By J. Irving

September 8, 1956 – July 28, 2025

I was in shock, realizing that Sir Vic is no longer around. I still wish to see him and talk many things that we are now both retired; but our path never crossed … for there are certain topics that are best avoided while still in service, because of military discipline, hierarchy, and professional boundaries. However, once both retired, these conversations may become acceptable because the formal chain of command no longer applies, speaking as equals.

For those who do not know, Sir Vic and I were company-mates at the Philippine Military Academy. We both belong to Bessang Company, the battle-site name given to Alfa in 1976. We were onetime squadmates because of our heights. He was 3 months younger than me but he happened to be my upperclassman, my yearling when I was a plebe. Even in a tough environment, he’s someone who treats people with decency. He doesn’t act like he’s above us, even though he clearly outranks us, and definitely had the power of life and death upon us, plebes who never been his mistah, not like how other upperclassmen behaved and treated me. He offers guidance without making us feel small. When things are hard, he’s one of the few who peps us up by keeping on telling us, “Kaya ninyo yan! Darating rin ang araw mag upperclassmen din kayo!” His presence makes the academy feel a little more bearable … because of that attitude, that’s how I became when I made it as upperclassman.

“Sir Vic, I’ve really appreciated the way you treated us as plebes. You corrected us when needed, but you did it with respect and fairness. It showed strong leadership, and it’s something I really admire from you up to now . . .” 

Sir Vic was not only creative, but he was also able to channel his vision into practical avenues of expression. He was not well-suited to routine work. His mind was always busy, and if he was not using it productively, he was given to worrying and overanalyzing. Some worrying was good– he was strong at organizing. Too much, and he fretted over the small stuff. Overall, however, he was hopeful and fresh, and he had a wonderful spin on life that intrigues others. He was hard-working, inventive, and talented. His ideas were gold – he could generally turn a brainchild into something lucrative. 

Sir Vic is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Matapat Class of 1979. He was the first company company commander of Golf Company (where the name of my son Kevin ‘12 appears in the line-of-succession). As a result of the Salas Case, where all 25 yearlings of class’80 were totally annihilated, to include ten third-year cadets   from class‘79, all from Bravo, the Corps was overhauled into, the present day, 8 phonetic alphabet Companies: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf , and Hawk. The company formation started during the Incorporation Day of Class ’82 in June of 1978 when Class ’79 became as the ruling Class.

In the final stretch of his military career, Sir Vic served as commanding officer of the 41st Infantry “Partner for Peace” Battalion under the 5th Infantry (Star) Division prior to his divisional-level appointments. As Commander of 502nd Brigade at Upi, Gamu, Isabela, my mistah, Dante Costes, as the Regimental Commander of the Army Signal Regiment (ASR) and I, as the G6 (not the Comptroller) of the Army, visited Sir Vic. Our close camaraderie was forged in the hallways of Melchor hall. We made sure that his C4ISR are functioning well and in top condition. This is where Sir Vic got his first star. 

Then, Sir Vic got his second star as Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil–Military Operations (J7) at AFP General Headquarters. Penultimately, he was then appointed Commanding General of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division in mid‑2010, at Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City. He was the only Division Commander who invited me to come and visit their camps. He gave me a military honours and parade, as a visiting general.

At the airport in Manila, prior leaving for CDO, I happened to talked to the incumbent congressman Rufus Rodriguez who have many good words for Sir Vic.  After the ceremonies and lunch, Vic and I played golf, just the two of us, at Patag, the golf course operated by his command. I was a one-star general, the AJ6, and he was a two-star, both in the active service – I was holding back what to say.

Sir Vic officially retired on September 4, 2012, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. During a ceremony at Camp Evangelista. Sir Vic remarked in his farewell speech: “I did not have any regrets in joining the Army. If I were to live again, I will still join the Army.”

So for me, if born again, I am willing to repeat plebe year, where most graduates dare not to tread once more; but in the condition that Sir Vic would be around as my yearling squadmate … even putting me together, as plebes, with his brother, Roman and brother-in-law, Gil Fernandez (both of class ‘83 but Roman a former ‘82) – who had been my plebes.

Rest in eternal peace Sir Vic; a foyer of honor-guard angels will be waiting for you at the gates of heaven when you get there and meet the Lord. My heartfelt condolences to Doddie, his beloved wife, who is my townmate at Daet, Camarines Norte.