Beta Sigma Omega Phi (, stylized βΣΩΦ, and also known as Betans 1968) is a Philippine college fraternity and sorority. It was founded at University of Bohol on October 10, 1968. It has chartered 72 collegiate chapters throughout the Philippines, mostly on Mindanao.
History
On October 10, 1968, three students from the University of Bohol organized the Beta Sigma Omega Phi, a service fraternity and sorority. Its founders were Frank Paz Jr., Frederick Loor, and Remy Galbizo. Before organizing this fraternity and sorority, the founders fasted for two days and walked 42 kilometers barefooted. They then held the organization's first initiation of twelve neophytes.
The purpose of Beta Sigma Omega Phi was to foster lifetime brotherhood and sisterhood and to create leaders and better citizens. Four years later, President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial law in the Philippines. During this time, fraternities and sororities were not allowed to initiation members, form chapters, or assemble in the public. A few years later, the remaining members of Beta Sigma Omega Phi decided to revive the fraternity and sorority. By September 23, 1978, they had initiated new members.
For almost twenty years, the fraternity was limited to Tagbilaran City schools and universities, particularly the Alpha chapter of the University of Bohol, Beta chapter at the Philippine Maritime Institute, and Delta chapter at Holy Name University.
1980s
Some of the fraternity's members came from the cities and provinces of Mindanao and gradually expanded the fraternity to the island. In the early 1980s, members of Alpha, who were living in Kibawe, Bukidnon, recruited pledges to form chapters at the University of Visayas and Southwestern University schools. At the same time, members living in Butuan City created a chapter at Saint Joseph Institute of Technology. In 1987, Boyet Abay of Holy Name University and Dennis Larrobis of University of Bohol were living in Luponl and established a chapter at MATS College of Technology. Abay and Larrobis went on to established eight more chapters in Davao City.
1990s
In 1991, Roy Dano and Gabo Santiago of MATS went to Tacurong and founded chapters at Notre Dame of Tacurong College, Sultan Kudarat Educational Institute, and Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College, known today as Sultan Kudarat State University. From Tacurong, the fraternity expanded to most of the universities and colleges in Cotabato City, General Santos, Isulan, Kabacan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Matalam, Midsayap, and M’lang, In 1993, Jesser Pairat headed up the creation of the Central Mindanao University chapter. Also in 1993, a chapter was chartered at Cagayan de Oro College, under the leadership of Noel Mundo.
2000 - present
University of Bohol alumni members returned to their home towns and created collegiate chapters, including Sacred Heart College. Alumni also re-established the defunct at Cagayan de Oro College and chapters at colleges and universities in Balingasag and Jasaan. Chapters were also chartered in Bansalan, Bislig, and Mati. In 2014, the fraternity had established chapters in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Paniqui, and Tarlac.
Beta Sigma Omega Phi had 72 collegiate chapters in 2023. Members participate in community service projects on campus and in their communities, including planting trees, providing food for those in need, blood drives. Its headquarters is located in Davao City.
Symbols Beta Sigma Omega Phi's motto is or "God Above All". Its members are called Betans.
Chapters
ChapterCharter dateInstitutionLocationStatusAlphaUniversity of BoholTagbilaran City, BoholBeta PMI Colleges BoholTagbilaran City, Bohol Holy Name UniversityGamma1987Father Saturnino Urios UniversityButuan, Agusan del NorteSaint Joseph Institute of TechnologyDelta1987MATS College of TechnologyButuan, Agusan del NorteEpsilon1987University of Southeastern PhilippinesDavao City, Davao del SurZeta1991Sultan Kudarat Educational InstitutionTacurong, Sultan KudaraEta1991Notre Dame of Tacurong CollegeTacurong, Sultan KudaraTheta1991Sultan Kudarat State UniversityTacurong, Sultan KudaraIota 1993Cagayan de Oro CollegeCagayan de Oro, Misamis OrientalCapitol UniversityLiceo de Cagayan UniversityKappa1993Bukidnon National School of Home IndustriesMaramag, BukidnonCentral