HISTORY
| The U.P. Betans
began getting together in the mid to late '70s mostly in brod's weddings
and birthday parties. The first Beta Sigma Picnic and Reunion was organized
by Brods Hermie San Luis, Mando Enrico and Norman Bituin on the 34th Foundation
Day in July 1980. It was held at Liberty Park in Cerritos and was attended
by about 20 Southern and Northern California brods. Frat memorabilia,
old stickers, worn-out pennants and faded pictures were on exhibit. A
rudimentary computerized USA and Canada directory was collated and distributed
by Brod Norman. The Betan picnic has since then become an annual tradition
in the Southland. Following the formal organization and fraternity balls in 1984 and 1985 by the U.P. Beta Sigma Alumni Association, Northern California Chapter in San Francisco with Brod Chito Cabaluna as President, the first Induction of Officers of the U.P. Beta Sigma Alumni Association, Southern California Chapter was celebrated at the Holiday Inn, Buena Park in 1986 with Brod Eddie Cornelia as Grand Princep. In a symbolic manifestation to preserve the college linkage and bond, the Southern California Chapter decided to depart from convention and adopt the original nomenclature for officers from Grand Princep to Wielder of the Sword. The U.P. Beta Sigma Southern California Chapter Scholarship at Diliman for needy and deserving students was funded and established in GP Brod Eddie's term. Two other Betan traditions were born during this time: the Christmas caroling and the Betan Family Christmas Party. |
| The Southern California Chapter Recruitment and Membership Fund was created in July 1989 to assist the U.P. brods rebuild and augment the declining resident membership (which, as happily reported, has presently rebounded to high levels). At a dinner reception for and in answer to a fraternal appeal by U.P president and Brod Jose Abueva in 1990 , GP Brod Carling Taguinod contributed a tidy sum in the name of the Southern California Chapter for a professorial chair at the university. |
| The U.P. Beta Sigma Chapter has made a name in the alumni and community scene through the election to office of its members, notably: Brod Mando Enrico as President of the U.P. Alumni Association of Southern California (UPAASC) in 1987; Eddie Cornelia as President of the Southern California Filipino Veterinary Medical Association (SCFVMA) in 1990; Brod Joe Lalas as Corona-Norco School Board Member in 1990 and re-elected in 1995; and Brod Clem Apeles as president of U.P Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) in 1994, currently President of Erap Para Sa Mahirap and Acting president of Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce in Orange County. It is worth mentioning that Brods Lito Uyan and Hermie San Luis were past Presidents of UPAASC and Brod Carling Taguinod as the first president of SCFVMA, prior to the formal organization of the Southern California Chapter. |
| Among the social and cultural presentations of the Chapter are Rockways and the U.P. Staff Chorale concerts. In sports, in the L.A. versus Orange County slugfest, the brods compete in the 7-event Palakasan contest. It has participated in the Beta Sigma Inter-Chapter basketball games and has co-sponsored golf tournaments. In the field of communications, Brod Boi Wico in the late 80's started a newsletter and Brod Norman developed a historical reference, the Betan Chronicle. The expanded Los Angeles Betan was first edited and published in 1991 by Brods Norman and Joe. Its mail-out circulation included the North American Chapters, Australia and the Philippines. The Betan Whiz Kid Award was given as an after-school treat and recognition in a family outing at Raging Waters Park in 1993 to encourage the Betan children to excel academically. |
| The Southern California Chapter, as the first truly family-oriented Betan Alumni model, shall strive to foster the eternal brotherhood. Its approximately 58-member strong brods, wives and children learn, support and grow from each other, be it in their regular meetings, special projects, impromptu gatherings or outdoor campouts. |