Beta Sigma Omega Phi

Beta Sigma Omega Phi (ΒΣΩΦ, stylized βΣΩΦ, and also known as Betans 1968) is a service fraternity and sorority founded at University of Bohol on October 10, 1968. This was organized by Frank Paz Jr., Frederick Loor, and Remy Galbizo. Their aims are to foster lifetime brotherhood and sisterhood and to build noble leaders and better citizens. It also encourages the members to promote the welfare of students and to work for better and greater involvement in the affairs of the school as well as in the community. The organization is observed through different community civics and services like tree planting, feeding program, bloodletting, operation tuli, and lately the Brigada Eskwela. Betans 1968 had reached 72 collegiate chapters throughout Philippines and most of the chapters are in the island of Mindanao.

History

On October 10, 1968, three students from the University of Bohol namely: Frank Paz Jr., Frederick Loor, and Remy Galbizo organized the Beta Sigma Omega Phi, service fraternity and sorority. Before organizing this fraternity and sorority decided to first walk 42 kilometers barefooted and a two day fasting. They only drank water on their two day fasting. After these sacrifices, the founders held their first initiation with 12 neophytes. Sad to note that after 4 years of growing, the organization was in vain because President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines. During this time no fraternities and sororities were allowed to render initiation or to form organization and assemble in the public even if it is not contrary to law. However, few years after the remaining members of the Betans decided to pursue the fraternity and sorority. By September 23, 1978 they held another initiation which served as an opportunity to those who wanted to join the organization. For almost two decades the organization penetrated only in Tagbilaran City, Bohol schools and universities particularly the founding school University of Bohol (UB) as Alpha chapter, Philippine Maritime Institute as Beta chapter and some members are coming from Holy Name University formerly known as Divine Word College.

1980s

Some of the members of the schools are coming from the cities and provinces of Mindanao that gradually moved the organization to Mindanao. In the early 80s, there were members in UB who were apparently residing in Kibawe, Bukidnon where they conducted initiation in the area wherein the pledges were studying in University of Visayas, in Cebu City, Southwestern University, in Cebu City, and some schools in CDO and Maramag, Bukidnon but under the supervision of the alumni members in Kibawe. Also of the same era, there were members in Butuan City and established chapter in SJIT. In 1987, headed by Brod Boyet Abay of Holy Name University, brod Dennis Larrobis of University of Bohol and others are residing in Lupon, Davao Oriental held the first initiation of the pledges coming from MATS College of Technology, Davao City and marked as the fourth collegiate chapter and named it as Delta Chapter. Of the same year, another initiation with the pledges from University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Davao City that marked as the fifth collegiate chapter and later established another eight collegiate chapters in Davao City.

1990s

In 1991, headed by Brod Roy Dano, Brod Gabo Santiago of MATS went to Tacurong and recruited college students from Sultan Kudarat Educational Institute, Notredame Of Tacurong College, and Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College (Tacurong City Campus) known today as Sultan Kudarat State University. Later these three schools established a chapter. The 1990s symbolizes of the golden era of the organization particularly in Mindanao Island with tremendous growth in terms of membership. From Tacurong, the organization moved to almost all universities/colleges of Isulan, Gen. Santos City, Koronadal City, M’lang, Midsayap, Matalam, Kidapawan City, Kabacan, and Cotabato City. In 1993, Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Maramag Bukidnon created a chapter headed by Brod Jesser Pairat and of the same year in Cagayan de Oro College headed by Brod Noel Mundo

2000 - Present

The continuous growth was still observed in the year 2000, some of the alumni members of University of Bohol survived 1990’s went home to their hometown and created collegiate chapters particularly in Sacred Heart College in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, re-established some of the collegiate chapters in Cagayan de Oro City like Cagayan de Oro College and also colleges/universities the town of Balingasag and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. Of the same year, two collegiate chapters in Mati City, Davao Oriental were created and also in the province of COMVAL, Bansalan, Dvo. del Sur and Bislig City. In 2014, the membership of the organization had also reached in Paniqui, Tarlac and Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. The organization has a total of 72 collegiate chapters.

National Convention

On October 9–10, 2011, the first National Convention was held in Davao City with the leadership of the interim National Council: president of the organization Brod Brian G. Caintic of Omega Chapter and Sai Che Gonzaga of Sigma Chapter. The event was successful because some of the queries as regards to the growth of the organization were answered even though only ten collegiate chapters were present.

Outreach program and community service

The organization has a various community services like tree planting, operation tuli, coastal clean-up, feeding program, blood donation (blood letting), project tsinelas, and brigada eskwela.

