Tau Gamma Sigma
Encyclopedia
Tau Gamma Sigma also known as the Triskelion Grand Sorority, is a sorority founded at the premier state run and owned educational institution in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines
on January 17, 1969. An affiliated sorority of the Tau Gamma Phi
, also known as the Triskelion Grand Fraternity. It is considered as one of the most dynamic sororities in the Philippines
today.
, by a group of 10 Triskelion Lady Founders. Although known to the majority of the members that the Tau Gamma Sigma was founded on January 18, 1971 and was recognized by former 1971 Binibining Pilipinas
- World
beauty queen Sister Onelia Jose of the University of Santo Tomas
on April 16, 1971. This historical background is an error and is now discredited due to facts and evidences that the Tau Gamma Sigma National Interim Committee and all Metro Manila Regional Councils have lately discovered through extensive research, investigations and interviews done to pioneering sisters of the sorority that the original founding history of the Tau Gamma Sigma can be traced back to 1969 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
campus, in Quezon City
, Metro Manila
Philippines
.
when the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority was formed. Eleven (11) illustrious coed girls from the University of the Philippines, Diliman
campus are "barkadas" or buddies of the Tau Gamma Phi
Fraternity Founders who came together and valiantly embraced the TENETS and CODES of CONDUCT of the Fraternity. These women were all political science students and members of the Political Science Club that the Founding Fathers of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity and Founding Batch were also distinguished members.
The eleven girls are Rosmari Carandang, Victoria Sisante Bataclan, Lucita Rodriguez, Erlinda G. Arabejo, Teresita Aguinaldo, Mila Garcia, Rowena Celino Alfonso, Emily Sibulo Hayudini, Nitz Santos, Flery Tesado Tesoro and Luzviminda G. Tancangco. The first batch that has initiation rites were held in Bustos, Bulacan
. Successive batches came in until they reached the impressive number of almost fifty members from different course of studies in the UP campus.
Formal structure followed in July 1970 when they had their 1st Induction Ball. Despite of the girls' very stiff class schedules as well as busy bodies in the campus, the Tau Gamma Sigma members managed to formulate policies and guidelines of the Sorority particularly the Constitution and Initiation Procedure. Eighty percent (80%) is mental torture while only minimal percent were on the physical contact.
, which stands for Triskelion Grand Sorority, officially proclaiming them the sister organization of the Triskelion Grand Fraternity, the Tau Gamma Phi
, and henceforth shall be called and known as "The Lady Triskelions." Most of the founding members of U.P. Tau Gamma Sigma also belonged to the U.P. Political Science Club along with the Founding Fathers and Founders Batch of the Tau Gamma Phi.
, was not even a year old and just in its infant stage of existence in the campus, and their main focus is on recruiting male students and setting a foothold in the university, so they are not yet kin to the idea of having a co-ed society, but since a lot of female students are friends and hanging around, supporting and attending social functions and gatherings with the Triskelion
brothers that they quickly learned that having female members can be beneficial to the Fraternity
especially in the recruitment of male members. So they decided to gather all their female friends and classmates to form an all female organization
that will be their partner in pushing for their school and community service programs of pursuing their goal of educational excellence.
And so on January 17, 1969, The Lady Triskelions were born with notable members such as the Honorable Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals
, Associate Judge Rosmari Carandang, the Ambassadress of the Philippines to Switzerland
and Norway
, Ambassador
Victoria Bataclan, the first woman Commissioner
of the Commission on Elections, Cmsr. Luzviminda "Luz" Tancangco, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (Philippines)
Deputy Commissioner
, Cmsr. Lucita "Babes" Rodriguez as its founders.
Some are now based abroad, few have their own businesses and others are holding top positions in the Philippine government.
The 11 original Triskelion Lady Founders are:
→ MDG* (Most Distinguished Guardian) - the highest title given to Founders, past Secretaries-General (GenSec), Premieres, Chairmans,
former Grand Triskelions (GT), Grand Lady Triskelions (GLT)...etc, etc. after the completion of their term.
But a few years later, in 1972, the number of the Tau Gamma Sigma members had gone down due to many had graduated and recruitment process then, has become too rigid due to the sudden declaration of Martial Law
in the country. Sadly many things had changed, some were transferred to other schools; went abroad and some had to take on leave of absence or dropping out for various reasons or another.
