Upsilon 100

Daily Tribune 

H 

SPOT 

UPSILON SIGMA PHI 

SPECIAL EDITION 

18 November 2018 

Issue 1 

A LEGACY IN 

NATION-BUILDING 

Upsilon Sigma Phi 

powers Philippine politics 

BLAZING TRAILS 

IN ARTS AND CULTURE 

Men who set the country’s cultural tenor 

CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY 

Outstanding Fellows 

with business acumen 

DISTINGUISHED 

DIPLOMATS 

Brothers in the service of country 

through international relations

Daily Tribune 

2 18 NOVEMBER 2018 SPECIAL EDITION H SPOT 

Old Manila was very different 

then. Escolta was the commercial 

and professional area of the period. 

Famous stores were Heacock's and 

Crystal Arcade, among a few. Lyric 

and Capitol were theaters of note. 

There were also Ideal and State 

theaters on Rizal Avenue. One dined 

in three restaurants on T. Pinpin: 

Rice Bowl, Panciteria Toho Antigua 

and Panciteria San Jacinto. 

Other places of interest were the 

Fiesta Pavilion and Winter Garden 

of the Manila Hotel, as well as Casa 

Mañana on Dewey Boulevard (now 

Roxas Boulevard). 

Leading newspapers then 

were the DMHM chain (Daily Mail, 

Mabuhay, Philippines Herald and El 

Debate), The Manila Times and The 

Manila Bulletin. The biggest radio 

stations were KZRH and KZKZ. 

“We were an American 

possession,” relates Upsilon historian 

Victor Avecilla ’79. 

In the beginning, there were 14 

men who gathered regularly at two 

hotspots in Manila — the Paras store 

and at the Panciteria Ramon Lee. 

They were from the University 

of the Philippines, then almost 

just a decade old and said to be an 

American venture into shaping an 

education system in its colony. 

The air then was rife with calls 

for independence. These 14 men, 

composed of 12 students and two 

professors, were always at the center 

of such talks wherever they gathered. 

In their article, The Upsilon 

Sigma Phi: A Storied History of the 

Fellowship of Light,” Ferdinand 

Jomilla ’16 and Paolo Gamboa ’86 

write: “In 1918 (20 years after the 

transition from Spanish to American 

colonizers, and 10 years into the 

existence of UP), the Upsilon was 

sparked into existence by 14 young 

men drawn together by the common 

ideals of leadership and excellence. 

Thus, came the conceptualization 

Fellowship of the light 

of the Fraternity, with its formal 

organization coming years later at 

a meeting held at the Metropolitan 

Restaurant in Intramuros on 19 

November 1920, and the Greek 

letters ‘ΥΣΦ (Upsilon Sigma Phi)’ 

— standing for ‘University Students’ 

Fraternity’—being adopted as the 

fraternity’s official name on 24 

March 1921.” 

To tell the story of Upsilon Sigma 

Phi, the oldest Greek-letter student 

organization in the Philippines and 

in Asia, is to look back at the history 

of our nation. 

Just as those 14 men gathered 

and welded their zeal in a 

brotherhood of ideals, the Upsilon 

has, for 100 years now, churned out 

its values and ideals into the world. 

Political personalities, campus 

opinion leaders, captains of industry, 

creative minds, scientists, innovators 

and even just plain colorful 

personalities – many Upsilonians 

over the decades have been 

instrumental in shaping our society. 

This is not an empty claim. From 

its beginnings in 1918, to its everexpanding 

reach in 2018, the Upsilon 

has led and bred men of substance 

whose leadership qualities gave the 

country a profusion of accomplished 

fellows. 

The then-unnamed fraternity 

in 1918 elected its first officers: 

Justiniano Asuncion, Agapito del 

Rosario, Adolfo Fabella, Sulpicio 

Bellosillo, Jose Apostol, Kenerino 

Asuncion, Graciano Rico and Vicente 

Llamas, all considered founding 

fathers of the fraternity together 

with Alfredo Feliciano, Ramon 

Gandiongco, Aurelio Magat, Jose 

Mariano, Pablo Sonido and Sancho 

Zalamea Jr. 

The Freemasonry-based themes, 

rites and rituals that the fraternity 

practices to this day came from 

Graciano Q. Rico, including its motto 

“We Gather Light to Scatter” -- 

which, according to the same article, 

speaks “of the Upsilonians’ neverending 

role of spreading their skills, 

talents and services to the world at 

large.” 

In other words, each member, 

called “fellow,” is “considered a 

beacon of leadership and excellence.” 

Meanwhile, the head of the Upsilon 

Sigma Phi is known as the Illustrious 

Fellow (IF). 

IF are the initials of the 

“bossman,” and the brotherhood 

also gives credence to the words of 

Rudyard Kipling’s immortal poem, If. 

The colors in the fraternity logo 

have their meanings: cardinal red for 

“courage and bravery,” old blue for 

“loyalty” and gold for “excellence.” 

Because it was the rarest flower back 

then, the pink rose became the floral 

symbol of the fellowship. 

“True to its ideals, the Upsilon 

began as a small gathering of men, the 

crème de la crème of the UP student 

body. Invitation was extended by its 

founders to only those who possessed 

the capacity to be leaders, and this 

showed when Upsilonians such as 

Ramon Sunico ‘21 (Premier to the 

Junior House of Representatives), 

Francisco Tonogbanua ‘24 (Vice 

President of the UP Student Council 

1925-1926), Federico Mangahas 

’25 (President, UP Writer’s Club), 

Jose Gamboa ’29 (ROTC Corps 

Commander), Hector Bisnar ’29 

(President College Council) and 

Arturo Garcia ‘29 (Member, UP Board 

of Regents), started to serve as student 

leaders in the university. Conrado 

Benitez ‘21, University Regent, was 

also inducted as an honorary fellow 

and later wrote the Upsilon Hymn,” the 

article further goes. 

The story of the Upsilon continues 

within these pages. With 3,800 fellows 

in its eminent roster of 100 years, it is 

impossible to give tribute to each one 

of them. (In fact, it will take a dozen 

tomes to tell the entire story, and 

Avecilla has begun with two volumes 

of 12 soon to be published by the Daily 

Tribune!) DSV 

WHAT’S INSIDE 

3 “We gather light to scatter” 

What it means to be in the 

country’s leading fraternity 

4 Centennial year highlights 

A rundown of the year’s 

activities and services 

6 Blazing trails in arts and 

culture 

A look at the fellows who 

excelled in the creative fields 

8 A legacy in nation-building 

How Upsilon Sigma Phi helped 

shape Philippine politics 

10 Distinguished diplomats 

Brothers in the service of country 

through international relations 

11 Captains of industry 

In commerce and finance, 

Upsilonians who led the way 

12 Key campus lights of the 

20th century 

Upsilon Sigma Phi Fellows who 

have ‘contributed to creating a 

climate conducive to learning 

and progress in UP’ 

14 The Upsilon pedigree 

A family of “double brothers” talks 

about continuing a family tradition 

STAFF 

Editor 

Dinah S. Ventura 

Contributing Editors 

Victor Avecilla 

Joseph Cortes 

Roel Hoang Manipon 

Jojo G. Silvestre 

Art Director 

Marivic Narrido Clemente 

For a fraternity can survive 

the forgetfulness of time only 

when there are common and 

dear attachments to remember. 

Matter counts, but without the 

permeating spirit, it becomes 

only a crude reminder. 

Production 

Kathleen Llemit 

Pauline Inha Songco 

Lor Bulacan 

Aurora Bulan 

Jorge Basco 

Wrenn Sanchez 

Photographer 

Yummie Dingding 

ARTIST’S rendition of seven of the 14 founding fathers of the Upsilon Sigma Phi. 

Cover Art 

Glenzkie T. Tolo

Daily Tribune 

H SPOT SPECIAL EDITION 

18 NOVEMBER 2018 3 

By Antonio Tujan Jr. 

The centenary 

of the first 

fraternity in 

the Philippines 

and for that 

matter in Asia is cause 

for celebration of the 

achievements of Upsilon 

Sigma Phi — not just for 

the brotherhood of its 

thousands of members 

or for the service that its 

members provide to the 

academic community as 

students. 

Upsilon is not just 

the first but I daresay the 

foremost fraternity in 

the country. Upsilonians 

are proud to claim the 

fraternity’s reputation 

for producing known 

leaders in different fields 

of endeavor. It is only 

fitting that President 

Rodrigo Duterte issued 

a special presidential 

proclamation to recognize 

this milestone. 

Generally, fraternities 

have a bad rap and their 

members are oftentimes 

seen as mere hooligans. 

This conflicted reputation 

is due to the celebrated 

cases of hazing and 

rumbles that have come 

to portray fraternities in a 

negative way to the public. 

The role of fraternities in 

the academic community 

is also subject to debate. 

School administrations 

have the duty to provide 

a positive environment 

for student associations, 

and to regulate them. 

