A Tribute to BGEN CARLOS M CLET AFP

(December 3, 1957 – April 7, 2009)

Everytime I would catch a glimpse of PGMA in the news, whether it may be on TV or newspaper, especially during live Presidential appearances, I always look for Caloy. I was never disappointed. Caloy was always there, behind the President – onguard.

Now, as it hits me with a pang and disbelief, I realize that Caloy is no longer here with us. Many amongst my classmates during the Necro wanted to say something to remember Caloy. Herbert and Ted, Caloy’s war buddies in the AFP Composite Infantry Battalion (CIB), were ready to tell us about their great escapades and unforgettable encounters experienced along with Caloy in Mindanao. Gupix, who was also with CIB and a hilarious storyteller, had plenty of anecdotes to tell. However, our Class President, Vic Caragan, delivered the eulogy for the class. Here in the Cavalier Magazine, I would like to share with you some of my fond golfing memories with Caloy. But before I tell you my story, let me take this opportunity to quote our President, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on what she said about Caloy during the wake at the Hall of Heroes inside Malacaňang Palace, “In doing advanced work for my provincial engagements, and that was what he was doing, an advanced work for our trip to make sure that the Halsema Highway will be finished by December.” The President continued, “Earlier that night while I was walking amongst friends who were also there to provide sympathy, I came across Ching Montinola and she told me that Caloy was one of her co-designers for the Malacaňang Golf. How Caloy has excellent taste and indeed that goes with the “glamour” of being an SMA and that it now convinced me even more how right he was for the job. Caloy was appointed SMA when he was still a full colonel, although it was a general position.”

The President also confided, “Caloy Clet, you came into our lives as Operations officer and stayed with us as senior military aide. From Bangit’s time, we were already discussing how we would groom you to be the future PSG Chief when the time was right and when you were ready. But as Providence would have it, you had your brightest moment in the equally prestigious and maybe even more “glamorous” post of being my senior military aide.”

The President added, “I still remember up to now during the time of my father, President Diosdado Macapagal’s term, when PSG was only a battalion and not a group as it is today. Gen Dizon held the most glamourous post in Malacaňang; and certainly one in the armed forces. This was the same post Caloy held. This is also my vision of a senior military aide. On top of guarding me and looking good next to me, I gave Caloy an assignment that the other senior aides before him did not have”.

Wow! Those words coming from our President, herself!

So Caloy left us with his signature golf course inside Malacaňang Presidential Park. I remember the time when we were both starting to play golf in mid 90’s. We were both assigned with OJ2. He was with OCD and I was with ISD. The J2, Gen Fred Filler, at that time would sometimes prefer to play golf with us junior officers, composing a couple of flights. He told us, “During golf games, we can talk about work; and during work, we can talk about golf.” As inexperienced golfers and with our Boss staring at us, we would at times miss hitting the ball on the tee with our Big Berthas. But we would be very happy then if we break 100 with our scores.

A few weeks before the Bell 412 flight, Caloy went with us in a golf flight. It was his last golf flight with classmates! We, his classmates together with him, had the chance to join a golf game organized by Onell. Gen Mison invited the class to play with him one early Sunday morning at Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course. Gen Mison was with his friends, composed mostly of retired generals and military officers, to play against Class ’80 golfers. Caloy was our best bet. He was with Ager in the same flight. Ric and I were in the flight of General Mison. A P10 per hole bet was set up. It was not for the money but more on the bragging rights and the chance to be invited again if the General enjoyed our company. Gen Mison paid for the green fees and lunch and brought us lots of cold bottles of Coors Light. At lunchtime, Gen Mison commented that he did not play very well because in the front nine alone, he already got a score the same as his class year number, which is 55. Caloy Clet raised his hand and said outright proudly that he also hit and got a score the same as our class year number – a score of 80 for the whole game. But after reviewing his score card for payments, his score tallied to 79. That is break 80!

Perchance, Caloy will appear in our dreams someday to tell us the good news that he has designed and constructed a golf course in Paradise. He has a separate one together with other courses that have been designed by golfing greats like Bobby Jones, Payne Stewart and Ben Hogan. There are no greens fees. Electric cars are provided at no charge. You have the choice of any brand of clubs you desire. The greens are always freshly mowed, the sand traps freshly raked, the roughs are not too high and you will never lose a ball in the water for the balls float. When you hit a ball into the woods they will always ricochet into the middle of the fairway. And on every par-3 hole you will score a hole-in-one.

So for now, we have to keep on playing! An angel will just tell us someday when, and at what time, we will be teeing with Caloy on his signature golf course in Heaven. Like Josie, Charlotte, Chino and Jan, we miss you so much, Mistah! You inspired us to play well and to break 80 soon . . .

Featured Cover Photo: courtesy of Choly Cabanban from his Facebook account. Thanks Choly!

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/156289/pnp-exec-mourns-loss-of-classmate-carlos-clet/story/