A Beautiful Three Nights of Fellowship, Music, Cheers and Brotherly Love in Seattle
Seattle, Washington. July
4-6, 2025.
by: Chito Reynoso ‘84a (UPLB,) Grand Princep SY
1987-88 and SY1988-89
It was another beautiful night of music, fellowship,
dance and celebration as Brods from all over, trooped to the Emerald City, also
better known to the rest of the world as Seattle, Washington to celebrate and
connect with beloved Brothers from the Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association
Northwest Chapter.
Last July 5, the Northwest Chapter celebrated its 24th Anniversary with a Fraternity Ball and Gala Night held at the Double Tree Suites by Hilton in beautiful Seattle. The affair was a well-attended affair, with brods and guests arriving from all corners of North America (and from the Philippines as well) numbering more than 175 strong! The Gala Night was the culmination of a 3-day long celebration that kicked off on July 4 with a Hospitality Night dinner program. Guest speaker at the Gala Night was Brod General Aldy Nieves, PNP General (Ret) and an erstwhile FBI alumnus who highlighted the need for promoting nation building among Brods and Filipinos abroad. The evening was capped with a special performance from brothers Spanky and Roger Rigor of the VST & Co, (younger brothers of Brod Sluggo Rigor) band who played their immortal Filipino swing disco hits of the 70’s, much to the delight of the disco aficionados in the crowd.
With Seattle Brod Cosme‘67 (UPLB) and Winnipeg Brods Ram and Willy; and SF Brod Vee'67 (UPLB).
Standing, L to R: Greg Vergara’73 (UPD), Bing Garcia ‘64, (UPLB), Cyrus Fagar '69 (UPD),
Hec San Juan ‘73 (UPD), Edwin
Encomienda’73 (UPD), Chito Reynoso ‘84 (UPLB).
Sitting, L-R: Art De Vera ‘64 (UPLB), Vic Tupaz ‘67
(UPLB), Dave Villegas ‘55 (UPD).
Para sa mga TODAS at VST & Co fans of the 70’s and 80’s.
Guest performer Spanky Rigor and brother Roger. Younger brothers of Brod Sluggo Rigor.
"Binulungan ko si Spanky Rigor nung katabi ko siya, sabi ko meron din na rendition ang mga Brods
sa Los Baños ng kanta nila: “ a-ha-ha, ahitin mo at lagyan ng polbo….. Napatawa siya!"
A strong contingent of UP Brods were on hand to grace the affair: Brods Dave Villegas ‘55 (UPD), Don Ganchore ‘56 (UPLB), Bing Garcia ‘64, (UPLB) Art De Vera ‘64 (UPLB), Vic Tupaz ‘67 (UPLB), Vee de Vera ‘67(UPLB), Cosme Santiago ‘67 (UPLB), Cyrus Fagar '69 (UPD), Hec San Juan ’73 (UPD), Greg Vergara ‘73 (UPD), Edwin Encomienda’73 (UPD), Chito Reynoso’84 (UPLB), Pipoy Perez’94, (UPLB). Several Sigma Betan sisters from the University were also there: Sis Dr. Editha Oliva (UPD), Sis Marie Ganchorre (UPLB), and Sis Kaye Perez (UPLB).
As usual, the nights were filled with laughter, cheers and legendary stories of glorious Betan days, in Diliman and Los Banos campuses, toasts and more cheers to Brods who have passed on and more toasts to fantastic deeds from legendary brods. And still more toasts to great stories of the Fraternity’s glory days. Of course, the fellowship wouldn’t be complete without a really stimulating discussion too on the Fraternity’s current state of affairs in The University, with the gabfest lasting until 5 AM on Sunday morning! Never a dull moment and no good wine goes to waste whenever great Brods meet indeed! Sobrang saya just listening and experiencing the wonderful fellowship on full display, especially in room 1608, (Brod Dave Villegas’s suite), filled with wine and wonderful recounting of glory days gone by and looking forward to greater days ahead. Three days went by so fast!
Behind the scenes
Pasyal at Brod Darwin Valenciano ('93 UPLB) home outside Seattle
Bonsai whisperer
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WINNIPEG, HERE WE COME!!
Next stop would be the 2025 Grand Fraternity Ball and Reunion in the Prairie City of Winnipeg, Canada, on Aug 29-31, 2025 where we hope to continue the fellowship even more. Lots of brods from The University have committed to attend this event and we are gearing up for a good attendance coming from Diliman and LB alumni Brods. As of last week, I have 24 Brods from LB and Dil coming into Winnipeg for this. Hopefully more. Cheers!
