Brief History
In 1987, Loulou Perlas-Rosales’54, then the Cultural Attache of the Philippine Embassy, invited Winkie Collas’59, Dolly Velasco’60, Grande Francisco-Esguerra’63, and Alice Sabalones-Tanoue’69 to come to her office. Loulou discussed the idea of holding a Sigma Delta Phi convention in the United States, which was initially opposed, as the task seemed too huge to handle given their personal resources. However, still developing the idea, Loulou invited other sisters who lived around the DC area for another meeting just a few weeks later. By the second gathering, that small first group had blossomed into twelve. Other attendees were Puri Katigbak’58, Rory Paredes’59, Fe Palting-Lagdameo’63, Alicia Azarcon-Purkapile’64, Susan Antonio-Coronel’82, Hazel Madamba’82, and Lovette Rosales-Llantos’84. A more detailed discussion ensued. Despite the skepticism, Loulou persisted, and with a little seniority, which she vehemently denies to this day, the project was officially launched. Calling themselves the “Dirty Dozen,” the risk-taking, enterprising, and dreamy group of women weathered logistical and financial challenges, and organizational difficulties to pursue what they felt was inevitable.

The first official Sigma Delta Alumnae gathering in the United States was eventually held in Washington DC on June 17-19, 1988. On the 55th year of Sigma Delta Phi, 55 sisters from all over the US graced this memorable event. The first guest speaker was Philippine Ambassador, the Honorable Emmanuel Pelaez. The three-day affair was held mainly at the Reception Hall of the Philippine Embassy, and it included cocktails, registration, and workshops. The affair was concluded with a Sunday picnic. It was on this very weekend that the US chapter of the Sigma Delta Phi Sorority Alumnae Association began.

The first time the sisters in the Northeast Coast got together was in July 1989. Cora Yabut-Custodio’60, Nora de la Serna’61, Malou Allado-Reformina’65, Lyca Benitez-Brown’71 and Ora Guarin-Kapunan’71 organized a dinner-dance at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Their objective was to raise funds for Patsy Monzon’59’s much needed operation. There were about 150 attendees comprised of Sigma Deltans, Upsilonians and friends. Five months later, the same core group organized a Christmas Bazaar at Cora Custodio’s residence in New Jersey.

It was at this affair that the first group of officers was appointed:

• President – Malou Allado Reformina ’65
• Vice President – Cora Yabut-Custodio ’60
• Vice President – Ora Kapunan ’71
• Treasurer – Bee Monzon ’58
• Secretary – Baby Mercado-Samaniego ’64
• Protocol Officer – Didi Vergara-Malabuyo ’63

On June 9, 2003 Sigma Delta Phi Sorority Inc. in the Northeast was approved as a social, civic and non-profit organization. The 70th Anniversary reunion will be its first project and this will be held in New York City on October 10-12, 2003.

2003 Officers

• President - Malou Allado-Reformina ’65
• Vice-President - Cora Yabut-Custodio ’60
• Secretary - Elga Perez-Casiño ’84