Mindanao University LambdaPhilippine Computer CollegeMaramag, BukidnonInactiveMuKing's College of IsulanIsulan, Sultan KudaratNuSultan Kudarat State University, Isulan Campus Isulan, Sultan KudaratXiDavao Merchant Marine Academy College of Southern PhilippinesBuhangin, Davao CityOmicronMindanao Polytechnic CollegeGeneral Santos, South CotabatoPiMindanao State University–General SantosGeneral Santos, South CotabatoRhoNotre Dame of Dadiangas UniversityGeneral Santos, South CotabatoSigma University of MindanaoDavao City, Davao del SurTauAMA Computer College Davao City, Davao del SurUpsilonNotre Dame of Marbel UniversityKoronadal, South CotabatoPhiUniversity of Southern MindanaoKabacan, CotabatoChBohol Institute of Technology (now BIT International College)BoholBohol Island State UniversityPsiMarbel School of Science and TechnologyKoronadal, South CotabatoOmegaHoly Cross of Davao CollegeDavao City, Davao del SurAlpha Alpha University of the Immaculate ConceptionDavao City, Davao del SurAlpha BetaBukidnon State UniversityMalaybalay, BukidnonSan Isidro CollegeAlpha Gamma Southern Mindanao Institute of TechnologyIsulan, Sultan KudaratAlpha DeltaPhilippine College FoundationValencia, BukidnonAlpha EpsilonSTI College, Koronadal Koronadal, South CotabatoAlpha ZetaRegency Polytechnic CollegeKoronadal, South CotabatoAlpha EtaAMA Computer College of Marbel Koronadal, South CotabatoAlpha ThetaUniversity of Mindanao, Tagum CollegeTagum, Davao del NorteAlpha IotaSamar Institute of Technology (now University of Eastern Philippines) Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del NorteAlpha KappaBukidnon State University (Monkayo, COMVAL Campus)Alpha Lambda St. Peter's College of BalingasagBalingasag, Misamis OrientalAlpha MuHoly Cross of Babak CollegeIsland Garden City of Samal, Davao del NorteAlpha NuUniversity of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum CampusTagum, Davao del Norte Alpha Xi Hi-Tech Institute of TechnologyGeneral Santos, South CotabatoAlpha OmicronGensantos Foundation CollegeGeneral Santos, South CotabatoAlpha PiDavao Oriental State UniversityMati, Davao OrientalAlpha RhoMati Polytechnic CollegeMati, Davao OrientalAlpha SigmaGolden State CollegeGeneral Santos, South CotabatoAlpha Tau20xx ?Sacred Heart School College DivisionCalamba, Misamis OccidentalAlpha UpsilonNotre Dame of Midsayap CollegeCotabato, SoccsksargenAlpha PhiSouthern Baptist CollegeM'lang, North CotabatoAlpha Chi St. Ritas College of BalingasagBalingasag, Misamis OrientalAlpha Psi St. John Paul II College of DavaoDavao City, Davao del SurAlpha OmegaMatalam Polytechnic CollegeMatalam, CotabatoBeta AlphaPhilippine College of TechnologyDavao City, Davao del SurBeta BetaPolytechnic College of Davao del SurDigos, Davao del SurBeta GammaMisamis Oriental Institute of Science and TechnologyBalingasag, Misamis OrientalBeta DeltaUniversity of Mindanao, Digos CollegeDigos, Davao del SurBeta EpsilonLegacy College of CompostelaCompostela, Davao de OroBeta ZetaCor Jesu CollegeDigos, Davao del SurBeta EtaUniversity of Southeastern Philippines Davao City, Davao del SurBeta ThetaSouthern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of TechnologyDigos, Davao del SurBeta Iota Green Valley College FoundationKoronadal, South CotabatoBeta KappaUniversity of Southern Mindanao, Kidapawan City CampusKidapawan, CotabatoBeta Lambda De La Salle John Bosco CollegeBislig, Surigao del SurBeta Mu Notra Dame of CotabatoCotabato City, Maguindanao del NorteBeta Nu Saint Vincent de Paul CollegeBislig, Surigao del SurBeta XiCotabato State UniversityCotabato City, Maguindanao del NorteBeta OmicronNorthlink Technological CollegePanabo, Davao del NorteBeta PiSt. Mary's College of BansalanBansalan, Davao del SurBeta RhoUniversity of Mindanao, Bansalan CollegeBansalan, Davao del SurBeta SigmaSouthern Technological Institute of the PhilippinesBislig, Surigao del SurBeta Tau Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and TechnologyKapalong, Davao del NorteBeta UpsilonAgro-Industrial Foundation College of the PhilippinesDavao City, Davao del SurBeta Phi Global System Institute of TechnologyBansalan, Davao del SurBeta ChiBeta PsiBeta Omega Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Jasaan Campus Jasaan, Misamis Oriental
See also
List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines
References
External links