Founded in 1918, the Upsilon Sigma Phi (USP) is the oldest Greek-letter fraternity in Asia and the oldest student organization of the University of the Philippines (UP), where it is based.
During World War II, the fraternity functioned as a student organization, while the UP Student Council was interrupted from 1944 to 1946, and the student publication Philippine Collegian from 1942 to 1946.
According to its official website, USP aims to mold aspiring and purposeful men into responsible leaders of the highest caliber and to create a tradition of excellence unparalleled in Philippine society.
The 96-year-old organization boasts of alumni who have “exemplified outstanding competence in various fields of interest.” Among them are the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former President Ferdinand Marcos. Other alumni include Jose P. Laurel, former President; Arturo Tolentino and Salvador Laurel, former Vice Presidents; Jose Abad Santos, Querube Makalintal and Enrique Fernando, former Supreme Court Chief Justices; Gil Puyat, Gerardo “Gerry” Roxas and Joker Arroyo, former senators; and Estelito Mendoza, former solicitor general.
Also included are Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization; Richard Gordon, chair of Philippine Red Cross; and Alfredo Pascual, incumbent UP president. Inquirer Research
Sources: upsilon.com, Upsilon Sigma Phi official Facebook page
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