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The term Betan is the nickname of the alumni and resident members of the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity from the original four (4) schools namely, Central Philippine University, University of Iloilo, Western Institute of Technology and University of San Agustin. In 2008, a fifth chapter joined the fraternity, the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U). These schools are based in Iloilo City, Philippines.

History
The origins of the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity as written on the pages of the 1948 Centralite, CPU's yearbook.

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 Philippine College (CPC), later renamed to Central Philippine 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). Together with Engineers Arturo Rivera, Jesus Cordero, and Architect Luis Dichupa, they have the unusual distinction of being called the founders of the fraternity.

According to the Centralite, CPC’s Yearbook, the brainchild fraternity of Dean Juan Sornito was christened at Roblee Science Hall with Engineers Arturo Rivera, Jesus Cordero, and Celestino Javier as sponsors. The first members were brought to endure the “tests and trials” and later had dinner at the Dainty where they unanimously elected Miss Lilia B. Garcia as the first Fraternity Sweetheart.

The first members of the fraternity were Celedonio Buyco, Edmundo Cortes, Manolito Saldivia, Silverio Montero, Rodolfo B. Cayot, Demetrio P. Catedral, Jorge Tamayo, Jimmy Hedriana, Antonio Valera, Levy Padlan, Tito P. Catedral, Jose Tupas, Romeo Portigo, and Jorge Sabidong.

Among the original Advisers and sponsors, only Engr. Celestino Javier was a fraternity person, being a member of the Beta Epsilon Fraternity of the University of the Philippines (UP), Diliman. Against the wishes of his brothers at UP, he obliged Dean Juan Sornito to form the fraternity. Initially, the fraternity was also called Beta Epsilon but during that time CPC requires its fraternities to have 3 Greek letters and refused its recognition so it was changed to Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity after approximately one year. Therefore, it should be noted that although the fraternities have similar names except for one Greek letter, they were in no way related to each other. Female Betans Against the wish of Engr. Celestino Javier, Adviser, the Betans at CPU recruited female members. These female Betans endured the same tests and trials as their male counterpart. Consequently, the name was changed to Frasority instead of Fraternity. This was around the years 1953 to 1966 when they finally stopped the practice and called the group Fraternity again. Engr. Ricardo Salas of Iloilo City College (ICC) was also instrumental in the decision when he arranged a meeting with Dean Juan Sornito and argued that the fraternity shouldn’t have female Betans.

Betans Exclusivity to Central Philippine University Engr. Celestino Javier also strongly campaigned that Phi Beta Epsilon should only remain in CPU and not branch out to other schools. The same philosophy that he violated when he branched out his original fraternity, Beta Epsilon. Along with his opposition to the female Betans, he resigned as an Adviser although Dean Sornito tried to convince him to re-join the fraternity in his previous capacity. It appeared over the years that Engr. Javier has resumed his role, especially after the female Betan issue was settled but he remained opposed and distanced himself from the Betans outside the CPU Chapter.

Betans at Iloilo City College
Architect Luis Dichupa, one of the founders of the fraternity at CPC, was also a part-time professor at the said college. During that time, the Architectural course was only offered at ICC and not in CPC. In 1950, he transferred to ICC to be a full-time professor and organized the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity ICC Chapter with the blessings from Dean Juan Sornito. The Board of Advisers (BOA) were Engrs. Ricardo T. Salas, Jesus Peñaredondo, Edmundo Mombay, Jack Soriano, Eugenio Dichupa, Retogo Aldeguer and Ricardo G. Hechanova. The chapter existed from 1950 to 1964.

There were two (2) campuses of ICC: the Iloilo Unit located in the heart of the city, and the La Paz Unit, where the College of Engineering was situated. ICC upon accreditation became University of Iloilo in late 1964 while its La Paz Unit eventually became the Western Institute of Technology. One of the advisers, Engr. Ricardo G. Hechanova became Dean of the University of Iloilo, College of Technology while the rest, most notably Engr. Ricardo Salas and Architect Luis Dichupa went to the newly-established Western Institute of Technology.

