A concise account

The Beta Sigma Fraternity Story

Shortly after World War II, the University of the Philippines reopened its gates to admit returning students and fresh enrollees from various high schools.

The country was in shambles; the nation busy reconstructing properties and lives.

In June 1946, at UP’s main campus (Padre Faura, Manila), two groups of boys daily swarmed the steps of the Cancer Institute building. For hours, between classes, they would indulge in animated discourse about their and the Country’s fate and future. To fellow students and the faculty, they were Porch Lizards, a moniker that would summarily change with ensuing events.

Jesus R. Jayme (a.k.a. Jesse James) led the lively Gay Varsitarians from UP High and Nicanor P. Jacinto, Jr., the congenial UP’s 20 from Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle.

Within days, both groups knew they held like aspirations and a shared vision: to excel in academics, win campus elections and contests, and become potent instruments in rebuilding a ravaged nation.

Jayme, the visionary, sensed ivy in the bud.

Right away, he wrote a list and consulted Social Sciences dean David G. Wico (a.k.a. Tio David) to organize a fraternity. When told that his list was short of the 50 members that school regulations required, Jayme was unshaken. He struck with Wico an agreement to take in Jacinto’s boys and invite others to fill up the charter roster.

On July 14, 1946, the Beta Sigma Fraternity (a.k.a. Brotherhood of Scholars) was born with 56 members. Jayme, the cheerful and persistent initiator, was selected president.

The years that followed saw the fledgling organization mark excellence “with boring consistency.” Readily it earned widespread admiration and respect. Its members repeatedly made the Dean’s List, won oratorical and other contests, edited the student paper, lorded over campus politics, commanded the Corps of Cadets, and got deeply involved in university affairs and programs.

In 1950, UP’s main campus moved to Diliman. August 13 that year, the second Beta Sigma chapter was formed. Sixty-two young men of UP Los Baños, in simple rites, were granted membership. 

A smoldering desire, though, lay untouched for years. Members wanted the Fraternity to conform to its Greek-lettered identity. First, the title President was replaced with Grand Princep in 1952, together with those for other offices. The Beta Sigma Credo, authored by Prospero Crescini ’49, the Betan Hymn, and the 9 Principal Truths were also adopted.

New school-based chapters like the Manila Central University (MCU), Far Eastern University–Narciso Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF), Gregorio Araneta University Foundation (GAUF), University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Foundation (UERMF), and Silliman University (SU), briskly came to being.

By 1975, chapters have multiplied beyond the Fraternity’s expectations. They decided to establish the national body, Beta Sigma Fraternity Philippines (a.k.a. BetaPhil).

At last count, the Beta Sigma Fraternity breathes in over 100 colleges and universities nationwide.

Alumni associations were also organized in 1975 as members finished school, settled abroad, practiced professions, engaged in business, and sat on plum posts in government and the private sector. Many retained the name of their Alma Matter in these fellowships and many more took on the name of the geographic area they lived or had permanent interests in.

Today, the National Assembly responds to the needs of all the Fraternity’s alumni associations in the Philippines.

Off shore, the Beta Sigma Fraternity flies banners in many American states, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim.

International homecomings and conventions have been hosted in Manila, Los Baños, Cebu, and other parts of the archipelago since 1990. Fraternity balls in various places worldwide are also enjoyed by Beta Sigmans all year round.

For the brotherhood of scholars, progress is invariably excellence and solidarity. For the Beta Sigma Fraternity, the best is but a whistle or a whisper away.