Alpha Kappa Rho

The Alpha Kappa Rho International Fraternity and Sorority (AKRHO) is a fraternity established in the Philippines in 1973.[1] The fraternity, comprising men and women from different universities, was originally established to promote loyalty, unity and pride in the Fraternity amongst its members. However, it is now registered as an International Humanitarian Service Fraternity and Sorority which encourages members to be involved in humanitarian projects and service to others wherever it exists.[2][3] It is now one of the largest international fraternities worldwide.

Alpha Kappa Rho
ΑΚΡ/ακρ
FoundedAugust 8, 1973 (1973-08-08)
University of Santo Tomas
TypeHumanitarian Service
ScopeInternational
MottoVincit Omnia Veritas
Colors     Red      Gold      White
Chapters
NicknamesSkeptron, AKRho

The fraternity is registered as "Alpha Kappa Rho International Humanitarian Service Fraternity and Sorority Incorporated" with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit and non-dividend corporation.[4] It was originally founded in the Philippines but now operates worldwide, including North America, Asia, the Middle East, South America, Australia, and Europe.[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 were enrolled at the UST College of Commerce.[6] The Alpha Kappa Rho original founders are:[6]

  1. Jose "Boy" Chua
  2. Teddy De Lara
  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
  7. Grace Mendoza

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

Initiation rites

Soon after the fraternity was established in 1973, it became notorious in the Philippines because of fraternity wars and the initiation rites that members had to undergo to join it.[8] In addition to the typical interviews and orientation, the aspiring member(neophyte) is asked to perform 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 to quit. If the aspirant is able to complete the initiation rites then within 6 months to a year after the first phase of the rite, they will undergo 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 in the fraternity.[9]

After 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 fraternity 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 was originally from 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 out 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 graduate 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 UE-Recto into the fraternity. The first Junior AKRHO was headed by Jun "Labo" Pasaporte, Rey Quitariano (another NDM alumni), and Noriel Arcadio at UE-Recto, 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". Archived from the original on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
  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". Archived from the original on 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  6. "Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity 40th Anniversary". Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  7. "Alpha Kappa Rho Sorority".
  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".
  12. "Notre Dame of Greater Manila Alumni".
  13. "Junior AKRHO". Archived from the original on 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
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