I really dont understand how, in this day and age, shit like this can still happen. How can you beat up someone so badly to the point of causing death? Jesusfreakinchrist. It’s just sickening.

All my titas and titos…well, the ones who went to UP, belong to frats and sororities. My cousin is a member of Gamma Sigma (UPLB chapter lolololol). I used to hang out and drink with the Tau Gamma kids (and sometimes the Ep Chi boys and the Eagles boys) back when I was in LB. And Im just bragging here cos that means Ive got street cred! Yay!

Were you hazed in your org?

@Helga: You’re basically a friend of half the dudes who tried to beat us up! You’re here to spy on me, aren’t you!? But seriously, yeah. I can understand a few swings to the back, but not to the point of internal bleeding near the lungs.

@Pau: I’m only allowed to say “maybe”.

What’s your org anyways?

The UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society (UPLB MASS). It’s not as nerdy as it sounds. Really.

The hazing practice is the problem, not the organizations. It should be abolished and more stringent laws should be made to make sure this will not happen again.

I just hope that those who’re responsible for Cris’ death will be caught, tried, and punished.

I agree with Prudence that the hazing practice is the problem. Members of any frat/soro/org should take the necessary steps to stop hazing. They should enforce a “policing” entity within the group, for check and balance.

Abolishing fraternities and sororites will not solve the hazing problem. These groups will just go underground and it will be harder for anyone to control or monitor them.

Frats/sororities/orgs should make some changes in their policies ASAP if they don’t want to be abolished. No frat/soro/org is worth the death of a neophyte no matter how prestigious the organization is.

The frat in question should step up to the plate and own up to their responsibility (or irresponsibility in this case); that is, if this frat is really honorable, responsible, prestigious and knows what brotherhood really means.

when i was a kid, my brothers’ frat used to hold finals at our house… and before anyone starts, they post rules, and there’s always a doctor around to check if everything’s okei — this was when hazing wasn’t banned yet; i think putting up precautions to avoid such incidents will do, otherwise, revise your traditions to fit in with the law

my oldest bro once said he’d rather join a frat again than join an org, hehehe —- he was a fratman first before he joined an acad org — he can’t take eating such gross stuff daw…

Ang pagdaan sa hazing ay maihahalintulad sa pagsusurrender ng isang tao ng kanyang buhay para sa isang organization na binubuo rin ng mga dumaan sa bayolenteng proseso na ito. Ito ay isa sa mga rites of passage para matanggap ka ng mga taong matagal na ang pinagsamahan sa loob ng organization na yon at ang bawat pagsubok na iyong dadaanan ay batayan para malaman nila ang iyong determinasyon na mapabilang ka sa kanila, pagkat maikakabit sa pangalan mo ang sinalihan mong, say frat, panghabangbuhay. Hindi mo binili ng pera ang pagiging isang fratman or kinuha mo ng ganon kadali. Ito ang hindi naiintindihan ng mga hindi dumaan dito.

Maraming maaring mangyari pag dumaan ka sa hazing. Maaring ikaw ay permanenteng mabaldado, matrauma o sa kasamaang palad, ay mamatay. Maraming kaso ng pagkamatay dahil sa hazing ang binalita na pero magugulat ka na marami pa ring sumasali sa mga organizations na meron nito. Kung matalino at nagiisip ang isang tao at ayaw nyang dumaan sa isang risky na proseso’y hindi sya sasali.

Hindi ko sinasabing tanga si Chris dahil di nya inisip mabuti kung ano ang sasalihan nya. Ginusto nyang sumali sa isang organization na meron nito. Siguro nasobrahan ang “bigay” sa kanya at di iniisip ng mga naginitiate sa kanila na meron sa mga neophytes nila ang magiging “exception to the rule” (na makakakaya sa rigorous na proseso). I think isang kaso ito ng negligence at hindi ito sinasadya.

