UPSILON SIGMA ALPHA FRATERNITY INC.

Union of the Supreme Alliance

History

On the 15th of March 1969, Daniel Mizrai Fernandez, a Filipino-American freshman at San Beda College of Arts & Sciences, formally organized the Fraternity presently known as UPSILON SIGMA ALPHA, initial members were highly selective to scholars, athletes, honor students and campus leaders.

Members are referred to as UPSILONIANS, otherwise known as LONSI, and have a distinctive birthmark to manifest their perpetual oath of loyalty and pledge of allegiance to the Fraternity, sharing a common ideology, traditions, distinctive brotherhood and camaraderie known solely and exclusively to members.

The motto is LOYALTY IS NOTHING UNLESS ITS FOUNDATION IS BASED ON THE ABSOLUTE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-SACRIFICE.

Daniel Mizrai Fernandez is the Brother Supreme Founder of two (2) very important organizations: The Supreme Order of the UPSILON SIGMA ALPHA Fraternity Inc. (Union of the Supreme Alliance) and on 05th of November 1974 organized the sister organization at the University of Santo Tomas, College of Tourism, UPSILON SIGMA LAMBDA Sorority (Union of the Supreme Ladies) with Sis Mary Jane Casuco Mc Carthy - Jasso and Sis Ligaya Juamos Ramillo as Founding Members.

The Brother Supreme Founder was joined by classmates and closest friends, namely: Victor E. Estella* (Masinloc Zambales), Felix I. Cubacub Jr (Tuguegarao Cagayan), Dennis T. Albano (Dingras Ilocos Norte), Pio M. Espanol (Labo Camarines Norte), and Enrico R. Vytiaco (Narra Palawan). Thus forming the original Chartered Members of the UPSILON SIGMA ALPHA who shared the ideology: To awaken enthusiasm and self-fulfillment in academics, arts and literatures, athletics, and other school activities; To poster civic and social awareness by means of community projects; To encourage cultural consciousness; To develop the potentials of members for leadership; and To establish a more lasting brotherhood and a real camaraderie among the members of this Fraternity.

Originally, this student organization was meant to be an exclusive San Beda Fraternity at the College of Business Administration, College of Liberal Arts and College of Law. However, the turn of events took a different course outside the Red Lions’ Den at Mendiola Manila.

Late 1960s’ and early part of the 70s marked political and social unrest in the Philippines. And the Order of St Benedict (OSB) Benedictine college administration of San Beda College made it a policy not to recognize extra-curricular student organization particularly Greek-Lettered society due to hazing, abuse, campus violence, and students’ participation in political rallies against government. All Greek-Lettered fraternities were not recognized at San Beda College although the fraternal organizations existed as discreet student groups in the campus using a subtle name. Only co-curricular and religious student organizations without any form of initiation were allowed.

To conceal the group’s fraternal activities, the Brother Supreme Founder organized and formed several student organizations as cover. And one of those very successful shelter organization was The BEDAN APOSTLES OF MISSION (BAM), a civic and social action group undertaking community development projects during semestral break at Municipality of Bauko Bontoc Mountain Province.

The Fraternity gained prominence and acceptance. BAM became forefront student organization at San Beda College and a major attraction to students seeking thrill and adventure. These yielded positive as well as negative results. The positive result generated influx of recruits and new quality members. However, the negative effects resulted to rivalry, distrust, and hostilities with other student organizations.

To broaden and intensify the recruitment of additional members, the Fraternity commenced accepting high school students as junior members firstly in the civic - social action group and later in the Fraternity. The high-school recruits, were collectively named “The WAMPUM TRIBE”. which means “string of American Indian beads” to suit the taste and fashion of high school students. The WAMPUM TRIBE was founded by the Brother Supreme Founder and assisted by Brod Avelino M. Ordiales. WAMPUM started at San Beda College High School Department and later organized at La Salle Greenhills by Ramon Mizrai Fernandez.

It was conceived to augment the recruitment and acceptance of new members at college level but years later it was discontinued.

In the interim and early days of organization, the group adopted many names, one of the most important was the Association of Philippine Barristers translated into Greek-Letters Alpha Phi Beta and with affiliation to the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity of the College of Arts & Sciences and College of Law, University of the Philippines. But the name did not clearly manifest the acceptance of many members particularly those intending to change curriculum or not pursuing law education as well as members who transferred to other schools and/or intending to organize and recruit members in other colleges and universities. Those members became alienated with the mother organization and clamored for major change.

Subsequent school transfer of members to other schools or change in their educational undertaking marked the early exodus of members. The very first migrants enrolled at San Sebastian College (Brods Dominador Dodie Ras and Rodrigo C. Ner),

University of the East (Brods Jesus Rabadon, Arturo R. Uy, and Ildefonso L. Ermita), and Brod Rodrigo M. Arellano at Far Eastern University.

