Upsilon Sigma Phi

The Upsilon Sigma Phi is the oldest Greek-letter fraternity in Asia. Nebulously coming into being in 1918, it has a singular and unbroken relationship with the University of the Philippines, and has no chapters outside of U.P. Diliman and U.P. Los Baños.

Related Topics:
University of the Philippines - U.P. Diliman - U.P. Los Baños

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It was formally organized on November 19, 1920 in a meeting held at the Metropolitan Restaurant in Intramuros. Among the fourteen founders were Justiniano R. Asuncion, who was elected president; Agapito del Rosario, vice-president; Adolfo Fabella, secretary-treasurer; and Sulpicio Bellosillo, Jose P. Apostol, Kenerino R. Asuncion, Graciano Q. Rico, and Vicente Llamas Jr., directors.

Related Topics:
November 19 - 1920

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Four months later, on March 24, 1921, the Greek letters ΥΣΦ standing for the initials of the name ?University Student? Fraternity? was formally adopted. In the same year, the fraternity also completed its organization with rituals prepared by Graciano Q. Rico, motto (We gather light to scatter), colors (cardinal red and old blue), and flower (pink rose). The head was known as the Illustrious Fellow and the first honorary fellow, University Regent Conrado Benitez, was inducted into the Fraternity. He wrote the Upsilon Hymn which later would be sung before and after every formal meeting.

Related Topics:
March 24 - 1921 - Cardinal red - Blue - Rose

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The Fraternity was fortunate to have, during the early years, officers imbued with a deep sense of responsibility, and members who supported their leaders at every turn. The Upsilon set precedents which were zealously followed by succeeding groups. It made a name for its indefatigable interests in campus affairs and for the exacting moral requirements before an applicant could be admitted into its folds.

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It was not slow to expose incompetence in the professoriate nor was it slow in supporting the cause of the faculty members whose professional advancement was being hampered by unsympathetic University officials. It encouraged scholarship and cultural tendencies among the members and the whole student body. With a strong discipline, it was able to initiate and manage worthwhile activities, which made it a major factor to be reckoned with on campus.

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The Upsilon branched out to Los Baños and established a chapter there. It extended its reign of interest beyond campus, to include national issues of the day, notably the attainment of Philippine independence. They organized militant actions against encroachment on the rights of the people and corruption in public offices.

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During World War II, some members took the field and actively participated in the war. Among the Upsilonians who gave up their lives were Wenceslao Q. Vinzons (former UP Student Council President, youngest delegate to the 1934 Constitutional Convention, and Governor of Camarines), Agapito del Rosario (Mayor of Angeles, Pampanga), and Jose Abad Santos (Secretary of Justice and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court), all of whom were executed for refusing to swear allegiance to the Japanese Empire.

Related Topics:
World War II - Wenceslao Q. Vinzons - Camarines - Agapito del Rosario - Angeles - Pampanga - Jose Abad Santos

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Others stayed behind and in their own ways contributed towards the preservation of Filipino institutions as much as possible. Most noteworthy of these men was Jose P. Laurel (President of the Republic of the Philippines), who put his life at risk in protecting the interests of the Filipino people while suffering rebuke from his detractors who accused him of collaboration. Laurel?s integrity would later be vindicated in the senatorial elections of 1951 which he topped.

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Despite the suspicion that the brutalities of the last war had obliterated every trace of idealism in the youth, the Upsilonians of the post-war era displayed the same fiery interest in campus affairs, and adhered to the very same ideas in principles as their brothers had before them.

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It was during the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos that the Upsilon further proved the strength and depth of its brotherhood, one transcending all ideological boundaries, as its members lead opposing sides in the leadership of the Philippines. With the administration was Marcos, Senate President Arturo M. Tolentino, Secretary of Education and former UP President Onofre D. Corpuz, Chief Justice Querube Makalintal (who after his retirement would be elected Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa), and Batasan Speaker Nicanor Yniguez among many others. Leading the opposition were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Senators Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., Gerardo Roxas, and Salvador H. Laurel.

Related Topics:
Ferdinand E. Marcos - Arturo M. Tolentino - Onofre D. Corpuz - Querube Makalintal - Nicanor Yniguez - Gil J. Puyat - Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. - Gerardo Roxas - Salvador H. Laurel

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Waging an ideological war from the mountains were members with the left such as Melito Glor and Merardo Arce. After their deaths, the New People's Army Southern Luzon and Mindanao Commands would, in their honor, be named the Melito Glor Command and the Merardo Arce Command respectively. Fighting for Muslim rights and greater autonomy were Senators Ahmad Domocao A. Alonto and Mamintal A. J. Tamano.

Related Topics:
Melito Glor - Merardo Arce - New People's Army - Melito Glor Command - Merardo Arce Command - Ahmad Domocao A. Alonto - Mamintal A. J. Tamano

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The year 1983 saw the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport. This opened the eyes of the Filipino nation blinded by years of authoritarian rule. Three years later, Marcos would call for snap elections.

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In a speech at Upsilon Congress II, President Corazon C. Aquino says, ?I understand that during that last presidential election, the Upsilon was the most relaxed and confident of its outcome.? Aquino adds, ?On the establishment side, there was Ferdinand E. Marcos, a noted Upsilonian, and running mate, Arturo M. Tolentino, also a fraternity brod. Then on the opposition camp, there were myself, wife of another Upsilon alumnus, and my candidate for Vice-President, Upsilonian Salvador H. Laurel. Whichever was the election might have gone, Upsilon had made it. If Ninoy had been alive and ran in that election, he would have said: ?May the best Upsilonian win!??

Related Topics:
Corazon C. Aquino - Ferdinand E. Marcos - Arturo M. Tolentino - Salvador H. Laurel

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