Tau Alpha

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Tau Alpha
τα
Tau Alpha Seal
Founded June 27, 1932; 91 years ago (1932-06-27)
University of the Philippines
old Faura Campus
Type Exclusive College-based Fraternity
Colors      Royal blue      Golden Yellow
Symbol Fraternity seal
Chapters No chapter outside U.P. Diliman College of Engineering
Members 1,500+ collegiate
Headquarters University of the Philippines College of Engineering
Homepage http://www.taualpha.org

Tau Alpha (τα) is one of the oldest fraternities in the University of the Philippines. Originally named Mu Epsilon and founded on 27 June 1931, Tau Alpha was officially recognized as a College fraternity the following year, 1932.

Tau Alpha, The Argonauts, enjoys a continuous relation with the University of the Philippines. From its inception in the original campus location in Padre Faura, to the Diliman Campus after the second world war, Tau Alpha has and always been associated with the University of the Philippines' College of Engineering. It has no chapter outside UP Diliman.

The Fraternity upholds the ideas and principles which UP stands for and is committed to its home college, the College of Engineering, in its avowed purpose to "enhance the engineering profession".[1]

From its ranks - men better known as Alphans - rose decorated Senators, Members of the Legislature, Cabinet Secretaries, Ambassadors, diplomats, Generals and men in uniform, public servants, entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, architects, artists, writers, lawyers, board top-notchers, and bar aces.

The Truth for each of you is there, for you to find

Sail on, sail on, ye Argonauts, The Truth for each of you is there, for you to find. As you find it, so will you find the common good. -Angel de Jesus (Charter)

Tau Alpha was founded at the old UP campus in Padre Faura. At the beginning, membership was intended to be confined to Manila students. However, early on, the fraternity was quick to set itself apart as the members try to live up to the name of the Fraternity - The Argonauts. Members would emulate those valiant, ancient Greeks who sallied forth in their frail vessels to search for the Golden Fleece, the Truth; and when found, Alphans would live high and honorable lives.

Truth be told, Alphans have tried to do so, within the limitations of essential human character. Each Alphan, in his particular field, has carried with him the spirit that became part of his being, and that yearning to find his Golden Fleece in life.

What's good for the Fraternity, is Good for old UP

Tau Alpha is committed to the service of the University of the Philippines and the College of Engineering. Among its projects in the campus are the restoration of the UP Carillon,[2] built with funds donated by UP alumni in 1952 but fell in disrepair in the 1980s and silent in 1988,[3] the fraternity Room Endowments in Melchor Hall as well as Tau Alpha Wing in Palma Hall (AS) comprising all rooms on the first floor of the building from the lobby to the exit leading to the Faculty Building.

Tau Alpha is also committed to the general interests of the students through its Tau Alpha Student Loan Guarantee Fund. The Fund is available to the College of Engineering students and is managed by the College of Engineering.

Tau Alpha also gifted the College its Cristy Hernandez Activity Center (CHAC), a sports facility/ activity center where various events of the College and engineering students are hosted. This is also the home of Tau Alpha Basketball League (TABL), the longest running basketball league in the campus with its 57th annual outing in March 2015. Tau Alpha also stages the Diliman Marathon (TADM), which has been running since 1959.

On UP's Centennial Year, Tau Alpha gifted UP its Centennial Song, UP Ang Galing Mo, composed by Herbert A. Rosales '61,[4] and the UP Centennial Cauldron designed by Joel L. Ajero '66A. The Centennial Cauldron features three pillars representing the three core values of the University, and seven flowers that stand for the seven constituent universities in the UP system." The Centennial Cauldron was lit by then UP President Emerlinda Roman igniting the "perpetual flame” on the Centennial Cauldron that signaled the start of UP's year-long centennial celebration.[5]

