By Gian Carlo de Jesus \u201815<\/p>\n
Six destinations, 1345 kms of Brotherhood\u2026<\/p>\n
Upsilon Sigma Phi, the oldest fraternity in Asia, celebrated its one hundred years of existence by circumnavigating Mindanao via plane, bus, and boat rides in a memorable event that will surely be remembered in its glorious history.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/talentium.ph\/upsilon\/wp-content\/uploads\/43050B05-DA69-4691-8CEC-DB87ABA5449D-300x225.jpeg\")
Last November 4-8, 2018, the fraternity led by its Davao Alumni Association convened for \u201cBangkaw sa Mindanaw\u201d which is a gathering of its members in Davao City every two years. \u201cBangkaw sa Mindanaw,\u201d which started in 1996, is a much-awaited gathering for Upsilonians that usually features a golf tournament, site tours, and feasts, that are virtually free of charge for those who attend.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s edition is a special \u201cBangkaw\u201d as it pays tribute to Upsilon\u2019s centennial by calling it the \u201cCentennial Fellowship of the South\u201d with the theme \u201cScatter the Light Far and Wide, Rekindling the Spirit of Brotherhood through Generations.\u201d In keeping with its theme, Bangkaw was held in multiple sites namely: Bukidnon (Bukingan sa Bukidnon), Cagayan de Oro (Tagayan sa Cagayan), Gingoog, Butuan (Buto-Buto sa Butuan), Davao (Bangkaw sa Dabaw), and at the Island Garden City ofSamal or \u201cIgacos.\u201d For the first time, the festivities also became an excursion in the South covering a total of about 1345 kmsencircling the abovementioned locations.<\/p>\n
Highpoints of the event were the three-legged golf tournament, the Upsilonian convention, and the sumptuous feasts in all venues. The success of the event is attributed to the attendance of no less than 200 Upsilonians from all over the country and as far as Myanmar, Sweden, Germany, and Cleveland, USA with members as old as those belonging to the golden era of the 50s to as young as current students of the university.\u201c<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, Bangkaw didn\u2019t start this November. It actually started last August when we began reaching out to Brods (Upsilonians) in Iloilo, Bacolod, and Palawan, especially to those who won\u2019t be able to celebrate with us physically, either in Mindanao or in Manila for the actual centennial,\u201d said Robert Lester Aranton, the event\u2019s overall chair. \u201cThis is why Bangkawhas an alternate theme called \u201cThe Sun also rises in the South, because our efforts are concentrated in bringing the Upsilon spirit down in Mindanao,\u201d added Aranton.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/talentium.ph\/upsilon\/wp-content\/uploads\/34E66293-7653-409C-AEF4-8A5D1E8DAFE1-300x225.jpeg\")
Bangkaw sa Mindanaw intends to strengthen the bond of brotherhood in Upsilon through frequent gatherings that highlight hospitality and generosity of Filipinos from the south. Upsilon Sigma Phi, which stands for \u201cUniversity Students Fraternity,\u201d was founded by fourteen students of the University of the Philippines in its original Padre Faura site, on November 19, 1918. Notable members are former and current senators Benigno \u201cNinoy\u201d Aquino, Gerry Roxas, Francis \u201cKiko\u201d Pangilinan and Richard \u201cDick\u201d Gordon, former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, former Vice President DoyLaurel, past and current UP Presidents Alfredo E Pascual and Atty. Danilo Concepcion, National Scientist OD Corpuz, and National Artist for Cinema Kidlat Tahimik, among others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Gian Carlo de Jesus \u201815 Six destinations, 1345 kms of Brotherhood\u2026 Upsilon Sigma Phi, the oldest fraternity in Asia, celebrated its one hundred years of existence by circumnavigating Mindanao…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2447,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n