UP Beta Sigma Grand Reunion on May 26-28
by Pogs Gaspay '68

The UP Beta Sigma Northern California Chapter is hosting this year’s UP Beta Sigma Grand Reunion on May 26-27 in San Francisco. It is shaping up to be the largest gathering of UP Beta Sigmans in the U.S. as about 200 brods, their family members and friends have confirmed attendance with more than half of them already paid for program fees.

Three events are being celebrated in the 3-day affair. First, the Northern California chapter is celebrating its 18th founding anniversary and formally turning-over leadership from the current set of officers headed by Willie Vergara (Batch ‘67) to the new set led by Gabby Moraleda (Batch ’68). Second, the UP Beta Sigma USA, Inc. is going to be formally established in a symposium to be held on the morning of Sunday, May 27. Its first set of officers will also be inducted. Third, the biggest reunion in the U.S. of UP Beta Sigmans is marking the 55th year of the fraternity’s foundation in a number of activities spread throughout the three-day schedule. It will be highlighted by the fraternity ball on the evening of May 27 at the San Francisco Airport’s Mariott Hotel.

Leading the long list of distinguished guests is Jesus Jayme, fraternity founder and first Grand Princep (called Fraternity President at that time), who is coming from Canada. Joining him and flying from the Philippines is another founder Tomas Cosio. Brod Jesus Jayme and the founding brothers will be honored in a testimonial dinner on Saturday, May 26.

Romy Lumauig (’54), the current head of the UP Beta Sigma Alumni Association in the Philippines, is giving a keynote speech on Sunday’s (May 27) symposium for the founding of the UP Beta Sigma USA. Ted Topacio (49), another fraternity stalwart in the Philippines, will deliver the keynote speech at the turn-over ceremonies of Northern California officers.

Other honorees are Manny Casaclang (’84) and the six other resident brods in the mid-1980’s who resuscitated the fraternity in its most difficult years. Ely Santiago will also be given a posthumous award. Maribel Payumo, former fraternity sweetheart, is also gracing the events with journalist Gemma Nemenzo who, together with other many other lady friends, have supported the fraternity during our resident days in the late 60s.

Several delegations of alumni chapters are also attending, including members of the Southern California chapter led by its current head Jun Valenzuela (‘72). The Washington brods are also coming, as are brods from the Mid-West, the East Coast, Washington State and Canada. A big delegation from the Makati, Philippines chapter has confirmed attendance, that includes Dennis Navarro, Felix "Nonoy" Bautista, Jec Marquez, former Diliman Grand Princeps Danny Lachica, Gamy Manikan and Milton Mendoza, and Executives Bernie Bantequi and Kerwin Santos.

The grand affair is also an occasion for a number of mini-reunions for special bonds formed within the fraternity. Brods in the Agriculture, Forestry and the Vet Med professions are calling on their members to use the occasion to strengthen professional relationships. Aggie Brods from the East Coast and MidWest are joining with a big delegation that include Rey Obed, Manny Cayetano, Jun Gomez, Ted Quijano, Ed Quisumbing, Roger Aspiras, Otto "Boy" Kauffman, Nick Galvez, Ruben Monroy, Ped Ramos and Tony Ordoveza.

Seven of 9 Washington State Brods have confirmed on coming -- Forestry Brods Nards Taggueg, Cosme Santiago, Sluggo Rigor, Macky Lamarca, Roman Raul Lopez Frantela, Cyrus Fagar, and Ed Cuevas.

Many brods from Canada are coming but the following have so far confirmed -- Beta Sigma Founding Father Jesus Jayme, former campus leader Benild Pires, Bogs Cabanatan of the great batch Black Saints '65, Forester Vic Battad, former PNB exec Fred Young, and karate champ and kung-fu master Noli Nolasco.

Batch reunions are also expected as Batch ’65 members have already laid a challenge to other batches to top their attendance. The UP High and UP Prep groups are also calling on their ranks to put up a strong show of numbers. The young alumni of the 80’s and ‘90s are also busy e-mailing each other to organize their attendance. The Sigma Beta and Ladies Corps members have also signified representation.

As always, the UP Southern California will come with the biggest delegation. At the latest count, about 25 Brods from this Chapter will be joining the Grand Reunion.

Activities kick-off on Saturday, May 26, with the welcoming of delegations and a Hospitality Night and Testimonial Dinner for legendary founder Jesse James in Daly City. A symposium on the morning of Sunday, May 27, will formally establish the UP Beta Sigma USA Inc. where the brods will assist in shaping the direction and working mechanisms for this movement. Sunday evening will end in the traditional fraternity ball where the turn-over of the Northern California chapter leadership will occur. Monday morning will mark the end of festivities in a picnic to be held in Burlingame.

The UP Beta Sigma Northern California Chapter will lead the attendance and are currently busy carrying out the preparatory activities for the three-day affair. Brod Gabby Moraleda, the incoming Northern California GP, leads the preparations and is being ably assisted by brods Willie Vergara, Doming Ramos and family, Johnny and Beth Regadio, Eric and Lita Punzalan, Ago Romero, Ding and Julie Cavestany, Ike and Tanya Araneta, Narcing Lapus, Cesar and Nina Antonio, Dave and Mercy Villegas, Kiko Delmendo, Neil Hidalgo, Bong and Aileen Beredo, Allan Torneros, Terry Mendoza, Johnny Quijano, and many brods and their respective families.