They should be able to 

distinguish between 

legitimate fraternities 

from gangs masquerading 

as brotherhoods. 

Sadly, being the 

first and the foremost 

fraternity in the University 

of the Philippines (UP) 

also gives the Upsilon 

the dubious reputation 

of being elitist. There are 

those who assume that 

Upsilonians are the elite of 

the UP student population 

or that the members come 

from the privileged strata 

of Philippine society. 

Upsilon is, by no 

means, no ordinary 

fraternity in that it plays 

a role in developing the 

academic community and 

student body. Contrary to 

the undeserved reputation 

that the Upsilon is the elite 

fraternity of the status quo 

and of the ruling classes of 

landlords, big businesses 

and bureaucrats, 

Upsilonians are students 

who come mostly from 

all ranks of society who 

deserve the title Iskolar ng 

Bayan. 

Some of them become 

more famous or 

infamous because 

of the circumstances 

of their calling but 

everyone is 

a distinguished 

brother. 

What makes Upsilon 

different is its assiduous 

pursuit of excellence in 

recruiting its members 

without being exclusionary 

and developing that 

brotherhood and solidarity 

as part of their formation 

as students. Upsilon 

members then come from 

all professions and become 

leading personalities in 

their chosen fields. 

All batches of the 

fraternity live by the 

Upsilon motto, "We gather 

light to scatter." 

Every Upsilonian 

provides distinguished 

service to God, country, 

family and people. 

Some of them become 

more famous or 

infamous because of the 

circumstances of their 

calling, but everyone is 

a distinguished brother, 

whether as a businessman, 

a lawyer, a government 

official, an educator, an 

artist, a development 

worker, a political activist 

or as an officer whether of 

the Armed Forces or New 

People’s Army (NPA). 

The alumni play a 

moderating 

and advisory role in the 

fraternity where lessons 

are passed on, advice and 

support are given, projects 

are promoted and issues 

like initiation, hazing 

and rumbles are debated. 

Seniority is practiced to 

ensure respect, loyalty 

and obedience within 

bounds so that lessons are 

well learned. Thus, the 

fire of youth is tempered 

against the boundaries of 

propriety and violence in 

hazing and rumbles. 

For example, a 

number of alumni and 

senior fraternity brothers 

sponsored the neophytes 

who became Batch ’69 

to which I belong. At the 

center of the official batch 

photo, one can readily see 

Melito “Spooks” Glor, who 

never gave an indication 

that he would become 

one of the founders of the 

NPA Southern Tagalog. 

In honor of his political 

martyrdom, the NPA 

command in the region is 

named after him. 

Although the 

University of Santo 

Tomas is the oldest 

pontifical university 

in Asia, the UP is an 

American-styled 

university — a US 

imperialist creation 

to fashion an 

academic community 

and to train new 

professionals and civil 

servants to suit the 

grand American plan 

for the Philippine 

Islands. Being so, the 


(or the University 

Students’ Fraternity) 

is a necessary 

socio-cultural part 

of the studentry 

and an adjunct 

of the academic 

community. 

As Upsilon 

advances to the 

new millennium 

along with the 

University of the 

Philippines, it 

should cease to 

be a child of the 

time and instead 

become a child 

of tomorrow. 

‘We gather light to scatter’ 

1920s 

From the decade of 

the ‘20s came forth 

Jose B. Abad Santos 

(Chief Justice 

and Acting 

President of 

the Philippines), 

Carmelino G. 

Alvendia ’26 

(Senior Associate 

Justice of the Court 

of Appeals), Jose L. 

Gamboa ’29 (City Fiscal 

of Manila), Vicente J. 

Caedo ’29 (Governor 

of Batangas), Alfonso 

Calalang ’21 (third 

Governor of the 

Central Bank of the 

Philippines), Teodoro 

M. Kalaw (father of 

the Philippine library 

system), Juan R. Liwag 

’27 (Senator and Justice 

Secretary), Pio Pedrosa 

‘22 (Finance and 

Budget Secretary), 

Antonio R. Quirino ‘26 

(Father of Philippine 

Television) and 

Agaton Ursua ’28 

(Congressman/ 

Camarines Sur, 

President of the 

Philippine Dental 

Association in 

1963-65).

Daily Tribune 


Celebrations, converges, 

commemorations, care 

Proclamation Order 539 

Malacañang issued 

Proclamation Order 

539, signed by President 

Rodrigo Duterte on 25 

July 2018, recognizing the 

Upsilon Sigma Phi as 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. P539 

recognizes Upsilon, also the 

oldest Greek letter student 

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. 

100 Years, 100 Smiles 

The Upsilon’s One 

Hundred Years, One 

Hundred Smiles project 

aims to provide cleft repair 

surgery for 100 children in 

cooperation with the Smile 

Train Foundation. 

Every year, 200,000 

Filipino children are born 

with a cleft lip or palate. 

When left 

unchecked, 

this 

impairs the child’s ability 

to eat, breathe or speak 

properly. Although the 

surgery to repair the cleft 

only takes 45 minutes and 

costs P12,000, it changes 

the course of the recipients’ 

lives for the positive 

immeasurably. 

Johnder is one such 

child. He was born to 

Badjao parents who used to 

live in a coastal community 

in Sulu where the incidence 

of cleft was prevalent. Upon 

hearing of the opportunity 

for free reconstructive 

surgery program Johnder’s 

parents relocated to Davao, 

where they built a house 

on stilts over waters in the 

outskirts of the city and 

and where they hawked 

sunglasses to earn for 

their son’s future. Today, 

Johnder is seven years old 

and has begun school. He 

is no longer afraid of being 

bullied and is looking 

forward to each day of 

class. More importatly, he 

now smiles withouth the 

restraint of embarassment 

and ridicule. 

This year, One 

Hundred Years, One 

Hundred Smiles started 

in August. In October, they 

reached their target of 100 

surgeries. 

Upsilon Cares 

On 29 

September, the 

First Technical 

and 

Administrative Service 

Brigade, NCR (Reserve), 

of the Armed Forces of 

the Philippines (AFP), led 

by Fellow Brigadier Gen. 

Peter Suchianco, ’83 and the 

Laguna Lake Development 

Authority (LLDA) led by 

Fellow Jaime Mora ’91, 

embarked on Upsilon Cares, 

a health and environment 

outreach program along the 

lake shores of San Antonio, 

Bay, Laguna. 

It was held in 

partnership with Upsilon 

Sigma Phi Los Baños 

Alumni Association, 

headed by chairman Albert 

Ocampo ’83, and president 

Gigoy Tayao ’83, and 

USPLB residents led by IF 

McNeil Alvarez, 

The event is one of 

the many tree planting 

activities lined up for 

USPLB alumni association 

in line with LLDA’s mission 

and vision to protect and 

preserve Laguna Lake by 

planting mangrove trees on 

its shores. 

Upsilonian and Sigma 

Deltan doctors together 

with the AFP medical 

team conducted a medical 

and dental mission where 

they also distributed free 

vitamins and medicines. 

Upon its conception, 

Upsilon Cares evolved into 

various outreach programs 

from medical and legal 

missions to tree planting 

activities. 

Bangkaw sa Mindanaw 

From 4 to 8 November, 


circumnavigated Mindanao 

by land, sea and air in 

Bangkaw sa Mindanaw 

headed by its Davao alumni 

association. A biennial 

gathering of members in 

Davao City, Bangkaw sa 

Mindanaw began in 1996 

and usually features a golf 

tournament, site tours and 

feasts. 

This year’s Bangkaw 

was called Centennial 

Fellowship of the South 

with the theme “Scatter 

the Light Far and Wide, 

Rekindling the Spirit of 

Brotherhood through 

Generations.” 

Bangkaw was held 

in six sites — Bukidnon 

(Bukingan sa Bukidnon), 

Cagayan de Oro (Tagayan sa 

Cagayan), Gingoog, Butuan 

(Buto-Buto sa Butuan), 

Davao (Bangkaw sa 

Dabaw) and Samal Island 

— covering about 1,345 

kilometers. 

Highlights included a 

three-leg golf tournament 

and a fraternity convention. 

About 200 Upsilonians 

from all over the country 

as well as from Myanmar, 

Sweden, Germany and the 

United States attended the 

event. Some of them were 

from the 1950s. 

Courtesy call on 

Secretary Melchor 

Quitain 

Members of the 

Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni 

Association Board of 

Directors paid a courtesy 

call (photo below) to 

Upsilonian and newly 

appointed Acting Special

Daily Tribune 



Assistant to the President 

Secretary Melchor Quitain 

’63 at Malacañang. 

The delegation 

consisted of former UP 

President and incumbent 

USPAA chairman Fred 

Pascual ’67, Atty. Jordan 

Lim ‘12, Atty. Raul Paras 

’90, USPAA Board 

Director Mel Sadang ’72, 

former USPAA president 

Atty. Jesse Andres ’81, 

USPAA president Thad 

Liamzon ’81, former Leyte 

congressman, Philconsa 

president and USPAA 

Board Director Martin 

Romualdez ’85, Pagcor 

general manager and 

USPAA Board Director 

Eric Livelo ’81 and USPAA 

Board directors Ernest 

Salazar ’82 and Noah 

Nocon ’93. 

