Beta Sigma in the 1990s: Four Decades in One and More
Jonas Hidalgo Tetangco ‘93a
The 1990s was truly an exciting decade for the UP Beta Sigma
Fraternity, Los
Baños Chapter. This was a decade of challenges, changes and GREATNESS.
One
that encapsulates four decades (1950s-1980s) of Betan tradition,
fittingly
enough since this marks the last decade of the 1900s. It is all the
four
decades before it, rolled into one and MORE.
The 90s had it all. It had its share of the Betan traditions:
initiations,
play productions, rodeos, politics, outreach programs, jug-a-lugs and
rumbles, among others. It was a decade of trials and tribulations, of
tradition and innovations, of excellence and mediocrity, of ups and
downs,
but most of all it was a decade that reflects the GREATNESS of the BETA
SIGMA FRATERNITY. Because for Beta Sigma, whatever the situation may
be, may
it be one of depression or one of bliss, the Brotherhood manages to
always
emerge in great form. That is how we Beta Sigmans are, that is how we
will
always be!
The 90s is a reflection of this greatness of Beta Sigma, many
challenges
came upon the Fraternity during this time but the Brothers were able to
survive, battered and bruised at times, but the Fraternity never
faltered.
It maintained its ground, stood tall and fought on. In the end emerging
superior and victorious. No, I am not talking of the fraternity rumbles
the
Brothers engaged in, though it may sound that way, I am referring to
the
many challenges and trials that the Fraternity faced and passed during
this
decade.
One of the greatest challenges that the Fraternity faced during this
decade
concerned having to defy tradition and giving birth to a new one, one
that
was very uncertain at the time and one that divided the Brotherhood.
The
decision of whether to put an end to four decades of Physical
initiation and
adopt the Non-Physical initiation was perhaps one of the toughest
decisions
the Fraternity had to face in its entire history. It was a struggle of
the
past versus the future, a question of equality or inequity, but most of
all
it was a matter that affected tradition, four decades of it. It was a
difficult choice, but the Brothers had to make one, knowing that this
will
definitely dictate the path that Beta Sigma will take in the next
millennium
and realizing that this will have a strong influence on the new breed
of
Beta Sigmans that are yet to be born.
In making this decision, weeks of deliberations, arguments and
counter-arguments were undertaken. Endless nights and days of meetings
and
workshops were spent. Through the course of the contemplation, the
brothers
were divided, ironically enough this also brought about the coming
together
of the Elder and the Resident brothers, for the decision was made not
by the
Residents alone, but with the Elders guiding them along the way. The
Elder
Brods provided their valuable insights and wisdom, but in the end it
was the
Residents who made the vote. And during the School Year 1991-92, the
verdict
was made: the Fraternity will adopt the Non-Physical Form of
Initiation.
This decision marked the abolition of the physical form of initiation,
putting an end to 40 years of hazing in fraternity initiation rites. It
meant burning the paddles and holding the punches. But it also marked
Beta
Sigma’s rebirth and signified the Fraternity’s prolonged existence.
Though
divided in making the decision, the exercise strengthened the
brotherhood
even more.
This monumental move proved the maturity of the Fraternity as an
organization and as a potent force of society. It demonstrated how Beta
Sigma always emerges to be in the forefront of development, presenting
itself as an epitome of positive change, providing the inspiration to
others, so that they may gain the courage essential to make the
transition.
Beta Sigma set the course and the others have since followed.
The 1990s also saw the birth of a new breed of Betan leaders. This was
the
decade when the Fraternity regained control of campus politics. Beta
Sigmans
were elected to vital posts in the University Student Council (USC),
College
Student Council (CSC) and Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC). The Brothers
were
actively involved in moving the University of the Philippines Los Baños
(UPLB) forward. As an active student organization, the Fraternity
provided
leadership and direction.
The Academic Year 1993-94 commemorated Beta Sigma’s much-awaited
comeback in
campus politics. During this period, the Fraternity managed to elect a
Brother in the USC, in the person of Brod Bryan Retales ‘93a, as USC
Councilor. Four other brothers were elected in their respective College
Student Councils (CSCs). This same year, a Beta Sigman also led the
UPLB
IFC.
The following year (1994-95), Beta Sigma envisioned bigger and managed
to
elect Brod Bryan Retales as the USC Chairperson, and as they say the
rest
was history. With the Fraternity behind him, Brod Bryan led the
studentry in
their battles and spearheaded the accomplishment of a number of
activities.
In the same year, a Betan was again elected to be Secretary-General of
the
UPLB IFC. Other brods held vital positions in their respective CSCs.
This
performance continued until the end of the 1990s, until the new
millennium.
Betans continued to be elected in the USC as Councilors and to the
various
CSCs as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Councilor.
In addition, during this decade, Beta Sigmans provided leadership to
numerous student organizations, these included the UPLB Ranchers Club,
UPLB
Forestry Society, Philobioscientia Life Sciences Society, UPLB Samahang
Ekolohiya, UPLB Venerable Knights Society (VKV), UPLB Caballeros and
many
others. The Fraternity’s solid leadership training proved vital to
these
student organizations, as Betans led them in their struggles and
journeys.
