Tau Gamma Phi

Tau Gamma Phi (), also known as 'Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity', is a fraternity established in the Philippines. Its members call themselves Triskelion.

Its aims are to see a Fraternity System devoid of violence in lieu of the rampant violence pervading the university campus at the time of its founding, to avoid elitism if they can, and to earnestly propagate their fraternity's principles as their way of life without political influence or pressure. Based on these goals, the Triskelions categorized their formal group as a 'protest fraternity'. The Fraternity encourages its members to strive for spiritual growth and to organize socio-civic activities for the benefit of communities. Tau Gamma Phi claims to be one of the largest international fraternities. Its counterpart is called Tau Gamma Sigma () also known as the Triskelions' Grand Sorority.

Founding

The fraternal organization, originally known as the '', was founded on October 4, 1968, by six arts and science students from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Membership grew when the Greek-lettered name Tau Gamma Phi was adopted. A few years later, chapters were established at other college and university campuses in the Philippines.

Martial law era

When martial law was declared on September 21, 1972, by the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, some university organizations including Tau Gamma Phi became targets of military harassment, believing that these school organizations posed a threat to the Marcos regime.

With martial law forestalling most of its fraternal activities, the Triskelions faced the problem of continuous decline in recruitment. In the 1975 general assembly, they explored the idea of including younger members. Recruitment began in the high school sector with the "Junior Tau Gamma Phi", also known as the "Junior Triskelions", founded at San Beda College–High School in February 7, 1974.

Notable members

* Alvin Aguilar – formed DEFTAC Philippines in 1996, now one of the biggest BJJ academies in the Philippines. In September 2016, he won gold in Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Tokyo, Japan.
* Raymond Almazan – is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
* Nino NEMS Macabuhay Sanidad – is a Filipino early 2000 well known influencer among different fraternities and gang/gang members in Palawan. A Quezon City born but raised in Palawan. Nephew of former Senator Mike Defensor Santiago. He is the son of Jasmin Dadores Macabuhay Sanidad and Ernesto Fernandes Sanidad. He advocate peace among different fraternities and gang/gang members during early 2000s in Palawan.
* Bong Alvarez – is a Filipino retired professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. (PBA)
* Jobert Austria – is a Filipino actor and comedian.
* Nathan Azarcon – is a Filipino musician, nationalist, songwriter, and producer. He is currently the bassist, vocalist and one of the founding members of Filipino rock band Rivermaya. He was also a member of Filipino rock bands Pinikpikan, Kapatid and a founding member of Bamboo.
* Lougee Basabas – is a singer and songwriter based in Manila, Philippines. She is the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Mojofly and was a host of the popular noontime variety show, Eat Bulaga!.
* John Riel Casimero – is a Filipino professional boxer. He has held world championships in Four weight classes and current WBO Bantamweight Champion.
* JM de Guzman – is a Filipino actor, mixed martial artist, model and singer. He is currently working as an exclusive talent of Star Magic.
* JC Intal – is a Filipino former professional basketball player. He last played for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
* Pancho Magno – is a Filipino actor of GMA.
* Jiro Manio – is a Filipino actor who started acting at the age of seven in the film Pamana in 1999.
* Luis Manzano – is a Filipino-American TV host, actor, comedian, VJ, and model. He is the son of actors Edu Manzano and Vilma Santos.
* Jao Mapa – is a Filipino actor from the Philippines. He is also an accomplished painter.
* Eumir Marcial – is a Filipino boxer. While representing the Philippines as an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships and bronze at the 2020 Summer Olympics, both in the middleweight division.
* Joseph Marco – is a Filipino actor, model, singer and endorser who played the role of Santi Domingo in the GMA Network Philippine drama series La Vendetta and who is currently a Star Magic artist in the ABS-CB.
* Lito Mayo – was an influential graphic artist and printmaker.
* Buwi Meneses – is a Filipino bassist for the band Parokya ni Edgar, and formerly for Franco.
* Vhong Navarro – is a Filipino comedian, actor, dancer, recording artist, and television host. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show It's Showtime. He is also part of the dance group Streetboys in the Philippines.
* Victor Neri – is a Filipino actor, singer and chef.
* Diether Ocampo – is a Filipino actor, singer, model, and military officer.
* RJ Padilla – is a Filipino actor. he starred in the 2014 film Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at Mga Anak and also appeared in La Visa Loca. He is the son of Rommel Padilla and Annabelle Antonio brother of Matt Padilla and Roanna Padilla and half-brother of Daniel Padilla.
* Ion Perez – is a Filipino actor, model, and television host. He is best known as the Kuya Escort in the Miss Q and A segment of It's Showtime.
* Angeline Quinto – is a Filipino singer, actress, and winner of Star Power: Sharon's Search For The Next Female Pop Superstar in 2011. She is currently managed by Star Magic and KreativDen.
* Vandolph Quizon – is a Filipino actor, comedian and politician. He is known for being a councilor of the 1st District of Parañaque.
* Ralph G. Recto – is a Filipino politician serving as the president pro tempore of the Philippine Senate since 2017, previously holding the position from 2013 to 2016. Since 2010, he has been on his second stint in the Senate, first serving from 2001 to 2007.
* Tim Sawyer – is a Famous Vlogger and YouTuber from Pabayao Chapter,Cagayan de Oro City Council.
* Oyo Boy Sotto – is a Filipino actor. He is the son of Filipino actor-comedian-host Vic Sotto and Swiss-Filipino singer-actress Dina Bonnevie, nephew of Senator Tito Sotto, younger brother of actress Danica Sotto, half-brother of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
* TJ Trinidad – is a Filipino actor of GMA and ABS-CBN.
* Joel Villanueva – is a Filipino politician and Senator.

