Sigma Delta Phi Sorority

History

The University of the Philippines Sigma Delta Phi or Society of Dramatics and Fine Arts, was founded in 1931 through the initiative of Mrs. Adeline C. Stevens, who was commissioned by the mother chapter at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

On February 24, 1931, The Zeta Chapter of Sigma Delta Phi Sorority was founded by Catalina Manguerra Santos and Gloria Lucero Monzon. The Zeta Chapter was officially recognized by the University of the Philippines in 1933. With chapters in the Diliman and Los Banos campuses, the purpose of the sorority is to form a strong bond among women university students interested in the arts and sciences and to promote social and intellectual intercourse among its members.

Mariang Maya

The Mariang Maya Awards are bestowed on outstanding Sigma Deltans in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of their professions, communities, people, country, Sorority, its Alumnae Association, and Filipino womanhood.

Introduced by the Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association National Board in 1983, the first award honored ten outstanding Sigma Deltans in different fields of endeavor. The Association coordinates the Award through its National Mariang Maya Awards Committee that selects a board of judges from among Mariang Maya Awardees.

The Award is named after Mariang Maya, the Filipino zarzuela written by renowned and multi-awarded literary and cultural writer Virginia R. Moreno for the Sorority’s 1953 musical production. Since August 1983, the Mariang Maya Awards are given every five years to honor outstanding sister-achievers of Sigma Delta Phi. To date, sixty Sigma Deltans are proud owners of the Mariang Maya statuette that was designed and sculpted by National Artist Napoleon Abueva.