By early 1973, the sorority had faded in the campus and the remaining Sigma residents had already lose their interest to become active and their relationship with the UP Tau Gamma Phi had gone cold. But the Tau Gamma Phi brothers did not stop in looking for other recourse because they cannot live without the Sigma, they need someone always at their side; "taga-luto, taga-payo, taga-awat, taga-gamot, taga-alaga" and all the rest of being a "taga". And by 1974, when the late Triskelion Allen Hernandez assume the high post of G.T. (Grand Triskelion), he formed an all female society called "UP Sedarum Saudara", to fill in this void that the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority had left behind.
The plans for the new organization were introduced to the lady guests and around 21 or so agreed to attend a planned weekend Leadership Seminar and Retreat at another location in Fairview, Quezon City
(See photo at right). In November 1974, the original Founders Batch of the new ladies auxiliary sorority was formed. Their first task was to research and decide upon a name by which they shall be called, draft and ratify a constitution and elect officers among themselves. They also have to conceptualize and finish a group project within one year of their being members. To be unique among the countless women-based societies in the U.P. campus, the new sisterhood has to have a unique name based on the Filipinos
' Malay heritage. And that is how the name "Sedarum Saudara" was chosen by the group.
Derived from Indonesian
, in English meaning "Altogether, Friends" or "Altogether Brothers and Sisters". Each female member was called by the title "Saudari" (the male counterpart is coincidentally "Saudara"). The first leader of the group was Jennifer "Jenny" Dumo Alvarez as the "Supreme Saudari" with Juliana "Julie" Torres as the "Prime Saudari". Other Saudaris were elected to the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and other vital duties. Sedarum Saudara quickly became one of the most popular among sororities in UP. Composed of the "beauty and brains" of the UP Diliman campus' female students during those times. Some of which will go on and become the future shakers and movers of Philippine society, such as the incumbent Mayor of Marikina City
, Honorable Maria Lourdes Carlos-Fernando or simply known by her constituents as Mayor
Marides Fernando
, and the "Ranillo Sisters", the pretty Lilibeth Ranillo and film
and television
actress, director
and producer
Suzette Ranillo
aka Nadia Veloso, siblings of Philippine movie actor
s Mat Ranillo III and Triskelion Dandin Ranillo.
The first project for the group was to raise funds for the residents of Bgy. Tatalon in Quezon City. Then in 1975, the U.P. Sedarum Saudara (UPSS) produced and launched "Hala, Bira!", a concert which featured Asian Funk artist Andre Wilson and his band "Transit", singer Joy Salinas and a dance troupe performing at the "Ati-Atihan Festival
". The show was a success.
The Saudaris continued to recruit until most members graduated and then sometime in December, 1981, Saudari Chloe Ceniza was the only UPSS member to accept the invitation by the U.P. Tau Gamma Phi to join the revival of the U.P. Tau Gamma Sigma, Chartered Batch and so Saudari Ceniza, likewise, became a Lady Triskelion.
The alumni Saudaris recently had a mini reunion last April in Manila with the first and second Supreme Saudaris in attendance (Jenny Alvarez-Bernardo and Julie Torres-Salazar), together with Marikina City Mayor Hon. Ma. Lourdes Carlos-Fernando. Third Supreme Saudari Annalisa Charisse Franco Gonzalez-Tootel was already home in Australia
at the time of the meeting. Those present agreed to organize a grand Saudari Reunion in January or February , 2009 to be hosted by Mayor Marides Fernando in Marikina. One at a time, members from all batches are being located and contacted. This is indeed an event to behold almost 35 years after the founding of a unique and dynamic organization.
. Only in UP that they are totally erased from the consciousness of the student and faculty population and most of all from the Fraternity that spawned them, the Tau Gamma Phi. Probably because the Triskelion brothers have another apple of the eyes that pre-occupied them during the absence of the Sigmas, and these are the UP Sedarum Saudara sisters.
It was only in 1981, after 8 years of hibernation, when the UP Tau Gamma Phi decided to revive the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority in UP. Due also to the disbandment and slow death of the UP Sedarum Saudara, until almost all members have graduated. And like before, the UP Tau Gamma Phi cannot live without a female counterpart, so again they formed an all female society, but instead of forming another organization without an initiation rites like the UPSS, they in turn revived the UP Tau Gamma Sigma. Recruitments went under way and invitations were also extended to the remaining members of the Sedarum Saudara sisters to join and cross over to the Sorority, but only one accepted. So in December 1981 the revival batch of the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority were initiated. They are Dinky Ruivivar, Grace Corachea, Macris Santos and UPSS Saudari Chloe Ceniza. In the revival batch of 1981, only one Tau Gamma Sigma member came from the UP Sedarum Saudara.
