Beta Sigma Fraternity
The U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity was the first post-war fraternity in the Philippines - a brotherhood transcending the barriers of regional origins, creed and social status. It is currently one of the largest fraternities in the country in terms of the number of established university based and alumni chapters.
History
When the University of the Philippines (UP) reopened in June 1945, a group of young men from Ateneo, La Salle and UP High School banded together to form a fraternity composed of University scholars. The Fraternity was formally organized on July 14, 1946 with 32 original members. Jesus "Jessie James" Jayme from UP High School became its first President, while Nicanor Jacinto became its first Vice President.
Meaning of Beta Sigma
The name was derived from the Greek letters Beta (β) and Sigma (Σ) which stands for "Brotherhood of Scholars". Scholastic excellence, one of the core ideals of the fraternity, was a requirement to qualify for membership in the old days.
Not only academic excellence but enviable camaraderie, deep respect for each other and a unified resolve marked their involvement in university activities. They displayed academic superiority as they consistently made it into the Dean's List. In the span of 5 years since its founding, the Beta Sigma Fraternity surged past the other fraternity “giants.”
U.P. Los Baños Chapter
The second chapter to be established was in UP Los Baños in August 13, 1950 with sixty-two original members. Rodolfo Ylarde became its first President.
At Present
Today, the Beta Sigma Fraternity stands as one of the leading fraternities, not only in the confines of UP, but in most universities throughout the Philippines. It also has alumni associations based all over the US, Canada, Europe, Middle East, East Asia, Australia & Oceania.