If there’s one tradition Beta Sigma holds so dearly, it is our
tradition of
producing stage presentations. The 1990s presented a number of Beta
Sigma’s
most memorable and critically-acclaimed play productions. During this
decade, the Fraternity once again showcased its flair in the performing
arts, gaining the praise and admiration of the UPLB Community.
In 1990, the Fraternity restaged the Beta Sigma 1960s play “Becket”.
Directed by Prof. Paz Eulalia Zaplala, “Becket” was presented in August
1990
and showcased numerous Betan actors and talents. Although the
production
faced some difficulties, the Fraternity still managed to stage a
first-rate
presentation and paved the way for the Fraternity’s comeback in
theatrical
presentations.
In commemoration of the Philippine Centennial celebration, Beta Sigma
staged
two critically-acclaimed play productions in 1994 and 1995 depicting
the
life of National Hero Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan Movement of
1898.
In August 1994, “Sigaw ng Bayan” was staged at the D.L. Umali Hall
(formerly
UPLB Auditorium). It had a massive cast of more than 50 and stared
homegrown
Beta Sigma and Sigma Beta talents. “Sigaw ng Bayan” narrates the birth
of
the Katipunan and the life and struggles of its founder, Andres
Bonifacio.
On the other hand, “Sigaw ng Bayan II (Magdiwang vs Madalo)” was staged
in
August 1995 at the same venue, which was incidentally renamed in honor
of
our distinguished Brod, National Scientist Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali.
“Sigaw ng
Bayan II” tells of the injustice that Andres Bonifacio faced in Cavite
that
led to his ouster as Katipunan Supremo and execution by fellow
Katipuneros.
This play also required a massive cast of about 50 members and once
again
showcased homegrown Beta Sigma and Sigma Beta talents. Prof Leo Rimando
directed both productions.
These two productions were Beta Sigma’s contribution to our Nation’s
Centennial celebration. These strongly manifest the Brotherhood’s deep
sense
of nationalism and high regard of History. Once again the fraternity
set the
pace for the centennial celebration in UPLB and the others followed
suit, a
contribution well etched in the History of UPLB. These are achievements
that
will long be remembered by all Beta Sigmans who were witness to these
glorious occasions. These productions could very well be one of our
finest
hours during this decade and two of our proudest contributions to the
Betan
glory.
If the 1970s and the 1980s were decades of overwhelming battles and
combat,
the Brods during the 1990s had their taste of the battlefield as well.
Occasionally, the Fraternity would be called upon and challenged to
fight
for its principles and its honor. The warriors that we were, we faced
every
challenge and fought every battle with passion. We won some, we loss a
few,
but we fought on and we never staggered. We stood our ground and proved
that
Beta Sigma could never be beaten, either in the battlefield or in any
other
venue (stage or what have you). The 90s produced some of the
Fraternity’s
most “ferocious” and bravest warriors as well. Have anyone of you ever
seen
someone hit hard with a baseball bat on the head but still managed to
chase
away the 20 or so adversaries after just one big roar? Or someone so
skillful with the chaco, his opponent couldn’t figure out what hit him,
earning him the alias “Boy Chaco”?
The Beta Sigma of the 90s indeed had its share of the battlefield. It
produced its share of warriors and petrified all its adversaries,
causing
them to even miss their exams. But that’s what you get when you mess
with
Beta Sigma, a bump on the head and a 5.0 on your classcards!
The 90s Beta Sigmans were also able to prove their worth and show their
skill in the Corral. In March 1994, the UPLB Tumbleweeds, composed of
Betan
Cowboys, competed in a Rodeo Competition in UPLB, placing 2nd Runner-Up
to
Ranchers Club and Rodeo Club, and besting a number of other foes.
Considering that rodeo was not a major activity for us, unlike the two
others who won, we fared pretty well. Of course, there’s always that
“what
if” that comes with the story, had Brod Tad Arejola played for us
(instead
of Rodeo Club), we would have placed second or first, well what can we
say,
Beta Sigma has always been generous.
There are far more moments of glory that could be told of the
Fraternity
during the 1990s. Apart from these highlights that I mentioned, the 90s
were
full of other memorable times and wonderful memories. It is filled with
pictures of greatness, grandeur and true brotherhood, reflective of the
Betan ideals and traditions we all treasure. It is filled with
monumental
events that we, who experienced it, will never-ever forget. To us
Betans of
the 1990s, these will always be our “Good Ól Days” and our finest
moment as
Beta Sigmans. More importantly, this is our contribution to the
GREATNESS
that is BETA SIGMA!!!
* * * * * * *
For a stronger and greater Beta Sigma, I shall forever remain . . .
Jonas Hidalgo Tetangco
UPLB Beta Sigma ‘93a
“Few Good Men”
Grand Princep 1996-97
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