was declared on September 21, 1972 by the late dictator President
Ferdinand E. Marcos under Proclamation No. 1081. The Sorority with its affiliation to the protest fraternity the Tau Gamma Phi being a subversive group and a staunch critic of the Marcos administration, together with other fraternities and organizations in UP, became the target of military harassments and illegal detentions, believing that these student organizations posed a threat to the order and stability of the Marcos regime. Ostensibly due to leftist leanings, the office that Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity and Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority shared inside UP campus was raided under an Arrest-Search and Seizure Order signed by then Secretary of Defense and one of the "Architects of Martial Law", Juan Ponce Enrile
which resulted in the confiscation of several subversive materials and documents. Fortunately though, no one was at the office at the time of the raid so they narrowly escaped being locked up in a military stockade camp.
and Sorority decided to stay low to avoid being tagged as a subversive group working for the Communists out to destabilize the government, although a lot of its members went underground and took up arms to join the New People's Army
, the armed paramilitary
group of the Communist Party of the Philippines
, in the mountains and jungles. These developments temporarily freezed the recruitment of new members, and without fresh bloods to replace the old ones, these resulted in the dwindling down of membership population, due to graduating members or just simply dropping out of school.
Triskelion Atty. Ramoncito “Monching" Ocampo, MDG (UP), who was the Secretary-General
of the Fraternity and Sorority during that time, had an idea and took the initiative and decided to tap the younger generations in the High School sector. This gave birth to the "Junior Tau Gamma Phi" or better known as the "Junior Triskelion", founded at San Beda College
- High School
in 1975. The rationale behind this is, to be able to solve the recruitment problems in the collegiate levels, why not recruit in the secondary education level? Since these High School students will eventually graduate and attend college in the future then they won't have any more problems recruiting them since they are already Triskelions. The idea is simple and effective and the problem is solved.
Although at first, because San Beda College - High School is an all male, non-coed school, that only male members of the Tau Gamma Phi are being recruited, but soon enough the popularity of the Fraternity and the effectivity of the program quickly spread to other colleges, universities and high schools across the University belt area, that already female High School students are also willing to join the Sorority. And saw the beginnings of the "Junior Lady Triskelions" nationwide.
Triskelion Monching Ocampo.
Like the Junior Lady Triskelions, the Triskelion Youth Movement was also born out of necessity, they have the same motive when first conceptualized which is to regenerate the dwindling member population, but they have different reasons for coming into being. Unlike the Junior Triskelion and Junior Lady Triskelion, which has been founded solely for the continued Fraternity's existence on campuses, the T.Y.M. is hatched to provide the Fraternity's much needed muscle and strength for its own survival.
As Triskelions they also persevered to preserve the Sorority's existence during its trying times. Numerous notable alumni of the Tau Gamma Phi and Tau Gamma Sigma actually started their Fraternal Journey as Triskelions in the T.Y.M. It just shows how the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity and Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority is constantly evolving to the situation of the times in order to suit the needs and survival of the Triskelion existence for supremacy.
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
on January 17, 1969. An affiliated sorority of the Tau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelions. Their aim is to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life...
, also known as the Triskelion Grand Fraternity. It is considered as one of the most dynamic sororities in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
today.
Confusion Behind the Date
The Tau Gamma Sigma - Triskelion Grand Sorority was originally founded on the 17th day of January in the year 1969 at the University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
, by a group of 10 Triskelion Lady Founders. Although known to the majority of the members that the Tau Gamma Sigma was founded on January 18, 1971 and was recognized by former 1971 Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual national beauty pageant which selects representatives of the Philippines to Miss Universe and Miss International, among others.-History:...
- World
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
beauty queen Sister Onelia Jose of the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
on April 16, 1971. This historical background is an error and is now discredited due to facts and evidences that the Tau Gamma Sigma National Interim Committee and all Metro Manila Regional Councils have lately discovered through extensive research, investigations and interviews done to pioneering sisters of the sorority that the original founding history of the Tau Gamma Sigma can be traced back to 1969 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
University of the Philippines, Diliman
The University of the Philippines Diliman , is a coeducational and public research university located in Quezon City, Philippines. It is the flagship university, seat of administration, and the fourth oldest constituent university of the University of the Philippines System...
campus, in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
Triskelion Grand Sorority - Birth of the Lady Triskelions
It was a cold Friday afternoon of January 17, 1969 in Mandaluyong CityMandaluyong City
The City of Mandaluyong is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the west by the country's capital, Manila, to the north by San Juan City, to the east by Quezon City and Pasig City, and by Makati City to the south...
when the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority was formed. Eleven (11) illustrious coed girls from the University of the Philippines, Diliman
University of the Philippines, Diliman
The University of the Philippines Diliman , is a coeducational and public research university located in Quezon City, Philippines. It is the flagship university, seat of administration, and the fourth oldest constituent university of the University of the Philippines System...
campus are "barkadas" or buddies of the Tau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelions. Their aim is to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life...
