04 September 2013 - Members of the Filipino-American community held a “Night of Tribute” in honor of the late Philippine actor, director, writer and activist Behn Cervantes on August 29 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York.

Spearheaded by Behn Cervantes’ fraternity brothers with the Upsilon Sigma Phi and the Sigma Delta Sorority, with the support of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the program included reminiscence about and tributes to the rich life of the late actor-director.

The Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity held a brief farewell rite for Behn with some fraternity brothers in attendance. Atty. Emmanuel Ago delivered a response from Upsilon Batch ‘58, the year Behn Cervantes joined the fraternity.

In welcoming guests to the Tribute, Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. spoke about the involvement of Behn in some major cultural activities of the Filipino-American community in New York during his stay in the United States.

Event organizer, Dr. Mars Custodio of APICHA and Upsilon Sigma Phi introduced various friends of Behn as well as Mrs. Betty Cervantes-Santos, cousin of the late director who spoke on behalf of the family.

Among those who spoke of Behn’s achievements, artistic vision, friendship, and commitment to many social and political causes were author Ninotchka Rosca, Ma-Yi Theater Artistic Director Ralph Pena, Cora Custodio, Dolores Marquez Richfield, Angela Timtiman, and Winky Collas. Deputy Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega read a prose-poem tribute to Behn Cervantes by acclaimed director Anton Juan while Mars Custodio read a profile of Behn by Atty. Gary Tiongo of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity.

Other community leaders who collaborated with the late director on various community projects were also present at the tribute. END