UPV Beta Sigma Fraternity: Our Story

UPV Beta Sigma Story

[Contributions By:

Ablang, Elcid Adrian; Alama, Ulysses; Arbiol, Joseph; Banares, Arsenio; Buyco, Shan Benjamin; Botengan, Henry James; Chua, Victor; Gamba, Albino; Lim, Truman, Malayao, Randy Felix; Natividad, Alvin Ceasar; Orencio, Pedcris; Razon, Jose III; Razonable, Jenry; Romena, November; Totentino, Tristram; Tibon, Lawrence Michael ]

The UP Beta Sigma Fraternity in UP Visayas is a relatively young chapter in the same way that it stands on relatively young campuses in Iloilo: Miagao and Iloilo City campuses.

One needs to understand the historical context of the transfer of the College of Fisheries (CF) of UP Diliman to UP Visayas for him to better trace the history of the fraternity in the campus. The fraternity’s beginnings are tied with that of the college and as such majority of the early recruits and eventual alumni are from the CF. The fraternity has since spread to other colleges in UP Visayas.

UP Visayas: Brief History

On May 31, 1979, the Board of Regents (BOR) during its 114th meeting approved the establishment of an autonomous University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV). Executive Order No. 628 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos on October 30, 1980 operationalized UPV with the College of Fisheries (CF) as its flagship college.

The main campus is in 290-year-old Miagao located about 41 kilometers from Iloilo City. It is built on a 1,294-hectare area of rolling hills and lush greenery with a spectacular view of the sea on one side of the campus and the distant mountains on the other. It covers twelve barangays and is one of the biggest in the country today.

Chancellor Rogelio Juliano and Dean Efren Ed C. Flores spearheaded the “physical” transfer of CF from Diliman to the Miagao campus in September 1987.

By June 1990, UPV Chancellor Francisco Nemenzo officially transferred the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Division of Humanities and Division of Social Sciences to Miagao from the Iloilo City campus. The School of Technology, Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics and the Division of Biological Sciences, along with the Office of the Dean, soon followed to complete the transfer of the CAS to Miagao.

Two degree-granting units remain in the Iloilo City Campus. They are the College of Management and College of Arts and Sciences’ Division of Professional Education, which maintains the UP High School in Iloilo (formerly UPV High School).

Brotherhood of Scholars: Birth in UP Visayas

The Fraternity’s inception coincides with the transfer of UP Diliman’s College of Fisheries to UP Visayas. In 1988, the first class of CF composed of graduating students from UP Diliman and true blue freshman of UP Visayas, mostly Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) scholars, arrived.

Among them were several men, from various regions, who would later become part of history.

Ulysses Alama, fondly called “Hayu,” Ulz” or “Uloe”, was a staff of the College of Fisheries, manning the university’s research vessel, FV Sardinella. Ulz is a self-made man who hails from Bicol. By 1987, as fate would have it, Ulz found himself transferred to UP Visayas as a staff and student. Being both, he had the benefit of networking with the academe and the students.

Seeing this opportunity, Gregorio Bañacia (68-B UP Diliman), who was then working as the Administrative Officer of the College of Fisheries, along with Anthony Buyco (79-A UP Diliman) and Bonifacio Dionisio Liwag III (75-B UP Los Banos) approached Ulz to spearhead the first batch of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity in the campus. Without hesitation, Ulz acceded and began looking for recruits.

A total of 17 applicants were selected but only 15 were able to make it to the Final Rites. They were called “Bigkis,” a name suggested by Rene Rico. Nomer Evasco made the chapter’s fraternity seal and the ceremonial paddle was made through the specifications of Ulz and Jose Razon III.

On 27 August 1989, history was made; barriers of wealth, regions, creed and prejudice were successfully climbed.

The Bigkis members are:

Ablang, Elcid Adrian Maximo S.
Alama, Ulysses B.
Batang, Zenon B.
Chua, Victor B.
Evano, Noel (Eventually Expelled)
Evasco, Nomer M.
Ilagan, Lauro C.
Malayao, Randy Felix P.
Medado, Neil Apollo S.
Nazareno, Froilan B.
Razon, Jose Ramon III A.
Rico, Rene B.
Romena, Julian November A.
Tattao, Emerson Jr. A.
Yap, Dennic C.

Ulysses Alama became the first Grand Princep (GP). His staff house would be the fraternity’s house for several years.