Fraternity Founders who came together and valiantly embraced the TENETS and CODES of CONDUCT of the Fraternity. These women were all political science students and members of the Political Science Club that the Founding Fathers of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity and Founding Batch were also distinguished members.
The eleven girls are Rosmari Carandang, Victoria Sisante Bataclan, Lucita Rodriguez, Erlinda G. Arabejo, Teresita Aguinaldo, Mila Garcia, Rowena Celino Alfonso, Emily Sibulo Hayudini, Nitz Santos, Flery Tesado Tesoro and Luzviminda G. Tancangco. The first batch that has initiation rites were held in Bustos, Bulacan
Bulacan
Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
. Successive batches came in until they reached the impressive number of almost fifty members from different course of studies in the UP campus.
Formal structure followed in July 1970 when they had their 1st Induction Ball. Despite of the girls' very stiff class schedules as well as busy bodies in the campus, the Tau Gamma Sigma members managed to formulate policies and guidelines of the Sorority particularly the Constitution and Initiation Procedure. Eighty percent (80%) is mental torture while only minimal percent were on the physical contact.
The Greek Connection
Since their counterpart fraternity, the Tau Gamma Phi, is a Greek lettered organization, the Sorority was also formed by adapting the letters Tau ( Т ), Gamma ( Γ ) and Sigma ( Σ ) from the Greek alphabetGreek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
, which stands for Triskelion Grand Sorority, officially proclaiming them the sister organization of the Triskelion Grand Fraternity, the Tau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelions. Their aim is to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life...
, and henceforth shall be called and known as "The Lady Triskelions." Most of the founding members of U.P. Tau Gamma Sigma also belonged to the U.P. Political Science Club along with the Founding Fathers and Founders Batch of the Tau Gamma Phi.
The Triskelion Roots
The formation of the organization was born out of necessity, because during those times the "Triskelion Grand Fraternity" or more infamously known in UP as the Tau Gamma PhiTau Gamma Phi
Tau Gamma Phi also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelions. Their aim is to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life...
, was not even a year old and just in its infant stage of existence in the campus, and their main focus is on recruiting male students and setting a foothold in the university, so they are not yet kin to the idea of having a co-ed society, but since a lot of female students are friends and hanging around, supporting and attending social functions and gatherings with the Triskelion
Triskelion
A triskelion or triskele is a motif consisting of three interlocked spirals, or three bent human legs, or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefold rotational symmetry. Both words are from Greek or , "three-legged", from prefix "τρι-" , "three times" + "σκέλος" , "leg"...
brothers that they quickly learned that having female members can be beneficial to the Fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
especially in the recruitment of male members. So they decided to gather all their female friends and classmates to form an all female organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
that will be their partner in pushing for their school and community service programs of pursuing their goal of educational excellence.
And so on January 17, 1969, The Lady Triskelions were born with notable members such as the Honorable Associate Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals
Philippine Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
, Associate Judge Rosmari Carandang, the Ambassadress of the Philippines to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
Victoria Bataclan, the first woman Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
of the Commission on Elections, Cmsr. Luzviminda "Luz" Tancangco, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (Philippines)
Bureau of Internal Revenue (Philippines)
The Bureau of Internal Revenue is an attached agency of Department of Finance. BIR collects more than one-half of the total revenues of the government.-Functions:...
Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner
A deputy commissioner is a police or administrative official in many different countries.-Australia:In all Australian police forces, deputy commissioner is the rank directly below that of commissioner and senior to the rank of assistant commissioner except in the New South Wales Police Force, where...
, Cmsr. Lucita "Babes" Rodriguez as its founders.
Triskelion Lady Founders
Presently, the original eleven UP Tau Gamma Sigma founding sisters are now happy with their family and have excelled in their own chosen fields of endeavour.Some are now based abroad, few have their own businesses and others are holding top positions in the Philippine government.
