Hello People of the World. Kindly check my latest article at www.inq7.net about the participation of Filipino companies in a prestigious fashion and textile exhibit held here in Dubai a week ago.

Thanks and may you all have great and wonderful lives!

In Love, Art, and Prayers,

Quay

Bro \brow\ n, abbr brothers
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary Definition) 1: a male having one or both parents in common with another individual.
(Samaskom Definition) 2: a male member of the Samaskom “barkada” (group of friends) known as “The Bros.”
(Translation in Tagalog) 3: utol, ‘tol, kapatid.

In my beloved organization called UP Samaskom, “barkadas” are created most of the time between people of the same batches. This happens because logically, members of the same batch go through the same experiences in their application days, thus creating an almost unbreakable bond between them. Their friendship is forced, forged, and formed by circumstances and chances sprinkled with a sense of batch history, unity, and loyalty. The batch becomes someone’s immediate family within the bigger family that is UP Samaskom.

But of course, there are “barkadas” that go beyond batches brought about by instant chemistry and years of being together -- camaraderie that is born out of time, destiny, and fate. One of these well known “barkadas” in UP Samaskom is called “The Bros.”

Who?

Most of the Samaskomers of the late 80’s and 90’s would of course be familiar with them, since some of The Bros are their good friends and batch mates, and maybe to some even their former lovers; but the new, very young, and uninitiated “Samaskomers” of the 2000’s may have never heard of them. Or perhaps they have heard the names of Chris Benigno, Jake San Diego, Joel Yauder, Paolo Taña, Chad Soriaga, Eric Evano, Randall Castor, and Edsel Sosa but never knew them collectively as The Bros.

The Bros were and up to now are called by their surnames or nicknames which are actually weird variations of their last names. Rarely were they called by their first names. Chris is Benigno or Benigers while Jayson is Jake, San Diego or San Diegers. Joel is better known as Yauder or Yauds and Eric is called Evano, Evaniks, Evanobitch, Evankers or Quay to differentiate him from the other three Erics of Samaskom (Go, Biasbas, and Pugeda). Richard is called Chading or Soriaga while Paolo was affectionately called Taña or T_e. Edsel and Randall were only the only ones called by their first names.

The Bros was not a gang of male hoodlums (they sure looked far from it with their good looks and talents), nor a pseudo-fraternity (they hated violence but on rare incidents violence approached them and had to deal with it in their own way), and far from being a herd of academic nerds (they had their unique appealing wit and intelligence nonetheless). They were into music, art, family, friends, good times, Samaskom… and of course women. Albeit they were infamously known as “mga babaero” or playboys (what can they do? they were young, they loved women and the women loved them back), many alumni will agree, they were devoted and dutiful members of the org, and on top of which, they were real and true as people and friends could be.

The Bros came from different batches of Samaskom and different colleges of the University of the Philippines. Yauder belongs to batch 89.1, Benigno and Jake are from batch 90.1, Chad and Evano are from batch 91.1, Randall is batch 91.2, Paolo is batch 92.2, and Edsel is batch 93.1. Yauder, Paolo, Chad, and Evano were all from the UP College of Fine Arts and all took up Visual Communication; Randall’s from the College of Architecture; Jake’s from the College of Mass Communication; Edsel’s from the College of Social Science and Philosophy; and Chris initially was from the College of Engineering then later transferred to the Institute of Geology. All are professionals in their chosen fields for several years now, trying to build up their respective careers. Half of them have settled down and have become family men while the others are following closely on the same path. The realities of adulthood, advent of the years, and unavoidability of age have transformed them into responsible yet still fun-loving and humorous individuals. Grown ups but not grown old. A little bit changed, yes but nonetheless still the same Bros they once were.

So, what were they like during their wild and carefree salad days with the organization, during the height of their passionate idealistic youth and fame? (Salad days meaning membership status that got extended because most of them got delayed graduating from college by a good couple of years for individual reasons but without a shadow of a doubt had the most wonderful times of their young lives).

The Bros were proud and true-blue Samaskomers, being just about in every aspect and facet of Samaskom’s life except being officers of the org -- an org which they dearly and intimately loved and cared for… and still do.

The Bros, like every member, would hang-out endlessly at the Samaskom tambayan (which Yauder was known for painting and redesigning) or Masscomm benches coming all the way from their far-flung colleges just to be with org-mates and friends. And on numerous occasions, it meant cutting their classes. They would endlessly crack jokes and make people laugh; help troubled friends by giving them advice or a piece of their minds; and as with any red-blooded teenagers, they’d ogle continuously at beautiful and drop-dead gorgeous women in the college and occasionally try to make their moves on them; sometimes with luck, sometimes none. These guys made sure that hanging out in Samaskom was enjoyable and never boring and many times as their lazy, crazy college afternoons fade into night, they would extend it with much awaited drinking sessions.