OA naman tong si Sen. Mirian Santiago. Sa tingin ko, kelangan lang na ipatupad ng fraternities/soros/organization ang isang full physical at mental checkup bago isalang yung mga neophytes nila (gaya ng ginagawa sa PMA).

my oldest bro once said he’d rather join a frat again than join an org, hehehe —- he was a fratman first before he joined an acad org — he can’t take eating such gross stuff daw…

Funny, I know a couple of frat guys who said the same thing. Not necessarily eating gross stuff. They’d rather go through physical pain than be mentally and emotionally tortured. There’s a profound point there somewhere.

Hindi mo binili ng pera ang pagiging isang fratman or kinuha mo ng ganon kadali. Ito ang hindi naiintindihan ng mga hindi dumaan dito.

I think they do. They just don’t understand why student orgs still resort to hazing when there are other non-violent ways to test a neo’s determination. Deviating from tradition is hard and painful. Trust me, I understand that. But there’s always room for new traditions.

I think isang kaso ito ng negligence at hindi ito sinasadya.

Negligence or not, the bottom line is the guy’s dead.

Your checkups suggestion is sound, but the student orgs should check themselves first. Check if they really need hazing as part of their recruitment process. Besides, checkups cost time and money. Money they can use for more important activities like, say, wet t-shirt contests. No matter how awesome your preventive measures are, the best preventive measure is still STOP HAZING.

I appreciate Miriam’s passion for the cause, but… DUDE. That is just not the solution. (And it’s not possible anyway. I mean, ALL student organizations? Yeah right.)

Wala kang frat noh, Baddie?

Dude, your article sums up what I totally feel about this Chris Mendez issue.

Negligence or not, the bottom line is the guy’s dead.

and how many people will have to die before this sinks in?

In essence, I agree with Baddie. I wouldn’t want to flood my comments and thoughts here so instead, click on the link or cut and paste on your browser:

http://unsentpostcards.wordpress.com/2007/08/31/the-stupidity-of-fraternity/#comment-4284

ako comartsoc
alam mo naman reputasyon namen sa uplb
naging presidente din ako ng org
member din ako ng shotokan karate club
dinaanan ko ang parehong emotional at physical strain

wala sa fraternities at sororities ang problem
kung titingnan ang stock issue of blame, sigma rho at hindi ang buong frat system ang dapat ilubog sa putik.

isa pa,ngayong nagtratrabaho na ko, nakita ko na ang matinding epekto ng kupalan kapag final rites…mas masipag ang mga tao.mas tumutulak. mas kumakapit. sa paligid ko ngayon, palistahan lang, orgmate ka na, tas wala namang gumagalaw. Pauyuhan pa tapos ang panget panget ng output. Dati, ako yung sumumasali, minsan kami rin ang pasimuno ng mga pakontest. Ngayong ako na ang nagjujudge tapos walang kwenta ang makikita ko. Nakakairita. Pinasasalamatan ko ang UPLB dahil hind ako tulad nila.

tandaan natin na ang kolehiyo ay “simulation” ng totoong buhay. kumbaga, yung ginagawa mo sa skool small time, pag nagtrabaho ka na doble doble pa. ang hindi makuha ng ibang hindi dumaan sa proseso, e ang isang gabing final rites nyo e katumbas ng sangkatutak na pangaaping tatanggapin mo sa buhay. oo, papahirapan namin ang katawan mo.

sa loob ng isang gabi.

mumurahin ka namin. tiisin mo. hindi ka lalaban.sasabihin sa yo na tanga ka, at ipamumukha sa yo na wala kang kwenta. kapag naramdaman mo na kung gano kasakit ang mamura at masaktan at malait at mabuwag ang depensa,

Pagkatapos ng finals, hindi ka napapayag na murahin, masaktan, at malait, at mabuwag ang depensa nang daglian.

itinuturo ng final rites kung paano magturo, kung paano matuto, kung paano tumahimik, kung paano pumili, kung paano magisip, at ang lahat ng ito ay hindi lang para sa mga amuyong. mas malaking pagkatuto ang final rites para sa mga matatanda. bagong galamay. bagong dugo. bagong tatak.

