Scope International Symbol Triskelion | Colors Gold Black | |
Founded October 4, 1968; 48 years ago (1968-10-04)
University of the Philippines Diliman Type Socio Economic Service Fraternity Motto "A Triskelion firmly believes in the power of reason, not in the use of force as reason." | ||
Tau Gamma Phi (ΤΓΦ) also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a Fraternity established in the Philippines and one of the largest fraternities in the world Its members call themselves Triskelions.Their 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. 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. The Fraternity believes that it must forge its members to embody qualities of leadership, commitment, persistence, trust, integrity, respect, and vision for them to achieve academic success and personal development. The Tau Gamma Phi is now one of the largest International fraternities with about a Million registered members(including Sigmas) worldwide. Its counterpart is called Tau Gamma Sigma (ΤΓΣ) also known as the Triskelions' Grand Sorority.
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The Triskelion Alumni Organization (TAO) is the umbrella organization for all its alumni members. The TAO has established close-knit enclaves in the United States of America, the Middle East and some countries in Europe.
The Triskelion Radio was set up by capable Triskelions, and it is probably the first ever fraternity and sorority on-line radio station in the Philippines.
Founding
The fraternal organization, originally known as the Order of the U.P. Triskelions, was founded on October 4, 1968 by four Arts and Science students from the University of the Philippines in the Diliman campus, Quezon City, Philippines. The group swelled in ranks and gained recognition when the Greek-lettered name Tau Gamma Phi was adapted. A few years later, chapters from other college and university campuses in the Philippines were organized.
Martial law era
When Martial Law was declared on September 21, 1972 by the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, the Fraternity and other organizations became the target of military harassment, believing that these fraternities and school organizations posed a threat to the order and stability of the Marcos regime. Ostensibly due to its leftist leanings the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity's office was raided under an Arrest-Search and Seizure Order signed by then Secretary of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile.
With Martial Law forestalling most of its fraternal activities, the Triskelions looked for a pragmatic solution to the problem of continuous decline in recruitment. In the 1975 general assembly facilitated by the Metro Manila Regional Council under Atty. Ramoncito "Monching" Ocampo MDG (UP), took the trial initiative to explore the idea to tap the younger generations. They decided to recruit in the High School sector. This gave birth to the "Junior Tau Gamma Phi" or better known as the "Junior Triskelions", founded at San Beda College - High School in 1975, where Triskelion Boyet Gorospe was one of the founders.
Triskelion Youth Movement
True to its objective of veering away from the elitist orientation of the fraternity system, the Tau Gamma Phi and later on also the Tau Gamma Sigma, decided to open 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, may also share in the glory of the Tau Gamma Phi and Tau Gamma Sigma. Another milestone in fraternity or sorority history. Again conceptualized and conceived by the Fraternity's Metro Manila Regional Council through the charismatic leadership of then Secretary-General Bro. Ramoncito "Monching" Ocampo
As Triskelions they also persevered to preserve the fraternity's existence during its trying times. Numerous notable Triskelion alumni actually started their Fraternal Journey in the T.Y.M.