Day of Roses 

On 13 November, the 

Upsilon Sigma Phi, together 

with Closeup, celebrated the 

traditional Day of Roses at 

UP Diliman. Named Sinta, 

this year’s Day of Roses was 

all about love and romantic 

piety. 

Of course, the 

fraternity pink rose 

signified an everlasting and 

blossoming love. It is also 

about the freedom to love, 

because love knows no race, 

religion, gender and social 

status. 

Upsilon Fair 

On 14 November, the 

Upsilon Fair was held at 

the UP Los Baños Oblation 

Grounds. It featured 

an array of activities 

by different partner 

organizations and sponsor 

establishments. Among 

the activities were the 

Upsilon Feast, an acoustic 

night, and the return of 

Touch My Car 2018, a test of 

endurance, determination 

and skills with the grand 

prize of P15,000. 

100 Novembers: 

Launch of UP 

Promenade 

On 15 November, 

the UP Promenade was 

formally launched. 

The 120-meter 

walkway has alcoves, 

plazas and benches, with 

the Freedom Plaza in 

the middle. It is meant 

as a venue for the free 

expression of ideas and 

dreams. 

This structure has 10 

sections, each representing 

the 10 decades of the 

fraternity’s history. There 

are 14 custom-built lamps 

in the shape of the Greek 

letter ‘Upsilon,’ dedicated to 

the 14 Founders. 

The Promenade 

ends at the octagonal 

Upsilon Garden, where a 

marker from the National 

Historical Commission 

of the Philippines will be 

installed. 

Inspired by the 

centennial celebrations 

and the vision of former 

UP president Fred 

Pascual ‘67, the Upsilon 

Sigma Phi volunteered 

to build a walkway from 

Gonzalez Hall (Main 

Library) to a terminus 

along the Beta Way as part 

of an external learning 

center within the Diliman 

campus. Concept, design 

and construction were 

an all-Upsilon effort 

— Butch Aguila ’73, 

was project head, Ace 

Dimanlig ’67 designed 

the walkway, Jet Calosing 

’88 built the Promenade 

and Garry Hidalgo ’94 

did the landscape works. 

The construction firm 

of Ernie de Castro 

’64 provided the 

engineering designs and 

management support 

services. 

The UP Promenade 

launch, called “100 

Novembers,” was 

spearheaded by the 

Upsilon Centennial 

Commission, the Upsilon 

Sigma Phi Alumni 

Association and Batch 

’86 of the fraternity. 

Included in 

the program was 

the unveiling of the 

dedication wall, 

recognition of the donors 

and a light-and-sound 

show. 

Kapit-Kapit 

Legacy Monument 

The USP Los Baños 

Chapter is installing a 

legacy monument at the 

UPLB Alumni Plaza. 

Called Kapit-Kapit, the art 

installation features 14 

life-size statues whose 

arms are locked at one 

another’s elbows, while 

forming a circle. The 

statues represent the 

founders. Within the 

circle is a space for one, 

symbolizing an opening for 

someone seeking the light 

of the Upsilon. A creation 

of Upsilon artists, Kapit- 

Kapit is located between 

the Carillon Tower and the 

Marya Fountain. 

Restoration of Jose 

Rizal’s “Triumph of 

Science Over Death” 

The Upsilon Sigma 

Phi North America 

Chapter, through its 

president Bill Romero 

’76 sponsored two 

restoration projects 

as its contribution to 

the 2018 Centennial 

celebration. One is the 

large, concrete replica 

of Jose Rizal’s “Triumph 

of Science Over Death,” 

which stands in front of 

the Fernando Calderón 

Hall of the UP College 

of Medicine. Located 

within the UP Medical 

School compound, the 

sculpture is popularly 

known as “Lady 

Med.” The original 

artwork is on 

display at the Rizal 

Shrine Museum 

at Fort Santiago, 

Intramuros, Manila. 

Made of clay, it was 

a gift of Rizal to his 

friend, Ferdinand 

Blumentritt. 

Bintao: Ang Buhay 

at Kabayanihan 

ni Wenceslao Q. 

Vinzons 

The play 

Bintao: Ang Buhay at 

Kabayanihan ni Wencelsao 

Q. Vinzons will be staged 

on 23 November at 7 

p.m. and 24 November 

at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at 

the University of the 

Philippines Theater in 

Diliman, Quezon City. 

Written by Efren 

Yambot and directed 

by Tony Mabesa and 

Alexander Cortez, Bintao 

traces the life and times 

of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons 

from his beginnings as a 

UP student to his rise in 

the politics, ending with 

his martyrdom as leader 

of the Vinzons Guerillas 

during the war years. 

The cast is composed 

of members of the 

Upsilon Sigma Phi and 

Sigma Delta Phi Sorority, 

as well as outside guest 

performers. 

This is in 

cooperation with the 

National Commission 

for Culture and the Arts, 

National Historical 

Commission of the 

Philippines, and the 

University of the 

Philippines System. 

Upsilon 

Centennial Ball 

A grand gathering, 

called The Fellowship of 

The Lights Centennial 

Ball will be held today, 

18 November at the 

Philippine International 

Convention Center in 

Pasay City. 

A special musical 

presentation, 

commemorative 

videogram and an 

intimate fellowship 

ceremony will highlight 

the event. No less than 

Via Mare has been 

selected to cater the 

affair. 

The grand ball will 

usher in the fraternity’s 

100th year, signaling 

its journey to the 

bicentennial. 

Ray Orozco ’65, 

heads the organizing 

committee. Danger 

Sanchez ’91, Ernest 

Salazar ’82, Enzo Pizarro 

’99, Juor Buted ’80, 

Joseph Olfindo ’75, Myki 

Cantero ’88, and Babes 

Calixto ’92, among others, 

are in his team. 

Olympus: 

The Party 

of the Gods 

Culminating the 


Month Celebration is 

a big party to end the 

semester. It is set for 29 

November at Asiaville, 

Bay, Laguna.

Daily Tribune 


By Joseph Cortes 

While Upsilon Sigma 

Phi is known primarily for its 

statesmen and legislators, the 

fraternity brothers were also 

moving forces in the country’s 

arts and culture. 

Foremost among the 

list is Jose “Pitoy” Moreno ’48, 

acknowledged by Le Figaro as 

the “Fashion Czar of Asia” when 

he staged his first show in Paris. 

While Moreno’s membership 

resulted in much debate within the 

fraternity, he proved to be a stellar 

addition to its roster, as well as 

influential in helping many brods 

find their forever-afters among his 

well-heeled clients. 

On another front, architect 

Cesar Concio ’26, who is known 

for his modernist designs, 

was another artistic genius. 

Concio’s plan for the grounds 

of UP Diliman was patterned 

after the University of Virginia. 

His sketches for Palma Hall 

(commonly known as “AS” among 

UP students) and Melchor Hall 

(College of Engineering) and 

his retake on the original 

American-designed Malcolm 

Hall (College of Law) and Benitez 

Hall (College of Education) halls 

provide a symmetrical look to 

the campus. Likewise, his idea 

for Quezon Hall (Administration 

Building) crowns the university 

oval. 

Upsilon is also blessed 

to have been the wellspring 

of many great literary minds: 

writer and UP president 

S. P. Lopez ’32, journalist 

Armando Malay ’34, short story 

writer Sinai Hamada (’35), 

acknowledged as the father of 

community journalism in the 

Cordilleras, historian and UP 

president Onofre D. Corpuz 

’47, National Library director 

Serafin Quiason Jr. ’50, poets 

Francisco Tonogbanua ’24 and 

Gemino Abad ’55, publisher 

Tony Hidalgo and essayist 

Elmer Ordoñez ’50. 

In the media, esteemed 

fellows include Daily Tribune 

publisher and president Willie 

Fernandez ‘69, Philippine Daily 

Inquirer chairman Raul Palabrica 

’67, Manila Standard chairman 

Martin Romualdez ’85 and 

Malaya executive editor Enrique 

“Pocholo” Romualdez ’47. 

Other Upsilonians read, seen 

and heard include journalists 

Norman Bordadora ’92, Rolly 

Fernandez ’70, Kumar Balani ’70, 

Tony Tujan ’69, Mario Baluyot 

’69, Danny Gozo ’67, Bing Matoto 

’66; Emmanuel Osorio ’62 and 

Victor Avecilla ’79; newscasters 

Angelo Castro ’66 and Gilbert 

Remulla ’89, TV newsman Jun 

Bautista aka Augurio Camu Jr. ’55, 

broadcast executive Jake Almeda 

Lopez ’48 and Kevin Manalo aka 

Glenn Pamatmat ’09. 