sa kaso ng comartsoc, lumalago kami dahil sa mga bagong myembro. nabubuhayan kame ng dugo. at hindi lingid sa mga mata ng UPLB na itinatayo namin ang bandera ng aming organisasyon sa bawat pagkakataong kaya namin: sa teatro man, sa dagliang pagtalakay, sa hanay ng mga alumni, maging sa pagimik, painom, at pang-araw-araw na pasosyalan.

sa kaso ng sigma rho, hindi naman kaila na lakas-lakasan sila. Sumobra. hinangin ang isip. hindi nagturo, parang hindi tinuruan, parang walang natutunan. ang tanging ginawa nila ay tumahimik.

at sa pagtahimik nilang iyon, nakapagturo sila. Na dapat hindi naka drugs kapag finals. na dapat hindi lango sa alak pag finals. na dapat, ang amuyong ipaglalaban ng memcom kahit ano ang mangyari. na ang isang kapatiran, itinatama ang mali ng isa’t isa habang hindi pa huli. na sa kapatiran, walang sinumang nakakataas kundi ang konstitusyon at ang pangalan ng grupo. na sa kapatiran, ang mga posisyon ay mga pangalan lang para maayos ang galaw ng grupo. na sa kapatiran, pantay pantay ang lahat.

na sa pagsali sa kapatiran, may karapatan din ang mga amuyong tulad ni mendez.

Na kung sasali ka sa kapatiran, at papayag kag magdusa, sa huli may karapatan ka nang mabuhay at matawag na kasapi.

kung tutuusin, namili naman ang sigma rho.pero kelan mo ba sinasabi na “wala nang choice eh” pag may namatay na?
may choice ka pa naman ah.

pag nadala mo na sa ospital yung bangkay? meron pa ren.

pag doktor ka pala, pero hindi mo ginamot. may pamimilian ka pa ren.

e kung mem com head ka at yung amuyong mo nahihirapan?? Iba iba lang tayo ng tawag pero iisa lang ang trabaho ng mem com, ang bantayan ang mga myembro, at mga potensyal na meyembro.

yun ang ugat ng lahat. isang tangang membership commitee head na mas pinili makipagkwentuhan sa alumni. na mas pinili uminom. na mas piniling magvideoke.

na mas piniling palampasin ang lahat ng signos ng panghihina ni chris.

wag nyong isali ang memcom ng lahat ng organisasyon sa buong mundo.kanila lang.

hindi kami tulad nila. yung mga tropa ng sigma rho ang tirahin nyo. hindi nila naturuan ng mabuti ang mga iniwan nila.

wag ang buong sangkaorganisasyunan ng isang institusyong pampaaralan. hindi lang sa eskwela ang pagkatuto, alam nyo yan.

@Ade: *high five*

@UP Fratman: I read your comments over at Unsent Postcards and I’m glad someone as coolheaded as you has come forth to show everyone that the folly of a few isn’t the fault of the many. But unfortunately, that’s not how it is in the eyes of those on the “outside”. Let’s hope that all fratmen realize that the lack of discipline within their ranks will most probably lead to anguish not just within their fraternity, but within the whole student organizations community as well. Also, let’s all hope that the loudmouths realize that testimonials about Brotherhood is not the same as justifications of hazing.

@moki: Well, said. One thing that makes me proud about my org’s recruitment process is this rule: YOU DON’T GO ANYWHERE NEAR A RECRUIT IF YOU HAD A DRINK. One sip of beer or a whole bottle of tequila, it doesn’t matter. One ounce of alcohol in you, you’re forbidden to go near a recruit, regardless if you’re an officer, an ordinary member, or an alumnus. It may be a simple rule, but it can make a huge difference.

@baddie
apir!!!

@Baddie and moki:

Let’s drink to that! *raises glass of local fermented concoction*

My Dad and I belong to the same Fraternity in Diliman, while my two other brothers belong to the same frat in UPLB. It runs in the family… hehehehe…

Cheers!
The Argonaut of U.P. Diliman

Baddie, allow me to post this which is a rebuttal from a poster in another website.

Here goes:

@fuzzylogic:

If there is anything that I agree with you, that would be the name handle that you choose to use: fuzzy logic. I see a number of non-sequiturs in your argument.

