RGR, Jopet Laraya and Ollie Jumao-as discuss July 12, 2014 Fraternity Ball "Heavyweight @ 68"

Technical Dry Run - UPAA Bahay ng Alumni, July 4, 2014

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A Night of Champions: Heavyweight at Sixty-eight

by Rolly Reyes

[Photos by Jun Sta. Barbara and Rolly Reyes]

[*Web note: To view/download all pictures, go to Current Features>Photo Albums]

The UP Betans walked in style inside the boxing arena we call “Bahay Ng Alumni” each wearing the championship belt “Heavyweight @ 68”. Inside the ring were the fraternity’s entertainment showcase of performing arts, music, and martial arts.

It was an evening of thunderous uproar as we witnessed the talented brothers shared their supremacy in musical instruments, vocal renditions, fancy footworks, and mastery of martial arts. "Malmon’s Got Talent” was the evening’s main card. Batches from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s , 80’s, 90’s up to present were there not only to watch the game but to be part of that legendary Betan addiction to embrazos and endless banters.

Look at the images.

This was a special night.

A night like no other, of men like no other.

Unparalled Brotherhood

By Joel Paredes

Cheers to an unparalleled brotherhood!

It was, indeed, a night to remember.

The “retro” theme of the Grand Fraternity Ball to celebrate the 68th founding anniversary of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity clearly showed why we were the “Fraternity of Choice” at the UP Bahay ng Alumni last July 12.

We were witness to how the ‘flower people” generation of Alumni president Brod Rolando Reyes reminisced the glorious years of the 60's, but had to contend with the “Tabets” of the 70's and the dominating surge of the energetic generations that now comprise the “yuppie” brods in our society.

Yes, we were inspired to be reassured that there was some semblance of immortality in our ranks, with the presence of Founder Rico Arranz and National Artist Dr. Teddy Topacio. Both of them explained how proud they were to have experienced the elixir of life called the “Betan Spirit.”

Being rugged and casual did not only emphasize our penchant for being locked in time-warped genre, but to show that it was really more fun in being a Beta Sigman as the music-minded brothers, sisters, and WillieNep’s daughter Frieda shared their talents on stage.

It was also an honor and privilege that we gulped our wine ---and Ginebra -- with equally distinguished alumni members like our Defense Secretary Brod Volt Gazmin and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje.

Those who died among us were never forgotten, for all the prayers that night were meant to ensure that they will always be remembered as our heroes of yesteryears, having helped build the pillars of a brotherhood that had outpaced the challenge of changing times.

'di lang talaga astig, heavyweight talaga ang UP Beta Sigma at ’68!
 

A Night to Remember

By Vic Tirol
 

The 2014 UP Beta Sigma Fraternity Ball was a night to remember.

First, it seemed like the most relaxed frat ball. Everyone came dressed casually, ready to let his hair down. These included two incumbent cabinet secretary-brods, Volt Gazmin of Defense and Mon Paje of the Environment and Natural Resources, one former cabinet secretary-brod, Vic Ramos, also of DENR; our founding member-Brod Rico Arranz; and our elders, including Brods Ted Topacio, Raul Victorino and Pepe Abueva.

Second, watching the three-hour program was like reliving one’s life on campus and in the fraternity in the mid-Sixties. Songs reminiscent of Folkways, the musical presentation for which UP Beta Sigma Diliman is best known, and an exhibition of skills imparted by our late Brod Johnny Chiuten to our martial artist-brods, evoked warm memories particularly among some members of UPD Batch 64, this year’s golden anniversary celebrants.

Third, the program showcased the diverse talents of members of the fraternity. An example is today’s crop of UP Beta Sigmans: it includes brods who graduated from the UP college of music, or are enrolled there. This is something that never happened before. And these brods really showed their wares that night, when they played their guitars, trumpets, saxophones and trombones.

But Brod Willie Nepomuceno, the performer beyond compare, really brought the house down. His take on P’Noy addressing his bosses left even Brods Volt Gazmin, Mon Paje and Rico Arranz in stitches!

