Pi Sigma Fraternity (ΠΣ) is a socio-political fraternity based in the University of the Philippines Diliman. The fraternity commits itself to the principles of "Paglingkuran ang Sambayanan (Serve the People)" and "Paragon of Scholarship." It was established in 1972.
| Pi Sigma | |
|---|---|
| ΠΣ | |
 | |
| Founded | August 15, 1972 University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Type | Service |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Socio Political |
| Scope | National (Philippines) |
| Motto | Paglingkuran ang Sambayanan ("Serve the People") and Paragon of Scholarship |
| Colors | Red, Gold, and Black |
| Chapters | 40+ |
| Members | >10,000 active |
| Nickname | Paragons |
| Headquarters | Philippines |
| Website | pisigmafraternity |
| [1] | |
History
editOn August 15, 1972, eight students from the University of the Philippines Diliman met in the Molave Residence Hall and established Pi Sigma.[2][3] The fraternity's founders were Emilio Aguinaldo, Noel David, Stephen David, Onofre Galvez, Francisco Gomez, Oscar Manalaysay, Cesar Romero, and Robert Sombillo.[4] At the time, student organizations were banned on campus but Greek letter fraternities had been allowed to continue to operate.[3][5]
Additional chapters were created across the Philippines, including University of the East (Manila and Caloocan branch), University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University, FEATI University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Philippine School of Business Administration, University of the Philippines Manila, University of the Philippines Los Baños, University of the Philippines Baguio, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.[4] Community chapters were also established in Bacolod, Baguio, Bicol, Cavite, Cotabato, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Laguna, Mindanao, Pampanga, and Tarlac.[4] The Pi Sigma Delta Sorority (ΠΣΔ) is its counterpart socio-political sorority founded on February 21, 1975.[4]
The fraternity held its first national convention in Aringay, La Union in March 1979 where its fist constitution and by-laws were adopted.[4] Its second national convention was held at the University of the Philippines Diliman from April 6 to 10, 1983.[4]
The fraternity started its Annual UP Pi Sigma Fraternity Open Debate Tournament in 1988.[3] It consists of more than forty school and community chapters.[4]
By 2024, the Fraternity had more than 10,000 members.[1]
Symbols
editThe fraternity's colors are red, gold, and black. The fraternity's name was selected for the Greek letters ΠΣ, which represent the mottos "Paglingkuran ang Sambayanan (Serve the People)" and "Paragon of Scholarship".[3] Its members call themselves Paragons.
Notable members
edit- Dong Abay – social & environmental activist, poet, and musician, vocalist of Yano band
- Raul Roco – Philippine Senator; Secretary, Department of Education (Honorary)[3]
- Arnel Casanova – Senior Vice President, Meralco; former President and CEO, Bases Conversion Development Authority[3]
- Fidel Nemenzo – mathematician, 11th Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman
- Francisco Nemenzo, Jr. – political scientist, educator, and activist, 18th President of the University of the Philippines
- Terry Ridon – Representative, Kabataan Partylist; Chairman, Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor[3]
- Andre Niccolo Tayag – Commissioner, Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor[6]
- Raymund Basilio – Secretary-General, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) partylist
- Elmer Cato - Ambassador and Consul General for the Republic of the Philippines.[7]
- Edwin Laguerder – Mindanao-based youth and farmer's group adviser honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani for fighting against the Marcos dictatorship, brutally murdered by the military in 1987[8]
- Benito Clutario – activist, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU); desaparecido since July 1988
- Bernie Cornelio De Guzman – activist, gunned down by Philippine Constabulary troopers in 1987
- Benjamin Lazaro – activist, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA); desaparecido since September 1988
- Maria Sol Taule – Human Rights Defender; Legal counsel, KARAPATAN Alliance Philippines Inc.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b UP Frat notes apology of PCUP official for Red tagging
- ^ "Ibaloi rebel enshrined at Bantayog ng mga Bayani". 4 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Celebrating 45 Years of the Pi Sigma Fraternity". POP!. 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Background and History". Pi Sigma Fraternity. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ UP fraternity rejects red-tagging on government radio program
- ^ Atty. Andre Tayag of MLC Batch 2020 appointed as PCUP Commissioner
- ^ Pi Sigma Fraternity pays tribute to ONA frontliners
- ^ "Martyrs and Heroes: LAGUERDER, Edwin". Bantayog ng mga Bayani. 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2021-08-22.