The Year In Review: The Upsilon Sigma Phi In 2023

By Adrian Zapata 2021, Fellow Orator

#𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗜𝗻𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

As 2023 comes to a close, the Upsilon Sigma Phi takes a moment to reflect on the triumphs and milestones achieved by the fraternity and its esteemed Fellows. In its 105th year, the fraternity solidified its legacy across various facets, leaving an indelible mark in all areas.

#𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀

Loyal to the quintessential objective of serving our alma mater and country through responsible leadership, Fellows have taken the oath to help bring learning, progress, economic stability and political maturity to full realization:

■ Five (5) Fellows were elected or appointed to the following local government and provincial positions;

■ Eleven (11) Fellows were appointed to the following various senior positions within the government;

■ Three (3) Fellows were appointed to the following senior leadership roles in service to the alma mater;

■ Two (2) Fellows were elected or appointed to the following leadership roles with local and multilateral organizations; and

■ Twenty-five (25) student leaders were elected or appointed to key leadership positions in their respective student and youth organizations. 

#𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗢𝗳𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

As 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘴, the Fellows continue to give no less than their best in their respective fields of expertise, as exemplified through and by these momentous milestones.

■ Twenty-five (25) Fellows successfully graduated and obtained their respective degrees from the University of the Philippines. Among them are two (2) summa cum laude, one (1) magna cum laude, and three (3) cum laude graduates;

■ Three (3) Fellows finished their masteral studies in prestigious European universities;

■ Eighteen (18) Fellows were successfully admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2023. Eleven (11) Fellows passed the 2022 Philippine Bar Examinations while seven (7) Fellows passed the same in 2023;

■ One (1) Fellow passed the May 2023 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE);

■ Four (4) Fellows were ranked among the 100 Top Lawyers in the Philippines;

■ Three (3) Fellows placed in moot court competitions;

■ Three (3) Fellows contributed to the growing body of knowledge by co-authoring and presenting scholarly articles;

■ Four (4) Fellows were admitted to the Order of the Purple Feather in 2023; and

■ Two (2) Fellows received awards from foreign governments and organizations.

#𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

We also commend the outstanding Fellows of Upsilon Sigma Phi who have achieved remarkable success in the field of medicine and allied medical professions. They are living embodiments of the fine traditions of the fraternity as they strive to gather the light to scatter by improving the well-being of countless individuals towards the betterment of healthcare in the country.

■ Four (4) Fellows were elected or appointed to the following positions within various Allied Health-related departments, organizations, and corporations;

■ Four (4) Fellows successfully passed the October 2023 Physician Licensure Examination (PLE);

■ Two (2) Fellows have been promoted to the position of Chief Resident in their chosen specialty at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH);

■ Five (5) Fellows have successfully finished their Residency at the UP College of Medicine - Philippine General Hospital (UPCM-PGH);

■ Four (4) Fellows successfully passed their examinations in various Philippine Boards related to Allied Medicine;

■ Three (3) Fellows have received various accolades for their exceptional contribution in teaching aspiring medical professionals;

■ Three (3) Fellows successfully passed the November 2023 Speech Language Pathologist Licensure Examination (SLPLE);

■ Two (2) Fellows successfully passed the November 2023 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (PNLE);

■ One (1) Fellow successfully passed the November-December 2022 Dentist Licensure Examination (DLE); and

■ One (1) Fellow successfully passed the October 2023 Veterinarians Licensure Examination (VLE).

#𝗧𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗻

Fellows were also active in spreading the light in extra-curricular events in Sports and Arts, achieving awards in athletics and promoting arts in the nation through symposia and exhibits:

■ 𝗚𝗼𝘃. 𝗝𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 "𝗝𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰" 𝗖. 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗝𝗿. '𝟴𝟳 was appointed as the official chef de mission (CDM) for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics;

■ 𝗔𝗿𝗻𝘂𝗹𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 “𝗔𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗲” 𝗕. 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 ‘𝟵𝟰 and 𝗣𝗮𝗼𝗹𝗼 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗼 "𝗣𝗮𝗼" 𝗕. 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟵 won 1st Place in the Fil D Division and 1st Place in the Fil A Division, respectively, in the 73rd Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament in Baguio City;

■ 𝗝𝘂𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲 “𝗝𝗲𝘃” 𝗚. 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘀 ‘𝟳𝟱 won 1st Place in powerlifting for the 74kg Class, Masters 3 Division at the Dewfoam Raw Nats 2023, while 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗼 "𝗠𝗶𝗼" 𝗦. 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 won the gold medal at the u105 Men's Open Division of the National Equipped Powerlifting Championships and also won 1st Place for the 105kg Class, Open Division in the Dewfoam Raw Nats 2023 held by the Powerlifting Association of the Philippines; and

■ 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗖. 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮 '𝟭𝟲 was drafted and played as the goalkeeper of the University of the Philippines Men's Football Team.

