Alpha Sigma Phi Philippines, Inc.
| Alpha Sigma Phi Philippines | |
|---|---|
| ΑΣΦ | |
 |
|
| Founded | September 29, 1959 Central Mindanao University |
| Type | Service, Social |
| Scope |  Philippines |
| Motto | Causa Latet Vis Est Notissima "The cause is hidden, the results well-known" |
| Colors | Cardinal and Stone |
| Symbol | Phoenix |
| Flower | Cardinal Rose and Yellow Tea Rose |
| Chapters | 34 active, 100+ total |
| Headquarters | 1845 Mongcopa Drive, Orchids, Daro, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines |
| Homepage | Alpha Sigma Phi Philippines |
Alpha Sigma Phi Philippines (ΑΣΦ, commonly abbreviated to Alphans) is a co-ed service fraternity with 34 active undergraduate chapters, colonies, and interest groups.
History
On September 29, 1959 at Mindanao Agricultural College (now Central Mindanao University) in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon province when a young man named Tomas R. Gavarra who just finished Associate in Agriculture in University of the Philippines – Los Baños felt the absence of a fraternity in the campus. He was exposed to the fraternity life back at UP where his elder brother and sister were both members of a fraternity and a sorority. In his first and second try, being inexperienced in fraternal organization, he failed to convince the students in his desire to form a fraternity. Being not easily discouraged, he again invited 35 other men to join him but this time asked Ramon Del Carmen, his acquaintance in UP and a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi, to give orientation regarding fraternity college life. The students were finally convinced of the presentations of Ramon del Carmen and he ended up as their faculty advisor. The group named their organization as ASP (Agricultural Students of the Philippines). The sorority counterpart was also organized by Angel Rebecca Quiñones and named the sorority Sigma Mu Alpha.
On December 12, 1965 at Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Province of Negros Oriental, a group of Political Science students of the university led by Manuel M. Momongan likewise initiated the formation of a new fraternity. He recruited men for the group and named the fraternity Alpha Delta Phi based from his findings of that name from the Baird's Manual of Fraternities which was founded in U.S.A. on October 29, 1832 and in the Philippines on December 8, 1965. The fraternity however was split into two; the fraternity and sorority in compliance with the policies of Silliman University separating men and women. On December 12, 1965, the Founder, Manuel Momongan changed the name of the fraternity as Alpha Sigma Phi and the sorority counterpart was the Delta Sigma Phi.
In 1972, the organization at Silliman University sent invitations to schools nationwide inviting all existing fraternities using the name Alpha Sigma Phi to join them in a National Convention. Of the four original fraternities, only the organizations originating from Silliman University and Central Mindanao University participated in the national convention, and formed what is now known as Alpha Sigma Phi Philippines, Inc. In that convention, Kalunsiang Dimalen (Silliman University) was elected National President. During the 2nd National Convention in 1976, Greek letter assignment was given to all chapters attending the convention with Central Mindanao University as the Alpha Chapter and Silliman University, Beta Chapter. On July 24, 1980, it was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC Reg. No. 921245). The National Headquarters of Alpha Sigma Phi is located in Dumaguete City.
Over the ensuing years, more than 100 Alpha Sigma Phi chapters have been chartered at universities and colleges in different parts of the country.
Relationship with Alpha Sigma Phi of the United States
In 1984, Alpha Sigma Phi of the Philippines entered into a "Heads of Agreement" outlining a relationship between Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America and the Alpha Sigma Phi of the Republic of the Philippines.
This agreement outlined various mechanisms by which each group would share information, assist in the solving of mutual problems, and established the "International Council of Alpha Sigma Phi".
The purpose of this relationship, at the time of its inception, was to foster a sense of international brotherhood between the two organizations. Beyond the sharing of open publications such as the Tomahawk, chapter operations manuals and the like, very little contact between the two organizations has developed.
However, it was the recommendation of the Grand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America that the 2008 Grand Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America nullify the 1984 Heads of Agreement between Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America and Alpha Sigma Phi Republic of the Philippines, that the national staff of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America be directed to inform Alpha Sigma Phi Republic of the Philippines of this nullification and that Alpha Sigma Phi Republic of the Philippines be directed to cease use of the marks and symbols of the Alpha Sigma Phi of the United States of America in accordance with U.S. trademark law.
2008 Grand Chapter Delegates of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America approved the motion to dissolve the 1984 Heads of Agreement between Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America and Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the Republic of the Philippines.
In 2010, the "International Council of Alpha Sigma Phi" was revived by both fraternities and linkages between the two was established. Through frequent exchange visits by both parties, they agreed to affiliate with each other again with Alpha Sigma Phi Philippines, Inc. permitted to still continue admit women members with equal number of Muslim and Christian members in its fold.
On November 14, 2013 the Grand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America restated their withdrawal from the Heads of Agreement signed in 1984, severing and all formal ties between the two organizations. Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America retains all rights to intellectual property, marks, and symbols associated with Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. This letter was sent as a restatement to the 2008 dissolution due to Alpha Sigma Phi of the Philippines continuing to use intellectual property, marks, and symbols of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity of the United States of America.