For one thing, those things that you mentioned as you portray fratmen to be: a bunch of immature, testosterone-bursting twerps who just recently graduated from being clearasil kids to alpha-male wannabes that can’t stand above the rest and be his own person, are prolly true… perhaps for some fraternities, pseudo-frats, and pretenders.

But really now, ALL of us fratmen? You speak as if you really have inside stories of ALL fraternities, mine included. Who are you to say that MY FRATERNITY is everything that you have spoken and implied as such?

In just one brush stroke you have included MY FRATERNITY and judged me and my brods as one of those poor excuses of what fratmen should be. This is the reason why I hate these so-called fratmen with such passion — they give US a bad name.

How sure are you that the center-piece of OUR brotherhood revolves around the process of whacking someone in the gluteus maximus, or even worse, whacking someone indiscriminately?

You assume too much, boyo. You speak of matters that you yourself admit you hardly understand and yet you speak with such a finality and conviction as if you are an expert in the area in which you know nothing of.

First of all allow me to shoot down your initial premise — that we recruit freshmen because they are easy prey, they are gullible.

In My Fraternity, we don’t recruit freshmen. Sure, we make our presence felt and introduce our Fraternity to the new members of the student body through various activities sponsored and managed by the Fraternity — but we don’t recruit them. Freshmen are too raw to understand what college life truly is. They are easily subjected to irrational and impulsive behavior hence, they could easily make rash and stupid decisions that may well bring down our Fraternity and its reputation.

You implied that our members lose their individuality and end up one of many clones? Gadz, dude, you really don’t know jack crap. If one of MY FRATERNITY’S objectives is to make us leaders of men (as reflected in our activities, fellowships, and achievements), I fail to reconcile that preposterous idea of yours that I and my brods have lost our individuality and are just mere clones. We DO recognize the individuality of each member and we believe that each of us should reach our full potential. Man, I’m so tempted to give you an intro that we would use when indoctrinate our neophytes during one of our rites… sadly, you’re not worth it. You are not even a U.P. student, much less a student of the College of Engineering of U.P. Diliman.

Prestige. Here, I agree with you. It’s hard not to see the whole grand scheme of things if you are not UP here with us to get that better bird’s eye-view. But why should I explain these in detail? You’re down there. You’re not one of us.

My Fraternity gives scholarships to deserving brods provided they maintain the minimum requirements that we have stipulated. Now, tell me, do you think these parents of our brods who normally come from poor family (especially from the provinces) think that their son made the wrong choice in joining us?

The Fraternity recognizes the fact that we are in U.P. to study and be better students and individuals. We owe our parents that much, but who says we can’t be a brod and be a more improved student, a much better individual?

Do we help our brods after they graduate? Of course we do. Being an old Frat, it is obvious that we would have senior brods who would have high positions in private corporations and government. Moreso, we have brods who actually own companies.

When we take in a brod and help him with his job, there is the assurance that this person has great potentials – U.P. graduate, from Engineering (considered as one of the toughest colleges to survive), has leadership skills, trained in a lot of life and professional skills based on the activities and traditions observed and practiced exclusively in OUR organization.

And here’s the kicker: credibility. A brod will not dare goof off in his job that was accommodated to him. He should be ashamed of himself if he didn’t do his best and end up showing the brods that he was not worthy at all of the help that was given him. This is not a case of affirmative action. He has still to prove that he does deserve to have that job.

Our rival frat – another vintage fraternity, despite the traditional animosity between us, we have still have that respect towards each other. It is NOT uncommon if some of us would take some of them (or vice versa) in a job application and hire these individuals from the rival frat. We know that this person would do his job well since if he fails miserably, the other fraternity will laugh at him at the expense of his own beloved frat.

We have golf tourneys and drinking sessions (among others) between our frats and we try to outdo each other when it comes to achievements – in the end, the university still wins because they would benefit from all these things that we are doing.

You talk about Red Cross, Caritas, etc. Do you think that our brods don’t contribute in helping these organizations or even other similar organizations? Are you sure that we don’t do our fair share?

