The Upsilon Sigma Phi is waging a new war—not against another fraternity, but on poverty.

Last May 1, 2005, while various groups joined the universal fight against poverty and oppression by rallying in the streets for better labor conditions, Upsilonians decided to express their solidarity with the masses in another manner. On that hot and steamy labor day, Upsilonians chose to use shovels, barettas, and pick axes to move dirt and stones for a nobly productive end—the construction of communities.

The Upsilon, through the initiative of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association (USPAA), decided to team up with Gawad Kalinga (GK), a multi-sectoral partnership that helps build communities for the poor throughout the country.


According to USPAA President Danilo Gozo, the Upsilon’s partnership with GK is an unequivocal statement that the fraternity has joined the ranks of those who have stopped complaining about what is wrong with the country, and instead do something about it. Gozo adds: “We are also hoping to influence our resident brods to shift their orientation from a culture of violence and change it to a culture of excellence. We can do that if we immerse ourselves with the less privileged among our people and help them improve their lives and their dignity.”


What makes the Upsilon-Gawad Kalinga partnership historical is that the Upsilon Sigma Phi is the first fraternity in the country to venture into a partnership with the likes of GK.

GK National Vice Chair and RP Deputy Executive Secretary Jose Tale signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association Chairman Claudio B. Altura and President Danilo A. Gozo.


Fraternities were once noted as cultivators of responsible students who eventually became leaders in their fields, such as politics, business, and academia. But for some years now, the image of many university fraternities has been stained by violent frat wars and hazing, so much so that some opine that most fraternities are no longer socially relevant. The Upsilon, the oldest fraternity of university students in the Philippines and in Asia, is no exception to the stigma that fraternities are no different from street gangs.


In order to break away from the sullied reputation of fraternities and highlight the Upsilon’s distinguished tradition of service to the country, the Upsilon leadership, through the efforts of its alumni, decided to refresh the fraternity’s commitment to socially-meaningful endeavors. The first step in this thrust is the Upsilon’s collaboration with GK.


The community building partnership with GK is also an opportunity for the Upsilon to demonstrate its concept of brotherhood. While other fraternities may choose to rumble, the Upsilon works to clear rubble and lay the foundations of homes. While other greek letter societies may initiate its members through hazing, the Upsilon tests the mettle of its neophytes through their participation in building homes—and giving hope.


It may not be long before the Upsilon-GK partnership is emulated by other fraternities. It may well be the formula for reviving wide respect for fraternities in general. As one Upsilonian put it, “Perhaps time will come again when being called a fratman will not label a brother with the shame of violence and hatred, but with the honor and prestige of being committed to pursue economic stability and political maturity, not only in the Republic of the Philippines, but also in the rest of the world.”

View some of the paintings of Fellow Manuel “Nonoy” Gamboa ‘62, at his Tukso showing in Manhattan.

"Sa mga pangyayaring nagdaa’t dumating
Mga tao ay magkasama, magkapiling
Panglahatang kapakanan tutuklasin
Magkahambing nadaramang mga layunin
Isang Kapatiran sila’y bibigkisin
Katulad lamang nila ang tatanggapin.”

UPLB sa paanan ng tanyag na bundok Maria Makiling
Upsilonians noong 1950’s ay nag-group picture taking
Sa www.upsilon.com Gallery, larawan makikita, inyong silipin.
Pinadala ni Josie G. Natividad’57 na Ka-na-dian tiga-sin
Mula sa “Great Life” ni Kaloy G. Magno’58 na magiting. 

U P S I L O N . C O M

U maabot saan man dako ng makabagong sanglibutan
P araang mag-ugnayan ang mga magkakalayong Upsilonian
S inisikap mabuti na bawa’t isa ay mapaunlakan
I lathala anumang bagay sa Kapatirang kapakanan.
L ahat lubos na pasasalamatan sa pakikipagtulungan
O pus ng pagmamahal ng sa Kapatirang kadakilaan
N angungunang simulain nitong kawanggawang kakayahan.

C redo ng Upsilon Sigma Phi isagawa’t mapatunayan
O portunidad ay mabilis na sunggaban pakinabangan
M atamo tagumpay ng adhikain ng Upsilon-Kapatiran. 

Two presidents. The once-and-future president, young danny gozo with the President (of the Republic). 1968, Canlubang farm

It was one great celebration at Brod Yulo’s farm in Canlubang. Jeegar Denila sits at one end in his clandestine outfit, at the other end, now USPAA president, Danny Gozo, obviously appreciating our muse, the daughter of Brod Doy Laurel. Right smack in the centre, Brod Ferdie. The Batch 67 moment with the Prez.
1968 was a year of continuous celebration—the Golden Anniversary of the Fraternity.
Down memory lane.
Alfie 67

Brods and Sis;

If you are thinking of coming to Cebu and having problem getting in touch with the Brods,
Check the Gallery, we have publish the 2005 Cebu Chapter Directory.

See you in Cebu....

Cebu Chapter

Reserve August 2006! The Torontonian Upsilonians and Sisters extend welcome!

LET us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a brother energized by all re-unions;
Let us go, through Harbour Front and Ontario Place,
The muttering retreats
Of scenic nights of smoke-free dining
And golf courses green with manicure bent:
Streets that follow like our continuing argument
Of fraternal intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”’
Let us just go and make our visit. 

In the room Upsilonians come and go
Talking of Otso-Otso sa Toronto. 

There is no yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes
There is no yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes
Or licked its tongue into the corners of the Torontonian sight,
Lingered upon the Skydome or the CN Tower that stand in glow,
Let fall upon your back the soothe of massage that falls from tender hands,
Slipped by the Royal Museum terrace, made a sudden leap!
And it will be a soft August night,
When the waters of Niagara curled once about the rocks,
And fall asleep because of the mist. 

There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;
There will be time to banter and create,
And time for all the works and days of hands
That lift and drop a question on your plate;
Time for you and time for me,
And time yet for a hundred decisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of toast and tea. 

In the room Upsilonians come and go
Talking of Otso-otso sa Toronto.

(with apologies to t.s. eliot)

Alfie 67

Oh wonderful! Thanks Zoe for all the hard work.

Our Upsilon, our most full flame should afterwards burn clearer. It is here we meet, our cyber sun, singing our favorite song, to the greatest fraternity that hails from Asia.
So, we ask of all:

What’s in the brain that ink may character
Which hath not figured to thee my true spirit?
What’s new to speak, what new to register,
That may express our love or thy dear merit?

Alfie 67

The migration is complete. The Upsilon.com has moved from its original site (since 1994) to a new one. Today, we have changed its backend to offer new and enhanced web publishing features. We have added 3 new sections, giving you more communication and sharing options; the Chat, the Photo Gallery and Search.

More importantly, you will notice that there will be more Fellows who will be publishing from different parts of world. They will be posting articles, about our volunteer works, success stories, events and gatherings and “pure Fellowship”.

They will doing this without having to learn tedious html or the need for webmaster intervention. It is our hope that news about Upsilonians, wherever they are, will reach you at the speed of now.

If you are interested in joining us, and the new Upsilon.com, please contact the webmaster@upsilon.com for more information.

For the Frat!