"Once a scout always a scout."  What makes Sir Rudy different?  Why is he getting all these affections?...asked my wife Chona.

     The training that he gave us on responsibilities and teamwork and creativity, not to mention the skills and experiences that we gained from campings and trainings and weekly meetings will never be forgotten.  It will always stay with us no matter where we go.  To do a good deed daily and leave this world a little better.  We compete with each other yet we were trained to have camaraderie.  There is a difference in every troop 85....that is we all became a good citizen wherever we are.  That's what makes Sir Rudy different.  He has this passion to mould the youth in the right way.  He has a mission and I can see that he has succeeded.  And that mission never ends...

     We are fortunate to have the kind-hearted, Ronnel, who brought to our attention the present condition of our great Scoutmaster.  He tried to describe both in words and visuals what he has seen and was able to share it with us.   Here is his email and some pictures that he shared with us.........

Good Day to all of you, my friends.

Just received Rey Bisda's email and I am glad that the news regarding Sir Rudy has started to spread among us.  I would like to thank Jenny
Jaymalin-Isidro for helping me spread this thru the electronic mails.   In fact, I first got a chance to tell Nato Barredo about the miserable
condition of our former Scoutmaster who is turning 79 this November, 2002.

By the way, Rey, sorry, I haven't received any mail directly addressed to me from you exept for the copy of your mail which you sent to Erick sometime last Sept 2002.  Well, maybe you know  him more than I do.  I really do not know about his investments, his relatives, his resources before, etc... But the only thing I know now is he really needs our help and that's it.

I got to chat with Erick yesterday morning over the phone and I told him that I will be visiting again Sir Rudy this afternon together with Jenny.

Last September 1, a day after the THS Batch '78 Reunion-Fellowship and while having lunch with my family, I got a text message from Erick informing me that Sir Rudy was with him at Tondo Church.  Right away, I called Erick through his cellphone and was able to speak with Sir Rudy . At first, it was a surprise for me to hear an old voice since I was expecting a different voice.  Well, indeed that old voice was of Sir Rudy, the Legendary Scoutmaster of Troop 85.

Our conversation was so full of excitement. Maybe wanting to see each other, wanting to know each others condition, wanting to once again reminisce the good old days. As I conversed with the scoutmaster, I sensed that he is not that well. I sensed he needs help.  To stop with my wondering, I told the scoutmaster that I will be seeing him within the coming week.  He gave me his telephone number and I gave him mine.

In the evening of that same day, I called up the scoutmaster and our conversation continued.  He was a bit sad while telling me about his present life condition.  He said that he is now living in a petite mezzanine room of a car repair shop in Kamias, Quezon City.   He is not renting the place since it was only offered to him by an old scouting friend for free.  He stays there for almost two years now with two  boy scouts who are alternately assisting him in his daily personal activities.  His present apprehension is when the whole car repair shop is sold as this is now for sale, he does not know where he could find a place to live.

At his age of 78, he still could not retire from his scouting activities. But from work, he has already formally retired.  He still has a small
scouting headquarter at Trinity College in Quezon City where he serves three times a week as a volunteer scoutmaster.  As the term volunteer suggests, he receives nothing.  On other days of the week, he likewise serves as volunteer scoutmaster to other public schools.   Thinking that  he is just working as a volunteer, I asked him what is his source of income.  Sadly, the scoutmaster told me that he is just getting pensions from SSS and GSIS amounting to about PhP6,000.00/month. This I know, could not suffice for his requirements.  Further, he said that he is very thankful that some of the scout alumni give him some monetary donations, but not on a regular basis. He even told me that due to lack of financial resources, he was compelled to sell his funeral lot in La Loma two years ago at only PhP72,000.00.

He also sold some of his earned medals just to get some money for his daily expenses, for food, medicine, etc.  I also learned that he is taking at least four kinds of medicine daily basically for blood  pressure maintenance and vitamins.

On the following Tuesday, I made myself available to visit the scoutmaster in his present place in Kamias, Quezon City. And there I saw how miserable the place is...  I have taken some photos of it and in fact prepared a powerpoint presentation.  I will try to send it to all of you but I guess it will take few hours to upload and download it. Anyway, I attached some of the latest pictures of Sir Rudy.

We had a lunch in one of the restaurants in Tomas Morato together with his two Boy Scout alalays... So many stories to tell, recollection of good old days, sharing of thoughts, etc... After lunch, we went to Trinity College wherein the scoutmaster showed me his small Headquarter, about 20% of our Headquarter in Torres High School.