Betans at University of Iloilo
The University of Iloilo Chapter was organized by the founding brothers and faculty advisers on October 21, 1964 at La Paz, Iloilo City. The founders were Achilles Villa, Jose Robinson Umano Jr., Luis Sustituido, Joelito Malolos, Rogelio Pontioso, Arsenio Fernandez, Rodolfo Tamayo and Wendell Latoza with the blessings from their adviser, Dean Ricardo G. Hechanova.

The first members were Norberto Alanes, Eduardo Almacen, Rosendo Cabanas, Agustin Depasupil Jr., Carlos Jayme, Eduardo Kuan, Cristopher Parcon, Modesto Segovia, Herman Tanaleon, Antonio Alingaan, Raul Baldonado, Benonie de la Cruz, Rogelio Dureza, George Jayobo, Franklin Lagera, Napoleon Quezon, Daniel Seneriches, Phamuel Tamayo, Latores Alojado, Jorge Bejo, Eduardo Delena, Vivencio Endoso, Roberto Jaruda, Marcelo Laserna, Julianito Quintilla, Cresenciano Susbilla and Rudy Zaragosa. That was on November 24, 1964.

The advisers were Engrs. Ricardo G. Hechanova, Juan Garin, Emilio Deza, Agustin Damasco, Jose Dumdum, Daniel Barrido, Anselmo de Asia and Arch. Leonardo Quiampang. Between the year 1964 and 1965, the College of Engineering was moved to the corner of Mapa Street, Iloilo City. Some of the brother advisers moved to the newly-founded Western Institute of Technology. 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. The UI Chapter 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. Revival of the UI Betans The UI Betans saw a brief revival on October 24, 2010 when Dean Edelberto “Pongpong” Romero, became Dean of the University. The first members of the revival were Migo Liguan, Elgene Rey Omilig, John Edras Omilig, John Edran Yanguas and Marione Rey Santiago and the Fraternity Sweetheart was Mitos Diaz.

Betans at Western Institute of Technology
Some faculty members of the College of Engineering in ICC (now University of Iloilo-Phinma) joined and founded the Western Institute of Technology (WIT). Hence, student brothers from both CPU and ICC joined hands and organized the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity WIT Chapter.

Engrs. Edmund Arias, Jessie Aling and George Pontino from CPU and Engrs. 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.

The first members were Hermashelo Abad, Victor Capada, Manuel Laud, Peter Sales, Enrico Baltazar, Edgardo Garcia, Ruperto Madera, Gil Silvederio, Donardi Calfoforo, Silvestre Galve and Virgilio Masuecos. The Fraternity Sweetheart was Sandra Salon.

The members of the Board of Advisers were Engrs. Jesus Peñaredondo, Eugenio Dichupa and Architect Luis Dichupa.

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 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 Carlos Sion, Ramy Pudadera and Fruto de la Flor. The Fraternity Sweetheart was Maria Elsie Fuentes Domingo. From the original three members, the membership flourished with close association with the other chapters.

Betans at Iloilo Science and Technology University
The Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity at the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) was founded on November 29, 2008 by Denmark Deocampo Guillergan, USA Chapter Betan, and Sabas Homena, CPU Chapter Betan. The first members were Jofel Paguntalan, Ralph Gevin Sampil Camago, Jonathan Mahilum Ferolin, Reyan Laguardia, Joseph Layson and Russel Ambrosio. The Fraternity Sweethearts were Jessa Joy Hongco, Joy Mae Swerte and Mary Ann Concepcion. The university was formerly known as Western Visayas College of Science and Technology. The rituals for the first members were conducted by the USA Chapter with the assistance from the CPU Chapter. The second was conducted mainly by the CPU Chapter.

Martial Law Period
Martial Law was declared on September 23, 1972 in the Philippines and all fraternities were ordered to stop operating. Despite this, the Betans continued to exist and grow in numbers. The law was formally lifted on January 17, 1981.