Over 338 registered attendees, including two hundred Upsilonians from all over the world representing batches 1955 to 2023, are expected to congregate in Las Vegas, Nevada from May 30 to June 1 on the occasion of the Upsilon Sigma Phi North America Global Bente Singko reunion which will be held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

Brods from the Philippines - Tito Mora '78, Jeff Catotal '80, Romy Go '80 and USPAA Chairman Roel Castro '84 at a pit stop on their way to the Las Vegas reunion

Already, guests have started arriving and partaking of the unique brand of fellowship and camaraderie that every Upsilon reunion is known for. 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 cancelled 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 four hundred Upsilonians spread across many chapters in the United States 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 which 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 will begin 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, the first to be 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 twelve 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 twenty five 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.. There is a big contingent of sixty-six sorority sisters from the Sigma Delta Phi joining the festivities.

Bente Singko reunion team during an ocular inspection of one of the venues for the reunion

The hardworking Bente Singko reunion committee is headed by Jhovin Poblete ’79 and composed of 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), and the team from the Philippines led by 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 and Klea Marie Tolones.

by Ricky Rionda '83, Upsilon Sun executive editor