■ 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲 ‘𝟬𝟱, the Curling Winter Sports Association President, has successfully helped support the promotion of the Curling Pilipinas Men’s and Women’s teams in the B-Division of the 2023 World Curling Championship.

■ 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗼 “𝗧𝗼𝗻𝘆” 𝗢. 𝗠𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗮 ‘𝟱𝟰† was inducted into the Eastwood City Walk of Fame and memorialized with his own five-point brass star.

■ 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰 “𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗸” 𝗢𝘁𝗲𝘆𝘇𝗮 𝗱𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗮 ‘𝟱𝟵 was featured as the keynote speaker for the symposium, “Komunikasyon at Kalinangan” He was also hailed as Esquire Artist of the Year 2023 as part of Esquire Philippines' Man at His Best. Eric then placed his art for exhibit in the "INDIO-GENIUS: 500 Taon ng Labanang Kultural (1521-2021)", launched in the National Museum of the Philippines for further exhibitions in Brazil, China, and Cuba.

#𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀

 The Upsilon Sigma Phi steadfastly continues its journey of commitment, dedicated to giving back and making a positive impact on the community. The fraternity holds firm to a multitude of advocacies, each reflecting our unwavering pledge to social responsibility and service. It is committed to many advocacies including:

 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 (𝗩𝗔𝗪𝗖)

■ During the Day of Roses, 7,000 roses were distributed within the UP Diliman, Manila, and Los Baños campuses. The beauty and rarity of the fraternity flower symbolize its commitment to oppose all forms of violence.

■ During the Women's Month celebration at North Fairview High School in Quezon City, 300 students gathered in Vargas Hall. The Upsilon Sigma Phi distributed pink roses to promote awareness against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). The event featured talks on Gender and Development (GAD) and Anti-OSAEC, facilitated by the Quezon City Government.

𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲

■ UP Fair 2023: POLARIS set the night alight with the hottest bands and artists. POLARIS shared its light with the UP community to advocate for education and students' rights and welfare.

■ Free-flowing blue books were given at the Learning Commons in UP Diliman during the Kapihan event;

■ In partnership with the UP Law Student Government, the Upsilon Sigma Phi provided free-flowing pastries, snacks, and a water boiler machine during the two-week-long LSG Kapihan in Malcolm Hall and UP BGC.

■ An event called "Last Minute Tips: Getting Freshman Year Right" for UP College of Law freshmen was organized in collaboration with Rex Bookstore, UP Law Student Government, UP Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority, and with support from the Order of the Purple Feather. The event provided valuable insights and networking opportunities with esteemed faculty and alumni. 

■ A FREE sports clinic in Barangay UP Diliman was conducted by Upsilon Sigma Phi, together with UP Manila FC, and in partnership with Global Shapers Community - Manila Hub.

■ A Freshie Welcoming event, "Likha’t Laya," was launched to foster camaraderie among Iskolars ng Bayan. Freshies were able to express themselves on a freedom wall, unveiling their thoughts, creativity, and spirits, embracing the essence of being an Iskolar ng Bayan.

■ A ceremonial turnover of bike racks near the UPLB Main Library was conducted with the help of USP Batch 1984 and the USP Alumni Association, partnered with the OVCCA Green Mobility Initiative. The initiative promotes an eco-friendly and accessible campus, encouraging the use of bicycles for easier and more accessible parking.

■ A heartwarming gift-giving event for 50 Sta. Monica Elementary School students in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in collaboration with Ahon Palaweño. Back-to-school kits containing essentials were distributed, lessening the burden on parents for students' bridging classes. The initiative reflects Upsilon's commitment to community service and positive impact;

■ In partnership with the UP Los Baños College of Economics and Management (CEM) through the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (DAME), the AgriSolutions Challenge was launched. It is a two-part ideation competition consisting of "UTalks" and "The Pitch,” which aims to equip students with the right tools to help solve the issues faced by the Philippine agricultural sector.

■ In line with the celebration of Earth Day, the Upsilon Sigma Phi launched its U-Talks Climate Action Series. Its installments feature prominent speakers who share their insights about alleviating an ever-warming world. Discussions were focused on urban agriculture and how it can address population growth and climate change. 

■ An online mock UPCAT examination namely “Right Minus Wrong 2023” was organized to assess incoming takers' knowledge and preparation, further strengthening their educational landscape and equipping the future Iskolars ng Bayan for success. Participants engaged in online mock exams, honing their skills and boosting confidence. The transformative UPCAT review session took place at Mangaldan National High School Library, Pangasinan, covering language proficiency, science, and mathematics for aspiring UPCAT takers.

