UP Sigma Rho Fraternity

The Sigma Rho Fraternity
ΣΡ
Founded 1938
University of the Philippines College of Law
Type University
Scope University of the Philippines Diliman
Motto Seekers of the Right
Colors Maroon, Green, White, Gold
Symbol Fraternity seal
Chapters None
Headquarters University of the Philippines Diliman
Quezon City, NCR, Philippines
Homepage http://www.upsigmarho.com/

The Sigma Rho Fraternity is a College of Law-based fraternity of the University of the Philippines Diliman and reputed to be the pioneer in law-student fraternities in Asia. It maintains its singular existence with resident and alumni brods. The two letters of the Greek alphabet are its emblems for the stature of the brods as "Seekers of the Right".

About

The Sigma Rho Fraternity is a Law-based fraternity in the University of the Philippines College of Law and has been in continuous existence for more than 75 years. The Greek initials ΣP of Sigma Rho stand for the initials of Sanchez Roman, a Spanish jurist whose scholarly commentaries on the Civil Code of Spain were authoritative references used by the students of the UP College of Law.[1]

History

The Sigma Rho Fraternity was formally organized during the pre-war era in 1938 at the University of the Philippines College of Law through the initiative of some twelve idealistic junior law students Padre Faura St., Manila. Attracted by the Fraternity's laudable objectives especially in the field of scholarship, the cream of the UP Law studentry joined and were initiated into the Sigma Rho. Among them were law freshmen students like Jovito R. Salonga, Pedro L. Yap and Manuel Montecillo who later topped the 1944, 1946, and 1949 bar examinations, respectively.

The fraternity’s presiding officer is known as the Grand Archon, which means Chief Magistrate in ancient Greece. The first person to ever have served as the fraternity's Grand Archon was George V. McLure, an American Law student from the UP College of Law.[2]

Incidents

Fraternity wars

In December 8, 1994, Dennis Venturina, a Sigma Rhoan, was murdered by members of the Scintilla Juris Fraternity. The Philippine Supreme Court has recently upheld in 2014 the convictions of 5 Scintilla Juris members for murder (Daniel Feliciano Jr., Julius Victor Medalla, Christopher Soliva, Warren Zingapan and Robert Michael Beltran Alvir).[3]

On February 10, 2000, Den Daniel Reyes, a member of the rival Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity, was killed in a riot with members of the Sigma Rho Fraternity. Den Daniel Reyes suffered multiple stab wounds and died not long after.[4] Several eyewitnesses have testified that the members of the Sigma Rho Fraternity were attacked by armed and hooded men near the UP Law Center, which resulted into the tragic death of the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity member.[5]

Initiation-related hazing

Cris Mendez, a 20-year-old graduating UP student allegedly died during an initiation rite with the fraternity on August 27, 2007.[6] Mendez was rushed to Veterans Memorial Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Quezon City police investigators found out that Mendez was a victim of hazing due to “bruises all over his body, particularly on the back of his arms and thighs.”[7]

Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and former Senate President Jovito Salonga has resigned as member of the Sigma Rho fraternity because of this incident. In a statement sent to the Inquirer, Salonga, one of the most prominent Sigma Rhoans, said that he was resigning “because of recent events in which Sigma Rho has been involved.”[7]

Notable members

Bar Topnotchers

Judiciary

Executive and local government units

Senate


House of Representatives

Constitutional offices

Academe

Arts and literature

Sports

Other notable members

References

  1. ↑ Abaya, Eduardo. "Recollections on the Fraternity". Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "About the Fraternity". Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Aning, Jerome (8 June 2014). "SC upholds murder conviction of 5 UP fratmen". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Bagares, Romel (20 February 2000). "Joint CPD-UP police patrols proposed to curb frat violence in Dilimancampus". PhilSTAR.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  5. ↑ Bagares, Romel (28 November 2000). "3 UP Sigma Rhoans charged". PhilSTAR.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "Doctor who brought Cris Mendez to VMMC surfaces". 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  7. 1 2 Santos, Tina (2007-09-15). "Salonga resigns from Sigma Rho". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
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