The 11 original Triskelion Lady Founders are:
- Rosmari "Rory" D. Carandang ( MDG* )
- Victoria "Vicky" Sisante - Bataclan ( MDG* )
- Lucita "Babes" G. Rodriguez ( MDG* )
- Teresita Aguinaldo ( MDG* )
- Mila Garcia ( MDG* )
- Rowena "Weng" Celino - Alfonso ( MDG* )
- Erlinda G. Arabejo ( MDG* )
- Atty. Emily Sibulo Hayudini ( MDG* )
- Nitz Santos ( MDG* )
- Flery T. Tesoro ( MDG* )
- Luzviminda G. Tancangco ( MDG* )
→ MDG* (Most Distinguished Guardian) - the highest title given to Founders, past Secretaries-General (GenSec), Premieres, Chairmans,
former Grand Triskelions (GT), Grand Lady Triskelions (GLT)...etc, etc. after the completion of their term.
A Temporary Hiatus
It is indeed in great pride that the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority members are very active in participating in school activities, especially in the Student Council. The sorority was an ultra ego image of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity which forces become stronger in the UP campus due to their individual excellence and gaining control of the College of Arts and Science (C.A.S.) student body, which at that time was the dominant college within the University with regards to the logic of numbers.But a few years later, in 1972, the number of the Tau Gamma Sigma members had gone down due to many had graduated and recruitment process then, has become too rigid due to the sudden declaration of Martial Law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
in the country. Sadly many things had changed, some were transferred to other schools; went abroad and some had to take on leave of absence or dropping out for various reasons or another.
By early 1973, the sorority had faded in the campus and the remaining Sigma residents had already lose their interest to become active and their relationship with the UP Tau Gamma Phi had gone cold. But the Tau Gamma Phi brothers did not stop in looking for other recourse because they cannot live without the Sigma, they need someone always at their side; "taga-luto, taga-payo, taga-awat, taga-gamot, taga-alaga" and all the rest of being a "taga". And by 1974, when the late Triskelion Allen Hernandez assume the high post of G.T. (Grand Triskelion), he formed an all female society called "UP Sedarum Saudara", to fill in this void that the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority had left behind.
The U.P. Sedarum Saudara (UPSS) - A New Sisterhood
From 1973 to 1974 the camaraderie between the brother and sister Triskelions changed from warm to almost cold. Cordial relations were maintained all throughout the administrations of Grand Triskelion Florencio "Florence" Atanacio and Grand Lady Triskelion Suzette Badon (1973–1974). When the late Triskelion Valentino "Allen" Hernandez assumed the GT post in 1974, it was evident that the rest of the Triskelion brotherhood wanted to start fresh and organize a new breed of U.P. coeds. Friends, relatives, classmates and acquaintances were invited to an acquaintance ball at the Blue Ridge mansion of Triskelion Benjamin "Benjie" Rodriguez ('71) in October, 1974.The plans for the new organization were introduced to the lady guests and around 21 or so agreed to attend a planned weekend Leadership Seminar and Retreat at another location in Fairview, Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
(See photo at right). In November 1974, the original Founders Batch of the new ladies auxiliary sorority was formed. Their first task was to research and decide upon a name by which they shall be called, draft and ratify a constitution and elect officers among themselves. They also have to conceptualize and finish a group project within one year of their being members. To be unique among the countless women-based societies in the U.P. campus, the new sisterhood has to have a unique name based on the Filipinos
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
' Malay heritage. And that is how the name "Sedarum Saudara" was chosen by the group.
Derived from Indonesian
Indonesian language
Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia. Indonesian is a normative form of the Riau Islands dialect of Malay, an Austronesian language which has been used as a lingua franca in the Indonesian archipelago for centuries....
, in English meaning "Altogether, Friends" or "Altogether Brothers and Sisters". Each female member was called by the title "Saudari" (the male counterpart is coincidentally "Saudara"). The first leader of the group was Jennifer "Jenny" Dumo Alvarez as the "Supreme Saudari" with Juliana "Julie" Torres as the "Prime Saudari". Other Saudaris were elected to the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and other vital duties. Sedarum Saudara quickly became one of the most popular among sororities in UP. Composed of the "beauty and brains" of the UP Diliman campus' female students during those times. Some of which will go on and become the future shakers and movers of Philippine society, such as the incumbent Mayor of Marikina City
Marikina City
Marikina, officially the City of Marikina, known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, was former capital of the province of Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence and one of the sixteen cities within the Manila Metropolitan Area. Marikina is part of Eastern Manila District of...
