History of UPLB Beta Sigma
by Onofre T. Grinño, Jr. ‘50

The year - 1950. Picture a near-empty UPLB campus with some old structures manifesting the scars of World War II. There were only the Colleges of Agriculture and Forestry and their departmental units then. There were no institutes or centers; no IRRI and SEARCA and the like. The roads were mainly macadam. There was a scarcity of feminine sights to feast one's eyes on. But yes, there already was the old Coop.

Out of this scenario rose a popular young campus figure. A born leader, sophomore Rodolfo Ylarde stood above the juniors and seniors in the campus to spearhead the formation of a fraternity in UP Los Baños - a brotherhood transcending the barriers of regional origins, creed and social status that was to weather the test of time. Through his fellow Nueva Ecijano Connection at UP Diliman, he realized his dream to organize that fraternity - the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity - Los Baños Chapter, a unit of one of the oldest university fraternities. The amiable, obsessive, hard-working Rudy Ylarde became its first president (Grand Princep in today's terminology).

On August 13, 1950 his Diliman connection, UP Beta Sigma president Brod Manuel Aliño, headed the Diliman brods to inaugurate UP Beta Sigma - Los Baños. They came excited with the thought of partaking in the initiation of their Los Baños neophytes. But they arrive way past mid day – hungry -- and were immediately served a luncheon of Los Baños delicacies ordered and prepared by Rudy Ylarde himself. After the extended lunch at Molawin Hall, the bloating Diliman brothers sheepishly called off physical initiation and proceeded with the formalities of inaugurating Beta Sigma - Los Baños and inducting the Los Baños Betans.

There were sixty-two of them – twenty -one forestry and forty-one agriculture Betans - stout-hearted, idealistic all. From this batch emerged a magna cum laude, a TOYM awardee and a provincial governor. While still in Los Baños, they - and the Betans who followed them - dominated the leadership of the student body as well as class and other campus organizations. After graduation, doused in the Betan ideals and traditions, they became successful practitioners in their respective field of endeavor.

These original UPLB Betans set the standards for succeeding brothers to follow. A few have gone. But most are still around, proud of what they have accomplished and enjoying (or about to enjoy) the fruits of their toils in retirement, some a little arched, others a little wobbly, but all staunchly Betan at heart and in spirit.

Charter Members

FIRST SET OF OFFICERS (1950)

President:                   Rodolfo C. Ylarde
Vice-President:            Edgardo O. Mabesa
Secretary:                  Andres D. Goseco, Jr.
Asst. Secretary:          Victoriano M. Corpuz
Treasurer:                  Reynaldo C. Rodriguez
Asst. Treasurer:          Jesus R. Tadena
Business Manager:       Manuel C. Iñigo
Press Relation Officers: Bienvenido V. Garcia
                                Benjamin D. Almonte
Sgt. at Arms:              Jose A. Cruz
                                Apolinario L. Maligaya
Adviser:                     Dioscoro L. Umali
Fraternity Sweetheart: Josefina P. Calma-Lazaro

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