MANILA, Philippines — It is not often that we get to see a group that remains active even after 90 years and celebrates all its achievements on campus where it all began. The group is composed of women from different batches of the university where they all met.
I am referring to Sigma Delta Phi (SDP), formed in 1931 and recognized by the University of the Philippines (UP) in 1933 with Lourdes Paredes as its first Grand Archon. Thus, this year marks the university sorority’s 90th anniversary and the best way to celebrate this milestone, according to Sigma Deltan Batch ‘71 Lyca Benitez-Brown, is for the Sigma Deltans to pivot back to UP and have a festive get-together today and tomorrow, Feb. 24 and 25.
“Many of our alumnae came home for the 90th anniversary,” began Lyca. “’Yun ang kagandahan ng sorority kasi usually when you go to a school, your peers are usually the ones in your batch only. In sorority, it’s different because we’re from different years or batches. Like me, I’m Batch ‘79 pero magkakasama kami nila Winnie Collas-Monsod na Batch ‘50s or Ces Oreña-Drilon, Batch ‘80. So, you can see the range ng mga member, napakalawak.”
Today’s generation is certainly familiar with Winnie and Ces, who are visible on television and social media, while Lyca was the producer of the educational show, Batibot. Other members of Sigma Delta Phi are prominent names in the society that, upon mention, will definitely ring a thousand bells to the young and old. They are Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Nora Daza, Betty Go-Belmonte (this paper’s founder), Araceli Limcaco-Dans, Nelia Sancho, Angeli Pangilinan, to name a few.
Lyca has no idea how many “sisters” in total they are in Sigma Delta Phi because of the “vastness of their universe.”
“I really don’t have any idea kung ano ‘yung universe namin kasi nung umpisa ang Sigma Delta kilala ‘yan for dramatics and fine arts. I mean, kasi ‘yung mga members namin gaya nila Celia Diaz-Laurel, Joy Virata, Araceli Dans, ‘yan ang mga prominent personalities in the arts pero marami rin kaming mga scientists (members) na galing sa (UP) Los Baños.”
Although members from Batch ‘33 are no longer around, Lyca said the memories will never fade away. So, they thought of coming up with a concept of celebrating every decade through a street fair called Balikada (short for balik dekada), where tents are put up to represent each decade – from the ‘30s to the present – and feature the accomplishments and achievements of Sigma Deltans for the last 90 years.
“It’s one good reason for members to come home (from different parts of the world) and bring their families with them to UP and for them to see once again the school na ibang-iba na since the time na andun sila,” Lyca said.
The university sorority members also have a special “gift” to their alma mater: The new campus landmark called Sigma Delta Phi Plaza or SDP Plaza. Inauguration ceremony will take place in the morning of Feb. 24. Its distinction is Batch ’85 Melanie Libatique sculpture Tagapag-ugnay.
As per SDP’s souvenir program, the board of Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association (SDPAA) for 2019 to 2021, led by its president, Marife Butalid-Zamora (Batch ‘68), and FVP Maria Monalisa Marapao-Lacanlale (Batch ‘68), envisioned contributing a significant work of art to show the sisterhood’s appreciation for and pride in their alma mater.
Lacanlale, the principal proponent, says, “While the Sorority contributes professionals to sciences and humanities, its Greek letters stand for Society of Dramatics and Fine Arts. For its Granite Year, the sorority proposes to enrich the university’s artistic heritage with contemporary work.”
Lyca looks forward to meeting new generation of students of UP in the campus fair Balikada and seeing them inside the various tents, where they learn about interesting stories from the nine decades since SDP was founded. There will also be interactive activities that people of all ages can enjoy.
Balikada will also serve as a way for the young students of UP to further understand SDP’s motto, “One in mind, one in heart, one in communion of spirit.”
It is admirable how the “big sisters” of Sigma Delta Phi are actively assisting their “young sisters” in the group in their outreach programs.
