HISTORY

FOUNDING FATHERS

Dr. Frank Reed Horton

ADVISORS

UNDERGRADUATES

 

       

Chapter’s History

The first and only chapter of Alpha Phi Omega International Collegiate Service Fraternity and Sorority in Ozamiz City is the Gamma Gamma Chapter. It was organized on October 1968 by Brother Jerry Boviera of Alpha Mu-USC and Sisters Amy Yap Puey Eng Go and Alice Yap Puey Eng Alegarme, of Gamma-SU.

Brother Jerry Boviera and Sisters Amy Go and Alice Alegarme, then newly transferred students, saw the need among the students of an organization that will ensembles their diverse individuality but will bind them as one.

Being members themselves in their previous universities, they believed that Alpha Phi Omega, whose tenets were based on the universally accepted scouting movement, will be right fit for them since many of the students were either previously or currently affiliated with the Boy Scout of the Philippines.

The first challenged they dealt was on how to introduce their organization to the studentry as viable as it really is. Though many members of Alpha Phi Omega already among the intellectuals in the academes and served as think-tanks in both private and government institutions, but in some provincial colleges and universities like Misamis University, Alpha Phi Omega was quite relatively unknown and still considered as at her infancy.

After a series of tiring paper works and stressful rounds of consultations, the Department of Students Affairs had given them a green light and assigned the room 307 of Maria Mercado Hall as its campus domicile.

And on that fateful day of October 1968, albeit the fear that no one will respond to their invitations, they successfully concluded the day with dozens of interested individuals attended their SRO orientation.

After a day of meticulous screening, only fifty (50) applicants passed the preliminary procedures that include a panel interview among others.

They then undergo a series of arduous trainings to test the mettle of their manhood and a daily seminar and orientation to instil the unique principles of Alpha Phi Omega to them.

As always, only that has the truest intention can surpass the gruelling tasks and only that has the broadest mind can adopts the unique principles: this was also true for the four (4) brave men and a courageous woman who showed grit and determination to survive.

They are: Brother Jose “Boy” Fabrega, the ace of heart; Brother Godofredo “Godo” Rasonable, the ace of diamond; Brother Ildefonso “Ildi” Dinulos, the ace of club; Brother Tambas Cader, the ace of spade; and Sister Lolita Catane(+), the southern star. Thus, the petitioning chapter of Alpha Phi Omega produced the “Four Aces and a Southern Star” batch of 1968, the pioneering batch in Misamis University.

The service-projects the organization usually did, especially on community services, attracted the students. Since then the membership escalates every semester despites of its gruelling trainings and initiations.

Prior to its recognition, the resident members of Gamma Gamma Chapter used Gamma Mu as chapter’s name, taken from Gamma of Gamma Chapter and Mu of Alpha Mu Chapter, the organizers chapters respectively, in honour to their great contributions in organizing the chapter.

But eventually, during the National Biennial Convention in Manila, a team of brothers and sisters headed by Brother Albert Lobitana, successfully defended and submitted all the required documents to the National Executive Board. That on the 3rd day of March 1976 Gamma Gamma was given to Misamis University, as its assigned chapter’s name, both for fraternity and sorority.

After of long years in active recruitments and services, the chapter was on the verge of dying. It was on mid-1990 when all of the resident members graduated and no one left to tend the chapter’s recruitment.

On 1999, with the initiative of Brother Ray “Paloy” Pastrano of Alpha Upsilon-USJR, who then recently transferred student of La Salle University-Ozamiz, rallied the help of the alumni to revive the chapter. On that year, Gamma Gamma Chapter produced the Revival Batch of 199-A.

Until to this date, Gamma Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega International (Philippines) Incorporated still producing more new breed of service-oriented individuals that have passed the ordeals and are worthy to be called an APO: a Leader, a Friend, and of Service.