Apart from the Yabut- 

Zamora-Martell team, other 

leading lights of Philippine 

theater are Upsilonians Tony 

Mabesa ’54, Behn Cervantes ’58 

and Alexander Cortez ’67. 

They spearheaded Dulaang 

UP and UP Repertory into 

the formidable creative 

powerhouses that they now 

are in Philippine theater. 

The visual artists in the 

fraternity include Nonoy 

Gamboa ’62, Romy Carlos 

’63, Danger Sanchez ’91 and 

Angelo Magno ’96. 

In show business, 

Upsilonians also dominate the 

field. Antonio “Tony” Quirino is 

the father of Philippine television. 

Others brods are Unitel head 

honcho Tony Gloria, baritone 

and character actor Gamaliel 

Viray ’63, photographer and actor 

Ding Navasero ’70, jazz musician 

Johnny Alegre ’79, tenors 

Dondi Ong ’88 and Lemuel 

Cuento ’89, television director 

Manuel “Maning” Rivera ’57, 

independent filmmakers Kidlat 

Tahimik aka Eric de Guia ’59 

and Mike Sandejas ’91, and 

documentary filmmaker Gabby 

Malvar ’85. 

THESPIAN Behn Cervantes, theater directors Tony 

Mabesa and Alexander Cortez, National Artist for 

Film Kidlat Tahimik, lyricist Mart Martell, playwright 

Teddy Yabut and Pitoy Moreno, the Fashion Czar 

of Asia. 

Upsilon is also 

blessed to have been 

the wellspring of 

many great literary 

minds. 

arts and culture 

Blazing trails in

Daily Tribune 



Noteworthy 

1940s 

Prominent Upsilonians who 

joined the Fellowship in the 

Forties include Joker Arroyo 

‘48 (Congressman and Senator), 

Emilio Gancayco ’40 (Justice of 

the Supreme Court), Jose Campos 

Jr. ’41 (Justice of the Supreme Court), 

Troadio Quiazon Jr. ’40 (Trade 

Secretary), Salvador Laurel ‘47 (Prime 

Minister, Vice President, Senator and 

Secretary of Foreign Affairs), Onofre D. 

Corpuz ’47 (UP President), Jose “Pitoy” 

Moreno ’48 (Fashion Czar of Asia), Gerardo 

Roxas ’46 (Senator), Estelito Mendoza ’47 

(Pampanga Governor and Solicitor General), 

Camilo Quiason ’47 (Associate Justice of 

the Supreme Court), Mamintal Tamano ’48 

(Senator), Rene Cruz ’49 (General, Philippine 

Olympic Committee Chairman) and Romeo 

Escareal ’48 (Justice of the Sandiganbayan). 

Music was very much a part of Upsilon 

life. Since 1948, the fraternity staged its annual 

Cavalcade, a musicale showcase of the artistic talents 

of its fellows. 

It was from this celebration that the legendary 

triumvirate of writer and director Teodoro Yabut 

’49, composer Ricardo “Dick” Zamora ’49 and 

lyricist Manuel “Mart” Martell ’47 was born. The 

trio were the creative geniuses behind Aloyan, 

acknowledged to be the first all-original Englishlanguage, 

Broadway-style musical written by 

Filipinos. 

Taking Aloyan on a nationwide tour in 1952, 

the Upsilon raised funds for the construction of 

the UP Chapel, or Parish of the Holy Sacrifice. 

This structure is acknowledged to be a Catholic 

landmark, with architecture by Leandro “Lindy” 

Locsin, murals by Vicente Manansala, religious 

sculpture by Napoleon Abueva and mosaics by 

Arturo Luz, all national artists. 

Zamora earlier composed the Upsilon March, 

with Martell later adding the lyrics and transforming 

it into the Upsilon March Song. The first few notes of 

the march follow the opening melody of UP Beloved; 

he explained that it was the fraternity’s way of paying 

homage to its alma mater. 

Zamora and Martell are also the brains behind 

the Upsilon Centennial Hymn, which will have its 

world premiere at tonight’s centennial ball. 

Written by Zamora in 2008, in anticipation of 

the fraternity’s 100th anniversary in 2018 – he was 

then battling cancer which would later claim his life 

in 2011 – he collaborated with Martell for the last 

time in what would be his final contribution to the 

fraternity. Joseph Cortes 

AN aerial view of UP Diliman 

in the 1950s. 

1930s 

Luminaries of the Thirties 

are led by Ferdinand Marcos ’37 (President 

of the Philippines), Jose P. Laurel (President of 

the Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines), 

Salvador P. Lopez ‘33 (Foreign Secretary and UP President), 

Estanislao Fernandez ’31 (Senator and Associate Justice of the 

Supreme Court), Ramon Fernandez ’35 (Justice of the Supreme 

Court), Pablo Roman ’33 (Congressman of Bataan), Enrique Garcia 

’36 (Health Secretary), Querube Makalintal ‘30 (Chief Justice of 

the Supreme Court, Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa), Jolly 

Bugarin ’37 (Interpol President, NBI director), Vicente Ericta 

’37 (Tanodbayan and Supreme Court Justice), Nicanor 

Yñiguez ’37 (Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa), Roberto 

S. Benedicto ’36 (Ambassador), Wenceslao Q. Vinzons 

‘30 (Congressman, Camarines Norte Governor and 

World War II Martyr), Armando Malay (Journalist), 

Domocao Alonto ’33 (Senator), Sotero Laurel ‘38 

(Senator) and Jose B. Laurel Jr. ’32 (Speaker 

of the House of Representatives), to 

name a few. 

ROBERTO S. Benedicto ’36 (left) 

with other fellows. 

UPSILONIANS with their Fraternity Sweetheart Celia Diaz, 1947-48. 

THE Carillon.

Daily Tribune 


By Joseph Cortes 

While Upsilon Sigma 

Phi is known primarily for its 

statesmen and legislators, the 

fraternity brothers were also 

moving forces in the country’s 

arts and culture. 

Foremost among the 

list is Jose “Pitoy” Moreno ’48, 

acknowledged by Le Figaro as 

the “Fashion Czar of Asia” when 

he staged his first show in Paris. 

While Moreno’s membership 

resulted in much debate within the 

fraternity, he proved to be a stellar 

addition to its roster, as well as 

influential in helping many brods 

find their forever-afters among his 

well-heeled clients. 

On another front, architect 

Cesar Concio ’26, who is known 

for his modernist designs, 

was another artistic genius. 

Concio’s plan for the grounds 

of UP Diliman was patterned 

after the University of Virginia. 

His sketches for Palma Hall 

(commonly known as “AS” among 

UP students) and Melchor Hall 

(College of Engineering) and 

his retake on the original 

American-designed Malcolm 

Hall (College of Law) and Benitez 

Hall (College of Education) halls 

provide a symmetrical look to 

the campus. Likewise, his idea 

for Quezon Hall (Administration 

Building) crowns the university 

oval. 

Upsilon is also blessed 

to have been the wellspring 

of many great literary minds: 

writer and UP president 

S. P. Lopez ’32, journalist 

Armando Malay ’34, short story 

writer Sinai Hamada (’35), 

acknowledged as the father of 

community journalism in the 

Cordilleras, historian and UP 

president Onofre D. Corpuz 

’47, National Library director 

Serafin Quiason Jr. ’50, poets 

Francisco Tonogbanua ’24 and 

Gemino Abad ’55, publisher 

Tony Hidalgo and essayist 

Elmer Ordoñez ’50. 

In the media, esteemed 

fellows include Daily Tribune 

publisher and president Willie 

Fernandez ‘69, Philippine Daily 

Inquirer chairman Raul Palabrica 

’67, Manila Standard chairman 

Martin Romualdez ’85 and 

Malaya executive editor Enrique 

“Pocholo” Romualdez ’47. 

Other Upsilonians read, seen 

and heard include journalists 

Norman Bordadora ’92, Rolly 

Fernandez ’70, Kumar Balani ’70, 

Tony Tujan ’69, Mario Baluyot 

’69, Danny Gozo ’67, Bing Matoto 

’66; Emmanuel Osorio ’62 and 

Victor Avecilla ’79; newscasters 

Angelo Castro ’66 and Gilbert 

Remulla ’89, TV newsman Jun 

Bautista aka Augurio Camu Jr. ’55, 

broadcast executive Jake Almeda 

Lopez ’48 and Kevin Manalo aka 

Glenn Pamatmat ’09. 

Apart from the Yabut- 

Zamora-Martell team, other 

leading lights of Philippine 

theater are Upsilonians Tony 

Mabesa ’54, Behn Cervantes ’58 

and Alexander Cortez ’67. 

They spearheaded Dulaang 

UP and UP Repertory into 

the formidable creative 

powerhouses that they now 

are in Philippine theater. 

The visual artists in the 

fraternity include Nonoy 

Gamboa ’62, Romy Carlos 

’63, Danger Sanchez ’91 and 

Angelo Magno ’96. 

In show business, 

Upsilonians also dominate the 

field. Antonio “Tony” Quirino is 

the father of Philippine television. 

