About the UP Sigma Beta Sorority
History of UP Sigma Beta Sorority
Recognized by the University of the Philippines on 14 February 1932 as a duly constituted student organization, the UP Sigma Beta Sorority has a legacy that inspires future generations. Our founding principles focus on academic excellence, political leadership, and social involvement.
The Beginning
On that fateful Tuesday afternoon of February 1, 1932, twelve university women gathered at the Florida Dormitory gardens, each with her own talents, charm, and interests. United by a shared vision of friendship and service, they founded what would become the UP Sigma Beta Sorority.
Led by Liwayway Gonzales, the group included: Pacita Pestano, Medin Garcia, Rosalinda Claudio, Nelly Burgos, Consuelo Salazar, Elvira Bocobo, Purificacion Sunico, Serafina Vinzons, Virginia Araullo, Remedios Trinidad, and Filipinas Salvosa. These pioneering women, soon known as Betans, established an exclusive sorority grounded in beauty, intellect, integrity, and civic commitment. They immediately made their presence felt in the University of the Philippines - participating heavily in campus activities and community projects.
Formally recognized by the University on February 14, 1932, the ΣΒ sisters embraced the Sorority's preamble, which celebrated beauty of character through value enhancement. Founder Consuelo Salazar-Perez reflected, "One's place and worth in society had to be earned, not given as a birthright, as some rich girls thought." Membership in the sorority was achieved through discipline, leadership and character, rather than inherited privilege.
Photo Credit: UP Sigma Beta Sorority, Philippinensian 1933 Edition, UP Diliman Main Library Archives.
Text Credit: Excerpt from testimonials of Sis Desi Fermin-Tomas, ΣΒ '69.
The Legacy
The UP Sigma Beta Sorority is the first and oldest recognized Greek-letter sorority in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. Since its recognition on 14th of February 1932, the Sorority has continued to produce women of substance forged with academic excellence, political leadership, and social involvement.
Over the decades, the UP Sigma Beta Sorority became a vital part of the University community, participating in cultural projects, socio-civic work, and campus leadership.
As the University of the Philippines system expanded, so did the UP Sigma Beta Sorority:
UP Los Baños chapter was founded on August 15, 1955, UP Visayas and UP Mindanao chapters followed on February 3 and October 26, 1997, and UP Baguio welcomed its chapter on September 11, 2004.
Now 93 years strong, UP Sigma Beta Sorority continues to uphold the legacy of its founding sisters—championing courage, beauty, wisdom, and grace.