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Jamie Bermudez

Duterte Recognizes UP Frat, Hails its Dedication to Nation-building’

By | Newsfeed

MANILA — Malacanang has issued Proclamation Order No. 539 recognizing the Upsilon Sigma Phi, the oldest student organization in the University of the Philippines, and declaring 2018 as “year for the celebration of the centennial anniversary” of the fraternity.

Proclamation Order No. 539 recognizes Upsilon, also the oldest Greek letter fraternity in Asia, for its significant contributions to numerous civic and humanitarian causes, as well as the dedication and commitment of its members to public service and nation-building.

Upsilon members have been going around the country doing advocacy work as part of their centennial celebration on Nov. 18, 2018, according to Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association (USPAA) Chair and former U.P. President Alfredo Pascual.

“We want our celebration to be meaningful to us and communities in dire need of help,” he said.

USPAA President Thad Liamzon, who has spearheaded the nationwide advocacy programs in various provinces in the country, said the fraternity is “grateful to the President for recognizing our efforts in nation building”.

The programs included provision of clean water facilities, rehabilitation and donation of school buildings, tree planting, educational outreach and medical missions.

Other projects of the fraternity include the construction of an outdoor learning center for UP Diliman called the UP Promenade and the Kapit Kapit monument in UP Los Banos.

The Upsilon Sigma Phi was founded in 1918 at the University of the Philippines.

Its roster of members since its founding include a president, former chief justices, senators, congressmen and UP presidents.

Many more serve in the private sector as business leaders, lawyers, journalists, the academe, doctors, scientists, farmers, government employees and community leaders.

Members are from all political persuasions and religions. Several have even been included in the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani for their contributions to freedom and democracy.

According to Pascual, the centennial celebration of Upsilon provides it the rare opportunity to further strengthen its relationship with the UP system and to honor our home.

“Without UP, the Upsilon would not exist,” Pascual said, adding that the celebration allows the organization to train young members to become responsible new leaders for their communities in particular, and the nation in general. (PR)

Upsilon Cares…

By | Newsfeed

Upsilon Cares… For Health and the Environment.

Upon its conception, Upsilon Cares evolved to different outreach programs from medical and legal missions to tree planting and growing activities.

Last September 29, 2018, the 1st Technical and Administrative Service Brigade, NCR (Reserve), of AFP led by Fellow B.Gen. Peter Suchianco ’83 and Laguna Lake Development Authority led by Fellow Jaime Mora ’91 in partnership with Upsilon Sigma Phi Los Baños Alumni Association led by Chairman Albert Ocampo ’83 and President Gigoy Tayao ’83 and Upsilon Sigma Phi Los Baños Chapter residents ledby IF McNeil Alvarez, held “Upsilon Cares”, a health and environment outreach program along the lake shores of Brgy. San Antonio, Bay, Laguna.

Upsilon Cares… for the environment. This event is one of the many tree planting activities lined up for USPLBAA in line with LLDA’s mission and vision to protect and preserve Laguna de Bay by planting trees on its lake shores with mangrove trees like Potat (Barringtonia racemosa).

Upsilon Cares… for the health. Upsilonians and Sigma Deltandoctors together with the AFP medical team conducted the medical and dental mission by having free check-ups and distribution of free vitamins and medicines.

The U.P. Promenade and the Kapit-Kapit Monument Rises

By | Newsfeed

U.P. is our home and we honor it with The U.P. Promenade and the Kapit-Kapit Monument

When the fraternity planned its centennial celebrations back in 2015, the alumni board approved a project that would benefit the U.P. constituents, according to Noy Dy-Liacco, the Upsilon Sigma Phi Centennial Committee Chairman.

Eventually, Upsilon Sigma Phi agreed to build not one, but two flagship centennial projects: The U.P. Promenade in Diliman and The Kapit-Kapit Monument in Los Banos.  When completed, these infrastructure projects will be donated to U.P. for the use of students, faculty, and staff in the two campuses, respectively. They are wholly funded through donations from Upsilonians and their family members.

The U.P. Promenade now in its finishing phase of construction is located at the middle of the U.P. Diliman academic core. A broad walkway with alcoves and plazas where students and others can study and even hold events. It will be lit all throughout its length starting from the steps of the main library to its terminus just past the beta way.

The Kapit-Kapit monument, located at the Alumni Plaza in Los Baños, is a creation of Upsilon artists, depicting 14 individuals, arms locked in solidarity.

These symbolic structures are our centennial gifts to U.P. a  way for us to give back to the institution that has nurtured the Upsilon Sigma Phi for the  past 100 years.  They are a testament to our enduring commitment and loyalty to our beloved Alma Mater.  Through them, we also pay tribute to our Brotherhood, to the fellows whose families have sustained the Upsilon tradition, and to the Upsilonians who have dedicated their lives in the service of the university and the nation, Dy-Liacco added.

Upsilon Sigma Phi featured in the UP Carillon Alumni Magazine

By | Newsfeed

Upsilon Sigma Phi is featured in the UP Carillon Alumni Magazine’s 2018 issue in honor of its centennial. The article details the fraternity’s course through its 100 years of service to the community, the nation, and the world.