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The Story Behind Founding

THIS IS THE STORY behind the creation of Alpha Phi Omega. It is also the story of the beginning of the first chapter – the ALPHA Chapter – at Lafayette College. It is also the story of the formation of the first national organization of the Fraternity. Above all, it is the story of the dreams of one man for an organization through which men might better the conditions of other men, as well as of themselves. This man is FRANK REED HORTON..

DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR, I served as an ensign in the United States Navy aboard a minesweeper in the North Sea. Our ship and its partner exploded more than 1,000 magnetic minies. My law school background at Boston University led to my appointment to try court-martial cases in our Division. When we reached ports some of the sailors ran wild. Many court-martial cases resulted. I saw young boys in their teens getting into trouble.

Because of these experiences, I made a firm resolution within myself that if I returned alive I would try to do two things and do them with all my power: First, do my best to help young people get the right start in life, by holding up before them a “standard of manhood” that would withstand the test of time! Second and just as important, try to help the nations of the world settle their disputes in a more sensible and legal manner than by war.

After the war, I become a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. One evening, while attending an American Legion banquet during my sophomore year, I say next to an inspiring man named Herbert G. Horton. We were not related but we became fast friends. He too had been a naval officer but was now serving as the local Scout Executive. He helped me to become a Deputy Scout Commissioner. One of the troops needed a leader, so I became a Scoutmaster as well.

Through these experiences I found that the Scout Oath and Law were what I had been seeking—a standard of manhood that would withstand the test of time and a code of ideals created and accepted by some of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.

The summer of my junior year was spent as an Associate Camp Director at the Easton Scout Reservation. Here I was impressed with the religious tolerance in the hearts of boys. This I have not found so easily among older people. Scouts of he Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant faiths worked together in everything at camp, and everyone had an opportunity to worship on his Sabbath in his own way.

My brothers in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity house, where I lived, who were outstanding for high ideals and clean living, were all former Scouts. I felt a college organization should be formed that would strengthen men in these ideals, and give them an opportunity for Leadership experience and for Service to others.

As a senior at Lafayette College, I talked to some of the men with a Scouting background and the response was good. These men would join an organization based on the ideals of Scouting. I created the name Alpha Phi Omega, the motto and the Greek words and their meaning and wrote the Ritual. Everett W. Probst designed the pin and drew the Coat-of-Arms. Thane S. Cooley suggested the handclasp. Ellsworth S. Dobson and Gordon M. Looney helped write the Constitution and Bylaws.

Fourteen undergraduates signed as charter members. Scouting advisors were Dr. Ray O. Wyland and Herbert G. Horton.

The Lafayette College Faculty approved the petition for recognition. On December 16, 1925, I conducted the Ritual initiation at Brainerd Hall, second floor, and Alpha Phi Omega was born.

My purpose was to make Alpha Phi Omega an organization for college men who cooperated with all youth movements, especially Scouting. I also anticipated that our Service program would expand to help people in need everywhere and to do service on the campus of each chapter.

As Scouting is worldwide, so should Alpha Phi Omega be worldwide, gradually in the colleges and universities of all the nations. Alpha Phi Omega can help bring about more nearly, through the future statesman of the world, that standard of manhood and international understanding and friendship that will lead to a better, more peaceful world in which to live and in which to make a living and a life.

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History of Alpha Phi Omega Philippines

It all started with a service project.

World War II had recently ended, but it had left its devastation around the world. The major cities of Europe had been heavily damaged, and many of the cities of Asia and the Pacific had been destroyed. Manila, the capital of the former US colony Philippines had been occupied and was now in ruins; its universities, rubble. What, if anything, could college students across the Pacific in the United States do that would have any real effect? It turns out, quite a lot!

Some of the Alpha Phi Omega-USA Brothers in Texas and the Pacific Northwest had fought in these islands. They knew, firsthand, of the friendliness of the people and of their need. They knew that education of the young people was a vital necessity if the country was to get back to its feet. They could do something, and they did. Book drives were started on their campuses and hundreds of textbooks, used but useable, were gathered from their libraries and fellow students to be sent to the Philippines to help re-stock the many burnt-out college libraries in Manila.

