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Philippines service fraternity From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
Founded | October 4, 1968 University of the Philippines |
Type | Leadership and Brotherhood |
Affiliation | Independent |
Status | Active |
Scope | National and International |
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) |
Nickname | Triskelions |
Headquarters | 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.
The 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 on changed into the name Order of the U.P Grand Triskelions, One of the Founder Bro. Vedasto "Tito" Venida" who Spearheaded the creation of later to be called as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity. With the intention for them to be recognized by the U.P Diliman Campus. He later on seek for an advice to the present President of U.P Diliman Campus and also happened to be his Grand Father Carlos P. Romulo told Tito Venida the requirements for them to be recognized in the U.P Campus as a Fraternity they should present a Greek abbreviations for their Fraternity and introduce their actual Guidelines or By-Laws to his office to be discuss. Tito Venida has already created the Tenet and Code of Conduct as their guidelines and principles, Tito Venida then formulate the Greek letter Tau Gamma Phi.[3] or TGF in the english alphabet. As abbreviation of Triskelions' Grand Fraternity. It was approved by his recruited Triskelion brothers and also his co-founder Roy Alolor Ordinario, Talek Jamias Pablo, Rodolfo Sta. Maria Confessor, Restituto Alfonso, and Romeo Fortes.
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 Triskelion Youth Movement) 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]
The fraternity's colors are gold that represents as "Light" and black that represents the "Darkness". Its symbol is the Triskelion. Its pillars are ''Fortis Voluntas Fraternitas'' (Strength, Freewill and Brotherhood).
Although the fraternity has released a public statement declaring the organization has a "no hazing" policy, several hazing deaths allegedly linked to the fraternity have been reported.[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]
According 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] |
Tau Gamma Phi has been involved in several fatal clashes with long-standing rival fraternity Alpha Phi Omega:
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]
Since 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:
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]
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