OFF THE PRESS: The Carillon 2018 is now available online at https://www.up.edu.ph/index.php/off-the-press-the-carillon-2018-is-now-available-online/‬

“One Hundred Years, One Hundred Smiles”

By | Newsfeed

In celebration of Upsilon Sigma Phi’s Centennial year, Batch 91 has spearheaded “One Hundred Years, One Hundred Smiles”, a program that aims to change the lives of 100 children suffering from cleft palate, a very common birth defect. This is in partnership with Smile Train (smiletrain.org), a charitable organization found in 85 countries whose mission is to repair as many of the 200,000 clefts born annually.

It takes only P12,000 pesos and 45 minutes to perform reconstructive surgery per child. But the lifetime impact on the child’s well being is immeasurable.

Last August 14, 2018, Batch 91 kicked off the program by donating P240,000. A great start that has transformed the smile of 20 cleft born kids!

More children need help and Upsilonians from all over the world are encouraged to join this worthwhile cause. If you wish to donate to the program please contact the Upsilon secretariat for details.

 

 

2018 declared “Year for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Upsilon Sigma Phi.”

By | Newsfeed

The year 2018 has been declared the “Year for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Upsilon Sigma Phi.”

For 100 years, the Upsilon Sigma Phi has existed to serve its alma mater, the University of the Philippines, and the nation at large. Throughout the country’s history, several illustrious Upsilonians from diverse fields and vocations have been instrumental in shaping the nation. This tradition of service has carried the fraternity on for a century, and will continue to be its guiding principle for centuries to come.

We gather light to scatter!

USP Win Student Council Chairs in Diliman, Manila and Los Banos

By | Newsfeed

Voltaire Moya 2017 was chosen as Chairperson of the University Student Council of UP Manila, adding to the long list of fellows who have answered the call of leadership and service.

He joins John Joseph Ilagan 2015 of UP Los Baños and Jose Rafael Toribio 2016 of UP Diliman in upholding the imperative of service in their respective campuses.

They lead by example, and are dedicated to ensuring that they embody our beloved University’s principles of honor and excellence.

Congratulations, Brods!

——

The Upsilon Sigma Phi’s tradition of excellence and leadership for 100 years continue with the victories of our new UP Diliman Student Council Chairmen Yael Toribio ’16, UP Los Banos Student Council Chairman JJ Ilagan ’15 and UP Manila Student Council Chairman Voltaire Moya ‘17.

The support of brods to the USPAA through frat dues payment and voluntary financial contributions allowed us to help our resident brods in mobilizing an effective campaign around a more inclusive style of leadership which resonated well with the students in campus.

On behalf of the USPAA , we congratulate our resident brods for their success in the recently concluded USC elections. Placing Upsilon talents in positions of service in the campus is a true testament to our motto — “We gather light to scatter”.

Mabuhay ang Upsilon!”

 

USP Joins Basilan Youth Leaders Network

By | Newsfeed

 

The Upsilon Sigma Phi’s tradition of excellence and leadership extends beyond the UP campuses to the conflict areas of Basilan as we participate in the launching of the Basilan Youth Leaders Network that aims to train the muslim youth to be advocates of peace and development in their respective communities.

Together with the 4th Special Forces Battalion, other military units under Joint Task Force Basilan and various stakeholders, the Basilan Youth Leader’s Network (YouLead Basilan) was launched last April 19 to unify, synergize and empower the different youth leaders of various organizations as a driving force in attaining positive change and contribute to nation-building within Basilan.

Thank you Peter Suchianco 83,  Anthony Pangilinan 83 and Noni Mauricio 91 for your invaluable contribution to this effort, and thank you to all the brods that was part of this historic event as we continue to scatter the light!

 

USP Centennial Outreach Program : Medical Outreach for Mayon Evacuees

By | Newsfeed

 

Upsilon Sigma Phi Medical Outreach Project for Mt. Mayon Evacuees was held last Sunday (18 March 2018) at the Municipality of Sto. Domingo, Albay.

Hygiene Kits from Unilever were given out to 3,000 recipients. 1,440 medical cases were resolved c/o doctors  from the 3rd TAS Brigade, AFP Reserve Command. Thanks to members of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association for the vitamins and medicine  which we gave out and turned over to Maj Richard Rivera, Commander of the 2nd Civil Relations Group, CRS AFP. Thanks to Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group who controlled the crowd and the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) who provided the security.

With the thousands of beneficiaries, the mission would definitely not be a success without the help of Brods Fred 68, Thad 81, Jay Santiago 93, and Jeremiah 16 (3rd Yr Economic Student turned Pharmacist!! ).

Also, rendering their invaluable services during the mission are Sigma Deltans Clydia 58, Marlene 66, Maria Renee Lemons 88 and Meg 92. Thanks also to Jean Cortez for her assistance and again, special thanks to Brod Fred 68 and Sis Marlene 66 for arranging the Bicolano lunch with the UP Alumni Association Mayon Chapter.

Looking forward to seeing more brods and sisters in the next USP Centennial Outreach Program.