It was a successful service project, but like many one-time projects, it was soon forgotten, remembered only in the scrapbooks of the chapters involved and in the mind of the then APO-USA National President (1931-1946) H. Roe Bartle “The Chief”. It was a good example of a service project; it had all of the elements of a good story; and the Chief never forgot a good story.

Time passed. It was January 1950, and Sol George Levy (Gamma Alpha 1947), a professional scout, an APhiO member at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington and a friend of Dr. Bartle, was going to the Philippines to help generate more interest among the Scouts here. The Chief told him what APO had done a few years earlier to help re-establish Filipino university libraries. One January evening that year, scouts in Manila were invited to a conference by Mr. Levy. He passed on the story to them, mentioning how nice it would be if a Scouting-based fraternity similar to Alpha Phi Omega could be established in the country. He expressed his desire to organize Alpha Phi Omega, and distributed some copies of three APO publications: Questions and Answers, National Constitution and By-laws, and Ritual Rites and Ceremonies.

The story was of particular interest to a group of Scouts at Far Eastern University in Manila. It may be that their library was one of those which had been helped, or it may be that the idea of a Scouting-based fraternity just struck fertile ground. Librado I. Ureta, an Eagle Scout, a graduate student, and was among the audience; together with a group of over twenty Scouts and advisors began organizing work.

Rare 1950 photograph of 22 Alpha Phi Omega pioneers at the Far Eastern University (FEU) campus in Manila led by foremost organizer, Fullbright scholar, Scouter and college professor Dr. Librado “Bado” Ureta, PhD. Scan courtesy of old T&T newsletter collector Bro. Michael Lim, Zeta Iota 1993 and Jess Castillo (Epsilon 1968)

On March 2, 1950, at the Nicanor Reyes Hall, Room 214, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines; the first organization of Alpha Phi Omega outside of the United States of America was established. It is now known as the Alpha Chapter.

The Charter Members during one of the organizational meeting of APO Philippines. Clockwise: Sitting – Hawkins, Sevilla, Atienza, Ureta, Neric and Velasco. Standing – Dominguez, and De los Reyes. Scan courtesy of old T&T newsletter from Bro. Edmar Par (Sigma 1975)

Alpha Phi Omega rapidly and healthily grew in the Philippines. In its third year, it became a national organization with seven chapters chartered in Manila and Visayan campuses. It was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 21, 1953 as a non-stock, non-profit and non-dividend corporation with a registered name of Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Incorporated. It renewed its registration on June 8, 1981 with the SEC Registration No. 0099381 under the name of Alpha Phi Omega International Philippines Incorporated.

The Charter members who served as the first National Officers were:

• Dr. Librado I. Ureta – National President
• Col. Ignacio J. Sevilla, Sr. – National First Vice President
• Dr. Romeo Y. Atienza – National Second Vice President
• Dr. Guillermo R. Padolina – National Third Vice President
• Godofredo P. Neric – National Secretary
• Leonardo R. Osorio – Boy Scouts of the Philippines–National Treasurer
• Ralph G. Hawkins – National Editor and Historian
• Alfredo de los Reyes – National Director of Relationship
• Lamberto T. Dominguez (BSP) – National Executive Board Member
• Dr. Bonifacio V. Lazcano (BSP) – National Executive Board Member
• Max M. Velasco – National Executive Board Member

The first seven chapters that incorporated APO Philippines were:

Ordered by Greek Alpha – Mar 2, 1950 Beta – Mar 24, 1951 Gamma – Oct 5, 1953 Delta – Mar 9, 1952 Epsilon – Mar 2, 1952 Zeta – Mar 28, 1952 Eta – Feb 10, 1953

Ordered by Date Alpha – Mar 2, 1950 Beta – Mar 24, 1951 Epsilon – Mar 2, 1952 Delta – Mar 9, 1952 Zeta – Mar 28, 1952 Eta – Feb 10, 1953 Gamma – Oct 5, 1953

Alpha Phi Omega International (Philippines), Inc. was the first country to be chartered outside the USA. Although it is separate and independent from its mother country, it adheres to the cardinal principles designed by Brother Frank Reed Horton.

