Tau Gamma Phi (ΤΓΦ), also known as Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelions.
Tau Gamma Phi | |
---|---|
ΤΓΦ | |
![]() Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity | |
Founded | October 4, 1968 University of the Philippines |
Type | Service |
Affiliation | Independent |
Status | Active |
Scope | National |
Motto | "A Triskelion firmly believes in the power of reason, not in the use of force as reason." |
Pillars | Fortis Voluntas Fraternitas (Strength, Freewill and Brotherhood) |
Colors | Gold and Black |
Symbol | Triskelion (general) |
Chapters | 471 |
Nickname | Triskelions |
Headquarters | University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City Philippines |
Tau Gamma Phi is one of the largest fraternities in the Philippines in terms of membership.[1] It has a sister sorority, Tau Gamma Sigma (ΤΓΣ), also known as the Triskelions' Grand Sorority.
History
editThe fraternity was founded on October 4, 1968, by students from the University of the Philippines Diliman.[2] Originally known as the Order of the U.P. Triskelions, the organization later adopted the Greek-letter name Tau Gamma Phi.[3]
In 1969, the fraternity established a chapter at the Philippine Maritime Institute. This was followed in 1970 by chapters at FEATI University, Mapúa Institute of Technology, and National University, in 1971 with a chapter at University of Santo Tomas, and in 1973 with chapters at Adamson University and the National College of Business Administration.[3]
When martial law was declared on September 21, 1972, by the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, some university organizations including Tau Gamma Phi became targets of military harassment, believing that these school organizations posed a threat to the Marcos regime.[citation needed]
With martial law hindering most of its activities, the fraternity faced a decline in recruitment. In 1975, the fraternity explored the idea of including younger members. Recruitment began in the high school sector with the Junior Tau Gamma Phi (also known as the Junior Triskelions) founded at San Beda College–High School on February 7, 1974.[4]
The fraternity celebrated its 45th founding anniversary in 2013, with President Benigno Aquino III offering an official message of congratulations to the organization.[5]
Symbols
editThe fraternity's colors are gold and black. Its symbol is the Triskelion. Its pillars are ''Fortis Voluntas Fraternitas'' (Strength, Freewill and Brotherhood).
Chapters
editControversies
editHazing
editAlthough the fraternity has released a public statement declaring the organization has a "no hazing" policy, several hazing deaths directly linked to the fraternity have been reported since 2006.[6]
In a 2012 interview, Tau Gamma Phi founder Vedasto “Tito” Venida condemned the fraternity's practice of hazing, adding that the organization has already "taken so many innocent lives."[2] In 2015, after the hazing death of a Western Mindanao State University student, the fraternity released a statement calling on all chapters to abide by their fraternity motto Primum Nil Nocere or "First, Do No Harm" and commit to avoid violence related to hazing.[7] Still, three further hazing deaths have been reported since then.[8][9][10]
List of confirmed hazing deaths
editAccording to the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group, Tau Gamma Phi has the highest number of recorded hazing deaths among all Filipino fraternities, with 18 deaths as of October 16, 2023.[11]
Date of death | Victim | Institution/Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
March 3, 2006 | Clark Anson Silverio | Technological University of the Philippines | [12][13] |
August 18, 2006 | Dennis Africa | Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa | [11][14] |
January 28, 2007 | Mark Rodriguez | Central Luzon State University | [11][15] |
March 11, 2007 | Ronald Sequeña | Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa City | [16] |
August 2, 2008 | Chester Paulo Abracias | Enverga University | [17][18] |
August 21, 2009 | Karl Anthony Gaudicos | Holy Cross of Davao College | [12][19] (With Tau Gamma Sigma) |
October 22, 2009 | John Daniel Samparanda | Lyceum of the Philippines University–Cavite | [12][20] |
October 27, 2010 | Noel Borja Jr. | DepEd Alternative Learning System | [11][12][17] |
September 15, 2011 | Nor Silongan | Notre Dame of Tacurong College | [11][17] |
