Tau Gamma Phi

Tau Gamma Phi (ΤΓΦ), also known as 'Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity', is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelion.

Tau Gamma Phi
ΤΓΦ
Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity
FoundedOctober 4, 1968 (1968-10-04)
University of the Philippines
TypeSocio Economic Service Fraternity
ScopeInternational
Motto"A Triskelion firmly believes in the power of reason, not in the use of force as reason."
Colors  Gold   Black
SymbolTriskelion (general),
"Triskelion Hymn" (anthem)
Chapters Philippines = 5000+ Philippine Colleges, Universities and Community Based Chapters
 United States = 9 Active Regional Councils
Triskelions' Grand Fraternity National and International Councils/Chapters :
 Australia = 1
 Bahrain = 1
 Brunei = 1,,
 Canada = 1,
 Germany = 1
 Greece = 1
 Guam = 1,
 Hong Kong = 1,
 Italy = 3,
 Iran = 1,
 Iraq = 1,
 Ireland = 1,
 Israel = 1,
 Japan = 1,
 Jordan = 1,
 Kuwait = 1,
 Laos = 2,
 Libya = 1,
 New Zealand = 1,
 Maldives = 1
 Norway = 1,
 Oman = 1,
 Qatar = 2,
 Saudi Arabia = 3,
 Singapore = 1,
 South Korea = 1,
 Spain = 2,
  Switzerland = 1
 Taiwan = 1
 Thailand = 1
 Vanuatu = 1
 United Arab Emirates = 1,
 United Kingdom = 2,
Cardinal PrinciplesThe 3 Cardinal Principles:
  "Fortis Voluntas Fraternitas " (Strength, Freewill and Brotherhood)
HeadquartersUniversity of the Philippines Diliman
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines

Its aims are to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence in lieu of the rampant violence pervading the university campus at the time of its founding, to avoid elitism if they can, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life without political influence or pressure. Based on these goals, the Triskelions categorized their formal group as a 'protest fraternity'. The Fraternity encourages its members to strive for spiritual growth and to organize socio-civic activities for the benefit of communities.[1] Tau Gamma Phi is now one of the largest international fraternities, with about 2,500,000 registered members worldwide.[2] Its counterpart is called Tau Gamma Sigma (ΤΓΣ) also known as the Triskelions' Grand Sorority.

Founding

The fraternal organization, originally known as the [3]', was founded on October 04, 1968 by 6 arts and science students from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Membership grew when the Greek-lettered name Tau Gamma Phi was adopted. A few years later, chapters were established at other college and university campuses in the Philippines.

Martial law era

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.[4][5][6]

With martial law forestalling most of its fraternal activities, the Triskelions faced the problem of continuous decline in recruitment. In the 1975 general assembly, they 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 in 1975.[7]

Triskelion Youth Movement

Tau Gamma Phi and later on also the Tau Gamma Sigma, opened its doors to aspiring youth in the community through the Triskelion Youth Movement (T.Y.M.), so that they too, who temporarily stopped pursuing higher education to continue their chosen vocation, might also participate in Tau Gamma Phi and Tau Gamma Sigma.

Hazing

Despite an anti-hazing law in the Philippines, many university fraternities in the Philippines have been involved in a dozen cases of hazing deaths since 2006, and have been implicated in numerous incidents of violence.[8]

Date of death Victim Institution Notes
March 3, 2006 Clark Anson Silverio Technological University of the Philippines [9][10]
August 18, 2006 Dennis Africa Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa [11][12]
January 28, 2007 Mark Rodriguez Central Luzon State University [11][13]
August 2, 2008 Chester Paulo Abracias Enverga University [14][15]
2009 Karl Anthony Gaudicos Holy Cross of Davao College [9] (With Tau Gamma Sigma)
2009 John Daniel Samparanda Lyceum of the Philippines University–Cavite [9]
October 27, 2010 Noel Borja Jr. DepEd Alternative Learning System [11][9][14]
September 15, 2011 Nor Silongan Notre Dame of Tacurong College [11][14]
June 28, 2014 Guillo Servando De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde [16]
November 2, 2014 Ariel Inofre Southern Luzon State University [11][17]
September 30, 2015 Anthony Javier Western Mindanao State University [18]