                              Batch '64 at 50 years, l-r:  Ben Sto. Domingo, Solon Garcia, Oca Mamangon, Freddie Fajardo,

                                                                     Jess Abrera, Eddie Jose, Jimmy Santos, Vic Tirol.

              Batch '69 at 45 years, l-r:  Rey Bello, Jun Bernal, Julius Cada, Gene Puente, Rawlie Dimayuga, Boyet Fernandez,

                                                     Carlo Gervasio, Ross Fernando, Perry Callanta, Gary Flores, ??, Henry Chua.

                                                The Golden Boys: Front - Solon Garcia, Jimmy Santos, Pete Hernandez.

                                                                           Back - Ben Sto.Domingo, Vic Tirol, Jess Abrera, Eddie Jose. 

Heavyweight at 68… The Betan Frat Ball of 2014
By Jig Reyes ’87G, The Emancipator
 

       The venue was pleasantly and surprisingly spectacular. I didn’t know the Bahay ng Alumni had aircon! I imagined everyone would be sweating in their retro outfit. But Betans are known for being sweaty and baduy specially in front of ladies, so parang normal lang. Walang nagbago…

       I arrived to the sound of Betans. Swaggering, tough-talking Betans shaking my hand and visibly happy to see me. Happy enough to blurt out the most endearing of greetings: P.I. mo brod, kamusta ka na?! Tangina tagal na kita di nakikita! I miss you!

       I see Brod Caloy Agulto brandishing a paddle. Forgetting that we hadn’t had physical initiations since 1991, I promptly first tried to get away, but realizing the futility of running away from a Betan hell-bent on beating me up, I just as promptly stopped and “ASSUMED” the position of one whose fate had been pre-determined.

       As I enter the hall, there was the distinct noise coming from the tables on the left. The swearing more pronounced than usual, the “alaskahan” more personal and more sincere (when they told me I’m panget, I knew they meant it...) Aha! It’s the “gentlemen” of OBBF, those bastards of the 80s and 90s being their usual selves. I sat down with them for a while, as any self-respecting bastard should.

       And then it was on to the program, with myself and Brod Jay Policarpio ’88 emceeing along with the beautiful and very talented Frida Nepomuceno (pangalawang panganay ni Willie sabi nya).

       Batch ’69 was celebrating their 45th year in the Fraternity this year and I felt as if I was celebrating my 45th too, being one of those young brods fresh from college (along with Jay Policarpio ‘88, Jerry Bongco ‘94 and Benny Supan ‘87) who were taken in by a group led by Batch 69 in 1990s Makati . They fed us and got us drunk and showed us what being a Betan outside of campus really meant, and how you can always rely on your brods, if on nobody else. One could not ask for a better set of men to call brothers. I was honoured to be in their presence.

       The main honourees of the night were no less pogi and dashing. I didn’t know that the brods of Batch ’64 included some of the best talents that the country has to offer. I took pride in knowing the number of illustrious artists and leaders I called brods, from this batch celebrating their Golden Year in the Fraternity.

       I was lost in the wonder of the ball, surprised by the talents that the brods and LCs put out for all to enjoy. The acapella singers of Nugget Aquino ’79, the wonderful sound of Brod Gilbert Joven, and the tribute to Brod Master Johnny Chiuten led by Brod Dr. Jopet Laraya and Brod Ollie Jumao-as, the band music of the young College of Music brods, the dancing of the Ladies Corps.

       I couldn’t help myself from dishing out my own swearing despite trying very, very hard to be a professional emcee. The Betan bastos in me kept getting out, as I saw everyone also getting their bastos out, huge smiles on their faces. Patting the back of El Presidente Rolly Reyes for a job done extremely well. I heard talk that Rolly should be nominated as President-for-life. Ah but that’s for another story…

       And so the night ended as it began. Inebriated brods calling out to each other in the sweetest, sincerest way possible, with all the love that the Betan heart could muster: P.I. mo brod! Magpakita ka mas madalas. Mag ingat ka palagi. Tangina ka, mami miss kita…kitakits ulit next year ha!
 

Mabuhay ang ika-68 anibersaryo ng U.P. Beta Sigma !!

1946 - 2014

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