Others brods are Unitel head 

honcho Tony Gloria, baritone 

and character actor Gamaliel 

Viray ’63, photographer and actor 

Ding Navasero ’70, jazz musician 

Johnny Alegre ’79, tenors 

Dondi Ong ’88 and Lemuel 

Cuento ’89, television director 

Manuel “Maning” Rivera ’57, 

independent filmmakers Kidlat 

Tahimik aka Eric de Guia ’59 

and Mike Sandejas ’91, and 

documentary filmmaker Gabby 

Malvar ’85. 

THESPIAN Behn Cervantes, theater directors Tony 

Mabesa and Alexander Cortez, National Artist for 

Film Kidlat Tahimik, lyricist Mart Martell, playwright 

Teddy Yabut and Pitoy Moreno, the Fashion Czar 

of Asia. 

Upsilon is also 

blessed to have been 

the wellspring of 

many great literary 

minds. 

arts and culture 

Blazing trails in

Daily Tribune 



Noteworthy 

1940s 

Prominent Upsilonians who 

joined the Fellowship in the 

Forties include Joker Arroyo 

‘48 (Congressman and Senator), 

Emilio Gancayco ’40 (Justice of 

the Supreme Court), Jose Campos 

Jr. ’41 (Justice of the Supreme Court), 

Troadio Quiazon Jr. ’40 (Trade 

Secretary), Salvador Laurel ‘47 (Prime 

Minister, Vice President, Senator and 

Secretary of Foreign Affairs), Onofre D. 

Corpuz ’47 (UP President), Jose “Pitoy” 

Moreno ’48 (Fashion Czar of Asia), Gerardo 

Roxas ’46 (Senator), Estelito Mendoza ’47 

(Pampanga Governor and Solicitor General), 

Camilo Quiason ’47 (Associate Justice of 

the Supreme Court), Mamintal Tamano ’48 

(Senator), Rene Cruz ’49 (General, Philippine 

Olympic Committee Chairman) and Romeo 

Escareal ’48 (Justice of the Sandiganbayan). 

Music was very much a part of Upsilon 

life. Since 1948, the fraternity staged its annual 

Cavalcade, a musicale showcase of the artistic talents 

of its fellows. 

It was from this celebration that the legendary 

triumvirate of writer and director Teodoro Yabut 

’49, composer Ricardo “Dick” Zamora ’49 and 

lyricist Manuel “Mart” Martell ’47 was born. The 

trio were the creative geniuses behind Aloyan, 

acknowledged to be the first all-original Englishlanguage, 

Broadway-style musical written by 

Filipinos. 

Taking Aloyan on a nationwide tour in 1952, 

the Upsilon raised funds for the construction of 

the UP Chapel, or Parish of the Holy Sacrifice. 

This structure is acknowledged to be a Catholic 

landmark, with architecture by Leandro “Lindy” 

Locsin, murals by Vicente Manansala, religious 

sculpture by Napoleon Abueva and mosaics by 

Arturo Luz, all national artists. 

Zamora earlier composed the Upsilon March, 

with Martell later adding the lyrics and transforming 

it into the Upsilon March Song. The first few notes of 

the march follow the opening melody of UP Beloved; 

he explained that it was the fraternity’s way of paying 

homage to its alma mater. 

Zamora and Martell are also the brains behind 

the Upsilon Centennial Hymn, which will have its 

world premiere at tonight’s centennial ball. 

Written by Zamora in 2008, in anticipation of 

the fraternity’s 100th anniversary in 2018 – he was 

then battling cancer which would later claim his life 

in 2011 – he collaborated with Martell for the last 

time in what would be his final contribution to the 

fraternity. Joseph Cortes 

AN aerial view of UP Diliman 

in the 1950s. 

1930s 

Luminaries of the Thirties 

are led by Ferdinand Marcos ’37 (President 

of the Philippines), Jose P. Laurel (President of 

the Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines), 

Salvador P. Lopez ‘33 (Foreign Secretary and UP President), 

Estanislao Fernandez ’31 (Senator and Associate Justice of the 

Supreme Court), Ramon Fernandez ’35 (Justice of the Supreme 

Court), Pablo Roman ’33 (Congressman of Bataan), Enrique Garcia 

’36 (Health Secretary), Querube Makalintal ‘30 (Chief Justice of 

the Supreme Court, Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa), Jolly 

Bugarin ’37 (Interpol President, NBI director), Vicente Ericta 

’37 (Tanodbayan and Supreme Court Justice), Nicanor 

Yñiguez ’37 (Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa), Roberto 

S. Benedicto ’36 (Ambassador), Wenceslao Q. Vinzons 

‘30 (Congressman, Camarines Norte Governor and 

World War II Martyr), Armando Malay (Journalist), 

Domocao Alonto ’33 (Senator), Sotero Laurel ‘38 

(Senator) and Jose B. Laurel Jr. ’32 (Speaker 

of the House of Representatives), to 

name a few. 

ROBERTO S. Benedicto ’36 (left) 

with other fellows. 

UPSILONIANS with their Fraternity Sweetheart Celia Diaz, 1947-48. 

THE Carillon.

Daily Tribune 


The distinguished 

diplomats 

It is said that the work of a true diplomat happens 

behind closed doors. From mundane requirements 

such as the issuance of passports, visas and seals to 

high-level discussions intended to protect the rights 

of overseas Filipino workers, envoys work facelessly 

in offices and conference rooms here and abroad. 

Upsilon Sigma Phi has not only delivered its 

share of statesmen and captains of industry. It has 

also enriched the annals of diplomacy with men who 

have offered service to their fellowmen. 

In the 100 years since its founding in 1918, 

Upsilon has produced three Foreign Affairs 

secretaries. Salvador P. Lopez ’33 served during 

the term of President Diosdado Macapagal in 1963. 

Arturo Tolentino ’31 was President Ferdinand 

Marcos’ ’37 Chief Envoy from 1984 to 1985 and 

Salvador “Doy” Laurel ’47 served from 1986 to 1987 

under President Corazon Aquino. 

Upsilonians who took on roles as Philippine 

ambassadors abroad include: Yusuf R. Abubakar 

’34, Roberto S. Benedicto ’36, Abraham Rasul ’41, 

Jose Oledan ’46, Armando Manalo ’47, Isabelito 

Astraquillo ’48, Florentino Feliciano ’48, Kasan 

Marohombsar ’50, Edgardo Espiritu ’55, Menandro 

Galenzoga ’63, Oscar Valenzuela ’64, Enrique Zaldivar 

’55, Willy Gaa ’66, Jesus Yabes ’66, Jose P. Ampeso ’68, 

Carlos Sorreta ’88, Alunan Glang ’59, Jaime Ledda ’81 

and Julius Torres ’72. Joseph Cortes 

In the 100 years since its 

founding in 1918, Upsilon has 

produced three Foreign Affairs 

secretaries. 

“ 

In war as in peace, the 

Upsilonians did not shirk the 

challenge of service to the cause, 

even if the cause seemed lost for 

the moment. Some took to the field 

and in their own ways contributed 

towards the preservation of Filipino 

institutions as much 

as possible. 

Upsilon Sigma Phi History, 

1918 to 1973 

1950s 

“Many would join the fold during the glory years of light! These include: 

Josue Bellosillo (Justice of the Supreme Court), Serafin Quiason Jr. ’50 (Chairman 

of the National Historical Institute), Edgardo Espiritu ’55 (Finance Secretary and 

Ambassador), Benigno Aquino Jr. ’50 (Senator), Roque Ablan Jr. ’50 (Congressman), 

Juanito Remulla ’51 (Governor of Cavite), Dionisio Dela Serna ’57 (Deputy Executive 

Secretary), Jorge Araneta ’53 (CEO, Araneta Group of Companies), Christian Monsod 

’55 (Comelec Chairman), Antonio Mabesa ’54 (Theater Actor and Director), Behn 

Cervantes ’58 (Director/Activist), Manuel Rivera ‘57 (Film Director), Kidlat Tahimik ’59 

(Filmmaker), to name a few.” 

— The Fifties: A New Stage, Duncan Vinluan ’17 

“The Upsilon has managed to put up three brods as UP Student Council heads 

– Eric de Guia ’59, Tristan Catindig ’63 and later on Manny Ortega ’66 – during 

the early ‘70s. It also had three Philippine Collegian editors, Tristan Catindig ’63, 

Ancheta Tan ’63 and Teodoro Yabut Jr. ’71. The fraternity dominated the editorship 

of the Philippinensian with Ricardo Dino ’59, Antonio Hidalgo ’60, Honesto Nuqui 

’63, Pedro Dy-Liacco ’65 and Felipe Estella ’66, leading the social and political 

discourse on campus through its publication.” 

