Manitoba Celebrates 2025 Grand Betan Reunion and Fraternity Ball
by Chito Reynoso
The Gala Night of The 2025 Grand Betan Reunion and Fraternity Ball in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was the culmination of 4 days of warm brotherly celebration and festivities held at the historic and majestic Fort Garry Hotel in Downtown Winnipeg last Aug 31, 2025. The event was a night of elegant and classic celebration in the historic Canadian city of Winnipeg.
The affair was graced by 196 Brods, Sis, guests and families from all over the North American Beta Sigma AA Federation Chapters, the Philippines and as far away as Australia. On this Gala Night, GP Chito Reynoso 84A of the BSFAA of Manitoba, Inc. (GP 1987-88 and 1988-89 UPLB), led the Manitoba Betans in awarding the Outstanding Betan Award for Service to Brod Dutch Aragones for his 22 years of excellent and sustained administration of the longest running scholarship in Fraternity history, the Big Brother’s Bounty Scholarship Program (BBB). The BBB under Brod Dutch’s steadfast leadership, was responsible for awarding 285 semestral scholarships worth over $95,000.00 USD to deserving resident Brods from 2003 to the present. The BBB was instrumental in the recruitment of about 40 new resident members from 2003 to the present and fostering the Fraternity’s academic excellence goals in the UPLB campus.
Keynote speaker for the event was the
Honorable Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament in Canada’s House of Commons and
a member of the King’s Privy Council who spoke about the role of organizations
and fraternities in nation and character building. The Honorable Malaya
Marcelino, Member of the Legislative Assembly ( MLA) of Manitoba and Minister of
Labor and Immigration for the Province of Manitoba also delivered a warm
friendly Manitoba welcome to all guests and spoke of the immigrant experience in
Canada.
The affair was capped by a classic Ballroom Dance presentation performed by the
Manitoba Betans together with the Betan wives. Of the 196 guests in attendance,
the UP Los Baños contingent alone, Brods and Sisters and partners represented
more than 42 guests with the total UP delegates including Los Baños, Diliman and
Baguio being 52 strong!!! Truly a magical and elegant evening of warm brotherly
celebration and camaraderie at the geographical Centre of Canada.
The 4-day event started with the traditional GP’s night (Aug 28, 2025) held at
Winnipeg GP Chito Reynoso’s residence in Winnipeg. A great night of welcome,
fellowship, songs and spirits as Brods, Sis’s and guests were treated to a
moonlit night of good music, fine food and warm spirits and friendly fellowship.
This was followed on Day 2 when all brods and guests were treated to a very
educational and enjoyable River boat Cruise at The Forks, a National Historic
site in the city of Winnipeg representing a settlement and trading post more
than 6,000 years old. Hospitality Night followed at the PCCM
(Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba) which saw another great night of
fellowship amid a rousing roll call of all batches from 1946 to the present and
the acclamation and recognition of past University Grand Princeps in attendance.
The Federation chapters in attendance were
also recognized as well as Betan schools and Universities chapter. The UP Beta
Sigma Freaternity was the strongest contingent in attendance at more than 52
Brods and Sis in attendance with Los Baños comprising more than 40 strong. The
most senior Brod in attendance was Brod Dave Villegas’ 55 (UPD) who was cheered
the strongest during the roll call followed by Brod Noli Nolasco ‘62 UPD and
Angie Garbes ‘62 UPD. Manitoba’s own senior statesman Brod Mar Torre ‘63 UPLB
was also given a rousing applause during the roll call. The strong contingent of
30 plus Sigma Betans from all over North America were also recognized. The last
and greatest recognition of the evening went to all the Betan wives in
attendance! Truly the unsung hero of any Betan endeavor! The dance floor at the
Hospitality Night was blazing all night with Brods and Guests dancing till 1AM!
Day 3 started with a city tour by bus as more than 130 Brods and guests boarded
two large transit buses to see the historic sights and landmark of the city of
Winnipeg with the guidance and narration of two expert Winnipeg tour guides.
This was followed by a picnic luncheon at the beautiful Assiniboine Park where
Brods and Sis were treated to a sumptious Filipino lunch and barbecue!
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In & Around Historic Winnipeg
CHEERS MANITOBA BETA SIGMA!!