The Upsilon Sigma Phi, the oldest and most esteemed fraternity in the University of the Philippines, will stage the first Ambassador Edgardo B. Espiritu Cup on Nov. 14 with officials of the country’s top private and government corporations expected to see action with the members of the Upsilonians na Pumapalo at the Manila Golf Club inside the posh Forbes Park.
The one-day fund-raising tournament, held in honor of the former finance secretary and the current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland, aims to generate funds for the scholarships of poor but deserving Filipino men and women and develop their potential for excellence in leadership in various fields.
“We are all one in this endeavor and I hope you will help me in our effort to provide scholarships for the youth who could become effective and self-less leaders and take over the reins of social, political and economic governance in this country,” said Espiritu.
A distinguished public servant himself, Espiritu is a member of the Batch ‘55 of the Upsilon Sigma Phi, which is organizing the event through its Upsilon Foundation, Inc. In 1983, he became president of Metrobank and took over the chairmanship of the National Power Corp. in 1986. He was named president of the Philippine National Bank in 1987 and was appointed the Secretary of Finance the following year.
Close to 100 players, including the regular players of the 22-year-old Upsilonians na Pumapalo, are expected to vie for top honors in various divisions of the event, which also serves as part of the golden anniversary celebrations of Batch ‘55 of the Upsilon Sigma Phi, which was founded in 1918.
Meanwhile, seed money for the scholarship fund has already been put up courtesy of Domingo Santiago Jr. and Espiritu with officials projecting the foundation’s funds to grow to R20 million by the time the fraternity celebrates its centennial in 2018.
Batch ‘55 has also set in motion its fund-raising projects during the Baguio bash last month with the funding of four Gawad Kalinga houses. The Upsilon is the first fraternity partner of Gawad Kalinga, wherein Upsilon neophytes, residents and alumni can help build Gawad Kalinga houses through the Bayanihan spirit.
See article in Manila Bulletin