“There are members from (batches) ‘50s and ‘60s who are supporting community outreach efforts of our young sisters. During the height of the pandemic, our sister Annie Guerrero, who owns Cravings and Sweet Inspirations in Katipunan, participated in Project Ahon to help jeepney drivers who had no work that time. She sent her staff to set up a community kitchen and also people who will share (to drivers and their families) how to start a kitchen garden,” shared Lyca.
“Kung iisipin mo, ang tagal na n’yang wala sa UP but the moment she heard about this project of our young sisters, she right away sent her staff to assist them,” she added.
They, too, are ready to assist even non-member students. In fact, the students who were stranded in the university dorm during the lockdown can attest how Sigma Deltans provided assistance by sending hygienic products and snacks.
Outside of the UP campus, Sigma Deltans are also involved in supporting jeepney drivers around Diliman. Lyca also narrated how Sigma Deltans granted the request of PGH Pediatric Center to acquire new laptops and equipment. “If you’ll think about it, these are not connected to the Society for Dramatics and Fine Arts yet we help when we can.”
No wonder, the list of outstanding sister-achievers gets longer for the notable contributions of the members to the society. Since Sigma Delta Phi turned 50 years old in 1983, the Mariang Maya Award has been its means to celebrate and honor outstanding members. Editha Lazo-Arambulo, Batch ‘53, and Betty Go-Belmonte, Batch ‘52 were president and vice president, respectively of the grand event, made possible by the work of many dedicated sisters.
Lyca said the Mariang Maya awards are given every five years and it’s such a good coincidence that this year is a Mariang Maya year which makes their 90th year celebration extra special.
This year’s recipients of the Mariang Maya awards are Marlene Catalina Paje-Rodriguez, Batch ‘66, Outstanding Achiever in Public Administration; Emelyn Lynett Advincula-Villariba, Batch ‘68, Outstanding Achiever in Visual Journalism; Virginia Honrado-Benavidez, Batch ‘68, Outstanding Achiever in Diplomacy and International Relations; Maria Lourdes Santos, Batch ‘72, Outstanding Achiever in Food Research and Development; Annie Gerona Dee, Batch ‘73, Outstanding Achiever in Business and Entrepreneurship; Linda Luz Bacungan-Guerrero, Batch ‘73, Outstanding Achiever in Social Research; Maria Elizabeth Santiago-Sichon, Batch ‘76, Outstanding Achiever in Human Resources and Development; and Frances Rivera, Batch ‘89, Outstanding Achiever in Broadcast Communications. Awarding ceremonies will take place on Feb. 25.
Before that, there will be a Gala Dinner wherein a special award will be given to Batch ‘52 Emma Nepomuceno-Pangilinan, the star of the original musical-zarzuela of 1953 titled Mariang Maya, opposite Dony Pangilinan. Lyca shared the plot of Mariang Maya was based on the real-life campus romance of Emma and Dony.
By the way, Emma and Dony are the parents of famous siblings Francis Pangilinan, Anthony Pangilinan, Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon and Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano.
“Emma’s grandson, Gab Valenciano, is making a documentary on Sigma Delta Phi Sorority,” granted Lyca. “Kiana Valenciano, on the other hand, is also part of the program. She will sing on stage to honor her lola.”
She continued, “I believe three of her (and Dony’s) children are Sigma Deltans and three Upsilonians. Emma, who lives in Los Baños, will be accompanied by her family.”
Emma, now 88, is an exemplary embodiment of an extraordinary sister, who knows how to lead and love. After graduation from UP, Emma taught art appreciation at the UP Preparatory School, where she instilled in the hearts and minds of high school students the power of art. It is said that many of her students rose to positions of leadership and influence in Philippine society.
Lyca pointed out that every member of Sigma Delta Phi reflects what sisterhood for life means. Each of them also takes to heart the lessons and values taught and shared by the organization.
“When you hear the stories of the awardees, you’ll realize how transformative their experiences were when they joined the sorority. The sorority allows you to network with people from all walks of life and so you really need to learn how to get along with other people. But not only that, you also have to be efficient. At s’yempre may kasama rin katuwaan,” Lyca concluded.
(The Gala Dinner and Mariang Maya Awards will be held at Bahay ng Alumni, also in UP campus.)