It was a happy and sad moment for me.  Happy 'coz I got to see my long lost old scoutmaster and sad 'coz I couldn't believe that he is now in that miserable condition.

A month ago, I went  again to Sir Rudy's place with Nato Barredo.  It was a very dramatic scene as if you were viewing a telenovela when Sir Rudy and Nato met again after so many years.  Grabe ang eksena... madrama... matinding akapan... few seconds of silence followed by misty eyes. Ooops!!! ayoko na, naiiyak na rin ako... After about an hour of stay at Sir Rudy's place, we dined together.  Kwentuhang umaatikabo, halu-halong istorya, masaya, malungkot, madrama...At about 10 o'clock in the evening, we brought Sir Rudy and his alalays back to his place in Kamias...

While on our way  to Nato's place in Antipolo St, Tondo that night, Nato and I discussed about on how can we help Sir Rudy... I guess, I said, it would be better if we can ask help  from some of the former Troop 85 members on a oluntary basis.  Not compulsary, no coercion, only VOLUNTARY... I told him that at this age of Sir Rudy, I guess,  it won't be hard for us, former Troop 85 members, to help him and support him in his daily basic needs.  At least to provide him with some monetary support... or any other kinds of support that we can extend to him.  After all, we must admit that there's only few years left for us to help and show our gratitude to our old Scoutmaster.

At the moment, I have stated calling some of the former Troop 85 members and tried to gain support from them but unfortunately, of about 30 telephone numbers I got from Sir Rudy only about 5 to 7 are still in service.  When I meet Sir Rudy this afternoon, he will give me some more contact numbers.

At this point, I would like to seek your opinions and suggestions on how can we extend help to Sir Rudy.  I don't want to be alone in this undertaking 'coz I know, there's a lot of us who has a big heart, kind enough and willing  to be of service once again to a needy old person.  I hope the spirit of Scouting still dwells within us and as the saying goes "Once a Scout, Always a Scout".  So please, help SIR RUDY. Let's help him UNCONDITIONALLY...

Ronnel

PS: As Sir Rudy told me, Erick is organizing a reunion of Troop 85 members this coming birthday of Sir Rudy.  Erick, please let know how can I help...
 
 

Outpouring Show Of Support.....

Again and again we have shown how supportive our batchmates are.  There is a lot of us who have big hearts.  To hear the willingness to help from scouts from different part of the globe is uplifting. From Nelson & Jenny who hardly know Sir Rudy to Edgar in Missouri, Felix & Tess in Glendora, Rey and myself in Toronto, Joseph in Long Beach, Ompong from Virginia, Jollo in the Philippines to Philip in Iran...the show of unconditional support is just amazing.  Here are some excerpts from their email:

"I wasn't a boy scout at Torres. I know S'Rudy - though he doesn't know me at all BUT I'LL BE WILLING TO HELP. I hope you can orchestrate something from your end there. My only point is - somebody out there needs our help. Kilala man niya ko or hindi, I'm more than willing to help, kahit gaano kaliit ang kaya kong itulong. The essence lies in the intention. WE NEVER CAN TELL - ILANG YEARS NA LANG SIGURO MABUBUHAY SI S'RUDY IN THIS WORLD. LETS MAKE THOSE FEW YEARS MEMORABLE FOR HIM. This is our chance to give meaning to the existence of our batch. Game ba kayo? Ako, game na game!!!"  - Nelson

"Let me know kung anong tulong ang puwede nating magawa. We need a bank account diyan sa Pilipinas para sa mga taong gustong magpadala ng pera para kay Sir Rudy. Please update us about the living condition of Sir Rudy?Alam ko na hindi natin pababayaan si Sir Rudy. I suggest that we open a bank account care of Ronnel, Edmund, Paring Erick or anybody in the Philippines willing to help Sir Rudy. Troop 85 and friends of Sir Rudy (abroad and in Pinas) can start helping by sending some financial help. This will start the ball rolling. Then we can create a committee to make a long range plan for Sir Rudy like kung saan siya puwedeng tumira, his monthly expenses, etc." - Edgar Atienza & Family (St. Louis, Missouri)

