Beta Sigma Omega Phi
Beta Sigma Omega Phi is a Philippine service 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.