Alphans in Public Service

  • Rigoberto G. Atienza (Charter), General, 9th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines[6]
  • Gaudencio E. Antonino '32, Former Senator best remembered for his "fearless opposition to gargantuan congressional allowances".[7] The Philippines Free Press named him Man of the Year in 1967 besting then President Ferdinand Marcos and Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who came second place in the Senatorial election. For this, the paper labeled Aquino Political Beneficiary of the Year.[8]
  • Melecio E. Magno '39, Former Minister of Science (now DOST)[9]
  • Victor A. Lim '43, Former Chairman, Bases Conversion and Development Authority
  • Vicente T. Paterno '44, Former Senator, Former Representative to Batasang Pambansa,[10] Board of Investments (Chairman), Minister of Industry (now DTI), Minister of Public Highways (now DPWH), Chairman and President of Philippine National Oil Company, Deputy Executive Secretary for Energy, Founding Chairman Philippine Seven Corp.[11] Malacanang Palace described him "an exponent of honesty, efficiency, faith, and love of country" throughout his career in public service and in the private sector and that "the nation has lost a distinguished public servant and exponent of principled governance."[12]
  • Hilarion M. Henares Jr. '44, Former Chairman, National Economic Council (now National Economic and Development Authority), TV Personality, Newspaper columnist[13]
  • Cesar A. Caliwara '46, Delegate, 1971 Constitutional Convention. First President of Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.
  • Isidro D. Cariño '46, Former Secretary, Department of Education[citation needed]
  • Jose P. Dans '47, Former Secretary, Department of Transportation and Communications
  • Fiorello R. Estuar '55, Former Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways, NIA Administrator, PNCC President[14]
  • Cesar D. Bautista[15] '55, Former Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Former Ambassador to the Court of St. James[16] Peter Wallace described him "a gentleman, a fine, honest, humble gentleman who served the Philippines with true distinction.".[17] UK Ambassador Asif Ahmad remembers him as "Britain's great friend"[18]
  • Amable D. Aguiluz V '63, current Special Envoy of the President to the Gulf Cooperation Council
  • Mario G. Montejo '70, current Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
  • Gerardo I. Esquivel '81A, current Administrator, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)[19]

Alphan Board Topnotchers

  • Gaudencio E. Antonino '32, CE, 7th
  • Felisberto G.L. Reyes '47 CE, 1949, 1st
  • Fiorello R. Estuar '55, CE 1960, 3rd
  • Jose Martin O. Aliling '65, CE 1969, 6th
  • Rene S. Santiago '67, CE 1970, 10th
  • Gary Olympia '69A, Mining E 1976, 2nd
  • Mario G. Montejo '70, ME 1975, 6th
  • Jarius D. Paguntalan '70, Mining E 1980, 1st
  • Rolando V. Cuano '75B, Mining E 1978, 1st
  • Leandro L. Busa '83B, CE 1987, 4th
  • Ferdinand M. dela Cruz '84A, ME 1987, 10th
  • Pedro R. Remoto '84A, Mining E 1987, 2nd
  • Manfred M. Guangko '86B, Met E 1988, 2nd
  • Ferdinand U. Collado '88A, Met E 1992, 8th
  • Aris T. Abril '90B, ME 1994, 8th
  • Ceferino A. Sanchez III '90C, ME 1994, 4th
  • Duane G. Serate '91C, Met E 1996, 3rd
  • Ronaldo B. Benig '95A, EE 1999, 4th
  • Gary S. Matanguihan '99B, Mining E 2005, 9th
  • Aaron Rey C. Altez '03C, Mining E 2007, 2nd
  • Gilbert B. Belason '03F, Mining E 2005, 5th
  • Gilbert Alviola '05A, GE 2008, 9th

Alphan Bar Topnotcher

  • Rhey S. Daway '03F, IE, MS IE, 2014 Bar Exam, 8th[20]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.taualpha.org
  2. ↑ http://www.upalumni.ph/the-upaa-a-brief-history/
  3. ↑ http://www.upalumni.ph/upaa-presents-krismazz-jazz-at-the-carillon/
  4. ↑ http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/UP_Centennial#.Vn-ggDm2czZ
  5. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/37699/alumnus-100-lights-centennial-cauldron
  6. ↑ http://www.uprotc.org/alumni/general-rigoberto-atienza.html
  7. ↑ https://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/gaudencio_antonino.htm
  8. ↑ https://philippinesfreepress.wordpress.com/1968/01/06/gaudencio-antonio-man-of-the-year-1967/
  9. ↑ http://sntpost.stii.dost.gov.ph/NewPOST/AprJun2008/scienceadministrators/Dr_Melecio_Magno.htm
  10. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/652174/former-senator-vicente-paterno-dies
  11. ↑ http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/21/14/obituary-vicente-paterno
  12. ↑ http://www.rappler.com/nation/75675-vicente-paterno
  13. ↑ http://philippinefolio.com/about-us/
  14. ↑ http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=34052291&privcapId=4481208
  15. ↑ http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=former-trade-secretary-cesar-b.-bautista-78&id=120056
  16. ↑ http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=22770441&privcapId=4481208
  17. ↑ http://opinion.inquirer.net/91434/a-year-gone-by
  18. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/12/17/1533501/difference-exclusion-and-extremism
  19. ↑ http://www.mwss.gov.ph
  20. ↑ http://upieaa.org/upie-alumnus-and-ex-ie-instructor-now-also-a-bar-eight-placer/
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