"Have you heard that Sir Rudy is just living now in a garage of one of his friend's house whom Nelson Cena happened to know?  Baka may 
magawa tayong tulong? Ronnel, I've e-mialed you about this a while ago but I got no response from you.  Edmon baka naman puwede kang mag-snoop in sa investment ni Sir Rudy sa RCBC? anong nangyari sa mga investment niya? Father Erik baka puwede mong i-trace si Naz Gutierrez,  Alam ko sa Construction business siya, Kanlaon yata ang pangalan, sa may Quezon Avenue malapit sa Timog.  Ang bahay niya sa Project 6 malapit sa Visayas Avenue.  Pati na rin yung kamag-anak ni Sir sa Bo. Obrero, Si Baby Robles may sari-sari store sa dulo ng Obrero.  I am trying to trace Sir's sister Jovita Robles in Frisco. Isa pa pala remember Gus Olmedo, di  ba may younger brother siya na 
naging Boy Scout din, what's his name again?   Nilo, di ba naging boy scout din ni Sir ang Father mo? Baka puwedeng tumulong rin? Let's all put our heads together."  - Rey

"Peace & blessing to you & your family.  I don't know if you can still remember me, si Felix Parado ako, some of my friends call me Lex, M1 & under sa Timog group w/ Sir Noel Maninang.  I am so saddened of what had happened to Sir Rudy.  I had a very good relationship w/ him all through our high school days even though I quit Troop 85 in 4th year (decided to be an SCAn).  I had always regarded him as my 2nd father.  I really appreciate your effort of helping out Sir Rudy.  I can picture myself in the same situation when Renato met Sir Rudy.  Talagang nakaramdam ako ng matinding lungkot.  Anyway, I would just like to let you know that I will be getting in-touch w/ Val re. our mission to help out.  Maasahan mo kami for sure.  I would like to ask for your phone nos. (cell, work or home) so we could communicate.  Can you also please email me Sir Rudy's phone# & home address.  I would like to speak w/ him asap. Please keep us posted.  When you talk to Sir Rudy again, kindly mention to him that I miss & love him.  He was a big part of my life.  Also, paki-sabi sa kanya na hindi natin siya pababayaan.  I will always be praying for him. Maraming salamat kapatid.  God bless you."  - Felix P.

"o kung anong plano kay ka rudy share and join din ako, sabihin nyo lang ha,,, laging handa ang x troop 85 na kafatid nyo."  - joseph

"Seeing that picture of Sir Rudy's toilet...we will never stop until he is back in an honorable condition, just like how he used to be in high school. Sa dami ng tinulungan na tao ni Sir Rudy, he does not deserve to live like this.  Every previous Troop 85 THS that I talked to is proud how scouting under Sir Rudy has changed their lives.  Now it's our turn to do a good deed to him. Let's give him a hero's tribute while he is still alive and he can appreciate it not when he pass away.  I can't wait to see him when we get back there in August.  I would like my kids to meet the greatest Scoutmaster of all."  - Val (BuzzyV)

"i read the miserable condition of sir rudy from val and felix.  felix, i hope that you still remember me. as for the other guys, siguro naman, naa-alala nyo pa ako. ako po yung pinakamabait sa Troop 85! tama ba ako, ruben cajiuat? when i talked with Sir Jun Narvaez last year, i was also asking him about Sir Nes Fuertes, pero wala daw silang balita. it was only now that i was informed of the real situation of sir rudy since ngayon ko lang nabasa pati yung e-mail ni rey bisda. val, please send me nga the pictures. and sino ba yung ronnel? si ronnel samson ba? kumusta na pare, and we really appreciate your initiative in trying to reach out all former Troop 85'ers. when i was in manila last september,2001 i was asking about sir rudy from erick santos but as you knew that i was recuperating from injuries i sustained from a car accident, we were not able to meet sir rudy. its good to hear from all of you out there that everybody is willing to help sir rudy. i myself is much willing to help a person who was really our second father. i dont know if you still remember na talagang one time ay nagalit sa akin yan noong inakyat ko ang puno ng lansones sa Nagcarlan, ompong, di ba ikaw pa may hawak ng timba, kaso tumakbo ka ng parating na si sir rudy? tapos di ba nahuli ko noong gabi na kinakain nya ang mga nakuha kong lansones. rey bisda, si victor olmedo ata yung sinasabi mo. how about sir danny paguia? may balita ba kayo sa kanya. and ano na nga pangalan noong isang alaga  nya? yung type mo noong araw, joseph gelito? manny pasco, please tell your brother Sir Bien that we will go together to sir rudy when i come to Manila.
how about bong lauza? wala pa din bang nakaka-locate sa kanya?anyway, there is still time left, we can have our troop 85 reunion after THS reunion.  lets give our great scoutmaster our turn to serve him. i might be coming to Manila for holidays this december and promise, even im still using crutches, i am going to meet sir rudy personally and check out what can we do for him. Troop 85 has really been a part of our life, developed our leadership and personalities as well."  - philip mangay 