Triskelion Youth Movement

Tau Gamma Phi and later on also the Tau Gamma Sigma, opened its doors to aspiring youth in the community through the Triskelion Youth Movement (T.Y.M.), so that they too, who temporarily stopped pursuing higher education to continue their chosen vocation, might also participate in Tau Gamma Phi and Tau Gamma Sigma.

Hazing

Despite an anti-hazing law in the Philippines, many university fraternities in the Philippines have been involved in a dozen cases of hazing deaths since 2006, and have been implicated in numerous incidents of violence.

The Tau Gamma Phi called on all chapters through their provincial and city councils to the fraternity motto ''Primum Nil Nocere'' or "First, Do No Harm", and commit to avoid violence related to hazing.

Affiliated Groups

*Tau Gamma Sigma () — Triskelions' Grand Sorority.
*Triskelion Alumni Organization (T.A.O.) — The umbrella organization of all Triskelion alumni associations worldwide.
*Triskelion Order of Law (T.O.L.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the judiciary and paralegal profession.
*Triskelion Order of Medicine (T.O.M.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the medical profession.
*Triskelion Law Enforcers Group (TRILEG) – Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the field of Law Enforcement.
*Triskelion Order of Business (T.O.B.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the corporate world, businessmen and those who operate their own entrepreneurial ventures.
*Triskelion Information Technology Group (T.I.T.G.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are computer engineers, technicians and information technology professionals.(Formerly known as TITO)
*Triskelion Order of Call Center Professionals (T.O.C.C.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the Business Process Outsourcing industry or contact/call centers.
*Triskelion Order of Engineers, Contractors, and Architects (T.O.E.C.A) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the engineering, design, architectural and construction business field.
*Triskelion Seafarers League (TriSEAL) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are professional mariners, shipping executives, military personnel, and crew in ships sailing oceans around the globe.
*Triskelion Order of Teachers (T.O.T.) – Alumni association of Triskelions who are in the teaching profession. The T.O.T. was first organized at the West Visayas State University, Iloilo City, Philippines.
*Triskelion Order in the Profession of Arms (PA) – The Triskelion Order in the Profession of Arms aims to conglomerate all Triskelions that are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was blessed by no less than the FF RODRIGO CONFESOR on October 4, 2010, and then founded by Philippine Air Force Triskelions on October 10, 2010, at Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas.
*Marikina Triskelion City Government Employees – it is still a chapter under Makatao Marikina Council but composed of Marikina city government employees
*Triskelion Information Technology Association (T.I.T.A.) — Alumni association of Triskelions who are in information technology field founded in 2008 and are actively engaged in Triskelion Database Project for VisMin.
*Triskelion Order of Graphic Artist (TOGA) - Aim to connect fellow Triskelion graphic artists together in one group where they can share their art, interact with fellow Triskelion Graphic Artist and enhance their knowledge by sharing tips and tricks with each other.

See also

*Tau Gamma Sigma
* List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines
*List of Tau Gamma Phi chapters

References

{{Reflist

Student societies in the Philippines
Fraternities and sororities in the Philippines
Student organizations established in 1968
1968 establishments in the Philippines