, Honorable Maria Lourdes Carlos-Fernando or simply known by her constituents as Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Marides Fernando
Marides Fernando
Maria Lourdes Carlos-Fernando or shortly known as Marides Fernando , was an award-winning city mayor of Marikina and the wife of Former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, also a former city mayor of Marikina. She was a finalist for the 2008 World Mayor award.-External links:* * *...
, and the "Ranillo Sisters", the pretty Lilibeth Ranillo and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
actress, director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
Suzette Ranillo
Suzette Ranillo
Suzette Ranillo, started at the age of 12 as an actress. She is well known for her awards and successes in film, television and theater.Born in Cebu City, Philippines to actors' Mat Ranillo Jr. and Gloria Sevilla...
aka Nadia Veloso, siblings of Philippine movie actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
s Mat Ranillo III and Triskelion Dandin Ranillo.
The first project for the group was to raise funds for the residents of Bgy. Tatalon in Quezon City. Then in 1975, the U.P. Sedarum Saudara (UPSS) produced and launched "Hala, Bira!", a concert which featured Asian Funk artist Andre Wilson and his band "Transit", singer Joy Salinas and a dance troupe performing at the "Ati-Atihan Festival
Ati-Atihan Festival
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Niño , concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines....
". The show was a success.
The Saudaris continued to recruit until most members graduated and then sometime in December, 1981, Saudari Chloe Ceniza was the only UPSS member to accept the invitation by the U.P. Tau Gamma Phi to join the revival of the U.P. Tau Gamma Sigma, Chartered Batch and so Saudari Ceniza, likewise, became a Lady Triskelion.
The alumni Saudaris recently had a mini reunion last April in Manila with the first and second Supreme Saudaris in attendance (Jenny Alvarez-Bernardo and Julie Torres-Salazar), together with Marikina City Mayor Hon. Ma. Lourdes Carlos-Fernando. Third Supreme Saudari Annalisa Charisse Franco Gonzalez-Tootel was already home in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
at the time of the meeting. Those present agreed to organize a grand Saudari Reunion in January or February , 2009 to be hosted by Mayor Marides Fernando in Marikina. One at a time, members from all batches are being located and contacted. This is indeed an event to behold almost 35 years after the founding of a unique and dynamic organization.
Back From Hibernation
Years have passed but the Tau Gamma Sigma was never a familiar fixture in the UP Diliman campus scene. Although during these 8 year gap, from 1974 to 1981, the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority have been thriving and doing well in other chapters and school campuses in Metro ManilaMetro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
. Only in UP that they are totally erased from the consciousness of the student and faculty population and most of all from the Fraternity that spawned them, the Tau Gamma Phi. Probably because the Triskelion brothers have another apple of the eyes that pre-occupied them during the absence of the Sigmas, and these are the UP Sedarum Saudara sisters.
It was only in 1981, after 8 years of hibernation, when the UP Tau Gamma Phi decided to revive the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority in UP. Due also to the disbandment and slow death of the UP Sedarum Saudara, until almost all members have graduated. And like before, the UP Tau Gamma Phi cannot live without a female counterpart, so again they formed an all female society, but instead of forming another organization without an initiation rites like the UPSS, they in turn revived the UP Tau Gamma Sigma. Recruitments went under way and invitations were also extended to the remaining members of the Sedarum Saudara sisters to join and cross over to the Sorority, but only one accepted. So in December 1981 the revival batch of the Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority were initiated. They are Dinky Ruivivar, Grace Corachea, Macris Santos and UPSS Saudari Chloe Ceniza. In the revival batch of 1981, only one Tau Gamma Sigma member came from the UP Sedarum Saudara.
The Raid
Martial LawMartial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
was declared on September 21, 1972 by the late dictator President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Ferdinand E. Marcos under Proclamation No. 1081. The Sorority with its affiliation to the protest fraternity the Tau Gamma Phi being a subversive group and a staunch critic of the Marcos administration, together with other fraternities and organizations in UP, became the target of military harassments and illegal detentions, believing that these student organizations posed a threat to the order and stability of the Marcos regime. Ostensibly due to leftist leanings, the office that Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity and Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority shared inside UP campus was raided under an Arrest-Search and Seizure Order signed by then Secretary of Defense and one of the "Architects of Martial Law", Juan Ponce Enrile
Juan Ponce Enrile
Juan Ponce Enrile is a Filipino politician. As a protege of President Ferdinand Marcos, he served as Justice Secretary and then Defense Secretary under the Marcos regime. He later became one of the leaders of the 1986 People Power Movement that drove Marcos from power...
which resulted in the confiscation of several subversive materials and documents. Fortunately though, no one was at the office at the time of the raid so they narrowly escaped being locked up in a military stockade camp.
