It was 1991. UP Tropa, a group described by its adviser Rogelio Sicat as “isang barkada ng estudyanteng iba’t-iba ang kurso na mahilig sa teatro at malakas ang loob,” was working on “Manhid,” a new production at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, and somehow—the members were not sure exactly how, “the details are hazy,” they said—the Eraserheads got involved.

The rings, which were obscured in the billboard, are Vince and Niño’s commitment rings, a gift from Niño on their first anniversary. “Sabi nga kasi ni Beyonce, ‘Put a ring on it,’” he quipped, smiling.

I retraced Anthony and Mace’s footsteps, looking for Abi Dionisio’s paintings at BenCab Museum, eating at Café by the Ruins and walking to the end of Session Road, passing by people who were offering free hugs.