HISTORY OF SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY AND SORORITY

HISTORY OF SIGMA PHI (SF) FRATERNITY AND SORORITY

The Sigma Phi Fraternity and Sorority started as dream of four young men to form an organization that will propagate the idea of Patriotism and Pilipinism among young Filipinos. In May 1, 1986 the (SF) Sigma Phi Confraternity was founded at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines as its Alpha Chapter by Brod. Jesus “Tata Jess” Tinawin its First Emperor in Alpha Chapter through the help of its adviser, Prof. Gregorio Calabig a university professor at the PUP. Sigma Phi Confraternity was founded as the legit organization for the “Samahan sa Pagpapalaganap ng Pilipinismo” which at first goes with the Greek letters Sigma Pi Pi (ΣΠΠ) which stands for the SPP or Samahan sa Pagpapalaganap ng Pilipinismo and its members where mostly activists  during the Marcos regime. Initiation rites during the pioneer batch was just simple, mostly psychological tests  but  then eventually became harder to what is practiced now.

The First Office of the Sigma Phi Confraternity was at the 6^th Floor on the Y Wing Building inside the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. It was a small room provided by the University Administration by then University President Dr. Nemesio Prudente. The founders were then called “LORDS” by the neophytes and the members called each other as “TATA” instead of Brods. Pioneer members in PUP includes, Brod. Jon Castelo, Brod. Arney Lapuz, Brod. Obet Benitez, Brod. Roy Ranola and Brod. Jimmy Vecina.

 After its foundation at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Brod. Melchor Linsangan together with Brod. Roberto “Tata Bogart” Dela Cruz brought the Sigma Phi Confraternity in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. They founded the Sigma Phi Confraternity, Beta Chapter in Central Luzon Polytechnic College (CLPC)  to which is now Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) on August 27, 1986. Brothers from the PUP Alpha Chapter initiated the new members from CLPC. As part of the initiation, they ran across the campus on torn clothes with face paints. This is to eliminate shyness and the first step in building student leadership. Brod Melchor Linsangan imposed the Robert Rules  Of  Order (a  book  containing  rules  of  order  intended  to  be adopted as a parliamentary authority for use by a deliberative assembly) whenever they will conduct a meeting within the organization.

The Sigma Phi Confraternity created a noise within the Central Luzon Polytechnic College on its first year of existence. Primarily, because Brod Melchor Linsangan is then a member of another organization. He was punished by that organization for founding the Sigma Phi Confraternity in CLPC. Another factor was because the original constitution and bylaws of the Sigma Phi Confraternity somewhat constitute a leftist ideology and a political organization rather than a mere social fraternity. This caused some activist groups like the LFS or the League Of Filipino Student to ask the Sigma Phi Confraternity to affiliate with them. However, Brod Melchor Linsangan declined the offer. While the Sigma Phi Confraternity is planting its roots in CLPC, Brod Romeo “Tata Boy” De Guzman Jr and Brod. Ronaldo “Tata Ronnie” Tinawin, the brother of Brod. Jesus “Tata Jess” Tinawin also brought and founded the Sigma Phi Confraternity Gamma Chapter in Divina Pastora College in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

In spite of the controversies surrounding the foundation of the Sigma Phi Confraternity in CLPC, the organization excels and was recognized across the university because of its pioneer members. The pioneer members of the Sigma Phi in CLPC consist of honor students, academic scholars, student organization leaders and varsities. Brod.  Fidel Castro, Brod. Leonardo Apan and Brod. Resty Adrineda are amongst the prominent pioneer member of Sigma Phi. They are the ones who propagated the Sigma Phi Confraternity in the university and recruited selected students to join the organization. During that time, not all can join Sigma Phi, applicants are carefully selected and observed and only few passed the initiations.

On the same year after its foundation in Central Luzon Polytechnic College, a pioneer set of officers were elected for the Beta Chapter. The first elected Emperor is Brod. Fidel Castro who then is also the CLPC Student Organization President. Also on the same school year, SigmaPhians realized that they need to amend the Constitution and By Laws in order to be fully recognized by the University. After the Constitution and By Laws were amended, the organization was now named (SF) Sigma Phi Fraternity and Sorority. From then on the Sigma Phi Fraternity and Sorority Beta Chapter in CLPC has become the mother chapter of the organization. The Beta Chapter’s Advisers were Engr. Arsenio S. Domingo, Engr. Jamelle Domingo and Band Master Enrique Agustin. For equality Empress was also elected. The Sorority’s first Empress was Sis. Ma. Marisa S. Adriano. The second Emperor after Brod. Fidel Castro is Brod. Edgardo B. Baniaga, followed by Brod. Edwin S. Alfonso, Brod. Arthur P. Liwag, Brod. Teddy Masil,   Brod.  Ed Jerome  Cabral,  Brod. Eric Liwag,  Brod. Norman Del Rosario and  Brod. Vincent Jay G. Sagun respectively. Sis. Malou  Pabel C. Parumog, Sis. Marlyn V. Linsangan, Sis. Maryann Lovella J. Pascual,  Sis. Valentina Javier   and   Sis. Norlie V. Esmino served as the sorority's Empresses.

