The History of the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity
Betans at Central Philippine University
The Betans, a short term for the members of this fraternity, trace their humble beginnings on September 28, 1947 at Central Philippines University (CPU) where the famous mathematician, Dean Juan Sornito and Engr. Celestino Javier joined forces in forming the fellowship and called it the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity (Fellowship of Brother Engineers).
Follow this link for the origins of the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity as written on the pages of the 1948 Centralite, CPU's yearbook.
Betans at University of Iloilo
In time, some members transferred from CPU to UI, formerly Iloilo City College (ICC). The UI Chapter was organized by the founding brothers and faculty advisers on October 21, 1964 at the La Paz, Engineering Unit in La Paz, Iloilo City. The founders were Bros. Achilles Villa, Jose Robinson Umano Jr., Luis Sustituido, Joelito Malolos, Rogelio Pontioso, Arsenio Fernandez, Rodolfo Tamayo and Wendell Latoza. Between the year 1964 and 1965, the Engineering Department was moved to the corner of Mapa Street, Iloilo City. Some of the brother advisers moved to the newly founded Western Institute of Technology.
Betans at Western Institute of Technology
Incidentally, some faculty members of the College of Engineering in ICC (now University of Iloilo) joined and founded Western Institute of Technology (WIT). Hence, student brothers from both CPU and ICC joined hands and organized the WIT Chapter.
Bros. Edmund Arias, Jessie Aling and George Pontino from CPU and Bros. Rudy Tipanan and Freddie Ortiz from ICC were the organizers. Thus, in February 14, 1969 Batch I of WIT Chapter with fourteen survived members, was formed and that was the start of the fraternal affair that has lured many to its fold.
Betans at University of San Agustin
The Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity of University of San Agustin College of Technology was founded on September 21, 1978 by Bros. Johnny Rey Zerrudo and Eugene Tamayo, both transferees and members of the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity of Central Philippine University.
The first members of the fraternity were Bros. Carlos Sion, Ramy Pudadera and Fruto de la Flor. From the original three members, the membership flourished with close association with the other chapters.
Conclusion
Martial Law was declared on September 21, 1972 in the Philippines and all fraternities were ordered to stop operating. Despite this, the Betans continued to exist and grow in numbers.
At present, the three chapters of Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity of Central Philippine University, University of San Agustin and Western Institute of Technology continue to exist.
The University of Iloilo Chapter unfortunately ceased to get new members because the school stopped offering 5-year Engineering Courses. The last batch (38th batch) of brothers at the University of Iloilo were accepted at the end of their final rites ceremony on February 25, 1995 and were formally inducted to the fraternity during an Induction and Ball at The River Queen Hotel, on May 6, 1995. Today, the UI fraternity is still inactive inside the university but actively exists within the city of Iloilo as its home base. The brotherhood meets at least once a year in a grand reunion.
Captain Haneef Uddin was an officer of the Indian Army, posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, Indian gallantry award, for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
V.N. Aditya is a Tollywood film director.
He worked under many directors as an assistant. His first directorial debut was with the film, Manasantha Nuvve. The film went on to be big hit.
In 2002, his next film was Sreeram, a remake of a Tamil blockbuster. The film ended up as an average flick.
In 2004, he went to stardom with hit flick Akkineni Nagarjuna starrer Nenunnanu. Though its received tough critical responses, the film went on to be a big hit.
In 2005, his film Manasu Maata Vinodu was a disaster and faced many problems including the lead pair.
His most recent film was Boss - I Love You, which once again stars Akkineni Nagarjuna. Nayantara and Poonam Bhajwa are playing others roles. This film released on September 27, 2006.
His next film will be Aata, with Siddarth and Ileana D'Cruz in the lead roles.
Richard G. Ivey
Richard G. Ivey was a lawyer, businessman and philanthropist
His name is on the Business School at The University of Western Ontario. In 1948 he became the first Chairman of the Advisory Committee at what was then Western Business School. This Advisory Committee was critical in helping the School establish itself as a separate faculty and as the first national school of business in Canada.
He also led the fund drive that made possible the building on campus. His interests extended well beyond the bricks and mortar however, and he financed the first Canadian MBA program, the first Management Training Course as well as the first PHD program in Business. He also donated to the School's Research Fund as well as to the continuing Plan for Excellence which placed Western's Business School in a leadership position in Canada.
Both his son, Richard M. Ivey (HBA '47 and later Chancellor of the University), and his grandchildren, Richard W. (HBA '72) and Rosamond (HBA '82) are graduates of the School.
In 1954, the University granted him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his contributions.
Mr. Ivey remained Chairman of the Advisory Committee until he was elected Chancellor of the University in 1955, a position he held until 1961.
He passed away in 1974.
This is copied with permission from the Richard Ivey School of Business website.