The Bros were notorious for instigating “inumans” (especially Chad). Drinking has always been a “time-honored” Samaskom tradition, an integral part of its culture, yet with them it achieved a new level of magnitude and madness. (In previous years, it was the Tarugos and other male alumni who were responsible for this particular Samaskom bonding activity. The Bros, being the next-generation carriers and proud inheritors of the torch made sure that the flame of this tradition would never flicker out. On the contrary, with them, it became an enormous blaze). The drinking sessions were done either right there at the college premises (when UP wasn’t strict with its rules yet), at the UP students’ favorite local watering hole Sarah’s and Gulod; or oftentimes at Evano’s -- The Bros’ turf and hang-out place. Sometimes, it was a combination of the three – the drinking would start at Masscomm, continue at Sarah’s, and end at Eric’s house. Not only did these “drink-till-you-puke” and “I-promise-not-to-drink-again” gatherings occur everyday, they would last well into dawn having begun at sunset or even earlier, and end only with the last shot from maybe the 16th and last bottle of cheap alcohol bought from the nearest sari-sari store. The makers of Tanduay, Emperador, and Ginebra San Miguel for sure have had a remarkable increase in their sales during this period thanks to The Bros and the rest of the Samaskomers. For a time, alcohol became the lifeblood and panacea of every Samaskomer. I believe no one escaped not getting invited to these “inumans” -- drinking throat-burning liquor chased with soft drinks, getting drunk, throwing up, and waking up the next day for school with a brain-wracking hang-over. Aah, but beyond this temporarily detested and unwarranted physical effects of drinking, what they gained were long-lasting and life-changing things. There was bonding and friendship created from the pouring out of heartaches and pains, with listening ears and voices soothing those adolescent rages. There was love and healing achieved in each sharing of personal stories and histories, in every wealth of sadness and gladness felt. All of this plus the overflowing laughter that transpired each night are dearly stored in each participant’s bottle of memories. Most, if not all, experienced these wild and crazy moments and could fondly reminisce them – members, alumni, and applicants too.

The Bros loved to terrorize applicants on the surface but deep down loved them as well. With the female ones, especially the attractive women, they’d befriend and try to get to know admirably. The rest who weren’t their liking, they’d make it hard on them to make them wish that they never applied to the org unless they could somehow prove or show that they deserved to be future members. If The Bros were affable and approachable to the members; with the applicants, it was the exact opposite. They wanted to inject trepidation, apprehension, and fear into their lives during their application period but much more so during initiation time. The knife station in the Samaskom initiation became known as The Bro Station. Throughout their station’s turn, they would scare the hell out of each and every applicant but after the daunting episodes, they would talk to the applicants about trust, loyalty, friendship, and Samaskom. Ooh, they cherished messing up with the applicants’ minds (perhaps as a payback for the female applicants who messed up their hearts). In the end, as these applicants became members, they became wonderful and close friends (and lovers) of The Bros while some even became Bros themselves.

The Bros was a consistent instrumental and influential force in the overall production and performance of Live AIDS. As part of the production, they held key positions and responsibilities pouring their hearts and souls into it. Yauder was the show’s Art Director for many consecutive years, then Chad and Chris ultimately took over and like their Bro predecessor did a magnificent job at it while Evano and Paolo were their Asst. Art Directors. Randall time and again was the Stage Props and Production head with Edsel always supporting him. Since most of The Bros were artistic and having a Bro as the Art Director, naturally the Art Department became The Bros’ Department. It was like “one-for-all-and-all-for-one” kind of thing for them – teamwork at its best. The Art Department was the most-attended, much-awaited, well-loved, and sorely-missed department during Live AIDS season by members and applicants alike. It was a department that constantly delivered the goods on time and every year made sure that their backdrops and other artworks would be as grand and beautiful as their previous year’s artworks, if not better. Jake was a Technical Director and accordingly, his Bro Edsel also helped out a lot in this endeavor. What’s more, being whacky as they were, they were part of the writers’ pool and would give their funny suggestions even if their ideas didn’t get to see the light of day.

