U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity of Southern California

Betans Swing For a Cause
OBBF's Residents' Cup II

A scorching noontime tee-off started the day for UP Beta Sigma Fraternity's penchant for clubs - not the nocturnal ones but the carbon fiber shafted ones. Armed with OBBF's exemplary event management handling, both alumni and resident brods, (notwithstanding the humid farenheit soar), trooped to Valley Golf and Country Club to swing, pitch and putt for a noble cause: the SOMA campus revival. With around 27 players plus a 30ish number of supporters and of course led by our "national treasure" Brod Founder Rico Arranz, the event was a remarkable success! Brods from UPLB graced the occasion by their presence combined with the attendance of the two new brods (who just finished their finals hours earlier!) - Brods Leopoldo Palad and Jason Ray Acido. The photos will speak for themselves as we walk the talk of making this year a dynamic bonding year for UPBSFAAI. Thanks to UP NorCal, UP SoCal, and UPBSFI brothers who generously provided the hole sponsorships to make this event push through. Cheers to OBBF, Makati Chapter, batch '73, 2010 convenor group, and of course, our inspiration - the resident brods. My special thanks to my kabatches Gene, Gerry and Gilbert for that solid spirit circa '66.

Rolly Reyes'66, 5-21-10

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Note of Thanks

On behalf of the OBBF President Jason Justo 92, and Residents Cup II Committee Chairman Gerard Policarpio 88, our appreciation for the support for this worthwhile project.

Raffy Hidalgo'86, 5-06-10

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Note of Clarification

The proponent is the OBBFoundation Inc, a group of volunteers from late 80s and early 90s UPBSF Diliman. The Charter of the foundation is to support causes of the residents in UP Diliman. Because the OBBF is very clear of its limitations in terms of capability and manpower, we choose a few issues we feel we can truly be effective and impactful in. Also, for the same reasons above, we prefer to partner with other groups who also support the causes we choose.

One such group is the Johnny Chiuten SOMA Foundation, spearheaded by Ollie Jumao-as 73. Along with Brods Jopet Laraya, Jojo Alejar, Freddie Fajardo and several others they have been tirelessly and laboriously reviving the martial arts tradition in the Dil and LB resident chapters. OBB has been supporting through funding, and by providing junior trainers. (Of course, Johnny and Jopet are the lead here). I can see first hand that it is really TOUGH for them to keep the momentum. What happens is, Johnny along with Ollie's group will spend so much time and resources training resident brods, and when the residents get back to the campus they will practice for a few months then it will fizzle out. Most common among the reasons for cancelling a practice session would be a lack of venue. Sometimes Dennis 86, Ollie 73 and myself would go to their practice sessions and see that when momentum is broken they forget what they've learned.

After a lot of discussion over the past few years, we see that a solution would be to have a martial arts center- a permanent training venue, and a resource library for martial arts learnings (e.g. videos, manuals, theory etc). This was something that the OBB Foundation felt it could help the JC SOMA Foundation in.

JC SOMA Foundation will continue to handle the SOMA program: Its program, training, schedules etc.

OBB Foundation will support by launching the UPBS SOMA Center.

1. The Project will raise the seed money to launch the UPBS SOMA Center and maintain it for at least a year. Though the objective of the project is to raise P150K, the real deliverable is the launch of the training center. Dennis 86 is in charge of that.
2. JC SOMA will remain the lead in the SOMA program and will be accountable for the all funds channeled to it for that purpose except those related to the Center. OBB will administrate the UPBS SOMA Center, and be accountable for funds earmarked for the Center, including those funds for future maintenance and upkeep.
3. The project proponent still is OBB so what we are asking UPBSFI is not really approval of the project (after all it's already in full swing) but instead we are soliciting support as a sponsor. OBB is doing the same for other Alumni Associations such as UP SoCal, UP NorCal, UPBSFAAI, Makati Chapter, individuals, batches, corporate sponsors, etc.

Of course OBB understands that all of us have our limitations. OBB is very quick to admit its weaknesses, so if there are difficulties with fund prioritization of any group, of course we feel no disappointment. In the case of UPBSFI, if it can shell out sponsorship, it would be great, and whether it sources from its US treasury or RP treasury from dues, or by passing the hat, it is appreciated!

Raffy Hidalgo'86, 4-09-10

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