U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity of Southern California

The Betans were gung-ho at the 2010 UP Lantern Parade
by Lester Palad, Batch 2007

     THE Brods did it again. We are back in full force for the UP Lantern Parade, a tradition that usually takes place on the late afternoon of the last day of classes before the Christmas break.

     This year, it was held last Dec. 17 with the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity being classified an official participant. In fact, the only fraternity that joined this spectacular year-end activity.

     Prior to this culminating event, the Brods – not only the Diliman residents, but also elder Brods and Brods from various chapters – made the necessary preparations.

     After class, the residents rehearsed the traditional Snake Dance, and then spent time until the wee hours of dusk to print Fraternity shirts using silk screens (technology considered by some older Brods to have been lost in time, but thankfully taught to the residents by Brod Dope Cobarrubia ‘05B).

     A lantern of Malmon, very faithful to the artwork of Brod Banz Bañez, was also created by the Fine Arts Brods Carlo De Laza ‘10E and Brod Leopoldo Palad ‘10C.

     On the part of the alumni, Brod Rolly Reyes ’66, the newly-elected vice president of our alumni association, initiated a viral spread of information about the Lantern Parade, inviting not just Diliman alumni, but also Brods from all walks of the metropolis – most notably the University Belt Brods.

     On the day of the Lantern Parade, the residents were already prepping and practicing the routines by lunchtime. The elder Brods gradually collected at the Palma Hall Annex Tambayan. To the Brods’ dismay, rain started pouring at 2pm, prompting fears of interruption of the parade. Thankfully, the rain subsided barely after the call time of 3pm.

     Newly-elected UP Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. President Rene De Rueda led the alumni brods. By 3pm, the Brods about to participate in the parade gathered at the Tambayan. An astounding number of Brods came. No Brod could exactly tell the number. Over 200 Brods came to openly participate. Had it not rained and heavy traffic didn’t jam the roads going to Diliman, more Brods could have come to participate.

     The Fraternity shirts produced by the residents were sold and issued to the attendees. Brod Poti Aparato ‘77A also provided Fraternity jackets and shirts for the Brods.

     The parade started by 4pm. The waiting Brods watched the Colleges of the University parade first. Suddenly, Founding Brod Rico Arranz ’46 appeared and joined the Betans, much to the delight of the Brods! By the time the organizations paraded through the Tambayan, the Brods, led by UP Diliman Grand Princep Josh Caringal, squeezed into the line and joined the parade (And yes, the ever-strong-in-health Founder Rico Arranz marched with the Brods).

     The spectators watched in awe as the resident Brods, in black shirt and black hood, fall into a single line. In front of them are the banner of UP Beta Sigma Fraternity and the Malmon lantern. Behind the residents, the elder Brods and Brods from the other chapters followed.

     It was a very large march of Betan Sigmans clad in black, one spectator exclaims. The Brods slowly marched until the residents stopped in front of the Palma Hall (Arts and Sciences) steps, and prepared for what they’re about to present.

     And thus, by the thud of the drum, the Snake Dance was once again performed.

     All the Brods screamed “Beta… Sigma… Beta Sigma!” in repetitive unison as the train of hooded residents ‘slither’ along the Roxas Avenue, in front of the awestruck AS crowd.

     After this first showing, the Brods marched along the Academic Oval, only to stop in front of the Melchor Hall, the College of Engineering. On the way, the little kids can’t help but adore the Malmon Lantern (they say it’s really cute).

     In front of Melchor Hall, the residents performed the Snake Dance again. The dance seemed to have astounded the audience of engineering students that they shouted in unison, “Ulit! Ulit!”. The Brods, of course, willingly complied and performed the Snake Dance again.

     By this time, the sun is already down, but the Brods are not done yet. The Brods walked to the final destination of the parade – The Quezon Hall, the Administrative Building, where the President of the University, Dr. Emerlinda Roman, watches over the parade.

     The brods marched with tarpaulins that announced our selected themes: State Education for All (against the budget cuts in UP and all other state universities); Save our Marine Environment; Ensure Food Security for All; Free Randy Malayao Now (a politically-detained brod); We Support UP Regional Associations (under threat of abolishment by the UP System) and; for her three years of service and support, Thank You Ma’am Emer and a Merry Christmas to All!

     The messages were created and approved by the newly-elected board of the UP Beta Sigma Fratenity, Inc. in coordination with GP Josh in a meeting held prior to the much-awaited day.

     For the first time in a very long while, the Brods were able to parade in front of the UP Administration, which was overwhelmed by the massive presence of the alumni Brods. The emcees there also recognized and acknowledged the presence of Brod Ambassador Jimmy Yambao ’63.

     After this, the Brods returned to the Tambayan to rest for a bit, because after that, the jug-a-lug, followed. In the spirit of fellowship, the Brods jugged at Brod Caloy Agulto ‘74B’s Gulp Club, concluding the last activity for 2010, The Year of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity.

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UP Diliman Lantern Parade
by Rolly Reyes, 12-18-2010

Sharing with you photos in my Picasa web album the highlights of last night's UP Lantern Parade, Dec 17, 2010.
http://picasaweb.google.com/rollygreyes/LanternParade2010#

These photos were posted by Brod Paolo Balmores on Facebook as well as those posted by Brod Rupert Ambil.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rollygreyes/BrodPaoloBalmoresPhotos#

Resident brods of UP Beta Sigma Diliman performing our traditional snake dance in front of UP President Emerlinda Roman and UP Board of Regents at the Administration Building.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ0zip9prHk

Some selected photos from picasaweb:

Big crowd witness the excitement of UP Lantern Parade '10