Of Pens, Pedigrees, and Perpetual "Budol": A Belated Gratitude

It has been over two months since Prof. Butch Dalisay published his "Keepers of Memory" piece in the Philippine Star, and I find myself in a state of academic paralysis. (https://philstarlife.com/geeky/389544-keepers-memory?page=6 )How does one adequately respond to a "Jedi Master" of the fountain pen or even the collecting world? I’ve spent sixty days staring at the newsprint, feeling a profound sense of "imposter syndrome" that no amount of vintage celluloid pens can cure or make me think otherwise.

While I am sincerely grateful for Butch’s kind words, I must professionally—and humorously—object to being listed alongside the giants of the collecting world. Including me with these gentlemen is like placing a modern Bic ballpoint pen in a display case of 1930s Parker Duofolds: I’m just happy to be functional, while they are works of historical art.

To understand my hesitation, you need to consider the "classmates" I was grouped with. First, there's Raph Camposagrado. Raph isn’t just very articulate and "intelligent-sounding"; he is a walking encyclopedia of the Wahl Eversharp brand and other brands as well. Speaking with him is a masterclass in Art Deco aesthetics. When Raph describes the Coronet, he doesn’t just see a pen; he sees the pinnacle of symmetry and geometric defiance. He can dissect the cap, barrel, and technical nuances with the precision of a surgeon. I’ll admit, I haven’t pulled the trigger on a Coronet yet, but Raph’s unselfish guidance and his habit of sharing "grail" leads—like a certain Parker Giant over the weekend—make him the ultimate mentor for a "newbie" like myself.

Then there is Melvin Lam. Being next to a top collector of Filipiniana is, frankly, intimidating. Melvin’s approach sets the standard: he champions storytelling. Whether it’s his Namiki Emperor collection or the silver quill pen awarded to Jose Rizal (which he generously loans to museums), Melvin shows us that a collection without a story is just a pile of costly objects. We are currently planning an exhibit to showcase the stories behind both vintage and modern pens, shifting the focus from the "price tag" culture back to the soul of the item.

And then there is Augusto “Toto” Toledo. At first, I saw Toto as a bit of a local mystery—hard to understand and maybe a little “intimidatingly formidable.” I couldn't have been more wrong. He’s arguably one of the nicest collector in the scene, whether he’s talking about his 3,000 vintage bottles, his coffee cup collection—which, by the way, recently included the official Coffee Cup of the Manila Pen Show 2026 and is a true 1 of 1 —or his "Toto-esque" take on the Batman persona. We recently had a "eureka moment" at the 2026 Manila Pen Show about our shared pet peeves with the English language. Specifically, his disdain for the phrase "double check." I’ll let Toto explain the logic (it’s a linguistic rabbit hole), but I haven't been able to say it since without feeling a bit self-conscious.

Finally, I must address the author himself. Butch Dalisay is the "Jedi Master" who descended

from the heights of the Jedi Council Tower in Coruscant to guide us Padawans. He is my self-confessed budolero—the man responsible for my descent into this beautiful, ink-stained rabbit hole, with my first purchase from him of my Parker Vacumatic Golden Pearl Long Major, and Platinum with Platinum nib (1966). Two fountain pen brands where I have taken on the challenge to build a small collection to keep me company when times get rough.

Sir Butch, thank you for the opportunity to be part of this article. I have secured thirty copies for my kids and their kids as well, so they may one day know their Father or grandfather was once considered a "Keeper of Memory." In our current situation, where the world seems to thrive on discord and hate, your parting words serve as our North Star:

"I'm well aware that there are people who would consider us insane, but let me put it this way: to a world full of ugliness and discord, we bring beauty and order in the cabinets and cases that house and organize our collectibles, and at a time when people forget things after five minutes, we keep the memories of centuries."

Thank you, Sir Butch, for letting me sit at the table. Even if I'm still just trying to figure out which end of the pen leaks.