Tau Alpha

Tau Alpha
τα
Founded	June 27, 1932 (1932-06-27) University of the Philippines old Faura Campus
Type	Exclusive College-based Fraternity
Colors	Royal blue      Golden Yellow
Symbol	Fraternity seal
Chapters	No chapter outside U.P. Diliman College of Engineering
Members	1,500+ collegiate
Headquarters	University of the Philippines College of Engineering
Homepage	http://www.taualpha.org

Tau Alpha (τα) is one of the oldest fraternities in the University of the Philippines. Originally named Mu Epsilon and founded on 27 June 1931, Tau Alpha was officially recognized as a College fraternity the following year, 1932.

Tau Alpha, The Argonauts, enjoys a continuous relation with the University of the Philippines. From its inception in the original campus location in Padre Faura, to the Diliman Campus after the second world war, Tau Alpha has and always been associated with the University of the Philippines College of Engineering. UP Diliman is the only chapter.

The Fraternity's purpose is to "enhance the engineering profession".^[1]

History

Sail on, sail on, ye Argonauts, The Truth for each of you is there, for you to find. As you find it, so will you find the common good. -Angel de Jesus (Charter)

Tau Alpha was founded at the old UP campus in Padre Faura. At the beginning, membership was intended to be confined to Manila students.

Interaction with the University of the Philippines and the College of Engineering

Tau Alpha is committed to the service of the University of the Philippines and the College of Engineering. Among its projects in the campus are the restoration of the UP Carillon,^[2] built with funds donated by UP alumni in 1952 but fell in disrepair in the 1980s and silent in 1988,^[3] the fraternity Room Endowments in Melchor Hall as well as Tau Alpha Wing in Palma Hall (AS) comprising all rooms on the first floor of the building from the lobby to the exit leading to the Faculty Building.

Tau Alpha is also committed to the general interests of the students through its Tau Alpha Student Loan Guarantee Fund. The Fund is available to the College of Engineering students and is managed by the College of Engineering.

Tau Alpha also gifted the College its Cristy Hernandez Activity Center (CHAC), a sports facility/ activity center where various events of the College and engineering students are hosted. This is also the home of Tau Alpha Basketball League (TABL), the longest running basketball league in the campus with its 57th annual outing in March 2015. Tau Alpha also stages the Diliman Marathon (TADM), which has been running since 1959.

On UP's Centennial Year, Tau Alpha gifted UP its Centennial Song, UP Ang Galing Mo, composed by Herbert A. Rosales '61,^[4] and the UP Centennial Cauldron designed by Joel L. Ajero '66A. The Centennial Cauldron features three pillars representing the three core values of the University, and seven flowers that stand for the seven constituent universities in the UP system." The Centennial Cauldron was lit by then UP President Emerlinda Roman igniting the "perpetual flame” on the Centennial Cauldron that signaled the start of UP's year-long centennial celebration.^[5]

Alphans in Public Service

• Rigoberto G. Atienza (Charter), General, 9th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines^[6]
• Gaudencio E. Antonino '32, Former Senator best remembered for his "fearless opposition to gargantuan congressional allowances".^[7] The Philippines Free Press named him Man of the Year in 1967 besting then President Ferdinand Marcos and Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who came second place in the Senatorial election. For this, the paper labeled Aquino Political Beneficiary of the Year.^[8]
• Melecio E. Magno '39, Former Minister of Science (now DOST)^[9]
• Victor A. Lim '43, Former Chairman, Bases Conversion and Development Authority
• Vicente T. Paterno '44, Former Senator, Former Representative to Batasang Pambansa,^[10] 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, Founding Chairman Philippine Seven Corp.^[11] Malacanang Palace described him "an exponent of honesty, efficiency, faith, and love of country" throughout his career in public service and in the private sector and that "the nation has lost a distinguished public servant and exponent of principled governance."^[12]
• Hilarion M. Henares Jr. '44, Former Chairman, National Economic Council (now National Economic and Development Authority), TV Personality, Newspaper columnist^[13]
• Cesar A. Caliwara '46, Delegate, 1971 Constitutional Convention. First President of Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.
• Isidro D. Cariño '46, Former Secretary, Department of Education
• Jose P. Dans '47, Former Secretary, Department of Transportation and Communications
• Fiorello R. Estuar '55, Former Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways, NIA Administrator, PNCC President^[14]
• Cesar D. Bautista^[15] '55, Former Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Former Ambassador to the Court of St. James^[16] Peter Wallace described him "a gentleman, a fine, honest, humble gentleman who served the Philippines with true distinction.".^[17] UK Ambassador Asif Ahmad remembers him as "Britain's great friend"^[18]
• Mario G. Montejo '70, Former Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He was conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Gold Cross Bayani by Pres. Aquino last 23 June 2016.
• Gerardo I. Esquivel '81A, Former Administrator, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).^[19] He was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit from Pres. Aquino.
• Amable R. Aguiluz V '63, current Special Envoy of the President to the Gulf Cooperation Council. Ambassador Aguiluz, was newly appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last September 12, 2016. He also served as Special Envoy to the GCC under former President Aquino. He is also the Founder and Chairman of AMA Group of Companies.

References