The transfer of members opened a new horizon in recruitment and extended membership outside Mendiola campus even in the absence of a formal recognition as an independent chapter.

In the graduation school year 1972, the Fraternity garnered scholastic excellence and academic awards in the persons of Brod Virgilio “Jill” C. Ramiscal as Magna Cum Laude, Brods Danilo Rene C. Lontok and Maximiano P. Sorongon Jr, as Cum Laude. Brod Jill Ramiscal delivered the baccalaureate speech. It was astounding to the listening audience particularly to college administrators and non-fraternity students because Brod Virgilio C. Ramiscal admitted and endorsed membership to this Fraternity. Several other graduating and undergraduate members were also awarded with honors in that graduation ceremony.

The Fraternity became more and more attractive to neophytes, and the screening and acceptance standards became more rigid and extremely discriminatory.

The core group of Daniel Mizrai Fernandez knew that the Fraternity could no longer be kept exclusively at San Beda College and for such collegiate education the Fraternity was formed.

On 28th August 1974, in a meeting called for the purpose at the New Manila Dona Hemady residence of Brod Rodrigo M. Arellano, the majority of members approved and adopted a new Constitution and By-Laws allowing the entry and acceptance of all college male students regardless of their individual educational curriculum and school except vocational institutions. In effect, the previously exclusive San Beda College Fraternity became a university (open) fraternity allowing acceptance of members from other schools regardless of educational curriculum except vocational and the establishment of chapters.

As a result, a splinter group of San Beda College of Law members finally decided to separate and retain the original name Alpha Phi Beta. The Fraternity lost a number of very good law members with different conviction.

The Fraternity’s fundamental details were meant to reflect a union of all members into one massive communal organization like the Union of American States and Freemasonry. Adoption of the official seal as the two-headed eagle symbolizes “Royalty”. This emblem further signifies the UPSILONIAN Brotherhood and Camaraderie. Other members interpret the two-headed eagle as the Fraternity and Sorority in one-body organization. The official colors: red and white represent the founding institution San Beda College and significantly for blood, Gold for power and supremacy and Green for life and continuity.

The official UPSILONIAN birthmark was also initiated by the Brother Supreme Founder in a general meeting of members held at the residence of Brod Jessie C. Ligan at Sampaloc Manila. It becomes mandatory for all UPSILONIANs to have the UPSILONIAN birthmark for official recognition and started a unique hand grasp / handshake as a form of salutation whenever brothers meet.

These changes were advocated by the core group of the Brother Supreme Founder Daniel Mizrai Fernandez, Brods Dennis T. Albano, Rodrigo M. Arellano, Avellino M. Ordiales, Ludovico D. Badoy, Ramon S. dela Cruz, Alphonsus A. Faigal, Jessie C. Ligan, and several other active alumni and resident members with the consent and approval of the original Chartered Members and the alumni association.

The anticipated change in status of the Fraternal organization from an exclusive San Beda College Fraternity into a university fraternity finally came into fruition.

The 1st chapter to be formed and recognized was the Mapua Institute of Technology (07.14.74) ; 2nd chapter was the University of Santo Tomas (09.15.74 ); 3rd was the Adamson University ( 08.20.76 whose organizer came from UST), 4th was Polytechnic University of the Philippines (1978, organized by Adamson University ), 5th was the Philippine

Christian University (organized by UST ), 6th was the Technological Institute of the Philippines (1979 , organized by Adamson University), 7th was the Lyceum University of the Philippines – Intramuros (1980, organized

by Adamson U ), and several other minor chapters. San Sebastian College (organized 08.1970), University of the East (organized 09.6.69), and Far Eastern University (Organized 10.15.70) were also finally granted autonomy (08.28.74) as recognized chapters. Under the guidance of Brod Art Valdez, University of Baguio and Saint Louie University (1974) was also granted interim authority to organize and accept members.

Following this development, the fraternity granted permission to members to organize the fraternity in other colleges and universities in the Philippines but still under the strict supervision of the National Alumni Association, whose functional and administrative authority is vested in the National Supreme Council with the Brother Supreme Chancellor as head of this elite national assembly of recognized chapters including the Sorority.

Each recognized school chapter has its own Resident Board of Officers spearheaded by a Grand Chancellor, and an Alumni Association headed by the Chapter Alumni President usually the official representative to the National Supreme Council. It became a tradition that the leadership of the National Supreme Council is delegated on rotation to the different recognized chapter representative every year.

In the absence of the Brother Supreme Founder in the Philippines. and for over ten (10) years, the National Supreme Council failed to convene and designate a National Supreme Chancellor. The revival of the tradition and fraternal activities were initiated by the stalwart alumni members from the Adamson University.

