. The registration platform groaned under pressure. Digital transformation met analog resistance.

But the crew never wavered. “Working with people who shine like the sun,” Cai Monteser 2017 said, “makes even the hardest parts feel light.”

The proudest moments of the organizing committee? The grand fellowship. The morning in the foothills of Almadria. Watching things unfold not because they were scripted but because they were shared.

In the end, all the events happened not because they were perfectly planned or executed, far from it, but it was because the people behind it cared enough to pull it off anyway.