Our Fraternity has contributed a significant chunk in our respective paths to success. And with this success, others have benefited. If we are not successful, how could we significantly help others?

Lastly, you said:
“You guys are wasting your energy and sometimes wasting other people’s lives.”

I forgive you, for you don’t know what you are saying.

erratum: It’s hard to see the grand scheme of things…

This one is interesting since this one came from anti-hazing mom. Here is what she has to say:

“To UP Fratman:

Although I am so enraged with the death of Chris Mendes, I do not agree with abolishing fraternities/soro. This is a free country and although I do not understand (and have no desire to understand) the reason for the existense of these elitist orgs, I do believe that it is within the principles of demoncracy that these orgs are allowed to exist.

I’m okay with your culture of brotherhood, outreach and in universities such as UP, cultivation of excellence among your young members. But sadly, along with these excellent virtues if you may, there is also a culture of violence similar to those cultivated by gangsters–frat wars, hazings, infliction of physical injuries. And when there are injuries from frat wars and death from hazings happen, a cloud of silence hover among the community of fraternities. Walang magsasalita, walang magsusumbong. What is so sacred about this?

In this sense, you may not be the inflicter of pain nor murderers but you are ALL enablers.”

And here is my reply:

@Anti-hazing Mom:

You said:
“And when there are injuries from frat wars and death from hazings happen, a cloud of silence hover among the community of fraternities. Walang magsasalita, walang magsusumbong. What is so sacred about this?”

Cloud of silence? From us? Why do you think are we silent? Silence from what? What makes you say so?

What’s there for us to say? What’s there for us to report to the authorities? What exactly do you expect us to do?

Just because of hearsay? What’s this? Are we in the time of Early Modern Europe from the 1400’s to the 1700’s when females were tried and burned at the stake for witchcraft and heresy just because of hearsays and mere perceptions and allegations not substantiated by facts and evidences as recognized by modern courts? Are you trying to be disturbingly funny? Are you one of those who would immediately take the moral high ground and arbitrarily condemn all of us because of mere semantic association (i.e., we call ourselves fratmen, they call themselves fratmen, ergo we are all the same)?

If so, I suggest you step out of that holier-than-thou soap box since you would have been barking at the wrong tree — A VERY, VERY, VERY WRONG TREE.

With all due respect ma’am, if we ARE to follow DUE PROCESS then we must have FIRST-HAND EVIDENCE. Otherwise, we are no better than those SELF-RIGHTEOUS IDIOTS during the time of the Great Burning in early modern Europe.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW PROOF. Circumstantial evidences and MERE HEARSAY are inadmissible in court.

For the sake of argument, let’s say that hazing does occur in some fraternities during their Initiation Rites. Do you actually think that we who are non-members of that frat are present and allowed to witness such rites?

What we do in our OWN Fraternity is OUR BUSINESS. That is what is sacred for us. What other frats do is THEIR business too. Do you actually believe that we can tell other fraternities how to run their business? HAH! You gotta be kidding…

It is not our responsibility to tell, much less inspect other frats exactly how they conduct their initiation rites and make sure that they don’t kill their neophytes.

You yourself admitted that you do not have the desire to understand us and the reason behind our existence. In the same token, we have no desire to explain ourselves to the point of exposing things that are only available exclusively for our own members.

Given that, unless you HAVE PROOF that members of a SPECIFIC FRATERNITY indulge in hazing, I suggest that you put a lid on sweeping statements and stop accusing ALL OF US of being as guilty and responsible for the death and injuries of others and by others whom we have no control of. You have judged us collectively and you are being unfair.

WE CAN POLICE OUR OWN BRODS but it is stupid if not naive to think that we can police others.

And furthermore, you said:
“In this sense, you may not be the inflicter of pain nor murderers but you are ALL enablers.”

Personally, I take offense of what you said. It’s like you’re saying that we are accessories and also responsible to the crime.

How dare you.
——

@Baddie: I’m sure that a number of you have gone abroad and probably stayed out of the country a great deal of time.

