The Sorority
Click here to view the U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority website.
On Valentine’s Day of 1932, forty-six (46) young and intelligent women from the University of the Philippines-Diliman Campus founded the U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority. This exclusive fold is named the Summation of Brains and Beauty. Each member was carefully chosen and singled out from the throng. The cut above the rest female students are called out to fulfill the organization’s cause.
Having it’s roots anchored to the advocacy of service, loyalty, equality, dignity and secrecy; the oldest Greek-lettered sorority in Southeast Asia branched out to U.P. Los Baños (UPLB). In August 15, 1955, the cornerstones of the UPLB Chapter were laid. For the past five decades, the fruitful years of Sigma Betan service to the university and to the nearby communities marked history. The sorority has been known to conduct pilot projects that set standards for others to follow. These are divided into academic, cultural, and civic activities which are held in and out of the campus.
To name a few, the sorority administer infirmary assistance for the incoming college freshmen; Ate Ko Sa Araw Na Ito – the annual outreach program for the orphans and the neglected; and free medical and dental missions. In terms of academics, scholarship grants are given to deserving female students of the University. Recently in connection with its 50th Anniversary, the alumnae Sigma Betans refurbished the two biggest lecture halls in campus under the “Adopt-a-Lecture Hall” project. The two-phase pledge of donation was completed in November 2006.
For the cultural aspect, the group also organizes concerts and plays that never fail to attract big crowds. In 2002, the sorority proved to the world that gender knows no boundaries. They now cater to the car and motorcycle enthusiasts through the launching of the Road Rage Series. In handling the first and only transport show in Los Baños, the sorority members are trained to be versatile, assertive and competitive individuals.
Now running on its seventh year, this event has become a well-anticipated activity. The transport show alone can gather more than 500 visitors a day. The audience’s age ranges from 10 to 70 years old. With this, the sorority is able to donate a part of the proceeds to the emergency student fund of UPLB. The Road Rage Series has enabled has enabled Sigma Beta to further extend its reach to the needy.
Indeed, the women of Sigma Beta are no ordinary. They are and will be a breed apart. The flame in the hearts of its more than 400 members never ceases in burning, ensuring that the Sigma Beta legacy of excellence and passion lives on for the next fifty years of this grand sisterhood.
Hail to the women of power, brilliance and beauty!