■ Booths were set up in UP Manila and UP Diliman in preparation for the UPCAT Exam. Refreshments and giveaways were given in partnership with NESCAFÉ, Wilkins Water, and Sting Philippines.

■ Funds from the screening of Cinemalaya entry "Blue Room" at UP Los Baños were donated to the UPLB Office of Scholarships and Grants. The donation will be used for the UPLB Connectivity Assistance for Remote Students (CARES) program, which organizes various learning assistance packages such as gadget grants and internet subsidies for students with financial needs.

■ Post-pandemic essentials, including food supplies, were donated to the UP Los Baños Learning Resource Center's Learning Hub, providing crucial support for students in online classes. Managed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, the hub offers a secure environment with reliable internet, power outlets, computer terminals, and academic resources for effective studying.

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱

■ As part of Upsilon month, a project called "Gentong Ani" was conducted with the Kaysuyo Farmers Association in Alfonso, Cavite. Fellows worked, learned, and stayed overnight to understand the farmers' situation. Afterward, donations of seeds and fertilizers were given, accompanied by capacity-building seminars to teach more effective and sustainable farming methods. 

■ The USPAA, in collaboration with UPAA, donated ten computer sets to UP Visayas Teaching and Learning Resource Center to enhance student life and facilitate easier compliance with academic requirements.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

■ A total of 290 calendars were donated to UP Los Baños Security and Safety Office (SSO) for community distribution. The calendars provide information on natural disasters, contingency plans, and highlight important events like Fire Prevention Month and Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill. 

■ A total of 3,500 mosquito repellent patches were donated to Gawad Kalinga (GK) Los Baños Ville and Barangays Batong Malake, Bayog, and San Antonio in Los Baños, Laguna, addressing the rising dengue cases in the Philippines.

#𝗜𝗻𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗺

We mourn the departure of our beloved brothers, but the legacy they left will be remembered eternally, be it for their sincere fellowship or their contributions to their communities, the nation, or the world.

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼 "𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆" 𝗣. 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗦𝗿. '𝟱𝟬

𝗦𝗮𝗲𝗲𝗱 "𝗔𝗽𝗶𝗻" 𝗔. 𝗗𝗮𝗼𝗳 '𝟱𝟮

𝗧𝗶𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗼 "𝗝𝘂𝗻" 𝗔. 𝗘𝗱𝗮𝗻̃𝗼 𝗝𝗿. '𝟱𝟮

𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗼 "𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼" 𝗙. 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗱 '𝟱𝟮

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 "𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘆" 𝗥. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗮 '𝟱𝟯

𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗳𝗼 "𝗥𝘂𝗱𝘆" 𝗠. 𝗕𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗮 '𝟱𝟱

𝗦𝗼𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗼 "𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴" 𝗕. 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 '𝟱𝟱

𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗼 "𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲" 𝗖. 𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 '𝟱𝟱

𝗟𝘂𝗶𝘀 "𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝗲" 𝗠. 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 '𝟱𝟲

𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼 "𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗸" 𝗧. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗴 '𝟱𝟲

𝗜𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 "𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴" 𝗠. 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗿. '𝟱𝟲

𝗔𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 "𝗔𝗹" 𝗧. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻 '𝟱𝟵

𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗼 "𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲" 𝗥. 𝗔𝗯𝗲𝘀 '𝟲𝟬

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼 "𝗚𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗼" 𝗖. 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱 '𝟲𝟬

𝗝𝘂𝗮𝗻 "𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝗻𝘆" 𝗖. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 '𝟲𝟭

𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼 "𝗦𝗶𝗺" 𝗕. 𝗟𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗶𝘁 '𝟲𝟮

𝗖𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗿 "𝗖𝗲𝘀" 𝗖. 𝗚𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗻 '𝟲𝟯

𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻 "𝗠𝗼𝗻" 𝗠. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 '𝟲𝟲

𝗭𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 "𝗭𝗼𝗶" 𝗠. 𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘂𝘀 '𝟲𝟳

𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻 "𝗧𝗼𝗻" 𝗣. 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 '𝟳𝟰

𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼 "𝗥𝗼𝗺𝘆" 𝗖. 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 '𝟳𝟱

𝗘𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗻 "𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸" 𝗢. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼 '𝟳𝟴

𝗧𝗲𝗰𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 "𝗧𝗲𝗰𝘀" 𝗦. 𝗟𝗶𝗺 '𝟵𝟳

𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 "𝗝𝗲𝗯" 𝗔. 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗮 '𝟬𝟰

𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼 𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀 "𝗢𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘆" 𝗧. 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗼𝘆 '𝟬𝟰

𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯, 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩. 

As it strides into a new chapter, the Upsilon Sigma Phi and its distinguished Fellows continue to uphold a steadfast commitment to excellence and a profound sense of service, guided by our enduring motto, “𝘞𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘛𝘰 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.”