— The Academe in the Early ‘60s, 

From Campus to Country: Challenges in the Upsilon Brand of Leadership, 

Ed Sunico ’86 and Mars Marcelino ’16

Daily Tribune 



Captains of industry 

1960s 

Luminaries who 

joined the fellowship in 

the ‘60s include Willie 

Fernandez ’69 (publisher 

and president of Daily 

Tribune), Rico Alfiler ’69 

(International Monetary 

Fund PH representative 

and Philippine National 

Bank vice chairman) 

Antonio Tujan ’69 

(IBON Foundation 

founder), Wencelito 

Andanar ’69 (Special 

Envoy to Malaysia), 

Fernando Malveda ’69 

(LEADS chairman and 

president), Rico Agcaoili 

’69 (Chairman, Baguio 

Country Club), Richard 

Gordon ’68 (Chairman 

PRC/Senator), Danilo 

Gozo ’67 (Undersecretary), 

Alfredo Pascual ’67 (UP 

President), Melito Glor ’67 

(Commander, New People’s 

Army), Angelo Castro ‘66 

(Broadcast journalist and 

freedom fighter), Willy Gaa 

’66 (Ambassador), Mon 

Abad ’66 (Development 

Bank of the Philippines 

chairman), Jess Yabes ’66 

(Ambassador), Francisco 

Aniag ’66 (Congressman), 

Jerome Paras’64 

(Congressman), Bobby 

Carpio ’64 (Hotelier) 

Oscar Valenzuela ’64 

(Ambassador), Ben 

Tabin ’64 (Contractor/ 

Realtor), Melchor Quitain 

’63 (Acting Special 

Assistant to the President), 

Menandro Galenzoga ’63 

(Ambassador) Isagani 

Amatong ’60 (Governor/ 

Congressman), Andrew 

Nocon ’60 (Mayor) and 

Guillermo Trinidad 

’60 (Presidential 

Spokesperson). 

By Jojo G. Silvestre 

While Upsilonians 

have proven their mettle 

in politics, 

diplomacy and 

local governance, a 

number turned out 

to be outstanding in 

the field of business. 

Antonio Rivera 

Quirino ’26 founded 

DZAQ-TV of Alto 

Broadcasting System 

(ABS), the first 

television station in 

the Philippines. Its 

first broadcast was 

on 23 October 1953. 

Norberto 

Quisumbing ‘49 

was a pioneer in 

the manufacturing 

industry when he 

founded Norkis, 

the first motorcycle 

distribution 

enterprise in the 

country. 

Jorge Araneta 

‘53 is the industrial 

real estate magnate 

and shopping mall 

mogul identified 

with the Araneta 

Center in Quezon 

City. The Araneta 

commercial 

district is the first 

to be established 

outside of the 

city of Manila. 

His iconic New 

Frontier Theatre 

(now called the Kia 

Theatre) was the 

biggest cinema theater in 

Asia during its prime. His 

business interests include 

investments in Pizza Hut, 

Taco Bell and Dairy Queen. 

Edgardo Espiritu ‘55 

is a distinguished leader 

in the financial world. 

He served as president of 

Metropolitan Bank & Trust 

Co., International Bank 

of California, Philippine 

National Bank, Westmont 

Bank and the First 

Philippine Fund. Espiritu 

has been chairman since 

1984 and serves as director 

of Datem, Inc. He was also 

appointed as Secretary of 

the Department of Finance 

Jorge Araneta '53 

and Ambassador to the 

United Kingdom. 

Arsenio “Archit” 

Bartolome III ’59 served 

as president of 

the Philippine 

National Bank 

and Urban Bank. 

Norberto Quisumbing '49 

Federico Pascual ’63 

Edgardo Espiritu '55 

Arsenio "Archit" 

Bartolome III ’59 

IN the ‘70s, protest actions and movements were rampant. 

He became president of the 

Management Association of 

the Philippines. 

Federico “Ding” Pascual 

’63 became president 

and general manager of 

the Government Service 

Insurance System. He also 

served as CEO, vice chairman 

and acting president of 

the Philippine National 

Bank and president and 

CEO of Allied Banking 

Corporation. He was 

once president of the 

Philippine Chamber of 

Commerce and Industry. 

Claudio Altura 

’54, who passed away 

a week ago, was a big 

name in the Philippine 

construction and 

infrastructure industries. 

He had investments in 

nuclear, petrochemical, 

electronics and mass 

transit projects. 

The list is long and 

includes such names as 

Pio Pedrosa ’22, Roberto 

S. Benedicto ’36, Pablo 

Roman ’33, among other 

Upsilonians who have 

built business empires, 

developed lands and 

founded companies 

that have employed 

thousands of Filipinos. 

Many more Upsilon 

Sigma Phi alumni belong to 

the roster of the Philippines’ 

foremost executives of 

commerce and industry. 

1970s 

Some accomplished and 

prominent Upsilonians from 

this decade include: Medardo 

Arce ’70 (Commander, New 

People’s Army), Melchor 

Sadang ’72 (Justice of the 

Court of Appeals) Jesus 

Crispin Remulla ’79 

(Congressman and Governor 

of Cavite), Rodolfo “Inky” 

Reyes ’78 (Former chairman, 

Cagayan Economic Zone 

Authority), Luis Rey Velasco 

’74 (Chancellor, UPLB), Rico 

Puno ’74 (Undersecretary, 

DILG), Paolo Miciano ’77 

(AFP General, Special 

Forces), Jacinto Paras ‘71 

(Congressman , Negros 

Oriental), Victor Avecilla ’79 

(Columnist and professor), 

Benjie Dimaano ’76 (National 

chess champion), Louis 

Biraogo ’79 (Citizen Barok, 

public interest advocate), 

Dr. Teddy Herbosa ’78 

(Executive vice president, UP 

System), Enrique Quiason ’79 

(Corporate secretary, ABS- 

CBN), Ding Navasero ’70 

(Thespian and actor), Julius 

Torres ’72 (ambassador), 

Jack Arroyo ’74 (Pioneer 

of eye laser surgery in the 

Philippines), Johnny Alegre 

’79 (World recognized jazzist) 

and Dr. Joy Novero ’78 (In 

vitro fertilization pioneer and 

head at St. Luke’s).

Daily Tribune 


Key campus lights 

of the 20 th century 

By Jojo G. Silvestre 

The first 100 

years of the 

Philippine 

Republic were 

particularly interesting 

and exciting times 

for the young leaders 

of the country. The 

Upsilon brethren, who 

considered themselves 

among the cream of 

the Philippine youth 

sector, led the men 

and women of their 

generation in nationalist 

endeavors, even as they 

sought and fought for 

educational reforms 

and socio-economic 

programs leading to 

the development of the 

youth. 

Right on campus 

at the University of the 

Philippines, first in 

Padre Faura and later 

in Diliman , as well as 

Los Baños, the Upsilon 

Sigma Phi spearheaded 

many activities and 

projects that put 

the young 

leaders on 

Right on campus at the University of the 

Philippines, first in Padre Faura and 

later in Diliman , as well as Los Baños, 

the Upsilon Sigma Phi spearheaded many 

activities and projects that put the young 

leaders on the spotlight. 

the spotlight. Many of 

the brods themselves 

became the center of 

controversy, even as 

they themselves were 

critical of the country’s 

government leaders and 

their programs. 

No less than 16 

fellows served as 

University Student 

Council presidents, 

while 15 became 

college student council 

presidents. Equally 

prestigious posts 

then, as today, was 

the editorship of the 

Philippine Collegian, 

the UP student paper, 

held at various times by 

Upsilonians. 

Names to reckon 

with, not only on the 

UP Campus, but in 

Philippine university 

and collegiate life, were 

Wenceslao Q. Vinzons 

’30, Arturo Tolentino 

’31 and Armando 

Malay ’34, all of whom 

became Collegian editors. 

Tolentino was firm 

in his “pro” stand in 

favor of the Hare-Hawes- 

Cutting Act of 1933, and 

thus received the ire of 

Law Dean Jorge Bocobo, 

who was ferociously 

“anti.” On Tolentino’s 

side was UP President 

Rafael Palma. 

Manuel L. Quezon, 

it has been said, had a 

love-hate relationship 

with UP, as he and the 

students constantly met 

during convocations 

where he often tested his 

political ideas. Student 

Council President Jose 

B. Laurel Jr. ’32 once 

led students in a rally 

when the President was 

visiting. Quezon, initially 

disagreeable, 

U P 

engaged the students 

in a heated debate, 

but convinced by their 

point of view, took a 

180-degree turn. 

Ferdinand Marcos 

’37, a top orator of the era, 

once attacked Quezon’s 

frivolous ways, as 

exemplified by the lavish 

parties in Malacañang 

where he loved to tango, 

at a “turbulent” 

“In 1955 Cesar Ramos 

’57 was elected the Chairman 

of the UPLB University Student 

Council. This was the onset for the 

continued desire of the Upsilon at Los 

Baños to continuously participate in the 

student council elections. 

“The College of Agriculture, the biggest in UPLB, 

became the bastion of Upsilonian leadership with the 

following as its Dean: Fernando A. Bernardo ’53; Ricardo M. 

