Global reunion in Las Vegas marks Upsilon Sigma Phi North America’s 25th year
MANILA, Philippines — Over 338 registered attendees, including 200 Upsilonians from all over the world representing batches 1955 to 2023, congregate in Las Vegas, Nevada from May 30 to June 1 to join the Upsilon Sigma Phi North America Global “Bente Singko” reunion slated at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.
The last global reunion of the fraternity was held in Manila in November 2018 during the Upsilon Sigma Phi’s centennial anniversary. Subsequent planned reunions in New York in 2020 and Chicago in 2022 were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Upsilon Sigma Phi North America (USPNA) is hosting this year’s reunion as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. With over 400 Upsilonians spread across many chapters in the US and Canada, the USPNA is the largest alumni association outside of the mother chapter in the Philippines and is a pivotal partner in driving many projects that benefit the fraternity, its members, and the University of the Philippines.
“The continued vibrancy and relevance of the USPNA can be attributed to the excellence, unselfish service and commitment of the past and present officers and Board of Directors, chapter presidents and all the member brothers to scatter the light and prove in their action and deeds that we are one, every time, everywhere. Truly the years cannot break us. The Upsilon sun shines brightly.” said USPNA chairman of the board Eleazar “Jun” Galano ’68.
The event-filled reunion begins on Thursday, May 30th with a welcome reception, followed by the “Kambingan” – a USPNA tradition patterned after the Upsilon hobo with Upsilonians and sisters from the Sigma Delta Phi participating in a talent competition on May 31, and culminating in the Gala dinner on Saturday, June 1st. A plenary session is also scheduled for Saturday. Various sports activities like golf, bowling, billiards, shooting, and go-kart racing will also be held in addition to a whiskey-tasting night. The Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association (USPAA), with USPAA chairman of the Board of Trustees Roel Z. Castro ’84 presiding, will also hold its monthly board meeting, marking the first time it's being held outside of the Philippines. Also in attendance is University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) president and U.P regent Robert Aranton ’81, who will host an open forum to showcase UPAA projects and initiatives.
The USPNA Tanglaw Awards will be presented during the Plenary Session with 12 Upsilonians from North America being honored for leadership, brotherhood, service and excellence in their fields and professions. “Global Bente Singko 2024 promises to be one of the more successful reunions in the history of our fraternity, a true labor of love by the organizers, which is only fitting since the USPNA has come a long way from a loose association of chapters from the East and West coast of the United States, to what it is today – a vibrant and purposeful organization and community of Upsilonians, we look forward to the next 25 years,” added
USPNA president Jorge “Jory” Catibog ’71. This year’s global reunion was made possible with the generous assistance provided by all the
USPNA chapters, the USPAA, USP Batch ’84 and USP
Batch ’85. A big contingent of 66 sorority sisters from the Sigma Delta Phi is also joining the festivities.
Jhovin Poblete ’79 leads the hardworking Bente Singko reunion committee composed of the following: USPNA president Jory Catibog ’71 USPNA chairman Jun Galano ’68 Will Vicuña ’69 (Nevada) Zoe Viray ’75 (Ohio) Bobby Hocson ’77 (New York) Emer Coronel ’78 (Maryland)
Don Jeanjaquet ’81 (Texas) Aman Sese ’82 (Ohio) Ricky Rionda ’83 (Virginia) Dominic Gonzales ’84 (New York) Abet Villanueva ’84 (New Jersey) Nelson Dimaano ’86 (Toronto) Nino Villongco '91 (California) Xavier Kee '92 (Virginia) Thed Tesoro ’97 (New Jersey) USPAA USPAA chairman Roel Castro ’84 Jonelle Llavore ’84 Rey Nolasco ’84 Jong Belano 2017 Jayson Fumera 2017 Cai Monteser 2017 Fil Sonza 2022 Jonathan Cabrera Klea Marie Tolones