by Narcing Lapus '48

Sacramento,CA on May 27, 2007

Even if I know that I’m the oldest Betan tonight, or even the oldest Betan in the entire North America, it does not follow that I am good at public speaking. I came to that realization years ago when I was invited to speak before a professional group. While I spoke, almost every person in each table was also involved in another meeting. My only consolation then was that everybody gave a big round of applause when I finally ended my speech. It was their way of expressing relief that I was finally done. I stand before you, therefore, not as an orator like Cicero or a wise man like Socrates. Rather, I am here as an obedient servant to do this awesome task as your speaker.

I did pioneer quite a few endeavors, as Dean Topacio has written here in The Betan issue. But what I’d like to talk about tonight is two-fold. The first one is about some of the great things I’ve seen as a Betan, things that continue to inspire us. The second part is about the dreams of an old man for the Fraternity.

We will never tire of singing praises to our Brothers who bring us honor through their individual accomplishments. During our last frat ball, Brod Vic Ramos, himself a former Department Secretary, talked about our fraternity as having produced the most number of T.O.Y.M. awardees and Brods who have reached the highest places in government and business. Tonight, we have Brod Billy Monteagudo, who has been recognized for having made possible the building of 40 homes for the Philippine poor, through the Gawad Kalinga Foundation. Tonight, we also have the "first among equals", the current presidents of their respective UP Alumni Associations – Dr. Mamaril of Southern California, Dr. Gaspay of the Bay Area, and Monsignor Regadio of Sacramento. I will not mention by name anymore all the other outstanding people in this room, including our UP Southern California brothers, who have been recognized by their respective communities for their excellent work. Baka kasi abutin ako ng isang oras. Suffice it to say that all of you carry our banners far and wide, and we are very proud of you.

Aside from these individual Betan "stars", and of equal value to us, are the many of you who are here tonight, who in your own quiet ways have always been there to serve. You don’t have to look around to see who they are. It could be you as well as the person next to you. So why don’t we give each a "high 5" to the person to our left and to our right?

I will forever be proud of other developments I’ve seen in our Fraternity especially in these past years. I will mention just a few of these developments as briefly as I could.

Firstly, we are successfully transforming our organization, from a fraternity of just among brothers to a family-oriented, closely knit organization. Many of our activities are now participated in by members of our respective family – our wives, partners, children and grandchildren. Because of this, we are never lacking in talent, or in things to be happy about, for our children and grandchildren bring happiness to our Beta Sigma family. Brods from the Philippines who come and visit us have commonly observed how close we are to each other as families.

Secondly, together we have made a historical turnaround during our Grand Reunion of 2001. Before that event, extinction in our campuses was staring at us in the face. The UP Beta Sigma USA, now called UP Beta Sigma International, was then established mainly to prevent a slow, but certain demise of our fraternity. This Grand Reunion was also a reunion of fraternity and UP legends, led by no other than Founding President Jesus Jayme. Together, we delivered a strong message that our beloved Fraternity should live forever. Today, we have increased our numbers to more than 40 residents in each of our campuses, although the journey towards more recruits continues. Related to this significant development is the formation of recruitment-focused groups like Operation Big Brother Foundation in Diliman, the Big Brother Bounty in Los Banos, and the David Wico Chapter which I hope Brod Ollie will revive when he goes back to the Philippines.

Thirdly, we have brought our relationship with one another to a higher level. We have experienced stormy moments in the past owing to our desire to convert our brothers to our own way of thinking. But we have become mature enough to be able to die to ourselves for the sake of keeping our brotherhood intact. We have come to realize that respecting one another is a higher virtue, and in so doing, we have become stronger. Indeed, we have passed the test of time.

Our feeling of kinship is second to none. We are a great support system to each other. Just a few weeks ago, I felt the warmth, sympathy and affection of the brothers and sisters during my own blood brother’s funeral. I am sure Brods Gabby, Billy Monteagudo, and the families of the departed brods felt the same way as I did. On behalf of my family, our sincerest gratitude to all of you.

Our brotherhood is authentic and we are the envy of all other fraternities. Here and there, we see a Brod providing a home for another Brod, or even for the family members of a Brod; a Brod helping a new immigrant to get settled, or find a job; Brods contributing their treasure to prolong or save the life of another. Or weeping for the loss of a family member. I can go on and on giving examples of how much we continue to support one another. Even fraternities here in the United States, including our very own members of our families, wonder how we love Beta Sigma so much. Let us keep it that way. In my simple mind, I know that everything starts with the language that we use. Let’s continue to use uplifting, not downgrading or divisive language. Instead of saying words like "kami", "kayo" or "sila", let’s continue to use unifying words like "tayo". Instead of the words "amin" or "inyo", let’s continue to use the word "atin". I hope we will always keep this message in mind: That by our use of words to uplift, a lot of good things will happen.

This year, I will turn 81. As in Frank Sinatra’s song, I am now in the autumn of my years. And in all these years, I have come to realize that this Fraternity Pin is not computed in terms of money, but in the things I had to do in order to deserve it. Having been in the thick of things since the fraternity’s early years, allow to share with you my dreams…

I want to preface this portion of my speech by saying that dreams come true only when they are made; and in our case, if they are made with all of us flying in one direction. Walang mangyayari kung kanya-kanyang lipad.

I dream … I dream of a Million Dollar Fraternity. I am not even talking about winning the lotto, but if we do, then we can only thank the One Above for making possible what is almost impossible. It is about our ability to focus, to pool our resources, to walk our talk, to contribute until it hurts. It is about tapping the financial genius among our ranks, belief in our capacity to set aside some of our frivolities today to be able to leave a strong legacy tomorrow. If we become a Million Dollar frat, other dreams will easily come true – a frat house for instance, a dream which I devoutly share with our Los Banos brothers. If we become a Million Dollar Beta Sigma, our vision that "No Betan stands alone" will become a reality at all times, in all corners of the world. If we reach a Million Dollars, then it will be easy to generate the next Million, and thereby allow us to do many things for the good of humanity.

I dream of forging more partnerships among all Chapters towards noble endeavors while standing on a strong financial base, without sacrificing our patrimony, meaning, without sacrificing standards, uniqueness and traditions of our respective universities.

I dream of a strong and viable network and concerted efforts to bring us nearer to the vision we’ve set in 2001 --- A Fraternity of Choice in all UP Campuses.

And finally, I dream that from these residents of highest caliber, future top leaders will emerge in government and business who will sincerely serve and work not for their own selves but towards the upliftment of the poor and the production of the country’s wealth.

In conclusion, this old man has the following words to declare. I am a Beta Sigman and proud of it. This Fraternity Pin that I wear has become an important part of me. In all my 59 years as a UP Betan, I have tried, like most of you in this hall, to uphold the principles, values and practices that this beloved Pin represents – a passion for excellence, joy in having to help a brother in need, sincere feeling of pain for a grieving brod or family of a brod, respect for human dignity that includes all Betans regardless of chapter or school affiliation, and most of all, LOVE …. Love, in the order of our priorities: Reverence to our God. Loyalty to our Country. Utmost Caring for our Family. Living up to the standards of our University. And finally, Service to our Fraternity.

Thank you very much for listening to me tonight. I love you all.