In the performing part, they contributed largely too. Evano was the first true male choreographer and dancer of the org; starting out as an Asst. Dance Choreographer, then Head Choreographer, and finally a Spot Dance Choreographer. Many alumni, members, and audiences were taken out of their seats when in Live AIDS 9 four of The Bros (Evano, Paolo, Chad, and Benigno) danced in an all-male dance number of 8 people to Gary V’s “Shout for Joy” or when in Live AIDS 11 three Bros performed in a Spot Dance – the first in Live AIDS history and has never been done again. Every Bro had his 15 minutes of fame on the stage as a singer, dancer, or actor. Yauder portrayed Robin Padilla several times and played the role to a T. Chad, who acted out many roles, was best in his several portrayal of Erap Estrada (Writer’s note: Both had the same vices -- drinking, smoking, women, gambling, poor English; the character was tailor made for Chad! Hahaha. Joke only) but is highly remembered for his acting opposite Giselle Sanchez’s Bella Flores in Live AIDS 9, bringing the house down with laughter and hysterics. Evano acted as Rene Requiestas and played other bit roles. Randall and Edsel were always successful acting out in commercial spoofs. Paolo was hilarious as a hula girl in the show’s tenth anniversary. Chad and Benigno were mainstay singers in the shows’ opening and closing numbers year after year but the other Bros sang too. Yauds was perfect in his get-up and in singing “No Touch” during Live AIDS 9. In the same show, the audience was delightfully surprised when Jake, there in his Technical Director’s booth amongst the crowd, continued the rapping of Francis M’s “Mga Kababayan Ko” right after Chad. Evano sang “Blue Jeans” with Benigno and Chad in Live AIDS 12 which became known as The Bro Song. The Bros did everything in their capacity and used their talents, time, and skills to make sure that every Live AIDS show was an immense success, for the glory of their beloved org -- Samaskom. They were true artists, musicians, actors, and performers and especially true Samaskomers at heart.

(The Bros even had a short-lived band called “Abstract” with Benigno on vocals and rhythm guitar, Evano on lead guitar and backing vocals, Randall on bass guitar, and Jojo their good friend as their drummer).

It is because of this incomparable love for the org and experiences that brought them together as a “barkada.” With every passing day in and with Samaskom, every “inuman” sessions, Live AIDS practices, Art Dept get-togethers, hanging-out and living together at Evano’s home, the eight totally different individuals began to become closer to each other and consequently developed into best of friends. They started calling each other Bro and as everyone followed suit, the term got stuck and they became branded as “The Bros.” Throughout the years, because of their profound and intense friendship, they in fact have become like real brothers to each other.

In a weird twist of fate, every Bro had always been connected with each other through some degree of separation. Benigno is a batch mate and close friend of Jake in Samaskom; Jake is a school mate and batch mate of Yauds from Maries High School; Yauds was a classmate and a good friend of Paolo in the College of Fine Arts; Paolo and Chad were classmates, belonged to one block section and “barkada” in the same college; Chad and Evano have been best friends since their elementary days in UPIS and both were taking up advertising; Evano and Randall have been neighbors since they were kids and were schoolmates from UP High School; Randall and Edsel were close friends and org-mates in the UP Rifle Pistol Team (UP RPT).

The number of The Bros didn’t stop at eight but grew through time and got extended. Other good and close friends became part of The Bros like Apollo Abraham, Dimpy Jasmines, Dino Orig, Ney Soriaga, Dingdong Altarejos, and others. But the eight guys remain the core of the group. Close female friends of The Bros were aptly called The Bras and close gay friends were called The Brews. Every Samaskomer from then on caught on with the term and has used it since. But not everybody could be a real Bro (or a Bra or a Brew) in the same vein that not everyone could be a true Samaskomer.

For The Bros’ the definition of a Bro is: a totally unique Samaskom character who is utterly cool and hip with a style very much his own; highly-opinionated, intelligent, passionate, and talented; good-looking and humorous; helpful and unquestionably responsible; completely adores and loves women and the org of course; but above all a true friend.

It has been years since The Bros have been complete, since they have seen and been with each other. And perhaps it would take countless years before they would be able to do so. Benigno and his wife now are now naturalized citizens of the USA where they both work and reside. Evano or (Quay as he prefers to be called) has been an OFW in Dubai, UAE close to three years now. Jake, Paolo, and Yauder aside from being busy with their jobs, are equally busy being husbands and fathers. Chad, who works in ABS-CBN with Yauds and the only Bro who is still pretty much in touch with the younger generations of Samaskomers (who calls him Daddy Chad), like the rest is engaged in the daily grind of making a living (but I bet he definitely still finds time to drink Emperador). Randall and Edsel, I’m confident, are either occupied with their careers, with their girlfriends or something in between.