True to the name of the first batch, the fraternity would serve as the “tie that binds” men from various walks of life, from different persuasions, in the years to come.

The 1990s – First Half

In 1989 Bigkis planted the seeds of Betanhood in the campus; and they did so symbolically as well by planting acacia trees along the main road, from the dormitories to the PPO, that still shelters students and staff to this day.

And if 1989 was indicative of things to come, the 1990s was the time when several fruits were harvested.

The 2nd batch composed of Tomas Gonzales and Rafael Lapitan immediately followed in 1990.

Jose Razon III founded the UP Beta Sigma Ladies Corps in the same year.

True to tradition, several Betans were at the forefront of campus leadership, which would eventually create the perception of the fraternity being an elite group, rightly or wrongly.

Beta Sigma activists led student councils, student publications and multi-sectoral organizations and alliances at that time. They led series of mass actions, street protests and sit-down strikes. Twice, Betans have initiated the boycotts of administration-initiated referenda.

Lauro “Tito” Ilagan was with the NUSP, CEGP and the LFS. Randy Malayao, Zenon Batang, Dennis Yap and Elcid Ablang were also with the CEGP. All were running the influential campus paper, Mangingisda. Randy was Editor-in-Chief for 2 years with Tito and Zenon as Associate Editors.

Silvestre Jay Pascual III and Nathaniel Fabian “Bok” Imperial assumed the leadership in the League of Filipino Students separately after Tito.

Other political affiliations that Betans dabbled in were:

Anti-STFAP Alliance
Anti-US Bases Coalition
Anti-Oil Price Hike Coalition
Freedom from Debt Coalition
Task Force Dorm Fee Increase (anti-dorm fee student alliance/ alliance of concerned dormitories)
Betans also held posts in KASAMA sa UP (alliance of student councils);
National Assembly of UP Student Leaders.

It must be emphasized that while the fraternity as a group did not openly go political, student political movements had the Betan imprint because all these organizations were led by Betans.

UPV Betans hosted fellow Betans like Horacio “Boy” Morales (NDF Chairman at the time), DENR Brods Roger Trinidad and Mon Paje, Renato Labadan (then President of the UP Beta Sigma Alumni Association), Ed Carl Galing (UP Diliman) and Bryan Retales (UPLB). By then, Betan hospitality was already legendary that Betans initiated from other chapters like Edgardo Zabala (PNAC), Arnel Creencia (PSU), and Jose Enrique Gauzon (SU) opted to make the fraternity house their residence during their stay at the university.

Important non-Betan personalities, including Student Regents, also visited Ulz’s house in several occasions: David Celdran (now TV personality); Sally Carino; Bong Bongolan (now UP Diliman professor); Amante Jimenez  (former mass leader); and many more writers and activists, including but not limited to, Nathaniel Santiago, Teddy Casino, Angelo Jijil Jimenez.

Froilan Nazareno was elected as Grand Neptune of UP Fisheries Guild.

Neil Apollo Medado co-founded the UP Tubong Mindanao, a student organization for those coming from Mindanao.

Jenry Razonable and his band won in the annual Sigabong-Battle of the Bands in 1995. He was also President of UP Tubong Mindanao, Vice-President UPV Residence Hall Association and a pioneering member of the UPV Computer Society

In 1992, a member of the Bigkis batch, Zenon Batang, graduated Cum Laude and was declared Valedictorian. Niceties did not characterize the valedictory speech of the Betan, his was a cutting edge, razor sharp lecture. He lambasted the sorry state of MV FV Sardinella, UP’s research vessel, as it was reported that university officers went as far as renting it out to scuba divers. Selected authorities walked-out of the ceremony because of the speech; majority, however, were convinced. When a Betan speaks, everybody listens, at least those who are worth their salt.

The 1990s – 2nd Half

If the first half of the 1990s was characterized as largely, but not wholly, political, the 2nd half was an era of diversification.

The political angle remained with the likes of Felipe Macaldo Jr. who organized and eventually become President of the Nationalists’ Corps. His girth was a common fixture during campus assemblies.

Hector Baling and Ronald Suscano were Chairpersons of the League of Filipino Students at separate points in time.

Alvin Caezar Natividad was Vice-Chairperson and eventually Chairperson of the College of Arts and Sciences; Chairperson of the U.P. Student’s Forum, (Alliance of Fraternities, Sororities, Student Councils, Dorm Councils and other Student Organizations); and was Vice-Chairperson for Visayas of KASAMA sa UP.

