Our triumph in the 2026 Battle of the Fraternities is more than a scoreboard result; it is the culmination of a brotherhood bound by discipline, sacrifice, and shared purpose.

Securing this Three-Peat was only possible because every element of our preparation was met with unwavering commitment. The original path to victory was not without its hurdles. The championship, initially scheduled for March, was delayed until June 12—a shift that threatened to disrupt our carefully calibrated budget and peak performance cycle. Yet, through the diligence of our members and the steadfast support of the Upsilon Fellowship, we successfully recalibrated.

Throughout this endeavor, we consciously avoided "window dressing" our individual performance; we remained grounded in an honest assessment of our limitations while still proudly upholding the reputation of Upsilon Sigma Phi in the world of competitive shooting sports.

Our technical superiority was forged long before we stepped onto the range. This team was born from the secrecy of our discipline—mandatory dry-firing sessions conducted in the silence of our homes, validated every Saturday through rigorous range time.

When our competitors opted to use the Glock 17 Gen 5—a firearm with a significantly heavier trigger pull—to level the playing field, we consented to their choice. We set aside our preferred match-grade Staccato 2011 platforms, proving that the integrity of our shooting relies on the depth of our training rather than the mechanics of the equipment.

This commitment to the collective over the individual was the cornerstone of our strategy. We utilized our "FTF" (For the FRAT) Group Chat to disseminate updates, with special mention to Brods Keno Reyes 2004 and Boojie Santiago ’06, who expertly facilitated our activities, and to our Man on the Ground, Brod LtCol Melo Jaluague ’2023. To ensure the integrity of our resources, Brod Manolet Ocampo ’69 provided his staff to conduct a meticulous financial audit.

Individual egos were strictly discouraged, ensuring that the fellowship's ultimate pride remained our guiding principle. The competitive landscape was defined by the intensity of our three units: Team Alpha, Team Bravo (also known as Team Bronco), and the newly formed Team Delta, established this season to integrate the expertise of Brod Gen. Patrick De Villa ’89.

Team Alpha, composed of Dodie Lagman '66, Judo Bonifacio '78, Mari Sol Cruz 2017, Daniel Paringit 2018, and MJ Comia 2021, distinguished itself as the only team among all competitors to execute two perfect runs, while also securing top-tier performance in the Man vs. Man event, delivering what was perhaps the strongest display of showmanship of the day. Each of our teams remained undefeated throughout the tournament, dominating the single-knockout rounds.

Our collective dominance was further solidified in the Man vs. Man event, where we drew from our core expert pool of nine brothers—Dodie Lagman ’66, Bobby Sy ’88, Patrick De Villa ’89, Mari Sol Cruz ’2017, Daniel Paringit ’2018, Nepo Mendoza ’2018, MJ Comia ’2021, Nino Albano ’22, and Melo Jaluague 2023 —to field our four select representatives. In this event, Brod MJ Comia ’2021 emerged as the Overall Champion, and Brod Daniel Paringit ’2018 secured second place, with our finalists—including Brod Patrick De Villa ’89 and Brod Nino Albano ’2022—all remaining undefeated throughout their respective matches.

The true hallmark of our character was shown at the finish. When the tournament reached its final stage, and our three teams stood as the last undefeated, we faced the prospect of competing against one another. As the senior-most brother present, I made the call: "Game Over." We realized that there was no need to prove who was best among ourselves, for Upsilon Sigma Phi is, as a whole, the best. Every brother agreed, and we celebrated our victory as a united front, leaving the other fraternities in total awe of the Upsilon Shooting Team.

Our excellence extended beyond the team relays and Man vs. Man events, as our brothers dominated individual practical and tactical divisions: Brod Daniel Paringit ’2018 claimed the Championship in the Production Division, Brod Zach Ruiz ’2019 secured the top spot in the Optics Division, Brod Manolet Ocampo ’69 dominated the Standard Division Grand Senior Category, and Brod Bobby Sy ’88 reigned supreme in both the PCC Iron and MR Standard categories.

While the hosting of the 2026 event may not have been perfect, what matters in the end is the certainty in our hearts that we won. We have the trophy and the Three-Peat to prove it. Pagbigyan na natin—we show grace, for we look toward the future with confidence; there will be another year, and we will continue to refine our craft to ensure we prevail over all.

Beyond the tactical, the heart of this victory lies in the fellowship that defines us. It was a particular honor to have our younger brothers present; through our shared practice and dedication, we mentored them in the sacred traditions of Upsilon Sigma Phi.

We extend our profound gratitude to the Upsilon Fellowship for their logistical and generous financial support, and to Brod DG Greg Catapang ’84 and Brod Jay Santiago ’93 for their meticulous and strategic planning.

To my fellow Upsilonians: our success is a testament to the fact that when pride is balanced by humility, and excellence is paired with dedication, our legacy remains untouchable.

*Aim, Fire, and Win — Sa bawat Putok, Upsilon ang Tatak*