The Upsilon Sigma Phi and the Vinzons Policy Center recently held a forum to highlight the life and legacy of Wenceslao Vinzons ’30 – a former student leader and a World War II guerrilla, who the Japanese executed for refusing to pledge allegiance to their country.

Vinzons, a former governor of Camarines Norte, was also the youngest delegate to the 1934 Constitutional Convention and a former president of the University of the Philippines Student Council.

The forum was held on Oct. 18, 2025, at the Daet Integrated School.

"Wenceslao Vinzons is not just a name on a hall or town. He is a model of the multipotential leader, a symbol of courage over compromise, a mirror of what Filipino youth can and must be," said Dr. Segundo Romero ’68, a political analyst and lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University.

"Vinzons is known as the Father of Student Activism in the Philippines for the way he led the students to rise above picayune issues like student meal prices, waiting sheds, miscellaneous fees, etc., to focus on national issues like independence from colonialism and the forging of pan-Malayan regionalism," he added. "The Philippines is waiting for the next Vinzons."

Melanie Vinzons Gaite-Lopez, a granddaughter of Vinzons and a member of the Sigma Delta Phi, spoke about his vision, mission, and personal life.

"The mission of Wenceslao Vinzons is to awaken the youth, to rally the youth. His vision is for us to be an independent and united people," said Gaite-Lopez.

Director Abel C. Icatlo, head of Museo Bulawan, revisited Vinzons' life and contributions.

"Vinzons wanted to come up with some kind of cultural force in the form of a National Language that would unite the scattered islands of the Philippines. Wenscelao Vinzons is the seed of the National Language," Icatlo said.

Former Senator Richard J. Gordon gave a message to the forum, highlighting Vinzons’ influence on his life.

Other officials present were Mayor Jovi Fuentebella of Sagñay, Camarines Sur, and Board Member Rey Kenneth Oning of Camarines Norte, representing Acting Governor Joseph Ascutia.

They were also joined by Vinzons' grandsons—Councilor Justin “Bintao” Vinzons of Vinzons, Camarines Norte, and Defense Assistant Secretary Augusto Vinzons Gaite.