UP Beta Sigma Headquarters -- First Responders
Our Dream Comes Closer to Reality
by Rolly Reyes and Willie Vergara

Responding to an appeal by Founding Father Rico Arranz last July 16, 2011 on the occasion of the frat's 65th Anniversary, many brods have pledged their personal donations towards the setting up of a permanent Headquarters that will be owned by the fraternity. Among those who pledged, the very first to send their checks are Brod Eding Hizon (PhP 200,000) and Brod Magdaleno Albarracin (PhP 250,000). Brod Mags promised to hand in another PhP 250,000 as soon as the total amount reaches PhP 5M.

Brod Magdaleno Albarracin, PhD (Harvard), MA (Univ of Michigan-Ann Arbor) was unanimously voted to receive an award by the UPBSFI, Inc. in 2008 and which award he received last July 2011, this time in partnership with the Mother Chapter. As announced, the basis of the award are as follows:

1. Service to the university. Dr. Albarracin's contribution to the University of the Philippines is unprecedented, having generated an amount of PhP 6.5 Billion as UP's chief fund-raiser. He was concurrently Vice-Chair of the UP Centennial Commission. He was awarded by then President Emer Roman for his being a loyal UP supporter, an avid UP Cheerleader, and a very effective fundraiser. He was responsible for donating several professorial chairs in the College of Business Administration and College of Engineering. He is currently a Member of the UP Board of Regents and Member of the Board of Trustees of the University of San Carlos, Cebu.

2. Excellence in the private sector. As a captain of industry, Dr. Albarracin led PhinMa, a Fortune 500 company, for many years. As an investor, he was once called the Warren Buffet of the Philippines and was listed as one of the Philippines' 40 richest people in the 2007 Forbes ranking.

3. Service to country.After his retirement in the private sector, Dr. Albarracin volunteered his time and effort for clean government. For instance, he was an "observer" in the purchasing activities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, seeing to it that the purchases in the AFP are above board.

4. Service to the Fraternity. Dr. Albarracin '53 served as UP Beta Sigma Fraternity adviser in School Year 1963-1964, one of the best years of the fraternity.
 

Dr. Mag Albarracin, front right, the Diliman fraternity adviser 1963-1964

Brod Alfredo "Eding" Hizon, BS Pharmacy, an accomplished businessman and captain of industry in the pharmaceutical sector, has been a generous donor for the fraternity's noble causes over the past many years. Eding has been a consistent supporter to all medical missions of UPBSF and UPAA through his donations of medicines and medical supplies. Eding's service in the fraternity dates back to his university days. He was Grand Princep in 1968-1969 and many of our brods have benefited from Eding's generosity ever since, including the use of his Hizon Lab for processing applicants, who later became brods. Eding belongs to one of the frat's most active batches -- Great Escape '63.

Eding Hizon, standing 3rd left, is a generous donor to UP SoCal's Tito de Santos Medical and Dental Mission

2010 Betan Scholars, Ezzy Escoto & Allan Ibanez, treated out by Eding in Vegas with EdselA & NonoyB

Eding at UP North's Grand Reunion 2009 with Atty. Rico Arranz and the UP Northern California brods

The "Betan Amboys" in this iconic 60's caricature by the late Brod Ely Santiago: Tito, Eding, Wally, Kay, Dolf and Bal.

With no other than DENR Secretary Mon Paje taking the lead, other honorable men have indicated their willingness to support this project -- Brods like Tony Panajon (a captain in the softdrinks industry and has diversified since his 'retirement'), Mayor Lito Tadena (considered as one of the Philippine Corporate heroes), Multinational Businessman Eddie Jose, Secretary Vic Ramos, Businessman-Elder Orly Peņa, Union Bank President Vic Valdepeņas, Congressman Mat Defensor and Clean Energy Businessman Jayjay Jayme.

With the above-mentioned Brods picking up about half of the total project cost, our dream of many decades, a topic of discussion among brothers inside ballrooms, small gatherings or beerhouses, will soon be realized if the rest of us will follow suit.

MABUHAY ANG ATING MAHAL NA KAPATIRAN!

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