During the early 90’s Sigma Phi expanded in Nueva Ecija and Northern Luzon. In March 7, 1991, the Delta Chapter was founded at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) by Brod. Eric S. Liwag of Beta Chapter. He recruited his former classmate who is studying at the CLSU together with his friends. This first batch of members from the Delta Chapter was known as the Vanguard 7. They were Brod. Albert Lopez, Brod. Walter Sason, Brod. Larry Dela Fuente, Brod. Melchor Lorenzo, Brod. Jonjon Salmo, Brod. Cris Liwag and Brod. Rey Natales. In 1994, the Epsilon Chapter was founded at the Good Samaritan College through the guidance of Brod. Florencio Bernardo of Beta Chapter. Epsilon Chapter’s first batch of members includes Brod. Dante Esguerra, Brod. Presito Agmata and Brod. Dennis Alvarado.

In 1996 the Eta Chapter  was founded at the Wesleyan University - Philippines by Brod. Vincent Jay Sagun and Brod. Randolf Eclevia. One of the pioneer members is Brod. Abraham Damen Aniciete who later in 1997 was elected as the Emperor of the ETA Chapter. During his reign as Emperor, active members multiplied from 8 members to 50 plus active members on the same year. Sorority Officers were also elected on the same year with Sis. Gloria Reyes as Empress. Also in 1996, Theta chapter was founded at Araullo University by Brod. Rodel Agustin, Brod. Cenon Sagun, Jr. and Brod Johny Cristobal. The first batch were Brod. Philip Ramones, Brod. Dennis Alelojo, Brod. Rowel Ramones and Brod. Emmanuel Yabut. The first Emperor of Theta Chapter was Brod. Cenon “JonJon” Sagun. Also  at ERDCNE, Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Kappa Chapter was founded.

Twenty years after its foundation at the PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, another Chapter was founded in another PUP Campus. In November 3, 2006 the Lambda Chapter was founded at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Mariveles, Bataan. The chapter was founded by Brod. Dennis Santillan. The first batch of brothers were Brod. Patrick Villocillo, Brod. Arby Sureta, Brod. Valentino Sunga, Brod. Rod JuliusLombres, Brod. Donel Alvares and Brod. Ramon Martin Guillermo. Lambda's first batch of officers are Brod. Valentino Sunga as Emperor, Sis. Mariane Allado as Empress, Brod. Patrick Villocillo as Student Adviser. The chapter's Adviser is Sir Jessie Vicente.

Although under the constitution of Sigma Phi that Junior members were not allowed to be a part of the organization. The decreasing number of active members in Delta Chapter in CLSU during that time alarmed some members in Munoz, Nueva Ecija. They also saw other organizations with members that does not belong to a chapter inside the university being active in their community service. This gave them the idea to form a chapter outside CLSU, and founded the Maligaya Junior Chapter in 1998. The first of the four existing Junior Chapter in Munoz, Nueva Ecija. The Junior Chapter was founded by Brod. Raymond Guevarra and Brod. Ronald Allan Dimaano.

March 19, 2011 marked a new significant moment for the Sigma Phi Fraternity-Sorority after it successfully held its first GRAND ASSEMBLY. The Lorenville Subdivision Clubhouse in Mabini Homesite, Cabanatuan City was filled with SigmaPhian brothers and sisters from Beta, Theta, Epsilon, Delta, Eta and Lambda Chapters. More than 150 brothers and sisters attended this big event. Active members from Delta and Lambda Chapters and the alumni headed by the first Emperor of Beta Chapter Engr. Fidel Castro and one of the Beta Chapter Founder Melchor Linsangan.  With them were the pioneer members of the first, second and third batch of the Beta Chapter. The event also welcomes the Junior members from the Maligaya Chapter of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

Election of Officers for the preparation for the 25th Year Silver Anniversary on August 27, 2011 was also held during the Grand Assembly with Brod. Norman Del Rosario elected as the President of the Sigma Phi Council. As this brief history is being written, the preparation for the 25^th Anniversary of the founding of Sigma Phi is ongoing, making the Sigma Phi as one of the most active Fraternity and Sorority in the country.

                Last September 2011, new set of Sigma Phi Council officers were formed, headed by   Bro.  Vincent Jay G. Sagun as President of the council.