"Pare, salamat, maraming salamat sa isang napakagandang adhikain mong ito. Alam mo bang bago ako nalungkot sa balita mo bout sir rudy's  present condition, eh nagbalik- sa akin ang maraming magandang ala-ala with you guys and of course with the great scoutmaster of all time. Dinagdagan pa ni Philip Mangay, Ipe sino ba ang makakalimut sa nangyari sa nagcarlan, pare hindi lang yon marami pa at napakarami pang ibang experiences and encounter, ang inabot natin noon, come to think of it, ngayon nga mga tatay na tayo, merong mga makukulit na anak, isipin na lang ninyo, kung paano tayo naalagaan ni Sir Rudy, eh di hamak na makukulit tayong lahat noon. Anyway, I AGREE with Val and Felix and of course sa iyo Nel, that we owe a lot of everything to what we are now to Sir Rudy, Whatever skills i may have right now, in life and at work, eh masasabi kong in some if not all eh me influence from what we learned during our scouting days. Tol, SKILLS, wala ka mang BRAIN as long as you have the SKILLS, you'll definitely survive, Kaso di lang basta skills ang natutunan ko from Sir Rudy, I learned to use my Brain with my Skills. Basta count me in, whatever help we can extend let me know, As of now, all i want you to do for me is to know kung ano yong GAMOT ni Sir Rudy para sa High Blood niya, O kung ano man ang gamot na ini-inom niya. Ke sa RAYUMA, O sa HIGH BLOOD  gaya ng sinulat mo. Baka kasi meron dito na maari naming mapadala para sa kanya. O sige, till next time, please keep me posted okay. Will be waiting for your reply asap."  -   Sir OMPONNG 

"Wow this is depressing! Couldn't imagine this can happen to him considering the excellent training that he gave us all while with troop 85! He can be a model Filipino, an ambassador to everywhere he goes, more that a scoutmaster, he was a friend! I remember my uncle, (val, you would know him - Geny Toribio who's in canada now) introduced Sir Rudy to me when I was still in grade 5 and quicky Sir Rudy made a lasting impression on me. His leadership was outstanding na kahit grade 5 pa lang ako I dreamt of joining the "looked upon" troop 85 already. My uncle was with the troop as well, who influenced me to strive to get into the movement kaya as soon as i went into Torres high, isa yun sa mga agenda ko. I have emailed my uncle already at baka yung mga ka-batch niya sa troop 85 ay makatulong din kay Sir Rudy. Wala ba maitutulong ang BSP sa kanya? After what he has given to the movement! Anyway, count me in. Continue with the emails for details on how to help him. Ronnel, where exactly is he staying? I saw the pics, walang dignity na maibibigay kay Sir Rudy... please email Sir Rudy's address at kung may paraan para matawagan siya, para naman kahit moral mabigyan si Sir Rudy by visits ng mga tropang 85 na nasa pinas ngayon, katulad ko! I support the move also to create a bank account that we can just put in money for him. Ronnel, thanks man. For letting us know and being a friend."  - Jollo

LATEST EMAIL FROM RONNEL:

Good day to you again, my friends!!!

Val, I received your very short e-mail and also your follow-up mail just a while ago. God Bless you and your family, my friend...

Hi, Felix.  Of course, I do remember you. I've been reading some stories of you and have seen your and your family pictures thru our Kaeskwela website.  Who could forget a Felix Parado.  Buti nga, ako, naalala mo pa. I am glad that you and Val are one of the very first scouts who responded to my previous mail about Sir Rudy.  I am also thankful about the enthusiasm you showed to help Sir Rudy. I expect that there will be more and more Troop 85 members who would be in one with us in helping our needy old Scoutmaster. 

Yesterday afternoon, Jenny Isidro and I met at Shakey's Restaurant in T Morato, QC. I came late, 'coz of the usual heavy traffic condition here in Metro Manila. Meeting time was set at 2:00pm and I reached the place at about 2:30pm.  While on my way to Shakey's, I kept on texting Jenny, giving her my locations, as if I was a radio reporter giving updates, blow by blow.  And when I got to Shakey's, Jenny was sitting alone, having a glass of iced tea, still wearing a sweet smile to meet me but I know deep inside, medyo nagngingitngit na siya sa paghihintay sa 'kin. Kung pwede lang akong patayin, malamang 'di na ako nakapag-email ngayon. After a short talk, we proceeded to Sir Rudy's place in Kamias, QC. 

