U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity of Southern California

Magnificent 67: A Chronicle

by Norman Bituin

We could only wait in eager anticipation - thousands of us who could not come. On to the countdown. Then the exciting news, emails and pictures started coming in through last weekend. Many have called it "the grandest fraternity ball" in the 67-year history of the UP Beta Sigma. We shared vicariously with the fun and camaraderie. Our Betan spirit was in Manila. The brotherhood lives everywhere, but most ardently in our minds and in our hearts.

It was not an easy task to pick from the many wonderful pictures we had received. UPBSF Central President Rolly Reyes gave his Picasa links that contain his superb shots; as well, Eding Hizon's link, who also sent separate photo files; and Mon Mamaril's OBBF link. You can view and/or download them all from the links below (which, by the way, may be cleared). I have posted a good number of them here in this chronicle for quicker access, a consolidated format, friendly sharing and for our historical records too. If you want to watch Pres. Aquino's address, the YouTube video links are inside.

Cheers and thanks, brods.

Norman, 7-21-13

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SUMMARY OF PICASA LINKS:

RGR - GOLF/WELCOME FELLOWSHIP JULY 12

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117278527024755333421/albums/5900193686138120353?hl=en

RGR - CAMPUS TOUR JULY 13

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117278527024755333421/albums/5900300845032363905?hl=en

RGR - GREAT ESCAPE REUNION JULY 14

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117278527024755333421/albums/5900488103205456593?hl=en

RGR - MAGNIFICENT SIXTY SEVEN BATCH 1 JULY 15

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117278527024755333421/albums/5901688183232692001?hl=en

RGR - MAGNIFICENT SIXTY SEVEN BATCH 2 JULY 15

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117278527024755333421/albums/5902004913272821713?hl=en

Eding Hizon - MAGNIFICENT SIXTY SEVEN JULY 15

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117278527024755333421/albums/5902369586572203265?hl=en

Mon Mamaril/OBBF - MAGNIFICENT SIXTY SEVEN JULY 15

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117278527024755333421/albums/5903092603838838241

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July 12 - Golf and Welcome Fellowship

[Photos by Eding Hizon and Rolly Reyes]

Firsthand report from the Golf Chairman

A wonderful day of golf at Valley. Brod Torch Manalang was so excited to play that's why he arrived at 6:30 am not knowing that tee off time was from 11-12.

The best golfers of the frat came to play, all 18 of us, led by Brod Founder Rico Arranz who played alongside Ding Canave UPLB53, and of course the Blues Brothers and partners forever Brods Gilbert Joven and Julius Cada.

Ross Fernando took care of the collections. Other players were Brods Ferdie Echiverri, Jito Arreza, Mario Pangan, Kim Cabatit, Nugget Aquino, Ed Abon, Yay Topacio Roy Antonio, Nilo Punzalan, Hec San Juan, Dan Bautista and Boyet Fernandez who donated 1 lechon.

We divided the participants into 2 teams. Winners received a bottle of red wine and the losers got to drink it.

After the game, the fellowship got under way with an all girl band entertaining the non golfing brods led by the beloved Prez Rolly who donated 1 lechon to complement the other lechon of Brod Boyet (birthday boy) and the sumptuous buffet that Totoy Agulto prepared for the night.

We were joined by more than 50 brods and resident brods but the main surprise was Brod Sofronio San Juan who came to the fellowship.

The international brods Tatang Vergara, Nonoy Bautista and Edcel Arceo were there to fellowship.

Again thank you to all who attended and partied, and to everybody who assisted in making the fellowship successful.

Cheers.

Lakan Fonacier

It's more fun in the Philippines

Atty. Rico Arranz '46 and Dr. Frony San Juan '46

San Juan father and son: Dr. Frony '46 (DMD) and Dr. Hector '73 (DVM)

Picture from son Yay '77: Dr. Ted Topacio '49 is always present in spirit. Get well soon, Brod Ted!!

Golf and Gulp at Valley G

"The smiles, tight embraces, beaming faces, recycled stories that elicit thunderous laughters as if they heard it first time...these images stitched altogether unraveled the bond that kept us together for 67 years and keep telling us about "the saga of men...". A story told and retold, the epic movie of UP Betans continues to be an all-time blockbuster that gets better sequel after sequel. As the mopheads from Liverpool would always say - the Betan journey is always "a magical mystery tour".

rgr'66

July 13 - Campus Tour

[Photos by Rolly Reyes]

A. Diliman

B. Los Ba�os

July 14 - UPD '63 "Great Escape" celebrates reunion

[Photos by Eding Hizon and Rolly Reyes]

July 15 - Fraternity Ball

[Photos by Rolly Reyes, Eding Hizon and Mon Mamaril]

Brod Willie Nepomuceno '69 emcees the celebration

Brod Jimmy Yambao '63 leads singing the Betan Hymn

Brod Butch Madarang '75 leads reciting the Betan Credo

UP Singing Ambassadors sing the Pambansang Awit and UP Naming Mahal

Brod Pastor Rod Reyes '71 delivers the invocation

Willie Nep, the master impersonator and comic nonpareil, cracks everyone up

Willie Nep works the 1963 Golden Jubilarians

Agustin "Toti" Que Jaime "Jimmy" Yambao

Constancio "Jun" Advincula Angel "Anggie" de Castro

Jose Pepito "Jopet" Laraya Salvador "Buddy" Garbanzos

Enrique "Iking" Agana Jose Francisco "Jet" Arriola

Milton Mendoza Alfredo "Eding" Hizon

Solomon "Mon" Carpio

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III arrives, with Defense Secretary Brod Voltaire Gazmin

UPBSF Central President Rolly Reyes '66 gives welcome remarks

UP Singing Ambassadors give encore performance

Even the President and his Cabinet Secretaries (including Voltz, no pun intended) have no defense for Willie Nep's jokes.

You can watch Pres. Aquino's address at either of these two links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsXfzYG9Xx4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIZEObNqIXk

The Golden Jubilarians - Batch 1963

AWARDS

Brod Vic Valdepe�as
UP Los Ba�os '63
Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence and Leadership in the Banking Industry

Brod Norman BituIn
UP Diliman '65
Most Distinguished International Service Award

Brod Willie "Tatang" Vergara
UP Diliman '67
Most Distinguished International Service Award

Brod Ramon Paje
UP Los Ba�os '77
Award of Excellence in Environment and Natural Resources

Brod Proceso "Procy" Alcala
Enverga University (Luzonian Colleges) '77
Award of Excellence in Agriculture

Brod Voltaire Gazmin
UP Diliman '92
Sentinel of Freedom Award