June 28, 2014 | Guillo Servando | De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde | [21] |
November 2, 2014 | Ariel Inofre | Southern Luzon State University | [11][22] |
September 30, 2015 | Anthony Javier | Western Mindanao State University | [23] |
February 16, 2020 | Omer Despabiladeras | Solis Institute of Technology, Bulan, Sorsogon | [24] |
November 16, 2020 | Joselito Envidiado | Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City | [25][8] |
March 20, 2022 | Reymarc Rabutazo | Barangay Longos, Kalayaan, Laguna | [26][9] |
December 19, 2022 | Ronnel Masamoc Baguio | University of Cebu | [27][28] |
February 18, 2023 | John Matthew Salilig | Adamson University | [10][29] |
October 16, 2023 | Ahldryn Lery Bravante | Philippine College of Criminology | [30][31] |
Rivalry with Alpha Phi Omega
editTau Gamma Phi has been involved in several fatal clashes with long-standing rival fraternity Alpha Phi Omega:
- On August 30, 1977, UP Diliman student and APO member Rolando Abad was killed in a clash with rival members of Tau Gamma Phi.[32][33]
- On February 21, 1994, Central Colleges of the Philippines (CCP) student Fernando Obrino, a member of Tau Gamma Phi, died at St. Luke's Medical Center after being mauled by four members of APO (also students of CCP) in Cubao, Quezon City.[34]
- On October 24, 2004, police found the body of 33-year-old Ronaldo De Guzman on a bench outside National University in Manila. De Guzman was an elder of the Scouts Royale Brotherhood, which police identified as the youth arm of Alpha Phi Omega. Witnesses reported four gunmen, who were identified as members of Tau Gamma Phi, threatening the younger members before shooting De Guzman three times in the face.[35]
- On March 20, 2008, a grenade targeting members of Tau Gamma Phi exploded in front of La Consolacion College Manila, leaving 22 people injured. Police blamed fraternity rivalry as the motive behind the explosion, but initially refused to identify the perpetrators' organization.[36] On November 9, 2010, then-justice secretary Leila de Lima tagged APO as the culprit in the grenade attack.[37]
- On December 18, 2009, San Sebastian College student and APO member Cromwell Duka, Jr. was fatally stabbed in the school cafeteria by fellow student Efrain Lim, a member of Tau Gamma Phi.[38]
Police investigators also believe that Tau Gamma Phi members were the intended targets of the grenade that exploded in the 2010 Philippine Bar exam bombing, that injured 47 people.[39] One member of Alpha Phi Omega was indicted for the crime.[40][41]
Rivalry with Alpha Kappa Rho
editSince 1990, Tau Gamma Phi's rivalry with Alpha Kappa Rho, particularly in Cebu, has escalated to the point where police and local government officials have intervened and organized peace talks several times between the two fraternities: in 2002 by the Cebu City government,[42] in 2005 by the Cebu provincial government,[43] and in 2006 by the Cebu Provincial Police Office.[44]
Documented cases of clashes and killings between the two fraternities include the following:
- In 2003, the provincial vice president of AKRHO was murdered by alleged Tau Gamma Phi members along Sanciangko Street in Cebu City. Tau Gamma chapter president Jayber Oyon-Oyon was arrested in suspicion of the murder.[45]
- On August 6, 2005, a Tau Gamma Phi chapter president was shot and killed by an unknown assailant in Lapu-Lapu City. Police tagged fraternity rivalry with AKRHO as the primary motive for the killing. Before the shooting, Tau Gamma Phi members were allegedly warned AKRHO was planning to kill someone as halad (sacrifice) for their anniversary on August 8.[46]
- On August 28, 2005, a Tau Gamma Phi member was shot by a fugitive AKRHO member in Cebu City.[47]
- On October 4, 2007, several alleged members of Tau Gamma Phi were killed and wounded in a drive-by shooting perpetrated by Aristotle Aves, whom the Cebu police have tagged as an AKRHO hitman. Because the shooting coincided with Tau Gamma Phi's anniversary, police believe that it was in retaliation for a 2006 shooting incident that killed an AKRHO member during their anniversary celebrations.[48]
- On June 5, 2022, Tau Gamma Phi fratmen shot and wounded a member of AKRHO after an altercation between the groups in Minglanilla, Cebu.[49]
