Alpha Kappa Rho

Alpha Kappa Rho
ΑΚΡ/ακρ
Founded August 8, 1973 (1973-08-08)
University of Santo Tomas
Type Humanitarian Service
Scope International
Motto Vincit Omnia Veritas
Colors      Red      Gold      Black      White
Chapters International
 Philippines
 USA
 Australia
 Japan
 Malaysia
 UAE
 Kuwait
 Saudi Arabia
 Hong Kong
 Singapore
 United Kingdom
 Bahrain
 Indonesia
 Canada
 South Korea
 Taiwan
 Italy
 China
 Brazil
 Thailand
Nicknames Skeptron, Akrho
Website http://www.alphakapparho1973.com/

The Alpha Kappa Rho International Fraternity and Sorority (AKRHO) is a fraternity established in the Philippines in 1973.[1] The fraternity made up of men and women from different universities was established to promote loyalty, unity and pride in the fraternity amongst its members. However it is now registered as an International Humanitarian Service Fraternity that encourages members to be involved in humanitarian projects and various service to people wherever it exists.[2][3]

The fraternity is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines) as a non-profit and non-dividend Corporation with the name of Alpha Kappa Rho International Humanitarian Service Fraternity and Sorority Inc.[4] It was founded in the Philippines, and operated in several other countries like United States, Australia, Malaysia,Macau, Japan, Hongkong, Singapore, UAE, Kuwait, Canada, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Thailand.[5]

Foundation

The Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity and Sorority was founded on August 8, 1973 by sixteen college students of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Except for the leader and elder of the group, Jose "Boy" Chua, who was enrolled at the UST College of Medicine, the 15 other founders of Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity were enrolled at the UST College of Commerce.[6] The Alpha Kappa Rho founders are:[6] 1. Jose "Boy" Chua 2. Raymund "Magnus" Gutierrez 3. Edwin Solano 4. Tanny Bernabe 5. Obet Posadas 6. Arnel Lorenzo 7. James Bracewell 8. Renato Go 9. Philip Balangue 10. Roger Sarmiento 11. Ted Aves 12. Monchet Cabrera 13. Philip Diman 14. Gil Villegas 15. Mark Queyquep 16. Noli Manalo The Alpha Kappa Rho Sorority began in 1975 and the Sorority Founders are:[6][7] 1. Girlie Tesoro 2. Joyce Gregorio 3. Alda Altiveros Bernabe 4. Marisa Cumuyog 5. JJ Aquino (Deceased) 6. Irene Ileto

The fraternity was founded on August 8 because it coincided with the Feast Day of St. Dominic, which is a university holiday at UST, which is run by the Dominican Order or also known as the Order of Preachers (OP).

Initiation rites

The fraternity after it was established in 1973 became notorious in the Philippines because of the initiation rites members had to undergo to join it.[8] Those who wanted to join the fraternity had to undergo interviews and orientations followed by a period when the aspiring member is asked to do humiliating acts in public. This is followed by an initiation rite where the aspirant is blindfolded and receives blows in the back of the thigh with the use of a wood paddle. Those who are unable to bear the pain are given an option to resume on another day or can choose to quit. If the aspirant is able to complete the initiation rite, the aspirant undergoes the final rite of initiation known as the ritual where a heated coin is placed at the back of the aspirant's right wrist leaving a circular scar as a sign of full membership to the fraternity.[9] However, with the introduction of the Anti-Hazing Law by the Philippine Government in 1995, the fraternity initiation rites are no longer sanctioned or approved by the fraternity leadership.

Motto

Its motto "Vincit Omnia Veritas" meaning "Truth Conquers All" or "Truth Prevails" comes from the emblem of the University of Santo Tomas where the Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity & Sorority was founded.[10] Members are called "Skeptrons" a Greek word for the "ceremonial staff" or sceptre carried by a monarch as a symbol of sovereignty.[11]

Merger

The Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity merged with the Omega Fraternity & Sorority International (OFSI) of San Sebastian College (SSC) and Zeta Upsilon Fraternity of the University of the East Recto campus (UE-Recto) in 1976. The ritual (burn mark which is a circular scar from a heated coin applied to the back of the member's right wrist) and the hand sign of AKRHO began at OFSI but became part of AKRHO after the merger agreement between AKRHO and OFSI. From 1976, the new RITUAL was required for all new members and the hand sign was to recognise AKRHO members.[6]

NDM73

5 of the 16 founders of Alpha Kappa Rho were alumni of Notre Dame of Greater Manila High School (NDM HS). Except for the leader and elder of the fraternity, Jose "Boy" Chua who graduated in 1972, the others belonged to NDM HS graduating batch of 1973. A number of other NDM 1973 graduates would also later join AKRHO.[12]

Junior AKRHO

In August 1975, AKRHO grew in numbers with the acceptance of high school students from the University of the East Recto campus (UE-Recto) into the fraternity. The first Junior AKRHO was headed by Jun "Labo" Pasaporte, Rey Quitariano (another NDM alumni) and Noriel Arcadio. They began the Junior AKRHO in the High School of UE-Recto, and at the Far Eastern University (FEU), Jose Rizal College High School (JRC), Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) and National College of Business and Arts (NCBA).[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Official AKRHO Website".
  2. ↑ "Akrho Gets Green Light". Archived from the original on 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
  3. ↑ "Akrho Cleanup Graffiti".
  4. ↑ "Securities and Exchange Commission Philippines". Archived from the original on 2016-05-14. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  5. ↑ "Akrho Grand 40 Year Salute".
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity 40th Anniversary". Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  7. ↑ "Alpha Kappa Rho Sorority". Archived from the original on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  8. ↑ "How Neophytes Are Accepted".
  9. ↑ "What Young People Go Through To Feel Accepted".
  10. ↑ "Vincit Omnia Veritas". Archived from the original on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  11. ↑ "Skeptrons". Archived from the original on 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  12. ↑ "Notre Dame of Greater Manila Alumni". Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  13. ↑ "Junior AKRHO". Archived from the original on 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
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