Excerpts from the GUTS Newsletter, circa 1976

“My very sincere and hearty congratulations to the GUTS for their efforts and, I may add, courage to undertake the publication of this monthly NEWSLETTER.  This will serve as a medium to guide our young men and women on how to make themselves better parishioners for the greater service of God and their neighbors.  Edwin Torralba, the original founder of the GROUP UPLIFTING TODAY’S SITUATION, has conceived the idea of organizing this group for the purpose of training and preparing young boys and girls to grow into men and women of exemplary character.  The idea was to bring them up in an atmosphere of self-discipline, always alert in the exercise of charity to others and devoted children of the church.  Now that my suggestions are being sought by no less than the GUTS moderator and spiritual director, Fr. Trinidad, I am submitting herewith these few basic needs of an organization:

 1)   To forge ahead, every member is enjoined to abide by the constitution and by-laws of the association;

2)   A monthly, quarterly and yearly program of wholesome activities to be laid down by the program committee and approved by the executive council for rigid implementation.  This program should be presented to the membership at the end of the year.

3)   An awards committee to handle the giving of tokens of recognition to officers and members who have exerted extraordinary performance.  This will serve as an incentive to the whole membership.  The recognition ceremonies will best be held in the church where the people may witness this momentous event.

4)   Some way of embodying the GUTS’ ideals which the members are to strive to live up to – oath taking, slogan, motto, etc.

5)   A Parents’ Auxiliary group to aid the young GUTS by providing moral and financial support to them in all their activities.  This auxiliary group is supposed to help, not interfere with, the GUTS in the performance of their functions and in the carrying out of their legitimate activities.

     - Bro. Ching Torralba

“When the GUTS was formed many parents had doubts about its future.  Not a few mad comments like “Magliligawan lang ang mga iyan.”  Before long parents were prohibiting their children from becoming GUTS members.  Having had experience in handling youth groups like the C.Y.M., I quite disagreed with these parental attitudes because I had a high regard for the founder and adviser, Edwin Torralba, and for their spiritual director, Fr. Rey Celso.  I was optimistic that the GUTS was the answer to the problem of declining morality among the youth.  Even the parish priest, Monsignor Arroyo, recognized this and that is why th GUTS were given a seat in the San Rafael Parish Council.  Admittedly, it couldn’t be helped that some of the GUTS members felt an attraction for one another.  But I have always maintained that even this kind of situation was far better than that of those who did not belong to a similar group.  Such “love relationship” would be kept in the open, hence be constantly guided by the adviser and spiritual director.

Sure enough, not long after, quite a few GUTS members got “paired” to each other and their relationships became so conspicuous that many elders in the parish were saying, “Kita mo na!”  Premature marriages, even the dissolution of the GUTS, was soon predicted.  But time proved the prediction wrong.  Up to now the GUTS are still up and around despite many setbacks.

 It can’t be denied that during its early years the GUTS enjoyed a very good reputation in the parish.  When help was needed, such as during calamities, misas de aguinaldo, parish fiestas, etc. the GUTS were always there to give a helping hand.  I think what went wrong was that they were given too much independence and that made them go beyond proper limits.  At one time they were suspended after holding a party with lights out.  Their tendency to be exclusive made other youth groups look upon them as SNUBS.  For singing songs not approved by the parish priest at a wedding attended by people from other parishes they were justifiedly given a reprimand in public.  They sang songs which were their favorites forgetting that the community should be given the opportunity to join in the singing.

 The GUTS may have made their mistakes, but they have also done a lot of good not only to their members but also to the parish community.  With proper guidance and self-discipline, the GUTS can be great again.”

     - Bro. Sam Ramirez