The Junior Lady Triskelions
Struggling from the effects of Martial Law which suspended all fraternal and organizational activity within the collegiate levels and the arrests of all militant students, the FraternityFraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
and Sorority decided to stay low to avoid being tagged as a subversive group working for the Communists out to destabilize the government, although a lot of its members went underground and took up arms to join the New People's Army
New People's Army
The New People's Army is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. It was formed on March 29, 1969. The Maoist NPA conducts its armed guerrilla struggle based on the strategical line of 'protracted people's war'.The NPA exacts so called "revolutionary taxes" from business owners...
, the armed paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
group of the Communist Party of the Philippines
Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines is a leading communist party in the Philippines. It remains an underground political organization since its founding on December 26, 1968 and has been operating in clandestine manner since its founding...
, in the mountains and jungles. These developments temporarily freezed the recruitment of new members, and without fresh bloods to replace the old ones, these resulted in the dwindling down of membership population, due to graduating members or just simply dropping out of school.
Triskelion Atty. Ramoncito “Monching" Ocampo, MDG (UP), who was the Secretary-General
Secretary-General
-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
of the Fraternity and Sorority during that time, had an idea and took the initiative and decided to tap the younger generations in the High School sector. This gave birth to the "Junior Tau Gamma Phi" or better known as the "Junior Triskelion", founded at San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...
- High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in 1975. The rationale behind this is, to be able to solve the recruitment problems in the collegiate levels, why not recruit in the secondary education level? Since these High School students will eventually graduate and attend college in the future then they won't have any more problems recruiting them since they are already Triskelions. The idea is simple and effective and the problem is solved.
Although at first, because San Beda College - High School is an all male, non-coed school, that only male members of the Tau Gamma Phi are being recruited, but soon enough the popularity of the Fraternity and the effectivity of the program quickly spread to other colleges, universities and high schools across the University belt area, that already female High School students are also willing to join the Sorority. And saw the beginnings of the "Junior Lady Triskelions" nationwide.
Triskelion Youth Movement
Another first in the history of fraternity and sorority in the Philippines. True to its objective of changing the elitist orientation of the fraternity system, the Tau Gamma Phi and later 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, not just in the Philippines but probably worldwide. Again conceptualized and conceived by the Fraternity's Metro Manila Regional Council through the enigmatic leadership of then Secretary-GeneralSecretary-General
-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
Triskelion Monching Ocampo.
Like the Junior Lady Triskelions, the Triskelion Youth Movement was also born out of necessity, they have the same motive when first conceptualized which is to regenerate the dwindling member population, but they have different reasons for coming into being. Unlike the Junior Triskelion and Junior Lady Triskelion, which has been founded solely for the continued Fraternity's existence on campuses, the T.Y.M. is hatched to provide the Fraternity's much needed muscle and strength for its own survival.
As Triskelions they also persevered to preserve the Sorority's existence during its trying times. Numerous notable alumni of the Tau Gamma Phi and Tau Gamma Sigma actually started their Fraternal Journey as Triskelions in the T.Y.M. It just shows how the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity and Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority is constantly evolving to the situation of the times in order to suit the needs and survival of the Triskelion existence for supremacy.
Notable members
- Hon.Rosmari D. Carandang (UP) - Associate Justice, Philippine Court of AppealsPhilippine Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals of the Philippines is the Philippines' second highest judicial court, just after the Supreme Court. The court consists of 68 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
. - H.E. Victoria S. Bataclan (UP) - Philippine Ambassador, stationed at the Philippine Embassy in OsloOsloOslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, NorwayNorwayNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. - Hon. Marides C. FernandoMarides FernandoMaria Lourdes Carlos-Fernando or shortly known as Marides Fernando , was an award-winning city mayor of Marikina and the wife of Former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, also a former city mayor of Marikina. She was a finalist for the 2008 World Mayor award.-External links:* * *...
