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!!!

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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