How would you feel if foreigners look down on you, disrespected, or insulted you just because you have identified yourself as a Filipino? You would later find out that these foreigners have a bad perception of Filipinos as they based this perception on encounters and testimonies that they got involving Filipinos.

How would you guys feel?

Just because I’m a fratman, should I and the rest of my brods who represent ONLY OUR FRATERNITY (and NOT ALL self-proclaimed FRATMEN) have to suffer the ignominy of being associated with the bastardized and corrupted forms of some fraternities, pseudo-frats, and pretenders?

That is so bloody unfair.

It’s frustrating to read some people’s posts about ALL fraternities being evil. About ALL fraternities not displaying real Brotherhood because ALL of them implement hazing. What Anti-Hazing Mom said about all frats are enablers, that kinda offended me too. Like I said in my blog post, almost nothing differentiates frats/soros from other types of student orgs in UPLB. We’re all part of The System. Being branded as silent observers is insulting indeed.

Maybe you should start a blog about The System, UP Fratman. You know, to educate the public that The System is more than “Brotherhood through hazing”. I’ll do it myself but it’ll be best if someone who’s technically in the fraternity system initiates this.

You know what, this goes out to everyone who’s in The System. Let’s educate the public about what we’re really made of. We don’t have to, but it’s one way to defend the image of The System. Just throwing out my ideas out there. Any of you interested in doing this initiative with me, hit me with an email through my Contact page.

MOMMY
there is a big diffo wit a
gang
and
a
fraternity!!!
I lived where gangs are and hey
they dont have by laws
thay dont have officers
and they get respect from “pagpapatumba” because the other guy walks like a penguin
OMG
the arguments in this debate will always revolve around the SYSTEM
we assume that the system is perfect because it was built in the premise that everyone will follow the org’s CONSTITUTION. THE ORG’S BY LAWS, REGULATIONS, DEFINED ROLES, AND THE LIKE
if you havent gotten that inside your head,
orgs are like mini governments
we dont go around prancing like stupid idiots without goals and motivations that is according to our VISION/MISSION, WHICH WILL ALSO FOLLOW THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION.
we have officers.
we have heirarchy.
we have rules.
ITS WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT FOLLOW THE RULES THAT EVERYTHING THE ORG HOLD ON TO FALLS APART.
these are the simplest of things but you fail to define them because your judgement is so clouded i wonder how you get to see things from your point of view.
argue that you do not mean so, but i will counter that EVERY WORD COUNTS AND IT MEANS A LOT IF YOUD GO CHOOSE THE WORDS YOU TYPE.

Kuya baddie, tis my first time visiting other pages of your blog besides the 1st page. LOL monumental achievement ^^

Being an iska with no frat/soro/org I can’t say I have the right to speak up, really. But I can say I missed an opportunity of a lifetime by opting not to join any. – naunahan ng takot, may health issue pa naman ako =) -

I just hope those members (and officers) of Sigma Rho who were present on that ritual realize that they’re digging themselves into a deeper hole the longer this issue remains (legally) unaddressed.

OT Question: Diba the first requirement to joining such groups is legitimate student status?

OT Comment: I lag on your webbie, and I use FF 2.0 ._.

@Lady Moki: Ang puso mo. LOLZIEZ

@Lady Ame-Chan: Yeah, being a registered student is one of the requirements. But there’s always the honorary membership clause. Also, you lag because while you’re browsing my blog, it’s actually searching your hard drive for porn. Honest!

@Baddie: Oi, mate! Sounds like a plan. Unfortunately, I’m up here with work and cases, I don’t think I have the luxury of time to actually work on this potential site that you’re proposing. At any rate, I don’t mind if you just cut and paste my arguments along with the posts of our detractors of which I have addressed.

Here are a couple more points raised by our detractors, one of which is my all-time fave anti-hazing mom.

Read on dude.

Cheers!
UP Fratman

This post is from fuzzylogic. Please bear with me as these succeeding posts tend to be novelittas…

He said:

“Forgive me, but I just can’t seem to grasp the reasons why somebody would join a fraternity in the first place. I have tried but have failed to understand its psychology. I know I am delving into matter that I hardly understand (or do not understand at all) for I am no frat guy. But let me speak.

