The Upsilon Sigma Phi (ΥΣΦ) is the oldest Greek-letter organization and fraternity in Asia. Founded in 1918, it is also the oldest student organization in continuous existence in the University of the Philippines.[1][2] It has two chapters—a single chapter for the UP Diliman and UP Manila campuses, and another for UP Los Baños. Membership remains exclusive to UP students, and is by invitation only.
The Upsilon Sigma Phi was founded in 1918 by twelve students and two professors from the University of the Philippines Manila.
It was formally organized on November 19, 1920, in a meeting held at the Metropolitan Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila where the fraternity elected its first officers (among which include Agapito del Rosario, one of the founders of the Socialist Party of the Philippines and later on Mayor of Angeles, Pampanga).[3][4][5] Four months later, on March 24, 1921, the Greek letters "ΥΣΦ", standing for the initials of the name "University Students Fraternity" were formally adopted. The fraternity also adopted its themes, rites, and motto "We Gather Light to Scatter".
During its early years, invitations for membership were given out only to individuals who served in leadership positions, or individuals which the fraternity deemed in possession of leadership potential or regarded as excellent in their respective fields.[6]
From 1930 to 1949, thirteen of its members chaired the UP Student Council (including Jose Laurel Jr., and Sotero Laurel, sons of Jose P. Laurel, himself an Upsilonian). Its members were prominent contributors in campus publications, a number of whom served as editors-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian (such as Arturo Tolentino and Armando Malay) and the now defunct annual publication, The Philippinensian.[7][3] During this time, then UP Student Council President Wenceslao Vinzons, together with members of the fraternity, led demonstrations before the Philippine Congress to protest the insertion of a provision in the appropriations act that gave lawmakers a salary increase.[8]
Plaque attached to the UP Carillon Tower, which was constructed in 1952.
The UP administration relocated to the Diliman campus In the aftermath of the Battle of Manila.[9] Prominent landmarks in the Diliman campus such as Palma Hall, Melchor Hall, Quezon Hall, and the Church of the Risen Lord were designed and constructed by university architect and Upsilonian Cesar Concio.[10] Through the efforts of the UP Alumni Association headed by Upsilonian Hermenegildo Reyes, the fraternity helped raise funds for the construction of the bell tower called the "Carillon" which still stands today as another prominent landmark.[3] Meanwhile, a chapter in UP Los Baños was established; the first Greek-letter organization in the campus.
During the same period, the fraternity hosted the Cavalcades, a series of stage plays and musicals that began on campus and eventually toured nationwide.[11] Profits from "Aloyan" (the first full-length English play written by a Filipino) and "Hanako" plays were used to help finance the construction and furnishing of the Church of the Holy Sacrifice.[3] One of the fraternity's productions, Linda, cast the then 17-year-old Pilita Corrales.[3]
UP Presidents Alfredo Pascual and Danilo Concepcion share the stage during the ceremony for the turnover. Both are Upsilonians.
In 2013, the fraternity was named as a finalist in the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards, the country’s premier institution that recognizes and supports the outstanding contributions of youth organizations to the country.[12][13][14]
Malacañang proclamation declaring 2018 as the "Year for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Upsilon Sigma Phi."
On July 25, 2018, the Malacañang Palace issued Proclamation Order No. 539 recognizing the fraternity for its "significant contributions to numerous civic and humanitarian causes, as well as the dedication and commitment of its members to public service and nation-building." The year 2018 was also declared as the "Year for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Upsilon Sigma Phi."[15]
In the same year, the fraternity inaugurated in the Diliman campus the UP Promenade, a 120-meter walkway equipped with internet and Wi-Fi capable facilities available for public use.[16][17][18] In the Los Baños campus, the fraternity also unveiled another flagship centennial project, The Kapit-Kapit Monument, which depicts 14 individuals with their arms locked in solidarity.[19]
In 2022, on the occasion of the fraternity's 104th anniversary, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the “Upsilon Sigma Phi” historical marker which was installed in the Diliman campus.[20]
Members of the Upsilon Sigma Phi are called Fellows or Upsilonians.[21][22][23] Its flower is the pink rose. Its colors are cardinal red, old blue, and gold.
Its Greek letters ΥΣΦ are the initials of the name "University Students Fraternity". The fraternity's motto is "We Gather Light to Scatter".
Membership is by invitation only and is exclusive to male individuals in the University of the Philippines Diliman, Manila and Los Baños campuses. Selection is based on an individual's leadership positions and potential success and prominence in their respective fields (both on- and off-campus).[2]
José Laurel Jr. – 9th Speaker of the House of Representatives; Batangas Representative
José P. Laurel – 3rd Philippine President; Senator; Justice of the Supreme Court [33]
Ferdinand Marcos – 10th Philippine President; 3rd Prime Minister; 11th Senate President, Ilocos Pasig Representative Roman RomuloNorte Representative, World War II veteran, bar topnotcher[34][35][36]
Querube Makalintal – 11th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives; Solicitor General
Mel Mathay – Quezon City Mayor; Quezon City Representative; Chairman, Metropolitan Manila Authority (MMDA)
On July 18, 1954, UP student Gonzalo Mariano Albert died after undergoing part of the fraternity's initiation process . After complaining of stomach pain, the student was rushed to a hospital where he was diagnosed and underwent emergency appendectomy when he died on the operating table.[42] Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay formed an investigation committee which concluded that medico-legal findings failed to show that the hazing "contributed to Albert's death", but that the initiation ritual severely weakened his physical condition prior to the appendectomy.[43][44] The committee further recommended the expulsion of four officers of the fraternity, the suspension of dozens of its members and neophytes, and a censure of several UP deans, directors, and faculty members for their failure to discharge their duties.[44] Albert's death was the first recorded death attributed to hazing in the Philippines, and the only known death of an Upsilon Sigma Phi neophyte.[45][46]
On July 4, 2014, the fraternity was implicated in the hazing of a 17-year-old student who sustained multiple severe injuries.[47][48]
On September 20, 1969, a member of the fraternity was beaten to death by members of the Beta Sigma fraternity.[49][50] It was the first recorded fatality in a fraternity "rumble" in the University of the Philippines, prompting UP president Salvador P. Lopez to issue new rules and regulations regarding student misconduct as well as issuing a suspension for both Upsilon Sigma Phi and Beta Sigma.[51]
On June 18, 2015, Quezon City police arrested five members of the fraternity after allegedly mauling three rival fraternity members and attempting to escape in a brief car chase.[52][53] The five members were released on June 24, 2015, after posting bail of ₱200,000 each for frustrated murder charges, and ₱80,000 each for illegal possession of ammunition.[54]
On November 14, 2018, Upsilon Sigma Phi and Alpha Phi Beta were involved in a brawl caught on campus CCTV.[55] The incident prompted campus authorities to tighten security within the UP system and a statement of condemnation from Diliman chancellor Tan and UP president Concepcion.[56][57] The same month, a Messenger group chat allegedly belonging to members of Upsilon Sigma Phi was leaked online.[58][59][60][61] The group chat contained exchanges that were widely condemned as "reprehensible and totally unacceptable".[62]
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