History of U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority
Founded on 1st February 1932 at the Diliman campus and officially recognized by the University of the Philippines on 14th February of the same year, the U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority has stood for over nine decades as a beacon of tradition, excellence, and empowerment. Rooted in its founding principles of academic excellence, political leadership, and social involvement, the Sorority has cultivated generations of women who lead with purpose, serve with compassion, and advocate for meaningful change.
The first officers of U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority were Liwayway Gonzales (Most Brilliant Beta), Nelly Burgos (Beta's Right Hand), Purificacion Sunico (Recorder of Hearts), Rosalinda Claudio (Keeper of Hearts), and Elvira Bocobo (Herald of Hearts). In charge of refreshments at the time were Remedios Claudio, Natividad Narciso, Remedios Trinidad, and Filipina Salvosa.
The Beginning
On that fateful Tuesday afternoon of 1st February 1932, twelve university women gathered in the Florida Dormitory gardens at the Diliman campus, each bringing her own talents, charm, and interests. United by a shared vision of friendship and service, they founded what would become the U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority.
Liwayway Gonzales, the host of the gathering, was joined by Pacita Pestaño, 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 at the University of the Philippines by actively participating in campus activities and community projects.
The University acknowledged the Sorority's potential and its significant role on campus. Officially recognized as a duly constituted student organization on 14th February 1932, the ΣΒ Sisters embraced their Preamble, celebrating the beauty of character through the enhancement of values.
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: U.P. 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 U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority is the first and oldest recognized Greek-letter sorority in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. Since its recognition on 14th February 1932, the Sorority has continued to produce women of substance—forged with academic excellence, political leadership, and social involvement.
Over the decades, the 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 Sorority:
- U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority, Los Baños chapter was founded on 15th August 1955,
- U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority, Visayas and U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority, Mindanao chapters followed on 3rd February and 26th October 1997 respectively, and
- U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority, Baguio welcomed its chapter on 11th September 2004.
Now 93 years strong, the U.P. Sigma Beta Sorority continues to uphold the legacy of its founding sisters—championing courage, beauty, wisdom, and grace.