The badge and revised coat-of-arms created by EVERETT W.PROBST, one of the original members, were adopted.

However, the handclasp was patterned from the Boy Scouts’ and not from that of THANE S. COOLEY.

In “The Story Behind Founding”, Dr. Frank Reed Horton, wrote: 

“As Scouting is world-wide, so should Alpha Phi Omega be
world-wide, gradually in the colleges and the universities of all nations,” 

And so it did.

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History of APO Philippines Sorority

                 

The commitment of women in Alpha Phi Omega have been started and involved within the activities of the fraternity since the first decade of existence in the Philippines.

In the past, APO sisters belonged to sororities of different names. Initially, in social functions, brothers would pick fraternity sweethearts among their dates. Later on fraternity chapters and the most prestigious sorority on its campus would hold a soiree and then a joint service project; when a brotherly relationship have been established, the sorority would then affiliate to the fraternity chapter. Still, most chapters started sister sororities composed of their friends. Therefore it was not uncommon that the early fraternity chapters of Alpha Phi Omega associated their group with sororities bearing different names.

During the 50’s and 60’s, like every other campus with APO chapters, it was Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Kappa Phi Omega Sorority that ruled University of the Philippines in Diliman. They were partners…brods and sis. Scan courtesy of Eta Chapter

The Alpha Phi Omega Philippines National Board of Sorority was first adopted in the 6th National Biennial Convention held at Mapua Institute of Technology, Manila on March 6-7, 1965, under the national name of “Alpha Phi Sigma Sorority”, in which it served as the umbrella organization of all sister sororities of the different fraternity chapters of Alpha Phi Omega. Alpha Phi Sigma further united, formed and organized among the groups in order to integrate all the existing sister sororities into one national sorority under the jurisdiction of the Alpha Phi Omega Philippines National Executive Board.

The national officers who were elected by the sorority delegates to serve as the first National Board of Sorority in 1965 were as follows:

• President: Hope Tinga (Kappa Phi Omega of Eta chapter)
• 1st Vice President: Sally Ravara-Magcanan (Sigma Lambda Phi of Sigma chapter)
• 2nd Vice President: Rosita De Leon (Delta Sigma Sigma of Delta chapter)
• Auditor: Pat Macanay-Chua (Alpha Lambda Sigma of Lambda chapter)

Records of the early fraternity collegiate chapters indicated their historical events regarding the establishment of their respective sister sororities as follows:

• Beta chapter sister sorority under the name “Sigma Lambda Sigma” was established in 1954
• Delta chapter sister sorority as “Delta Sigma Sigma” was established in 1955
• Eta chapter sister sorority as “Kappa Phi Omega“ in 1957
• Alpha chapter sister sorority as “Sigma Gamma Phi” in 1957
• Theta chapter sister sorority as “Kappa Phi Omega“ in 1959
• Lambda chapter sister sorority as “Alpha Lambda Sigma” in 1963
• Sigma chapter sister sorority as “Sigma Lambda Phi” in 1964
• Gamma chapter sister sorority as “Kappa Phi Omega” in 1964
• Chi chapter sister sorority in 1966
• Alpha Omicron chapter sister sorority as “Alpha Omega Sigma” in 1966
• Pi chapter sister sorority as “Sigma Lambda Phi” in 1967

Theta Sisters during an Induction Ceremony. Scan courtesy of APOSS AA Inc.

In 1968, the APO National Executive Board passed a resolution changing the APO National Sister Sorority name from “Alpha Phi Sigma Sorority” to “APO Auxiliary Sorority (APOAS)” to have a uniformity name from its nomenclature. Consequently, this paved the way for the integration of all sister sororities under one national name, in which it resulted to the recognition and granting of charter as Alpha Eta Auxiliary Sorority Chapter of Philippine School of Business and Administration, Manila, on September 17, 1968, with Sister Amelia P. Acuzar as the holder of National Sorority ID No. 001.

