MARKING ITS RETURN to the athletics community, the San Beda University (SBU) Band officially rejoined the Red Army after transitioning from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Organizational Circle (SOC) after one year of tenure, making its debut during the 2026 Pep Rally on September 2 at the University Football Field.

The band has a long-standing history in the institution, dating back to its establishment in 1932 with the motto, “This is Brotherhood REDefined.” Beyond performing throughout the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the SBU Band also sets the rhythm for the crowd’s cheers during University events such as the Pep Rally.

Despite its long-standing presence in the institution’s athletic community, the SBU Band faced internal issues that led to a period of inactivity during NCAA Season 101. Amid these conflicts, the SBU Band eventually departed from the athletics community and joined the SOC, marking its transition as an organization under CAS.

Having been placed in a complex position after the establishment of the inaugural College of Accountancy and Business (CAB) from the CAS, discussions with alumni led to the SBU Band’s return to athletics, joining the Red Army alongside the Red Corps and making its formal debut at the University’s 2026 Pep Rally.

In an interview with The Bedan, Coach Luis San Juan, coach of the incumbent Red Army and moderator of the Pep Band of San Beda College Alabang (SBCA), said the move was not the work of one person, but a collective effort by concerned alumni who helped make it happen.

Reflecting on the strong identity and tradition of the San Beda community, Coach Luis said the spirit of San Beda Alabang continues to influence the ensemble. “Red and white is very much alive here in San Beda Alabang,” he said, adding that alumni hope to bring that same energy and culture to the ensemble in Mendiola.

Asked whether the “ARM” in the Red Army was meant to represent Mendiola, Alabang, and Rizal: the three campuses of San Beda — Coach Luis said the connection was not by design. “It’s just coincidence,” he said, noting that the parallel only became apparent after the name had already taken hold.

Through this new arrangement, Coach Luis said there is significance in passing down and spreading San Beda’s traditions. “Ang mangyayari is that it’s better to have something like this na walang gap or walang separation,” he said, sharing his hope for a close-knit Bedan community where campuses can work together without setbacks.

Coach Luis said he plans to bring in both new and familiar players for NCAA Season 102, with an emphasis on teamwork and cooperation among players from San Beda’s different campuses. With SBU hosting this year’s NCAA season, he said the responsibility does not fall on one campus alone, but requires the collective effort of all three to make the season successful and memorable.

Looking ahead to Season 102, Coach Luis had one ask for the Bedan community: show up. “I hope they would be able to support ‘yung school,” he said. “We are stronger in numbers; there’s no other school that can do that except for our Bedan family.” The cheers, he said, should come not just from the Red Army, but from every Bedan.