What could be the objectives or motivations of a freshman who considers joining a fraternity (or sorority)? Lose one’s individuality and become one of the many clones? Gain prestige? Or gain a personality that is ruthlessly imposed by the masters?

Back in the University from where I hail from, some of my friends were joining fraternities for one obvious (but not oftenly admitted) reason – recognition. They wanted to be noticed, they wanted to be part of a bigger group that made them “men” for they were “almost” men (they were 17 years old) – they wanted something that would make up for the very handicap that haunted them – anonymity. And for this they lose their individuality for the next four years or so for the bigger group had altered its natural course and evolution. The group forcefully inculcates a culture, a “personality”, that come to think of it, is just a gang-mentality-riddled mob behavior kind of thing that is on steroids.

Do these fraternities help their members past college? Do they really help in securing a good job for its alumni (I know one fraternity that does, and this one is an exception)? Or is it just a “tag” a “title” that people want to be twistedly proud of when they look back after 20 years and play arrogant fools in front of their kids like “Hey, Junior, look at me, we used to rule the University”. And the kid would say “Actually, you know what, Dad, I think you’re stupid having have joined in the 1st place…” (just kidding fratguys!)

In our University, some of the people I know who joined the frats admitted they are joining because they wanted to be noticed – mostly by girls and this is kind of funny because when I was back in college I am getting the girls I wanted without a fraternity. Seriously. (haha, just wanted to share that funny thing). Could it be that one of the reasons freshmen join fraternities is because of insecurity? Remember, these freshmen are just on the way out of puberty – come to think of it, they are still kids! I mean, I doubt if any freshman seriously thought about the real rock-hard reasons why he is joining a fraternity.

Anyway, the recent death of Cris Anthony Mendes is sad, but his death, I partly attribute to him and I don’t mean that in an offending-kind of way. He knew what could happen (just one faulty blow to the lumbar spine – boom!). He knew that people were dying (well not that frequently) but still he chose to go through that stupid “hoop of fire”.

It’s just like a pack of cigarettes – you can either choose to smoke or not to smoke – all of us knows the consequences.”

Furthermore, he said:
“This I can tell you guys: When my kids grow up and enter college I’ll tell them that joining a fraternity (or a sorority) is a choice they alone can make but I would certainly remind them that real-life brotherhood doesn’t require a fraternity. Real brotherhood stems out from life-altering, significant human experiences with people who wouldn’t have to hit you (and certainly would not hit you) with a blunt object for them to call you their “brother”. C’mon, real brotherhood stems out from an emotional experience – real friendship. No wood or blunt object can whack on that fact. As for Cris, how I wished he was able to live longer to have read our (yours and mine) commentaries. It could have changed his fate.”

And then he concludes with this:
“One final note: fratguys and to all of you pro-fraternity people out there, if you think that by joining a fraternity enables you to make a significant dent in the universe, think again. There are a lot of organizations out there that would help you bring out your true potential and enable you help mankind in the sincerest manner possible. There’s the Red Cross, Caritas, Greenpeace, etc.

Laugh all you want, but if your defense (and your programmed mentality) is that you think your respective fraternities can do better than these organizations in making this world a better place – think again, no able-bodied, intelligent human being would agree with you.

You guys are wasting your energy and sometimes wasting other people’s lives.”

My response to his argument has already been posted here. I think it is essential that people see the other side of the issue as articulated by fuzzylogic of which I have countered.

As for anti-hazing mom, here is what she has to say:

“Hi, UP Argonaut 90! I see that you are one passionate fratman. Did I hit a sensitive chord there? I’M VERY, VERY SCARED. Am I now in your hit list or should I expect one of your neophytes to scratch my car now? Just kidding. I’m not trying to pick up a fight with you or anybody but just to drive some points in the discussion, so calm down.

I do agree with you on some points — yes to due process! Bring to justice all those who are involved in the frat-related crimes. And if your frat is one of those who keep the ideals of what a real frat is all about, then I’m happy for you!