Michael Andrew Vallesteros was elected University Student Council representative and was also at one point President of the U. P. Fisheries Guild. He graduated Cum Laude.

Pedcris Orencio was of President of the UP Icthyophilic Society. He was preceded by another Betan who held the same position, Joseph “Prince” Binas. Pedcris was also Press Relations Officer of the CF Student Council in 1995-1996.

Christopher Rey Cadiz or Tope was Grand Neptune of the UP Fisheries Guild. He inherited the post from another Betan, Ronaldo Libunao.  Tope was also University Student Council Representative in 1998-1999.

Pedcris, Tope and Benjamin Cortel were staff contributors to the Mangingisda.

June Arthur Banagodos was elected President of the UP Ecological Society.

2 Betans held important posts in the College of Management Student Council. Ian Chua was Treasurer and Shan Benjamin Buyco was Business Manager. The latter was also Vice President of the UPV Marketing Society, Vice President for UP Tubong Mindanao and was Director of the Intermedius Theater Group.

By 1996, the resident Betans voted to help the UP Sigma Beta Sorority organize in the campus.

The fraternity was active in the promotion of sport activities in the campus. The 5km and 3km fun run during the annual Sports Festival were made possible through the efforts of the fraternity.

Environment was and still is one of the major leanings of the Betans. In 1996, the fraternity partnered with the regional office of the DENR (headed by Brod Roger Trinidad) for a campus-wide tree planting activity. The event was attended by several organizations.

The fraternity also dabbled with business on several occasions like selling hotdogs and ice creams during the annual sports festival. By the late 1990s this was pushed further. A business relationship was forged with Diplomat Book Store (owned by Goodwill Bookstore) to come to the Miagao Campus and sell books. The event was an astounding success with the professors and students that BookSale, the name if the activity, became an annual, at times, semestral affair.

In 1997, the Fraternity organized and sponsored a disco event, “Generation X” in the Tivoli Disco Bar in Amigo Hotel. It was an event that helped the residence link with alumni brothers from different chapters who helped in the solicitation. Several big corporations sponsored the event and during the actual party swooning girls were a-plenty. It was not clear, though, whether the giggling girls attended because of the Betans or the PBA players, including the then popular Alvin “The Captain” Patrimonio, who chose to attend the party after their provincial game match-ups. Betans still claim it’s the former.

2000s

The 2000s were just as interesting albeit it is still being pursued so to speak.

Laurence Michael Tibon was one of the founders of UP Sonata, a group of music enthusiasts. He was also their first President. After him, Truman Vincent Lim and Leo Plassus became Presidents of the organization as well. BY 2002 the organization, with the help of Betans, produced a concert featuring several Betans masterfully playing wildly applauded pieces.

Leo Plasus also became Grand Neptune of the Fisheries Guild.

Unique Traditions

While it is true that Betans have shaped and influenced campus opinions and directions through their leadership, the inevitable question of where and how it happens arises.

The general response is everything starts in the minds of the Betans, but somehow the structures provided a venue to foster growth.

As mentioned earlier, Ulz’s house was and is the fraternity’s house. Inside the house are several pictures, drawings, books, magazines (not all smuts mind you), woodcarvings and tapes (no compact discs back then). A black guitar, owned by November Romena, is passed on to generations of Betans who wanted to play guitar. By the late 1990s, the action (read: space between strings and neck) was already too high that it was a miracle no one sliced their fingers in pressing the notes.

Just outside the fraternity house, one will find pyramids of liquor bottles consumed through the years. They are placed next to several slabs of stone in front of Ulz house, which serve as an informal gathering place to discuss things. In the same way that Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker” thinks on a slab of a stone; so do the Betans, although over bottles of alcohol. The quantity of bottles in the area is testament to such “brainstorming.”

A few meters below, literally, is a semi-secret passage that leads to a classified area, the Betan Meeting place. The official meeting place of Betans is a makeshift cemented area that serves as a pass-through to a clear creek below. On the cemented area is an improvised exclusive basketball court that Brods utilize after meetings. The creek below is the constant sound that every Betan hears. Covering the entire place is an old, trusted, some would say enchanted, Mango tree. Meetings are called “Mangga,” in honor of the wide tree that has sheltered the Brods through the years.

Universities have yearbooks, weddings have guest books, UPV Betans have the Betan Refrigerator. It is quite difficult to explain how and when it started. But just outside the fraternity house is an old refrigerator, still in good working condition, but not turned on. On the surface of the refrigerator are several names and signatures of Betans, Betan friends, affiliates and visitors who have visited the fraternity house through the years.

