Tau Alpha (τα) is a fraternity based in the

College of Engineering Engineering education is the activity of teaching knowledge and principles to the professional practice of engineering. It includes an initial education ( bachelor's and/or master's degree), and any advanced education and specializations tha ...

: at the

University of the Philippines The University of the Philippines (UP; fil, Pamantasan ng Pilipinas Unibersidad ng Pilipinas) is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9500 (UP Charter of 20 ...

located in Diliman,

Quezon City Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was fou ...

, Philippines. It was founded in 1932, one of the oldest fraternities in Asia.

History

In the early 1931, sixteen undergraduates decided to establish a fraternity for engineering students. Its name was Mu Epsilon, which stood for Manila Engineers, the fraternity was organized in the old Padre Faura grounds of Manila. Its purpose was to develop student leadership, build social and civic responsibility, foster camaraderie and fraternalism, pursue academic excellence, and enhance engineering professions. Its name was changed to Tau Alpha when it was officially recognized by the university on June 27, 1932. Angel Francisco Gutierrez de Jesus as the first Grand High Alpha. Later, the fraternity decided not to be limited to the engineering students of Manila and opened its membership to all the students of the college. Tau Alpha is affiliated with the Tau Lambda Alpha sorority which was founded in 2012.

Symbols

The name Tau Alpha stands for The Argonauts of Greek mythology. The fraternity originally had 50 members, matching the number of oars on the Argo, which was built by the first Greek engineer, Argos. The fraternity's colors are royal blue and golden yellow. Its flower is the rose. Its publication is ''Gear News''. Its motto is "For as long as there are Men of Stout Character, Men whose eyes seek the Truth, And Men who call each other Brothers and Mean it, So will there be Tau Alpha."

Activities

Service by Tau Alpha includes the Tau Alpha Student Loan Guarantee Fund, Medical Missions, film showings, tree planting, Youth Build Blitz for Habitat for Humanity and

Bloodletting Bloodletting (or blood-letting) is the withdrawal of blood from a patient to prevent or cure illness and disease. Bloodletting, whether by a physician or by leeches, was based on an ancient system of medicine in which blood and other bodily flu ...

. Tau Alpha also organizes the Argo Cup, one of the legs of the UP Barkada golf circuit. Tournament proceeds go to scholarships and other projects in the UP College of Engineering.

Membership

In the beginning, applicants were selected based on good moral character and scholastic standing. Later, leadership and a spirit of camaraderie were added to the criteria.

Chapters

Collegiate chapters are located at the

University of the Philippines Diliman , image = University of The Philippines seal.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = Official Logo of UP Diliman , motto = Honor and Excellence , established = February 12, 194 ...

and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Allied Sciences at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Alumni chapters include Tau Alpha Down Under in Australia, Tau Alpha East which includes the eastern United States and Canada, and Tau Alpha Oversees West which includes the western United States and Canada.

Notable members

* Gaudencio E. Antonino, 1932, former Senator, 2nd Lieutenant (101st Engineer Bn.), 1st Lieutenant ( USAFFE & USAFIP) *

Mario Montejo Mario G. Montejo is a Filipino engineer and government administrator. He served as Secretary of Science and Technology under President Benigno Aquino III. Prior to his appointment as secretary, he was a professor at the College of Engineering of t ...

, 1970, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology. He was conferred the

Order of Sikatuna The Order of Sikatuna ( fil, Orden ng Sikatuna) is the national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines. It is conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippin ...

with the rank of Gold Cross Bayani by Pres. Aquino last 23 June 2016. *

Vicente Paterno Vicente Tirona Paterno (November 18, 1925 – November 21, 2014) was a Filipino businessman and politician. He served as Minister of Industry (1974–1979) and of Public Highways (1979–1980) during the Ferdinand Marcos' government. He also ser ...

, 1944, former Senator, former Representative to Batasang Pambansa, 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, Founder and President Philippine Seven Corporation (7/11)

References

{{reflist Engineering fraternities and sororities in the Philippines University of the Philippines University of the Philippines Diliman University of the Philippines Los Baños UP Diliman College of Engineering Fraternities and sororities in the Philippines Student societies in the Philippines Student organizations established in 1932