(UPSS) - Former MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, City of Marikina, Metro ManilaMetro ManilaMetropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
. She is nominated for the 2008 World Mayor Award. - Hon. Aurora Villamayor (TYM) - Former Mayor, Municipality of Angono, Province of RizalRizalRizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
. - Cmsr. Luzviminda G. Tancangco (UP) - The first ever female Chairman of the Commission on ElectionElectionAn election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
s, the COMELECCommission on Elections (Philippines)The Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, is one of the three constitutional commissions of the Philippines. Its principal role is to enforce all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, initiatives, referendums, and recalls....
from 1998 to 1999. - Hon. Lucita "Babes" G. Rodriguez (UP) - Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Internal Revenue.
- Erlinda G. Arabejo (UP) - She is currently the Welfare Officer of the Overseas Worker's Welfare Administration stationed at the Philippine Consulate's office in MacauMacauMacau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. - Onelia Ison Jose (UST) - 1971 Binibining PilipinasBinibining PilipinasBinibining Pilipinas is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual national beauty pageant which selects representatives of the Philippines to Miss Universe and Miss International, among others.-History:...
title holder. The Philippines' representative to the Miss World 1971Miss World 1971Miss World 1971, the 21st annual Miss World pageant, was held on November 10, 1971 at Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom. 56 contestants competed for the Miss World...
pageant in the UK, where she won Best National Costume. - Suzette RanilloSuzette RanilloSuzette Ranillo, started at the age of 12 as an actress. She is well known for her awards and successes in film, television and theater.Born in Cebu City, Philippines to actors' Mat Ranillo Jr. and Gloria Sevilla...
(UPSS) - Award winning movie actress, producer and director. - Frenchie Dy (EAC) - real name Gyphartori Dimacali - Singer, TV personality and stage performer. Grand winner of the 2004 season 2 Star In A Million talent search of ABS-CBNABS-CBNABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
. - Jopay PaguiaJopay PaguiaDiofanny Jane Paguia, known professionally as Jopay Paguia , is a Filipina singer, dancer and actress...
- real name Diofanny Jane Paguia - Dancer, Actress. Member of the dance group SexBomb GirlsSexBomb GirlsThe Sexbomb Girls are an all-female singing, dancing, and acting group from the Philippines. They are known for the novelty songs "Spaghetti," "Bakit Papa" and "Bilog na Hugis Itlog" that were certified platinum in the Philippines...
.
Affiliated Groups
- Tau Gamma Sigma ( ΤΓΣ ) — Also known as the Triskelions' Grand Sorority, is the affiliated Sorority of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity.
- Triskelion Alumni Organization ( T.A.O. ) — The umbrella organization of all Triskelion alumni worldwide.
- Triskelion Order of Law ( T.O.L. ) — Triskelion Alumni members who are in the judiciary and paralegal profession.
- Triskelion Order of Medicine ( T.O.M. ) — Triskelion Alumni members who are in the medical profession.
- Triskelion Order of Business ( T.O.B. ) — Triskelion Alumni members who are in the corporate world, businessmen and or those who operate their own entrepreneural ventures.
- Triskelion Information Technology Organization ( T.I.T.O. ) — Triskelion Alumni members who are in the Computers and Information Technology profession.
- Triskelion Law Enforcers Group ( TriLEG ) — Triskelion Alumni members who are in the Police, Military and Armed Forces profession.
- Bagong Tao Movement ( B.T.M. ) — A duly accredited political party list organization of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity and Tau Gamma Sigma Sorority.
- Triskelion Seafarers League ( TriSEAL ) — Triskelion Alumni members who are working as seamen, navy personnel, and crew in ships that are plying oceans around the globe.
- Triskelion Rescue and Emergency Assistance Team ( T.R.E.A.T. ) — Triskelion Alumni who are members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and various Fire Volunteer Brigades.
- Triskelion Order of Teachers ( T.O.T. ) - Triskelion Alumni who are in the Teaching Profession. The group was organized by the local founders/ lady founders of West Visayas State University Chapter,Center of Excellence in Education, Iloilo City.
See also
- TriskelionTriskelionA triskelion or triskele is a motif consisting of three interlocked spirals, or three bent human legs, or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefold rotational symmetry. Both words are from Greek or , "three-legged", from prefix "τρι-" , "three times" + "σκέλος" , "leg"...
- Tau Gamma PhiTau Gamma PhiTau Gamma Phi also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelions. Their aim is to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life...
- FraternityFraternityA fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
- University of the Philippines, Los BañosUniversity of the Philippines, Los BañosThe University of the Philippines Los Baños is a public university located in the towns of Los Baños and Bay in the province of Laguna, some 64 kilometers southeast of Manila...
- List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines
- List of high school fraternities and sororities