Frat Celebrates 52nd Anniversary in Club Filipino
by Gabby Moraleda

It was unexpected! What turned out to be an ordinary monthly gathering became a gala event. And it seemed like old times as several hundreds of brods gathered to celebrate the Fraternity's 52nd Anniversary at Club Filipino last July 14. Truly, it was a memorable event as brods from the '40s to the '90s, from San Francisco/Los Angeles California to Aparri and Jolo, and from various chapters came to meet the new appointees in the Erap government led by Brod Horacio "Boy" Morales Jr.

On hand were the "regulars" such as Beta Sigma founder Mel Arranz, General Picache - COO of Asia Brewery, lawyer Fred Pio De Roda, Engie De Gracia - a prominent structural engineer and current president of UP Beta Sigma Alumni, Buddy Garbanzos - J.E.E.P. Executive Vice President, Boyet Fernandez - a noted corporate lawyer , Ross Fernando - a successful businessman, Gene Puente - a loyal public servant, Mat Defensor - another brilliant lawyer, Ato Labadan - also a TOYM awardee. There were the Grand Princeps such as Alex King - who owns and operates fish pens, Gamy Manikan and Milton Mendoza - both with FAPE, Eding Hizon - president of Hizon labs, Buddy Curameng - recruitment czar, Chaks Baldoria - future congressman of Novaliches.

Other UP icons of the '60s and '70s were there - among them were Jun Advincula - a successful veterinarian, Vic Valdepenas - President of Union Bank, engineers Danny Lachica - General Manager of Iomega Phils., Boy Jaurigue - a leading contractor, Ed Abon - Commissioner of the Tariff Commission, Pogs Gaspay - or is it PhD Gaspay - now with AIM, Ferdie Echiverri - who moved from Mechanical Engineering into law. Other familiar faces came such as Erwin Castillo - who together with Chris Michelena, owns an advertising company, Hector San Juan - likewise a leading veterinarian/businessman from Cagayan De Oro, Sandy Daza - food and restaurant king, Gary Flores - Casino Manager, Dante Fagar of "Eat Bulaga", Andrew Cayetano - a promising entrepreneur.

Certainly, there was the "barkada"; Jun Leyco - now with the Post Office, Manny Balangue - still with DENR, business executive Ben Sto. Domingo, Oca Mamangon - "buhay pa rin", Torch Manalang - a.k.a. "Nora Aunor" (ask Perry Callanta ), yes, Perry Callanta is in Manila, golfer and forever single Walter Navarro, Jun Bernal - political analyst, Boy Vera - consultant to mayor/brod Klinks Alvarez, Mel De Santos - Mr. Beta Sigma, Matti Castanos - assistant to you know who.

There were also the "reserved" ones - batchmates Pong Del Corro and Boy Ramos, lawyers Lirio Ancheta and Sol Del Rosario, fisherman Ben Medina, business professionals Ray Juan, Rudy Buan, Edwin Encomienda and Gil Marzo, media guru Greg Banacia, businessmen Henry Chua and Vic Tupaz, mayor Ben Albareche, consultants Cesar Salvador and Miguel Guioguio - the balikbayan's Darius Munoz, Clem Apeles and Gabby Moraleda, and many much more !!!

Indeed - it was an evening to remember and to cherish !! Once again Beta Sigma - with style!! Cheers…..