ABOUT TUTCH
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(From Udic)    

(From Henry)

            Born on June 27, 1960, Rene (Tutch) Maramo is the fourth son after Udic. He enjoyed quite a while as the youngest of the boys because the next one would be born ten years after him. He made a fuss about being the last and the "baby" of the family. He proudly affixed "bunso" (youngest) in all names he graffitied on the walls of our house. This contributed to his being so gregarious and fun-loving. As his older brother, I treated him as a younger brother. Nothing special really, I made him tow the line since I was expected to be the "authority" when Mom and Dad were out and they were because they were both working then. Since most of my brothers and I were all doing good academically and were bringing home medals, it put a tremendous strain on him emotionally. Not that he is not good academically, his efforts were not really enough to merit medals and honors at the end of  school years. And it came to pass that he was chosen as a school representative in a drawing contest pitting him against the best around Makati area. He won hands down and he held on to his medals for dear life and resisted the principal's request to donate it to the school. Upon arriving home, he proudly declared that he got a medal, went straight to the cabinet where all our medals were displayed, cleared a conspicuous place and hung his medal and beamed proudly, "There! i did it!"

     He was always on the go and seemed ready to grow up. He had his friends all around him and seemed to thrive in their attention. He went on to enroll in Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas. It was as a student that the call of military life beckoned. He entered the prestigious Philippine Military Academy in 1981, the same year that our brother Udic was about to complete his studies at the same academy. He perfectly fitted the cadet life. He was described by those who were with him as the most jolly person to ever have joined them. He felt proud of being a cadet and made no qualms about it. 

      Years passed by so quickly and before we knew it, he completed his stint and was now posed to enter the armed services as a Philippine Constabulary officer. He went on to lead a small detachment in a far corner of the country doing battles with insurgents. In 1987, he married his long-time girlfriend, Eya. and they were blessed with three lovely children. As a family man, he was caring and loving, something that didn't escape the attention of everyone. 

       I was away most of his exciting moments and through the years of separation, I always longed to be with him just to reminisce and pick up where we left off. He was a wonderful person, a terrific friend and most of all-a younger brother.

        We will surely miss you dear brother.....