Several other cases of Tau Gamma Phi and AKRHO members being murdered in Cebu have been documented, however, the identity of the perpetrators and motive could not be positively identified or have been intentionally withheld.[50][51][52][53][54]
Notable members
edit- Alvin Aguilar – martial artist and founder of DEFTAC Philippines[55]
- Raymond Almazan – professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts[56]
- Bong Alvarez – retired professional basketball player[57]
- Jobert Austria – actor and comedian[56]
- Nathan Azarcon – musician and founding member of Rivermaya and Bamboo[56]
- John Riel Casimero – professional boxer[56]
- JM de Guzman – actor, model, and singer[56]
- JC Intal – former professional basketball player[citation needed]
- Pancho Magno – television actor[56]
- Jiro Manio – film and television actor[56]
- Luis Manzano – host, actor, comedian, VJ, and model[56]
- Jao Mapa – film and television actor and painter[56]
- Eumir Marcial – Olympic-medal winning boxer[57]
- Joseph Marco – actor, model and singer[56]
- Lito Mayo – graphic artist and printmaker[58][59]
- Buwi Meneses – bassist for Parokya ni Edgar and formerly for Franco[56]
- Vhong Navarro – comedian, actor, dancer, recording artist, and television host[56]
- Victor Neri – actor, singer, and chef[56]
- Diether Ocampo – actor, singer, model, and military officer[56]
- RJ Padilla – film and television actor[56]
- Ion Perez – actor, model, and television host[56]
- Vandolph Quizon – actor, comedian and councilor of the 1st district of Parañaque[56]
- Ralph G. Recto – former senator and current representative of the 6th district of Batangas[56]
- Oyo Boy Sotto – film and television actor[56]
- Jose "Bong" Teves Jr. – Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives[56]
- TJ Trinidad – film and television actor[56]
- Joel Villanueva – incumbent senator[60]
External links
edit- Media related to Tau Gamma Phi at Wikimedia Commons
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (March 3, 2023). "6 frat men yield; hazing case still 'not closed'". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ a b Geronimo, Jee (July 4, 2014). "FAST FACTS: Get to know Tau Gamma Phi". RAPPLER. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Cantes, Gerald (March 10, 2009). "Triskelion Antipolo Hills Community Chapter: BRIEF HISTORY OF TAU GAMMA PHI". Triskelion Antipolo Hills Community Chapter. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ [1] Archived December 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Message of President Aquino to the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity and Sorority Canada National Council on the occasion of their 45th Founding Anniversary of the Tau Gamma Phi, October 4, 2013 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. October 4, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ "FAST FACTS: Get to know Tau Gamma Phi". Rappler. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ Gonzales, Yuji Vincent. "Tau Gamma Phi pioneers condemn death of WMSU student by hazing". Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Alipala, Julie (November 16, 2020). "Senior high school student dies in Zamboanga City frat initiation". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Servallos, Ed Amoroso,Neil Jayson. "Student dies from 'hazing'". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Bautista, Jane (March 1, 2023). "Adamson student found dead after fraternity 'rites'". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Deaths Caused by Hazing". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group. September 27, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Hazing deaths in the Philippines: A recent history". The Philippine Star.
- ^ A Day of Sorrow TUPians mourn on Hazing Victim’s Death
- ^ "Stude patay sa hazing".
- ^ "10 frat members wanted in fatal hazing of CLSU student". January 30, 2007.
- ^ "19-year-old engineering student dies from hazing in Palawan". The Philippine Star. March 14, 2007. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ a b c Inquirer, Philippine Daily (August 2012). "What Went Before: Previous hazing victims".
- ^ "Suspect in fatal hazing of Lucena freshman student nabbed". July 29, 2015.
- ^ "9 frat members sued for neophyte's death". SUNSTAR. April 16, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ "SC Acquits Two Alleged "Fraternity Members" of Hazing". Supreme Court of the Philippines. October 27, 2021.
