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. It has no chapter outside UP Diliman.

The Fraternity upholds the ideas and principles which UP stands for and is committed to its home college, the College of Engineering, in its avowed purpose to "enhance the engineering profession".[1]

From its ranks - men better known as Alphans - rose decorated Senators, Members of the Legislature, Cabinet Secretaries, Ambassadors, diplomats, Generals and men in uniform, public servants, entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, architects, artists, writers, lawyers, board top-notchers, and bar aces.

The Truth for each of you is there, for you to find

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. However, early on, the fraternity was quick to set itself apart as the members try to live up to the name of the Fraternity - The Argonauts. Members would emulate those valiant, ancient Greeks who sallied forth in their frail vessels to search for the Golden Fleece, the Truth; and when found, Alphans would live high and honorable lives.

Truth be told, Alphans have tried to do so, within the limitations of essential human character. Each Alphan, in his particular field, has carried with him the spirit that became part of his being, and that yearning to find his Golden Fleece in life.

What's good for the Fraternity, is Good for old UP

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

Alphan Board Topnotchers

Alphan Bar Topnotcher

References

  1. ↑ http://www.taualpha.org
  2. ↑ http://www.upalumni.ph/the-upaa-a-brief-history/
  3. ↑ http://www.upalumni.ph/upaa-presents-krismazz-jazz-at-the-carillon/
  4. ↑ http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/UP_Centennial#.Vn-ggDm2czZ
  5. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/37699/alumnus-100-lights-centennial-cauldron
  6. ↑ http://www.uprotc.org/alumni/general-rigoberto-atienza.html
  7. ↑ https://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/gaudencio_antonino.htm
  8. ↑ https://philippinesfreepress.wordpress.com/1968/01/06/gaudencio-antonio-man-of-the-year-1967/
  9. ↑ http://sntpost.stii.dost.gov.ph/NewPOST/AprJun2008/scienceadministrators/Dr_Melecio_Magno.htm
  10. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/652174/former-senator-vicente-paterno-dies
  11. ↑ http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/21/14/obituary-vicente-paterno
  12. ↑ http://www.rappler.com/nation/75675-vicente-paterno
  13. ↑ http://philippinefolio.com/about-us/
  14. ↑ http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=34052291&privcapId=4481208
  15. ↑ http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=former-trade-secretary-cesar-b.-bautista-78&id=120056
  16. ↑ http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=22770441&privcapId=4481208
  17. ↑ http://opinion.inquirer.net/91434/a-year-gone-by
  18. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/12/17/1533501/difference-exclusion-and-extremism
  19. ↑ http://www.mwss.gov.ph
  20. ↑ http://upieaa.org/upie-alumnus-and-ex-ie-instructor-now-also-a-bar-eight-placer/
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