By Haidee C. Pineda, image by Leonardo A. Reyes

(NOV. 14)—Resolve hazing and strongly deal with this issue; help the administration achieve zero-rate frat rumbles in UP Diliman (UPD) and join in collaborative projects for the University. These were what UPD Chancellor Michael L. Tan asked the 18 fraternities that participated in the annual Fraternity Summit held at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni on Nov. 3.

Forty-two members of different fraternities attended the summit organized by the fraternities in partnership with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) through the Office of Student Activities, University Student Council (USC) and the UP Barkada (Barkadahan ng mga UP Fratmen).

The fraternities were Alpha Phi Omega, International Collegiate Service, Alpha Sigma, Artist’s Circle, Beta Epsilon, Beta Sigma , Brotherhood of the Filipinos, EMC2, Epsilon Chi, Pan Xenia, Scintilla Juris, Tau Alpha, Tau Omega Mu, Triskelions, Upsilon Sigma Phi, Pi Sigma, Sigma Rho and Alpha Nu.

UP Barkada Chairman Noly Torres, in his welcome remarks, said the summit’s primary purpose is to gather various fraternities to establish solidarity among members, resolve frat-related issues and discuss possible partnerships and contributions for nation-building and peaceful co-existence.

Torres encouraged the summit participants to exchange contact numbers or email “Para naman kung mayroong mainit ang ulo sa inyong mga miyembro, magagawan ninyo ng paraan na makipag-ugnayan doon sa ibang miyembro ng fraternity.”

Meanwhile, the Chancellor, in addition to his requests, talked about the lack of democratic access of public school students to UP because they are afraid to take the UPCAT, “We want to go to our public high schools starting with the ones here in Quezon City and come up with a mentoring program for young bright students. Mentor them, encourage them to take exams and find them scholarships if and when they do get in. That’s something I think the frats could get involve in. Iniimbitahan namin kayo upang makabuo ng mentoring program.”

Also present during the summit were Dr. Neil Martial R. Santillan, vice chancellor for student affairs, Dr. Filomin C. Gutierrez, associate professor and chair of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Department of Sociology, Dr. Aura C. Matias, College of Engineering dean, and USC Councilor Maria Veronica Manalo.