Weekends are particularly special. It is market day and Betans would normally pass-the-hat and proceed to the wet market to buy food. Selected brothers are assigned as cooks every week and food is served, pour may be more apt, on top of banana leaves for everyone to eat in this budlefight. Utensils are not used and everybody has to eat on large banana leaves set on top of a hard table. Hors d’oeuvre are scarce, so Betans have to develop the special talent of hiding food under their portions of rice.

Right at the center of the previously mentioned structures is a sturdy, hardy hammock hand-woven by Ulz. Betans and their girlfriends frequent this place. No further elaborations here, except that the rapid trip to Salem is indeed a very urgent need.

Lastly, there is a Betan tradition that is relatively low key, but every Betan who passed UP Visayas is mighty proud of, the Christmas With The Kids affair. Every December, Betans would organize a party, handle logistics and facilitate games for the kids of UP Visayas staff, mostly enrolled at the staff’s Kaunlaran Learning Center. Yearly, in this event, Betans rediscover the nurturing side to their personalities. The center is also beneficiary for the other fund raising activities of the Fraternity.

Beta Sigma as a Parent

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.”
-Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Kahlil Gibran likened the parent to that of the role of a bow with regards to the arrow. In a sense, the Fraternity was like a parent to the young men who during the weekly meetings sang with reverence, “hear thee thy sons, who pledge once more to thee.”

Zenon Batang finished his Masters in Science and Doctorate Degree in Japan as a Mombusho scholar. He is currently a researcher at the King Fahd University, Saudi Arabia. Al Razel Lagarde and Jenry Razonable are also professionals working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

November Romena finished his Masters Degree in Ecological Marine Management in Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)  in Belgium. He is now a senior researcher at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Joseph Arbiol has two masters degree under his belt: University of Waikato, New Zealand for his Masters in Mgt Studies; and University of Bremen, Germany for his MS in Aquatic Tropical Ecology. He is with the BFAR.

Sammy Malvas has a MS EcoMarine Management degree from VUB in Belgium. He is with BFAR and is an active entrepreneur. He and Arsenio Banares, on different occasions, have been the Philippine Representative to the working group on Regional Fisheries Policy of the South East Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Secretariat in Thailand.

Jose Razon III finished his masters at UP Visayas. He is currently the Chief of the Fisheries Information Management Center of the BFAR – Fishery Resources Management Program.

Ronaldo Libuano ranked 2nd place in the Fisheries Board Exam in 2005 and is currently an OIC Division Chief of Planning of BFAR Region 2.

Emmerson Tattao is currently the OIC-Chief of the Cagayan Valley Research and Outreach Station for Freshwater Resources (CVROSFR) in San Mateo, Isabela.

Pedcris Orencio was delegate to the Philippines-Japan Friendship Programme for the 21st Century in 2002. He was just one of a series of Betans like Sammy Malvas, Arsenio Banares, Joseph Arbiol and Prince Binas  sent to this prestigious program. Pedcris is currently a part of the Technical Assistance team for Coastal Resource Management of the USAID Ecogov Project; he is also a consultant of Makati City for the latter’s Urban Planning Development Division.

Jose Enrique Gauzon, who was initiated at Siliman University but took his masters degree in UP Visayas, is now enrolled in a seminary for priesthood.

Tristram Tolentino left the university after 2nd year college to pursue a military career in the Philippine Military Academy. He finished Bachelor of Science Major in Management from the PMA and was chosen to take up Advance Officers Course in Australia. He is currently the President of the Army group of the PMA Class 1999.

Felipe Macaldo Jr. is now a lawyer, finishing 13th in the 2002 bar examination.

Shan Benjamin Buyco received scholarships to study at the Ateneo De Manila Professional Schools and recently finished his masters degree from the Asian Institute of Management. He is currently a manager in a Danish company and also is an entrepreneur.

Conrad Lo placed 3rd in the Engineering board exam

Froilan Nazareno is a key manager in San Miguel Corporation’ s BMEG.

Elcid Adrian Maximo Ablang and Alvin Natividad helped in founding the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity in UP Mindanao.

In the same way that Betans placed their mark in the campus, they have since moved on to make their mark in their respective fields of endeavor, in the world and in life.

Contact E-Group: upv_tabets at yahoogroups.com