Manuel “Bong” Beredo '73, Incoming GP of UP Beta Sigma Fraternity, Northern California Chapter, announced his new set of officers during the Christmas Party held last December 2, 2006 at Fairfield, CA.

They are as follows:

1^st Vice GP - Bobby Pascual ‘68
2^nd Vice GP - Manuel “Pogs” Gaspay ‘68
Master of the Rolls - Nestor “Rotsen” Lawas ‘66
Guardian of the Coffers - Ding Cavestany ‘66
Chamberlain - Rick Velasco ‘67
Wielder of the Sword - Ignacio “Babes” Ignacio ‘75
Herald - Cesar “Yay” Topacio ‘77

He also announced that almost all the current members of the Council of Elders shall be retained, with the addition of Outgoing GP Boy Ramos, who shall replace Darius Munoz. The other members of the Council are: Narcing Lapus, Fred Aquino, Ike Arneta, Louie Cabaluna, Gabby Moraleda, Eric Punzalan, Johnny Regadio and Tatang Vergara.

Bong has served the Chapter in different capacities, the most recent ones being as 1^st Vice GP and Master of the Rolls. During the past several years since he came back to active duty 10 years ago, Bong, the jolly big man with a big heart, has been one of the Chapter’s most generous contributors in matters of talent (emceeing, fund/raffle generation, acting), time (traveling as far as the Philippines to attend frat functions), and treasure (both money-wise, participation of own family in frat affairs, and meetings held at his Stockton home).

Even during his university days, Bong opened his house as one of the frat’s “headquarters”. Aileen, Bong's college sweetheart and new "First Lady” is not new to the frat, having been part of the Beta Sigma Ladies Corps in the 70s. Bong and Aileen have two daughters, and have two grandsons by their first-born. That makes Bong a “double GP”, the other GP meaning GrandPa.

Among other things in his mind, Bong intends to preserve the “family-oriented” character of the Chapter, maintain the Chapter’s strong alignment with the UP Beta Sigma International, Inc., promote an increasingly effective partnership with Los Angeles-based brods, the young alumni and the resident brods of all UP campuses, and live up to the excellent traditions of the University of the Philippines while striving to build healthy relationships with all Betans.

In a nutshell, below are photos showing GP Bong in his very own Northern California Chapter:

Bong officially registered for active duty in early May 1999 during the first Folsom Lake picnic. He is shown here with wife Aileen, UP Beta Sigma Ladies Corp in the 70s, and daughter Kay.

He immediately made an impact on the Chapter,

and received a Service Award during the fratball of July 4, 1999.

Seldom seen alone during Frat activities, Bong is shown here with his beloved wife, two daughters and his grandson in December 1999 Christmas party.

Bong is shown with Brods during the Chapter's celebration of the Frat's 54th year held in San Pablo Dam (July 2000). He was part of the discussions towards the formation of UP Beta Sigma USA.

The idea of a UP Beta Sigma USA was finally institutionalized during the Grand Reunion of May 2001. Bong (5th from the left) is shown here with: GamyM, DingC, BrandonB, EdRivera, RLumauig, CesarA, KikoD, GAbrina, RObed, IAraneta and JValenzuela.

Taken during the Grand Reunion (also dubbed as Reunion among Legends), Bong and Aileen are shown here with former Frat Sweetheart Maribel Payumo, and the inseparable Moraleda couple.

Singing Christmas carols in 2001 with Brods Dave Villegas, Eric Punzalan, Gilbert Basbas, and Grand Old Man Narcing Lapus '48.

Christmas 2002's Santa Claus, the innovative Bong Beredo brought in "little Santa", his grandson to help him bring cheer to brods, sis, and children alike.

Bong and Aileen, the ever-generous couple, offered their home for the traditional Halloween Party in October 2002.

Bong (in the back rows) was inducted as Master of the Rolls in Sacramento 2003. In this capacity, he raised the roof that is unparalleled to date. He produced minutes of meetings within 12-24 hours.

During this traditional gathering (Rocklin, October 2004),

Bong became the Chapter's 1st Vice Grand Princep.

As they say, if you want to win, be with the winners. So stay with Bong . He is not only lucky in love; his luck extends to the casinos and Christmas raffles. (Photo taken in Christmas 2004)

During this FratBall weekend, Bong was inducted as 1st Vice GP. Then incoming GP Boy Ramos put Bong to test as the fratball night's emcee, and in which the latter did a super job.

(Welcome Night at Palo Alto, October 2005)

Bong at PISMO (November 2006), reaffirms his Chapter's alignment with the Board of Directors of the UP Beta Sigma International, Inc.

With 31 Brods present (in spite of last minute no-shows), Christmas Party 2006 is one of the best attended in the Chapter's history. Thanks to everybody who worked behind Bong and continue to help him succeed in his awesome task as Grand Princep!