Lantican ’51 (National Scientist); Faustino T. Orillo ’41 (former 

Dean of the UPLB, Graduate School); and Ruben L. Villareal ’57 (Former 

Chancellor). 

“The ‘50s in Los Baños saw the birth of a tradition of leadership that will be 

bannered on for succeeding years bearing fruit to the assumption of Upsilonians as 

deans of various colleges and the penultimate position of Chancellor. To date, five fellows have 

held the highest position of Chancellor at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños. 

-- The Fifties: A New Stage, Duncan Vinluan ’17 

PR E S I DE N T S 

time when he should 

instead be concentrating 

on governance. Marcos 

had a shouting match 

with Quezon over the 

issue of the transfer of the 

UP Campus from Padre 

Faura to Diliman, a move 

that students viewed as a 

strategy to lead them away 

from the center of action 

in Manila. 

If there is one name 

that continues to evoke 

the noblest of student 

leadership and activism, it 

is that of Vinzons, 

who was both president 

of the UP Student Council 

and editor of the Philippine 

Collegian. In his speeches, 

he continuously fought 

Quezon who, he claimed, 

was turning into a dictator. 

The post-war years 

would finally see the 

transfer of the campus 

to Diliman where the 


continued to lord it over 

campus politics, but 

not without its share of 

defeats and failures.

Daily Tribune 



1934 Philippine Collegian editorial staff. (Seated from left) Rodolfo Palma ’33, San Agustin, Arturo Tolentino ’31, Emilia 

Villanueva, Alberto Leynes ’33, Luz Pagaduan and Sinai Hamada ’35. (Standing from left) Leopoldo Yabes, Isagani Villa 

d’Bayan, Teodoro Agoncillo, Armando Malay ’34, Guillermo Sison, Genaro Vitucio and Teofilo Israel. 

HOUSE Speaker Jose B. Laurel Jr. ’32 and Senator Arturo Tolentino ’31. 

Emerging as leaders of 

the war and postwar years were 

Troadio T. Quiazon ’40, Delfin J 

Villanueva ’40, Guillermo P. Santos 

’41 and Augusto S. Gonzalez, who 

all became presidents of the UP 

Student Council, also known as 

the Student Body Organization. 

Ponciano G. Mathay ’48, Illustrious 

Fellow of 1952-1953, became 

Chairman of the Inter-Fraternity 

Council. 

Other interesting names of 

the era were those of Catalino 

Macaraig Jr. ’47, Associate Editor 

of Philippinensian who would 

become executive secretary 

under President Cory Aquino; 

UP President and Secretary 

of Education Onofre Corpuz 

’47; UP Los Baños Chancellor 

Abelardo Samonte ‘49; National 

Library Director Serafin 

Quiason Jr. ‘50, International 

Rice Research Institute 

Executive Director Marcos 

Vega ‘51; and National Scientists 

Jose Encarnacion Jr. ‘48 and 

Ricardo Lantican ’51. Three 

future senators of the Republic 

were Salvador H. Laurel ’47, 

Joker Arroyo ’48 and Mamintal 

Tamano ’48. 

To the Reserve Officers 

Training Corps (ROTC), 

another extra-curricular 

activity in which student 

leaders were expected to excel, 

Upsilon Sigma Phi contributed 

Corps Commander-brods 

Enrique Belo ’46, Angel 

Arambulo ’47 and Ernesto 

Sanvictores ’50. 

One Collegian editor-inchief 

whose name remains 

emblazoned in the annals of 

Philippine literature is Elmer 

Ordonez ’50. 

Under the leadership of 

the Upsilonians, funds were 

raised to build the Carillon. It 

also significantly contributed 

to the coffers intended for the 

construction of the Chapel of 

the Holy Sacrifice, this despite a 

conflict with the Student Catholic 

Action and the fraternity’s 

avowed support for a secular UP. 

If there is one name 

that continues to evoke 

the noblest of student 

leadership and activism, it 

will be that of Vinzons, who 

was both president of the 

UP Student Council and 

editor of the Philippine 

Collegian. 

Described as the “lull before 

the storm” were the mid-1950s 

all the way to the mid-1960s. 

It was the period when Eric de 

Guia ’59 and Tristan Catindig 

’63 became USC President. 

The succeeding decade saw 

the height of student unrest. 

Memorable through the years 

was the Diliman Commune 

from 1 to 9 February 1971. 

The next year, Manuel Ortega 

’66 became president of the 

University Student Council, the 

last Upsilonian to hold the post 

for almost three decades. 

It may have been the end of 

an era in campus politics, but in 

the national political firmament, 

the brods were to remain at 

the helm of various sectors. 

With martial law enforced in 

1972, resident Upsilonians took 

different sides in the political 

spectrum. A number became 

dissidents and many eventually 

joined the ranks of the best 

and the brightest of the Marcos 

administration. 

1980s 

The passage of time saw the Upsilonians of the ‘80s 

persevere and ultimately succeed in carving out a name 

in Philippine society. Among them are Government 

Service Insurance System Board Director Jesse Andres 

’81, Palawan Vice Governor Dennis Socrates ’82, NASA 

Scientist Johnson Apacible ’82, Ayala business executive 

Dan Abando ‘82, Roxas Rep. Gerardo “Dinggoy” Roxas 

’83, Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap ’84, Armed Forces of the 

Philippines Chief of Staff Gregorio Catapang ’84, 

Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner 

Angelico “Chito” Salud ’84, UPLB Chancellor Fernando 

Sanchez ’84, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez ’85, Pasig 

Rep. Roman Romulo ’86, Assistant Solicitor General 

Eric Panga ’86, Laguna Board Member Neil Nocon ’87, 

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla ’87, Pampanga Rep. Rimpy 

Bondoc ’87, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos 

Sorreta ’88, Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla ’89, lawyer 

Javier Flores ’89, UP President Danilo Concepcion ’89 

and world-class singers Dondi Ong ’88 and Lemuel 

Cuento ’89, among others. 

1990s 

The ‘90s ushered in a new age of Upsilonians who 

have shared struggles and a vision of an Upsilon that 

continues to stand the test of time. 

Among the prominent Upsilonians of this 

generation are Raul Paras ’90, Louie Pawid ’90, 

Danger Sanchez ’91, Mike Sandejas ’91, Lawin 

Bulatao ’91, Blas Viterbo ’91, Jorenz Tañada 

’92, Noel Puyat ’92, Norman Bordadora ’92, 

Mark Gutierrez ’92, Babes Calixto ’92, William 

Fuentebella ’93, Miko Palarca ’93, Arnie 

Fuentebella ’94, Chet Tan ’94, Carlo Vistan 

’94, Joseph Angeles ’95, Emil Liwanag ’96, 

Karlo Tugaff ’96, Pong Ponferrada ’97, Rey 

Vivo ’97, Professor Nicky Ty ’99 and Judge Jat 

Caringal ’99. 

2000s and beyond 

The Upsilonians of the new millennium 

continue to share the vision and objectives 

of the founding fathers back in 1918. They 

remain steadfast in their unending work of 

gathering light to scatter. 

Those fellows include Kris Ablan ’00, 

Marc Marasigan ’00, Paolo Mapula ’02, 

Timmy Chua ’02, Third Bagro ’02, Benjo 

Delarmente ’05, Lester Yupingkun ’07, 

Ibarra Guballa ’08, JC Tejano ’09, Sean 

Aquilino ’09, Aaron Letaba ’10, Noel 

Bernardo ’11, JP Delas Nieves ’13, Leandro 

Anton Castro ’15, Rai Velasco ’14, Gab Mejia 

’16 and Yael Toribio ’16. 

To the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), 

another extra-curricular activity in which 

student leaders were expected to excel, Upsilon 

Sigma Phi contributed Corps Commander brods 

Enrique Belo ’46, Angel Arambulo ’47 and 

Ernesto Sanvictores ’50.

Daily Tribune 


THE UPSILON PEDIGREE 

Brod is thicker 

than blood for the 

Pangas, from left, 

Eric ’86, Eric Carlos 

’16, Jeremy Ben 

’16, Tereso ’86, 

Gerard ’86 and 

Jerome Andy ‘16. 

(Not in photo is 

Benson ’88) 

The fraternity has 

no doubt a full and 

elite roster of more 

prominent and 

well-accomplished 

fellows across 

all sectors of the 

society from the 

academe, foreign 

missions, private 

sector institutions 

to government 

services and in 

various fields of 

endeavor. 

By Gerry Panga 

We are a family of 

Upsilonians and proud of 

it. As the first-generation 

Upsilonians in the family, 

we -- the Panga siblings 

Eric, Theo, Gerry and 

Benson -- proudly bear 

this title and regard 

ourselves as “double 

brods” as we are brothers 

by blood and “fellows” of 

the great Upsilon Sigma 

Phi. 