The Tau Gamma Phi called on all chapters through their provincial and city councils to the fraternity motto Primum Nil Nocere or "First, Do No Harm", and commit to avoid violence related to hazing.[19]

Affiliated Groups
  • Tau Gamma Sigma (ΤΓΣ) — Triskelions' Grand Sorority.
  • Triskelion Alumni Organization (T.A.O.) — The umbrella organization of all Triskelion alumni associations worldwide.
  • Triskelion Order of Law (T.O.L.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the judiciary and paralegal profession.
  • Triskelion Order of Medicine (T.O.M.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the medical profession.
  • Triskelion Law Enforcers Group (TRILEG) - Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the field of Law Enforcement.
  • Triskelion Order of Business (T.O.B.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the corporate world, businessmen and those who operate their own entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Triskelion Information Technology Group (T.I.T.G.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are computer engineers, technicians and information technology professionals.(Formerly known as TITO)
  • Triskelion Order of Call Center Professionals (T.O.C.C.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the Business Process Outsourcing industry or contact/call centers.
  • Triskelion Seafarers League (TriSEAL) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are professional mariners, shipping executives, military personnel, and crew in ships sailing oceans around the globe.
  • Triskelion Order of Teachers (T.O.T.) - Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the teaching profession. The T.O.T. was first organized at the West Visayas State University, Iloilo City, Philippines.
  • Triskelion Order in the Profession of Arms (ΤΓΦPA) - The Triskelion Order in the Profession of Arms aims to conglomerate all Triskelions that are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was blessed by no less than the FF RODRIGO CONFESOR on 4 October 2010 and then founded by Philippine Air Force Triskelions on 10 October 2010 at Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas.
  • Marikina Triskelion City Government Employees - it is still a chapter under Makatao Marikina Council but composed of Marikina City Government Employees
  • Triskelion Information Technology Association (T.I.T.A.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in information technology field founded in 2008 and are actively engaged in Triskelion Database Project for VisMin.
  • Triskelion Order of Graphic Artist (TOGA) - Aim to connect fellow Triskelion graphic artists together in one group where they can share their art, interact with fellow Triskelion Graphic Artist and enhance their knowledge by sharing tips and tricks with each other.

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2014-09-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Triskelion Emergency Response Team holds management training in Tacloban City - Sun.Star". www.sunstar.com.ph. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  3. 'Order of the East Triskelions
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2014-09-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://mrkowalzki21.typepad.com/blog/weblogs/page/2/
  6. "INTPRIN: The Press Under Martial Law". mysite.dlsu.edu.ph. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  7. Archived December 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "FAST FACTS: Get to know Tau Gamma Phi". Rappler. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  9. "Hazing deaths in the Philippines: A recent history - News Feature, News, The Philippine Star - philstar.com". philstar.com.
  10. A Day of Sorrow TUPians mourn on Hazing Victim’s Death
  11. "Deaths Caused by Hazing". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  12. "Stude patay sa hazing".
  13. "10 frat members wanted in fatal hazing of CLSU student".
  14. Inquirer, Philippine Daily. "What Went Before: Previous hazing victims".
  15. "Suspect in fatal hazing of Lucena freshman student nabbed".
  16. Reformina, Ina (2 December 2014). "Tau Gamma members in Servando hazing indicted". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  17. Serafica, Raisa (5 November 2014). "Tau Gamma Phi tagged in Quezon hazing death". Rappler. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  18. Larato, Vic; Toribio, Dan Jr. (2 November 2015). "8 fratmen in fatal hazing case charged, jailed". Daily Zamboanga Times. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  19. Gonzales, Yuji Vincent. "Tau Gamma Phi pioneers condemn death of WMSU student by hazing". Retrieved 2018-03-26.
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