- ^ Reformina, Ina (December 2, 2014). "Tau Gamma members in Servando hazing indicted". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Serafica, Raisa (November 5, 2014). "Tau Gamma Phi tagged in Quezon hazing death". Rappler. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Larato, Vic; Toribio, Dan Jr. (November 2, 2015). "8 fratmen in fatal hazing case charged, jailed". Daily Zamboanga Times. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Senior high school student dies in Zamboanga City frat initiation
- ^ Sopriano, JP (November 17, 2020). "Neighborhood kuya killed in Tau Gamma Phi hazing, 12 nabbed". GMA News Online. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ Gonzales, Cathrine (March 22, 2022). "Grade 12 student dies in alleged hazing in Laguna". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ Peralta-Malonzo, Third Anne; Bustamante, Arnold Y. (March 2, 2023). "UC engineering student also dies from Tau Gamma 'hazing'". SUNSTAR. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Bustamante, Arnold Y. (March 2, 2023). "Police: Hazing victim's family has not returned to Cebu for case filing". SUNSTAR. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ "Chemical engineering student dies in alleged hazing". ABS-CBN News. February 28, 2023.
- ^ Mangaluz, Jean (October 20, 2023). "Solons condemn hazing death of criminology student". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ Chi, Cristina. "Another student dies from suspected Tau Gamma hazing rites". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "Casualties of frat-related violence in UP". GMA News Online. September 5, 2007. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "The Peace Rock Improvement Project". University of the Philippines College of Education. October 23, 2015.
- ^ "G.R. No. 128321". lawphil.net. March 11, 2004. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ Etolle, Nestor. "Frat elder gunned down by rivals". Philstar.com. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "Police blame frat war for Mendiola grenade explosion". ABS-CBN News. March 20, 2008.
- ^ "Fraternity blamed for grenade attacks - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "Suspect: I'm innocent, and APO has no motive to bomb Bar exam". GMA News Online. October 29, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ Pat C. Santos (September 28, 2010). "44 people injured in bomb explosion in La Salle, Manila". The Daily Tribune. Manila. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
- ^ Reformina, Ina (August 6, 2015). "CA affirms indictment of 2010 Bar blast suspect". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ Rappler.com (August 6, 2015). "CA allows filing of charges vs frat member in 'Salubong' blast". Rappler. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ Borinaga, Ryan P. "Police getting ready for fraternity violence". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Fraternity violence: Gwen warns frat for snubbing her". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Loot meets with Tau, Akrho officials again". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Borinaga, Ryan P. "Police getting ready for fraternity violence". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Borinaga, Ryan P. "Frat chapter president killed in Lapu-Lapu". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Tau Gamma "member" shot, fugitive Akrho man tagged". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Kin of drive-by shooting victims cry for justice". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Logrono, Guam P.; Lagunda, Kevin A. (June 5, 2022). "Tau Gamma fratmen shoot, wound Akrho member after disco in Minglanilla town". SUNSTAR. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Ugdol/GMR, Jojo C. "Akrho nga gipatay nailhan na". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "Tulo gipamusil, 1 patay". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Marantal, Romeo D. "Frat leader shot dead". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "San Fernando police review video footage to identify Akrho leader's gunman". SUNSTAR. April 12, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Mascardo, Iris Hazel. "Cops now have persons of interest in frat leader's slay". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "DEFTAC Philippines". DEFTAC Philippines. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Fraternity, List Of Popular Celebrities Who Are; Members, Sorority (December 4, 2017). "List Of Popular Celebrities Who Are Fraternity, Sorority Members". Philippine News. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Triskelion Handshake by Bro. Eumir Marcial and Bro. Senator Joel Villanueva at the Senate, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved October 17, 2021
- ^ De la Paz, Christiane L. (January–February 2017). "Lito Mayo's Alternate Reality". Arte De Las Filipinas. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017.
- ^ John B (September 15, 2007). "Bro. Manolito 'Lito' Mayo a Future National Artist". Thomasian Triskelion. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014.
- ^ "'Pure evil': Senators condemn death of student by alleged hazing". ABS-CBN News. March 1, 2023.