Moreover, the chapters which had established their auxiliary sororities and given charters since 1968 were as follows:

• Alpha Eta & Alpha Epsilon chapter auxiliary sororities in 1968
• Alpha Alpha, Alpha Theta & Alpha Lambda chapter auxiliary sororities in 1969
• Iota, Psi, Rho, Alpha Gamma, Alpha Zeta, Alpha Mu & Alpha Pi chapter auxiliary sororities in 1970
• Epsilon chapter auxiliary sorority in 1971. Pi Omega Pi Sorority (POP) was linked as an earlier sister sorority of Epsilon Chapter; However, APO National Office records do not support this alleged claim.
• Mu, Alpha Nu & Alpha Xi chapter auxiliary sororities in 1971
• Nu chapter auxiliary sorority in 1972
• Omega chapter auxiliary sorority in 1974
• Xi chapter auxiliary sorority in 1975

Subsequently, the 7th National Biennial Convention held at Far Eastern University, Manila on December 15-16, 1968, adopted the said existing NEB resolution and officially allowed its collegiate fraternity chapters to admit women as affiliate members.

It was in the 8th National Biennial Convention held at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna on December 17-19, 1971, that the Sorority was formally recognized and accepted as Alpha Phi Omega Auxiliary Sorority (APOAS), the sister association of Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. But the name suggested a dependence on the brotherhood, and so it strived for the recognition of its own identity.

Finally, during the 10th National Biennial Convention held on March 30 to April 1. 1979, at Camp 7, Minglanilla, Cebu, the realization of the dream of the sorority came. The National Code of By-laws was amended and the Alpha Phi Omega Service Sorority (APOSS) came into being. The Office of the Vice President for Sorority Affairs was created, thereby giving its total recognition and equal footing with the Fraternity. Thus the Organization became Alpha Phi Omega International Philippines Incorporated Service Fraternity and Sorority.

Similarly, Alpha Phi Omega (USA), during its 23rd National Biennial Convention in St. Missouri, on December 27-29, 1974, officially allowed its collegiate chapters to admit women as affiliate members. Finally, APhiO-USA, during its 24th National Biennial Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 27, 1976, formally accepted as full-fledged “brothers” of the Fraternity.

The National Office

The National Office for Alpha Phi Omega of the Philippines is at 301-A Two Seventy Midtower Condominium 270 Ermin Garcia, Brgy Silangan, Cubao, Quezon City. Past locations of the Alpha Phi Omega of the Philippines office include:

YEAR / LOCATION

• 1950 – 1975
  Office of Godofredo Neric, Boy Scouts of the Philipinnes Building, Arrozeros St., Ermita, Manila
• 1975 – 1977
  Residence of Dr. Librado I.Ureta, Brgy. Dolores, Taytay, Rizal
• 1977 – 1978
  Residence of Emilio S. Gonzales, Jr., 1411 Juan Luna St., Tondo, Manila
• 1978 – 1983
  Office of Jose V. Cutaran, Room 353 Executive Suites, Farmers Plaza, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
• 1983 – 1986
  Office of Efren Jose C. Neri, Room 425 Comfoods Building, Gil J. Puyat Avenue (former Buendia Ave), Makati City
• 1986 – 1988
  Office of Oscar V. Lazo, Jr., Room 204 Borres Building, Ilang-Ilang St., Quezon City
• 1988 – 1993
  Room 306 Calvo Building, Escolta St., Binondo, Manila (leased office)
• 1993 – 1999
  Room 2011-12 V.V. Soliven Complex, Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, San Juan, Metro Manila (leased office)
• 1999 – current
  301-A Two Seventy Midtower Condominium, 270 Ermin Garcia St., Brgy Silangan, Cubao, Quezon City

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