Lists of Chapters

1. University of Bohol, Tagbilaran City - Alpha Chapter
2. Philippine Marine Institute / Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City - Beta Chapter
3. Saint Joseph Institute / Urios University, Butuan City - Gamma Chapter
4. MATS College of Technology, Davao City - Delta Chapter
5. University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City - Epsilon Chapter
6. Sultan Kudarat Educational Institute (SKEI), Tacurong City - Zeta Chapter
7. Notre Dame of Tacurong College, Tacurong City - Eta Chapter
8. Sultan Kudarat State University, Tacurong City - Theta Chapter
9. Cagayan de Oro College/LICEO/Capitol University, CDO - Iota Chapter
10. Central Mindanao University (CMU) / BNHSHI, Maramag, Bukidnon - Kappa Chapter
11. Philippine Computer College, Maramag, Bukidnon - Lambda Chapter
12. Kings College of Isulan - Mu Chapter
13. Sultan Kudarat State University (Isulan Campus) - Nu Chapter
14. Davao Merchant Marine Academy (DMMA) - Xi Chapter
15. Mindanao Polytechnic College (MPC), Gen. San. - Omicron Chapter
16. Mindanao State University (MSU), Gen San. - Pi chapter
17. Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), Gen. San. - Rho Chapter
18. University of Mindanao (UM), Davao City - Sigma Chapter
19. AMA Computer College, Davao City - Tau Chapter
20. Notre Dame of Marbel University - Upsilon Chapter
21. University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Kabacan - Phi chapter
22. Bohol Island State University/Bohol Institute of Technology - Chi Chapter
23. Marbel School of Science and Technology - Psi Chapter
24. Holy Cross of Davao College - Omega Chapter
25. University of Immaculate Conception, Davao City - Alpha Alpha Chapter
26. Bukidnon State University/San Isidro College, Malaybalay City - Alpha Beta Chapter
27. Southern Mindanao Institute of Technology (SMIT), Isulan - Alpha Gamma Chapter
28. Philippine College Foundation, Valencia City, Bukidnon - Alpha Delta Chapter
29. STI College Koronadal - Alpha Epsilon chapter
30. Regency Polytechnic College, Koronadal City - Alpha Zeta Chapter
31. AMA Computer College of Marbel - Alpha Eta Chapter
32. University of Mindanao Tagum College - Alpha Theta Chapter
33. Samal Institute, Island Garden City of Samal - Alpha Iota Chapter
34. Bukidnon State University (Monkayo, COMVAL Campus) - Alpha Kappa Chapter
35. Saint Peter's College of Balingasag - Alpha Lambda Chapter
36. Holy Cross of Babak College, Island Garden City of Samal - Alpha Mu Chapter
37. University of Southeastern Philippines (Tagum Campus) - Alpha Nu chapter
38. Hi-Tech Institute of Technology, Gen San., Alpha Xi Chapter
39. General Santos Foundation College Institute (GFI) - Alpha Omicron chapter
40. Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) - Alpha Pi Chapter
41. Mati Polytechnic College - Alpha Rho
42. Golden State College, Gen San. City - Alpha Sigma Chapter
43. Sacred Heart College, Calamba Misamis Occidental - Alpha Tau Chapter
44. Notre Dame College of Midsayap - Alpha Upsilon Chapter
45. Southern Baptist College, M'lang, North Cotabato - Alpha Phi chapter
46. St. Ritas College of Balingasag, (Misamis Oriental) - Alpha Chi chapter
47. John Paul College of Davao - Alpha Psi Chapter
48. Matalam Polytechnic College - Alpha Omega Chapter
49. Philippine College of Technology (PCT), Davao City - Beta Alpha Chapter
50. Polytechnic College of Digos - Beta Beta Chapter
51. Misamis Oriental Institute of Science and Technology (MOIST), Balingasag - Beta Gamma Chapter
52. University of Mindanao Digos College - Beta Delta Chapter
53. Legacy College of Compostela - Beta Epsilon Chapter
54. Cor Jesu College, Digos City DVO del Sur - Beta Zeta Chapter
55. University of Southeastern Philippines (Bislig Campus) - Beta Eta Chapter
56. SPAMAST, Digos City - Beta Theta Chapter
57. Green Valley College Foundation, Koronadal City - Beta Iota Chapter
58. University of Southern Mindanao (Kidapawan City Campus) - Beta Kappa Chapter
59. De La Salle John Bosco College, Bislig City - Beta Lambda Chapter
60. Notra Dame of Cotabato, Cotabato City - Beta Mu Chapter
61. Saint Vincent de Paul College, Bislig City - Beta Nu Chapter
62. Cotabato City State Polytechnic College - Beta Xi Chapter
63. Northlink Technological College, Panabo City - Beta Omicron Chapter
64. St. Mary's of Bansalan College - Beta Pi Chapter
65. University of Mindanao Bansalan College - Beta Rho Chapter
66. Southern Technological Institute of the Philippines, Bislig City - Beta Sigma Chapter
67. Kapalong College of Agriculture and Science and Technology, Kapalong DVO del Norte - Beta Tau Chapter
68. AGRO-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines, Davao City - Beta Upsilon Chapter
69. Global System Institute of Technology, Bansalan Dvo del Sur - Beta Phi Chapter
70. Beta Chi
71. Beta Psi
72. Mindanao University of Science and Technology formerly known as Don Mariano (Jasaan Campus, Misamis Oriental) - Beta Omega Chapter