Asia, Diliman, Education, Manila, Philippines, Quezon City, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, UP Fighting Maroons
belated happy birthday Oscar “Oca” Gomez Jr !
Noel Bautista
09/04/2013
Oca and the love of his life Mari. Is that Bruce Lee’s statue in the background? 🙂
If there is one thing I remember about my friend from university Oscar Oca Gomez, it is that he was passionate about almost everything he did. About his politics, sports (which he wrote a lot about), his interests and best of all, women who happened to catch his eye, he never held back an ounce of feeling or a spark of sentiment. He was either non-responsive or all in, never in between.
Whether it was exuding full confidence in the Philippines (he never understood why skilled and talented people ever left the country), covering the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons for the Philippine Collegian sports section (we were lucky enough to be part of the student body when UP won its only UAAP basketball title) or being son, brother and later husband and father to the family he loves, Oca has always given 101%. Still does, I’m sure.
I haven’t seen him for so long now that I’m afraid we will almost not recognize each other when we finally do meet, with only the memories of presswork all-nighters, UAAP games and passionate discussions about life and love to remind us of the wonderful life in Diliman that we never appreciated then, but will always treasure.
We are grown men now, parents of children who are almost full-grown themselves, and we have nowhere to go but late middle age. Only the memories of our youth, maybe the passions that inflamed us then, and the joy of seeing the successes of our children (and grandchildren) will keep us young.
That, and maybe a reunion with friends of yesteryear. Thanks for the memories Kuya Oca, and it will certainly be a treat to see you one of these days. Belated happy birthday and warmest regards to your gorgeous wife Mari, and beautiful kids Gio, Fiona, Cheska and Francine!
https://youtu.be/NtQnRpVg7WY?si=Vf-OqEWx94LW-V6c IN MY TIME AS New Zealand migrant and OFW (overseas Filipino worker), I’ve had nine-ish landlords. Only one of…
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“belated happy birthday Oscar “Oca” Gomez Jr !”
My parents always talk about the University of the Philippines. They are both graduates of the school. You know, my Mom was the Corps Sponsor there. She always reminds dad about that, Ha ha. She said she was the partner of the top commander or something. She has so many photos and there’s an article about her on the school paper.
your mother must have been (and should still be) quite a looker renx 🙂 looking at you, I’m really not that surprised. Yes, at the time I was in UP (and probably till now) getting selected as a Corps Sponsor was a big deal! Thanks for the comment, more power to your awesome blog!
My parents always talk about the University of the Philippines. They are both graduates of the school. You know, my Mom was the Corps Sponsor there. She always reminds dad about that, Ha ha. She said she was the partner of the top commander or something. She has so many photos and there’s an article about her on the school paper.
your mother must have been (and should still be) quite a looker renx 🙂 looking at you, I’m really not that surprised. Yes, at the time I was in UP (and probably till now) getting selected as a Corps Sponsor was a big deal! Thanks for the comment, more power to your awesome blog!