While on our way to Sir Rudy's place, I showed Jenny the powerpoint presentation I prepared about Sir Rudy.  She had a hard time recognizing Sir Rudy with his latest picture vis-a-vis his picture taken 25 years ago. 

After about 20-min travel, we reached Sir Rudy's desolate dwelling place.  And there was Sir Rudy eagerly waiting for our arrival.  He was so happy to meet us especially Jenny who actually is not  known to him.  However, he was so glad to know that the elder brother of Jenny, Teddy Jaymalin was also a former Troop 85 member.  Jenny even showed Sir Rudy pictures of her brother in action during one of the campings in Laguna. Just like a  typical old man, Sir Rudy was fond of sharing his life stories and experiences to younger people like us.  Jenny could not help but shed tears while Sir Rudy continues to share his stories. I can sensed that Jenny was so touched to see the condition of Sir Rudy and began calling Sir Rudy "Tatay".  After this short dramatic scene, we invited Sir Rudy together with his Scout Alalay for a merienda where we carried on chatting and Sir Rudy continued sharing some of his "food for thoughts". 

After sharing bibingka and sotanghon guisado with glasses of iced tea, we brought Sir Rudy back to his place in Kamias. And then after that, inihatid ko na rin si Jenny sa bahay niya sa Fairview. 

While on our way to Jenny's place,  we initially talked about some possible ways of helping Sir Rudy. One option is to open a bank account for Sir Rudy, something like a Trust Fund wherein all donations from all who are willing to help shall be deposited.  Then, there should be two or three trustees who would administer the fund in favor of Sir Rudy.  All donations shall be accounted for and periodic account statement shall be made for the information of all donors.  Somebody shall assess the financial requirements of Sir Rudy. This of course will include among others, his food expenses, utilities, medicines, etc and if really needed, and we decide to rent a better dwelling place for Sir Rudy, the monthly rent should be included as well.   I, myself, can actually talk about these things with Sir Rudy so I can give you idea of how much is needed for Sir Rudy's sustenance.  Jenny is thinking of connecting with Edmund Liao regarding opening of  bank account. 

Tomorrow, I will be with Sir Rudy in Dao, Pampanga to visit Nato Barredo's newly-opened Internet Cafe Computer Shop. If given a chance, I will  talk with Sir Rudy about this matter.  We also hope to meet Bemeer Barredo there, one of the younger brothers of Nato, who also stayed with Sir Rudy in Gagalangin. This guy is also willing to help Sir Rudy.

Philip, buti na lang, natatandaan mo pa ako.  Pati family name ko, alam mo pa. When you come back here in Manila on December, please do not forget to give me a ring. 

By the way, I would be glad if you could email me your telephone numbers.  It's better if we could communicate by phone once in awhile.  My telehone numbers are as follows: Residence    : 02-5627009
            Office           : 02-5614203
            Telefax         : 02-5646869
            Cell NO        : 0918-9092490

Sir Rudy's telephone number is 02-9208667.  I suggest that you call him direct and I am very sure that the old man will be very happy to hear your voices once again...

I am glad that I am starting to receive responses from you guys.  But I know my emails are not reaching all of the addressees 'coz some them just keep on coming back to my mailbox.  I have sent other pictures of Sir Rudy in three batches. I just do not know if these have reached you. Please acknowledge.  So please help me forward my emails to our other Troop 85 friends...

God Bless us all...

ronnel

Latest Email From Australia

Hello from Australia,

Hi Ronnel, do you still remember me? It was so depressing to see the the condition that our beloved scoutmaster is living at present.  The snaps and the article you sent through our website (Nov edition) was very powerful. He is an icon of our alma mater, everybody knows him and look up to him as a second father,  even though I was not a memeber of the troop.  That is probably one of my regrets in highschool. I admire the initiative and dedication you are putting to this worthy cause, its very honourable.  Please be assured that you are not alone in this crusade, you can count on my support.  Just tell me what I can do from my end. 

In response to the thought of contacting other troop 85 members like Naz Gutierrez, I happened to be somehow related to Naz through my wife. They're cousins. She rang Naz to inform him about sir Rudy's condition and to extend the appeal.  Naz has apparently been in close contact with him all these years and has helped him on a regular basis in the past when his means can allow him. And so I believe you have contacted him recently together with father Erick. 

You have my support to this worthy cause.  I shall await details on how I can forward my assistance.  And may God bless us all.

Tony Ocampo