Thirty years ago 

today, my twin Theo and 

I were freshmen and, 

together with our Kuya 

Eric on his second year 

in college, we joined the 

Upsilon. We were part of 

the 36 “prized recruits” 

from UP Diliman and 

Los Baños campuses who 

sought the light and got 

accepted into the fold as 

Batch ‘86 fellows. 

Our younger brother 

Benson, straight out of 

Ateneo de Naga high 

school from where we 

all graduated, followed 

our lead two years later 

and became a member of 

Batch ‘88. 

Founded in 1918, 

the Upsilon Sigma Phi 

is the oldest fraternity 

in Asia and the oldest 

student organization 

in the University of the 

Philippines (UP) which 

predates the Philippine 

Collegian (1922) and 

the UP Student Council 

(revived in 1924). It is also 

an exclusive fraternity 

where membership is by 

invitation only. 

As the Upsilon 

celebrates its centennial 

this 18 November 2018, 

we reflect with much 

pride and gratitude on 

how we, siblings, got 

involved, and embraced 

this most prestigious 

fraternity as a major 

part of our individual 

life, family, career and 

brotherhood’s mission 

and role in nationbuilding. 

Making a difference 

It all started when 

we joined the fraternity 

and gained access to the 

UP Palma Hall basement 

“tambayan” where we got 

to know well our dear 

brods who were mostly 

campus figures and 

achievers in academics, 

university councils, 

college organizations, 

music and theater, sports 

and other fields. 

This motivated us 

to try to excel as well in 

our studies and other 

extra-curriculars, even 

as we enjoyed simply 

being with the brods 

and participating in the 

activities of the fraternity. 

Our memorable 

experiences as resident 

fellows marked the 

beginning of a lifelong 

wonderful journey and 

fellowship with the brods 

beyond the university 

walls. 

Our training 

started at the university 

level. Apart from 

fraternity and campus 

politics, the brods 

participated actively 

in various sociocivic 

projects, charity 

works, performing 

arts, sporting events, 

academic pursuits, 

among others, with 

various UP and non-UPbased 

organizations. 

We took our motto 

— “We Gather Light to 

Scatter” — to heart when 

we graduated from UP. As 

we charted our separate 

professional careers, we 

strove to make a difference 

and let our light scatter in 

our endeavors. 

Coming from a 

family of public servants 

(including Benson, who is 

a federal agency officer in 

the US), it was inevitable 

for us to interact with 

each other as we pursued 

our professions. 

After all, Eric was 

a solicitor at the Office 

of the Solicitor General, 

Theo was Deputy Director 

General of the Philippine 

Economic Zone 

Authority and Gerry was 

Tourism Attache of the 

Department of Tourism 

(DoT)-London Office.

Daily Tribune 



We rose through the 

ranks and we could not 

have achieved it without 

the support and guidance 

of our mentor brods. 

Eric started out as an 

Assistant Solicitor 2 in 

1996 and worked under 

Justice Ricardo Galvez 

‘52 who was the Solicitor 

General (SG) in 1998- 

2001, and when Eric was 

promoted as Assistant 

Solicitor General in 

2006, he named his 

division after former SG 

(later CA Justice and SC 

Chief Justice) Querube 

Makalintal ‘30. 

Prior to his joining 

PEZA in 1998 as a 

Planning Officer IV and 

subsequent promotion to 

Deputy Director General 

in 2010, Theo had 

worked as an Executive 

Assistant of then Victoria 

Municipality Vice Mayor 

Victor Yap ‘84 (former 

three-term governor 

and now first-term 

congressman of Tarlac). 

Gerry joined the 

Philippine Convention 

and Visitors Corporation 

in 1994 as a junior market 

officer. He was appointed 

tourism attache in 2004. 

His first overseas posting 

was in Taiwan during the 

term of DOT Secretary 

Richard Gordon ‘68. 

The fraternity has 

no doubt a full and 

elite roster of more 

prominent and wellaccomplished 

fellows 

across all sectors of the 

society from the academe, 

foreign missions, private 

sector institutions to 

government services 

and in various fields of 

endeavor. This space 

is not enough to name 

all and to account for 

all their success and 

inspiring stories! 

The current 

chairmen of the UP 

Student Councils in 

UP Diliman, Los Baños 

and Manila are all 

Upsilonians. 

For his part, Gerry 

had the distinction of 

serving successively as 

college representative, 

vice chairman and then 

chairman of the student 

council of the UP Asian 

Institute of Tourism from 

1989-1991. 

Continuing tradition 

We now have our 

second-generation 

nephew brods who are as 

active in UP and trying 

their best to continue 

the fine tradition of 

excellence and leadership 

of the fraternity. 

Theo’s twin sons Andy 

and Ben, and Eric’s son 

Caloy joined the Upsilon 

in 2016, while Eric’s 

daughter Celina is a Batch 

‘16 sister from our dear 

sorority Sigma Delta Phi. 

The current 

Illustrious Fellow or 

centennial “Bossman” of 

UP Diliman is our relative 

Gerard Sirios. He and his 

younger brother Miggy 

‘15 — are sons of our 

nephew-brod Atty. Gerry 

Panga Sirios ‘89 (who is 

currently, the Provincial 

legal officer of Cavite 

under Governor Boying 

Remulla ‘79. We happen 

to be related also to green 

entrepreneur Ricky 

Guevara ‘75, etrikebayan 

project trailblazer 

and whose “self-made 

industrialist” father is a 

close cousin of our mom 

from the Guevara side. 

Apart from being 

“double brods,” we take 

pride in the fact that we 

are so far the only two 

sets of twin brods in the 

family and all seven of us 

from the Panga clan as 

proud Upsilonians. 

We have other 

notable twin brods in the 

fraternity such as Atty. 

Rey and Dr. Noy Dario 

‘75; and Rob and Rom 

Maronilla ‘00 (sons of 

UP Regent, Atty. Mon 

Maronilla ‘66). 

Some interesting 

family trivia from our 

Batch ‘86 alone: in 

addition to the Panga 

brothers, we have three 

more sets of siblings/ 

second generation 

brods in the Gamboa 

brothers, PR and 

advertising practitioner 

Paolo and DFA official 

Manolo; Atty. Teta and 

Raffy Blanco (from 

the Palarca clan); and 

engineers Peds and Bo 

Mangahas. 

Apart from Eric and 

Theo, other batchmates 

have become proud fathers 

as well to their brod-sons 

and sisters: Atty. Adon 

Nicanor (Mario ‘04 and 

Marco ‘06); Atty. George 

Soriano (Gino ‘08, Juami 

‘15 and Marian ‘07); Blue 

Mountain GM Edgar 

Mababangloob (Martin ‘12); 

Lorins Patis executive Andy 

Gregorio (Apple ‘17); and Dr. 

Alex Urriquia (Lanz ‘18). 

The millennial 

Pangas also have 

batchmates in 2016 

who are second-third 

generation brods: Anton 

Sese (son of Dr. Nelson ‘77 

and grandson of Dr. Epoy 

Sese ‘53); Luigi Biraogo 

(by former IF Louie 

‘79); Lester Aranton (by 

ecozone logistics provider 

Robert ‘81); and Nicco 

THE old Upsilon tambayan was at the AS Basement (Photo taken by Butch Tan this year.) 

BRODS at the tambayan in 1964. 

Viado (by Atty. Joel ‘83). 

The list goes on if 

we account for all the 

brods whose Upsilonian 

pedigree (including 

affinity with Sigma Delta 

Phi) is embraced as a solid 

and continuing family 

tradition throughout the 

fraternity’s 100 years of 

existence. 

They are the 

“double brods” given 

their fraternal and 

familial ties with more 

prominent Upsilonian 

clans of the Liamzons, 

Velascos, Vergaras, 

Remullas, Bayhons, 

Pangilinans, Seses, 

Palarcas, Navaseros, 

Portugals, Puyats, 

Vegas, Tayags, Gamboas, 

Lorenzanas (to name 

a few)--whose much 

bigger contributions 

to the fraternity and 

greater achievements 

in and outside the UP 

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

campus are all inspiring 

and worthy of our 

emulation. 

The first-generation 

Upsilonians have brought 

in their sons, relatives 

and friends to the fold 

and the same have given 

prominence to another 

batch of next-generation 

fellows and so on — 

where all are bound by 

their shared commitment 

to the fellowship and 

the fraternity’s ideals 

and long tradition of 

excellence. 

A proud legacy lives 

on as it provides for 

succession in fraternity 

membership within 

the family and ensures 

more importantly their 

continued education at 

the country’s premier 

university, UP, our great 

alma mater. 

Mabuhay ang UP at ang 

Upsilon Sigma Phi! 

As the Upsilon celebrates its 

centennial this 18 November 

2018, we reflect with much 

pride and gratitude on how 

we, siblings, got involved and 

embraced this most prestigious 

fraternity as a major part of our 

individual life, family, career and 

brotherhood’s mission and role in 

nation-building.

Daily Tribune 

16 18 NOVEMBER 2018 SPECIAL EDITION H SPOT

Upsilon 100

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