From 2007 to 2009, the Soaring Falcons’ Lonsi Brothers constantly met in Metro Manila and Cavite ( even invited for an occasion the members of the Council of the Elders : Brods Vic Badoy & Dennis Albano ) to organize the 40th Foundation Day and painstakingly sought all brothers and sisters ( local and abroad ). A Lonsi Website was established which significantly contributed to an actual and better- than -expected attendance, thus the

fruition, to wit : ( 07.04.09 , Circle Island Resort – Bacoor, Cavite : Theme “ Apatnapung Taon Na Po Kami “ )

Subject to final confirmation, it was reported that chapters were organized in recent years in Region 3 Central Luzon (Angeles City & Olongapo City, City of Dagupan), Region 5 Bicol (Legaspi) , Cordillera Autonomous Region (Baguio), and Region 8 Samar (Catarman, Catbalogan) & Leyte (Tacloban).

And so far, one of the most outstanding achievement was the organization of the Region 8 chapters of the Fraternity and Sorority. The authority to organize was granted to Brod Paul C. Moscare, a TIP brod from Samar and Leyte (Region 8). Despite lost of contact for many years, Brod Paul Moscare successfully organized the chapter at the Divine Word University (DWU) – Tacloban,Leyte.

On recent update, the Fraternity was informed that from DWU, this Fraternity prospered and extended to other schools in Region 8 Like: Leyte Institute of Technology, University of Eastern Philippines, Samar State University, et al. Contacts with these chapters are presently established and being pursued.

On 2003, when Daniel Mizrai Fernandez visited and had temporary residence at Montreal Quebec Canada, he met a frat brod named Edmundo Poso together with other senior Metro Manila alumni brods residents of Montreal. Brod Edmon was the first to inform the Brother Supreme Founder that the Fraternity and Sorority exist at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) -

Catarman, Samar. Brod Edmon is an alumnus of the University of Eastern Philippines. With this info made known to the Brother Founder, the latter pledged he would grant official recognition to the University of Eastern Philippines on his return to the Philippines.

On 2007, the Brother Founder decided to return to the Philippines from Philadelphia Pennsylvania. His interim residency in the Philippines opened the avenue to re-group the UPSILONIANS and revitalize the national leadership as well as seek the existence of the Fraternity in other schools particularly at the University of Eastern Philippines Catarman Northern Samar.

In search for contacts, the Brother Founder turned to the internet, and posted a short message at the UEP University Website Bulletin Board. And on 13th March 2010, someone quickly responded to such message. Her name is Regina Yna Atencio, a Sorority member UEP alumna. Surprisingly, Sis Yna is presently a resident of Toronto Ontario Canada. She together with Engr Francis Brazas (in the Phils) are instrumental in establishing initial contact and the subsequent talks leading to the official recognition of the University of Eastern Philippines as a chapter.

The Petition for Official Recognition was jointly signed by Brod Zaldy G. Salvador Alumni Association Head, Sis Josephine B. Lobos Alumnae Association Head, Brod Glen Daniel Setenta Brother Grand Chancellor 2010, and Sis Luz C. Diego Lady Grand Chancelor 2010.

On follow-up communications, other UEP members are also very helpful and directly responsible for the official chapter recognition of the University of Eastern Philippines, namely: Christian Alegria, Medel Estopace, Diocel Llave, Galahad Vicencio, Dindo Setenta, Joan Olegario, Oswald Acompanado (former Lyceum GC), Carlo Tafalla, and several other brods and sorority members.

On 11 to 13th June 2010, then members of the Supreme Council, together with Brother Supreme Founder visited the UPSILONIANS at the University of Eastern Philippines Catarman

Samar to award the banner of official recognition to the UEP CHAPTER, UPSILON SIGMA ALPHA FRATERNITY and the UPSILON SIGMA LAMBDA SORORITY.

The University of Eastern Philippines is the first provincial chapter ever recognized by the National Supreme Council and leadership of the Fraternity.

The delegation were composed of Supreme Chancellor Perry Bautista CPA and Members: Atty Henry Selecios CPA, Engr. Walter S. Lotilla, Architect Francisco Bolinao, Engr. Benito Conde, and the Brother Supreme Founder.

With the official recognition of the University of Eastern Philippines, the UPSILON SIGMA ALPHA is determined to recognize all other chapters previously organized by UPSILONIANs and establish additional chapters in the Philippines. As of the present,

the UPSILONIANs in north America (USA and Canada) remain active and frequently hold reunions and other activities.

KEEP THE UPSILONIAN SPIRIT ALIVE . . . We shall always live as real brothers now and forever, one and inseparable.