Each Bro is busy living his own life now and pursuing their individual goals for the future. Only time will tell if they will ever be complete again. If that reunion happens, they would be with their wives and perhaps carrying the next generation of Bros with them.

Tales of friendship are often told with the most poignant and fondest of memories for real friendship is one of those rare intangible treasures in the world we bring with us until we grow old. I am not so sure where they are now, what they are exactly doing with their lives, where they are employed, or what’s keeping them busy, but I can honestly say that The Bros will always be there for each other. A real Bro will remain a true friend forever. Time and distance cannot and will never alter that. That’s one thing I am a hundred percent sure of.

I can say this and know all of this because I lived through it.

It’s because I am a Bro.

And always will be one.

By: Eric Quay P. Evano,
UP Samaskom Batch 91.1 and a Bro Forever

The common adage “different strokes for different folks” applies well to me and my roommate of two months, Ronald.

Although we have so many things in common (we are both graphic artists, love women, and are Bicolanos, hailing from the same province of Sorsogon), we are quite opposites in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to our sleeping behaviors.

He never finds it a problem to sleep with the lights on and an onset of loud music. These things don’t bother him, not one bit. And he doesn’t move about that much on the bed, habitually waking up in the same “plastered” position he was in when he closed his eyes. I tried once if I could awaken from his golden slumber by watching Return of the King with the volume at full blast. How I miserably failed like Sauron in his evil bid to conquer all of Middle Earth! True to form, he hibernated like a bear, almost never twitching or twisting in his bed. The next morning when he awoke, I told him I was sorry for the noise of the movie I was watching that night if it somehow disturbed him in his sleep. He was surprised to know that I was watching a movie when he thought I was asleep too for he never heard anything. Can you believe this guy? At the level of volume I was watching Peter Jackson’s film, you’d have thought that Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf, and the Hobbits were right there and then in our flat doing their heroic battles against the Orcs and Nazguls.

All I can say is that this hobbit sleeps very deep in his hole. He sleeps as if he is in a coma, like Frodo in Rivendell after being stabbed by the King-Witch of Angmar at Weathertop. The whole Battle at Helms Deep or at Pellenor Fields could be happening right beside him but I am pretty sure he'd still be sleeping soundly like a baby.

He can even sleep continuously for twelve hours standing up only once to go to the john to relieve himself. Then after four to five hours of being awake, he can easily go back to bed and doze off in an instant. Eight hours of sleep or more is what he needs each day. Less than that weakens him as if he is carrying the one true ring. He is consistently late at work because according to him it is a hellish struggle for him to wake up everyday, needing three alarm settings before he can fully move about… sluggishly at that.

I am definitely the antithesis to his snoozing practices, the other end of the sleeping spectrum, the wide-awake Sam to his resting tired Frodo.

Usually, it takes ten to fifteen minutes for me to properly settle in and be “half-dead” to the world (I am helplessly a light sleeper – a Sam always on the lookout for Gollum). I find it hard to sleep without any good cloak of darkness enveloping my room or if there is noise. A wee amount of sound can simply rouse me, and once I am awakened, I terribly find it hard to return to dreamland. It would take me at least thirty minutes to an hour to revert back to any comfortable state of slumber. And oh, I am utterly restless and restive on the bed, assuming quite a number of sleeping positions throughout the whole night. Sometimes I’d wake up with my head on the part of the bed where my hobbit feet should have been and find my beddings, bed sheet, and pillowcases all in disarray.

Another problem of mine is that my body clock is programmed to wake me up at 7 a.m. daily. Even if I sleep late, I’d helplessly open my eyes at this particular time, stand up, and go to the toilet. On some days, even if my eyes are still clamoring to be shut, it is useless for me to clamber back to bed because my mind and body by then would already be fully charged. Unlike my roommate, I don’t really need an alarm because I usually wake up minutes before it is set to go off. And when I am awake, I am awake. I don’t have to literally drag myself to move about and fix myself to prepare for the day. Five hours of sleep is enough for me. Eight is proper. More than eight would give me terrible headaches.

Maybe, it’s because I, Samwise GamgeERIC, am insomniac and love to be awake, whereas FROnalDO is narcoleptic and is hungry for sleep.

Lastly, one more unlikeness we have is that he snores. I don’t.

Ah, well, to each his own -- different sleeps for different *peeps.

Different habits for different hobbits.

(Coincidentally, he is the one who replaced me in previous company where I worked and most of the people there don’t know that he is my roommate.)

*A Tagalog slang for people.