Brotherhood of Scholars: Birth in UP Visayas
The UP Beta Sigma Fraternity in UP Visayas is a relatively young chapter in the same way that it stands on relatively young campuses in Iloilo: Miagao and Iloilo City campuses. One needs to understand the historical context of the transfer of the College of Fisheries (CF) of UP Diliman to UP Visayas to better trace the history of the Fraternity in the
campus. The Fraternity’s beginnings are tied with that of the college and as such majority of the early recruits and eventual alumni are from the CF. The Fraternity’s inception coincides with the transfer of UP Diliman’s College of Fisheries to UP Visayas. In 1988, the first class of CF composed of graduating students from UP Diliman and true blue freshman of UP Visayas, mostly Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) scholars, arrived. Among them were several men, from various regions, who would later become part of the Betan history. Ulysses Alama, fondly called “Hayu,” Ulz” or “Uloe”, was a staff of the College of Fisheries, manning the university’s research vessel, FV Sardinella. Ulz is a self-made man who hails from Bicol. By 1987, as fate would have it, Ulz found himself transferred to UP Visayas as a staff and student. Being both, he had the benefit of networking with the academe and the students. Seeing this opportunity, Gregorio Bañacia (68-B UP Diliman), who was then working as the Administrative Officer of the College of Fisheries, along with Anthony Buyco (79-A UP Diliman) and Bonifacio Dionisio Liwag III (75-B UP Los Banos) approached Ulz to spearhead the first batch of the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity in the campus. Without hesitation, Ulz acceded and began looking for recruits. A total of 17 applicants were selected but only 15 were able to make it to the Final Rites. They were called “Bigkis,” a name suggested by Rene Rico. Nomer Evasco made the chapter’s Fraternity seal and the ceremonial paddle was made through the specifications of Ulz and Jose Ramon A. On 27 August 1989, history was made; barriers of wealth, regions, creed and prejudice were successfully climbed. Ulysses Alama became the first Grand Princep (GP). His staff house would be the Fraternity’s house for several years. True to the name of the first batch, the Fraternity would serve as the “tie that binds” men from various walks of life, from different persuasions, in the years to come. Unique Traditions
While it is true that Betans have shaped and influenced campus opinions and directions through their leadership, the inevitable question of where and how it happens arises. The general response is everything starts in the minds of the Betans, but somehow the structures provided a venue to foster growth. As mentioned earlier, Ulz’s house was and is the Fraternity’s house. Inside the house are several pictures, drawings, books, magazines (not all smuts mind you), woodcarvings and tapes (no compact discs back then). A black guitar, owned by November Romena, is passed on to generations of Betans who wanted to play guitar. By the late 1990s, the action (read: space between strings and neck) was already too high that it was a miracle no one sliced their fingers in pressing the notes. Just outside the Fraternity house, one will find pyramids of liquor bottles consumed through the years. They are placed next to several slabs of stone in front of Ulz house, which serve as an informal gathering place to discuss things. In the same way that Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker” thinks on a slab of a stone; so do the Betans, although over bottles of alcohol. The quantity of bottles in the area is testament to such “brainstorming.”
A few meters below, literally, is a semi-secret passage that leads to a classified area, the Betan Meeting Place. The official meeting place of Betans is a makeshift cemented area that serves as a pass-through to a clear creek below. On the cemented area is an improvised exclusive basketball court that Brods utilize after meetings. The creek below is the constant sound that every Betan hears. Covering the entire place is an old, trusted, some would say enchanted, Mango tree. Meetings are called “Mangga,” in honor of the wide tree that has sheltered the Brods through the years. Weekends are particularly special. It is market day and Betans would normally pass-the-hat and proceed to the wet market to buy food. Selected brothers are assigned as cooks every week and food is served, pour may be more apt, on top of banana leaves for everyone to eat in this boodle fight. Utensils are not used and everybody has to eat on large banana leaves set on top of a hard table. Hors d’oeuvre are scarce, so Betans have to develop the special talent of hiding food under their portions of rice. Right at the center of the previously mentioned structures is a sturdy, hardy hammock hand-woven by Ulz. Betans and their girlfriends frequent this place. No further elaborations here, except that the rapid trip to Salem is indeed a very urgent need. Lastly, there is a Betan tradition that is relatively low key, but every Betan who passed UP Visayas is mighty proud of, the Christmas with The Kids affair. Every December, Betans would organize a party, handle logistics and facilitate games for the kids of UP Visayas staff, mostly enrolled at the staff’s Kaunlaran Learning Center. Yearly, in this event, Betans rediscover the nurturing side to their personalities. The center is also beneficiary for the other fund raising activities of the Fraternity. UPV Centennial Forest Project
The Centennial Forest project is the first major undertaking of the UPV Beta Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association (UPVBSFAA) and Residents. This project is the Fraternity’s simple contribution to arrest the detrimental effects of global warming and environmental degradation. The Centennial Forest is located at the campus of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas in Miag-ao, Iloilo. The University of the Philippines in Miag-ao is the biggest campus of the UP system. It covers 8 barangays spanning 1200 hectares of rolling hills and beaches. However, only 600 hectares of the total land area are fully utilized. The UPVBSFAA have bigger plans for the site. The organization will not limit the project to tree planting and reforestation. The Fraternity envisions the site to become a fully functional Forest Park in the future. The Fraternity believes that this noble project will have significant impact not just for the UP and Miag-ao communities but also for the entire country.