But I think you should channel your anger not to us barbarians but to those groups that give your frat community a bad rap. It is unfortunate that your frats shining achievements are overshadowed by these news on hazings and frat wars but I only have the frat community to blame for that. You haven’t done enough to prevent these crimes. And by not doing enough, the frat community ENABLES criminals to taint what is supposed to be frats’ sacred traditions.

You can do a lot to stop this cycle of frat crimes and violence and as UP frats, you are in an enviable position to influence other groups/frats.

And yes, I dare you. Do something concrete that other frats can look up to. Form alliances to bring erring frats down, bring attention to these frat-related crimes and violence, promulgate standards. Only then will your frat’s statement will be true and I quote: “The fraternity commits itself to the College of Engineering in its avowed purpose to enhance the engineering profession and the promotion of the general interest of the studentry.” Otherwise, you should change the last part of your statement as “promotion of the interest of the members of our fraternity only.”

In that post of her, I was referred to as UP Argonaut 90. Anyway, here is my response to her:

“You said:
“Hi, UP Argonaut 90! I see that you are one passionate fratman. Did I hit a sensitive chord there? I’M VERY, VERY SCARED. Am I now in your hit list or should I expect one of your neophytes to scratch my car now? Just kidding. I’m not trying to pick up a fight with you or anybody but just to drive some points in the discussion, so calm down.”

Scared you say? *rolls eyes*

Relax. Putting you in a hit list or having neophytes scratch your car is a conduct unbecoming of an Argonaut. I’m sorry to disappoint you missy, you have mistook me and my brods for some gang members and pretenders. Juveniles we are not. Berks and idiots we definitely are not.

You said:
“But I think you should channel your anger not to us barbarians but to those groups that give your frat community a bad rap. It is unfortunate that your frats shining achievements are overshadowed by these news on hazings and frat wars but I only have the frat community to blame for that. You haven’t done enough to prevent these crimes. And by not doing enough, the frat community ENABLES criminals to taint what is supposed to be frats’ sacred traditions.”

My angst is both on self-righteous ignorant non-fratmen and people who give the terms “fraternity” and “fratmen” a bad rep. We may not be able to stop these crimes from happening but as far as my brods are concerned, we never killed anyone. We haven’t done anything that led to the death of anyone, be he a neophyte, another fratman, or a non-fratman.

What makes it problematic is that we are not empowered to control these scumbags and give them the appropriate sanctions and consequences should they defy the law.

Sadly, the most the University can do is to not officially recognize the group and expel the students FOUND GUILTY of such crimes. Even when they are not recognized, they still thrive and go underground. So, how can you give sanctions to a group that does not officially exist? They are no better than a glamorized version of Sigue-Sigue Sputnik and Batang City Jail gangs.

Touching these riff-raffs is not worth it. To do so, would just expose our resident brods as targets. Imagine a fish-ball vendor or a juvenile from god-knows-where taking a hit on our brods just because their GANGMATES (I steadfastly REFUSE to recognize these juveniles as one of our kind) from U.P. told them to do so. They have a different culture and a sick sense of fraternal brotherhood.

My resident brods are too busy to find time to engage these unworthy buffoons. Being in Engineering is tough. To survive is even tougher, and the toughest part is to be an Engineering graduate of the University of the Philippines.

Some fraternities are just a tad higher, but to me they are still scumbags. They have no worthwhile projects, they pick up fights just to be recognized, and their alumni can’t control them enough to set these berks straight.

The most that we can do is set an example for others to emulate. Unfortunately, some of them don’t give a crap. They would rather bring us down in the gutter with them and their pathetic existence.

My Fraternity and its traditional opponent are fortunate enough to have the necessary back door channels so that frictions between us are kept at a minimum, manageable level. We try to channel our rivalry into a constructive one. As a result, the College and the University still end up as the happy beneficiaries. You can always as Dean Gev about it.

When members from these two frats meet after college, you will be surprised the way we see and treat each other. There may be some personal grudges directed at specific persons here and there, but as a whole, the respect of the other frat is present. It is not uncommon to have rounds of beer as we laugh and share our experiences together.

There is the UP Barkada where alumni and heads of various UP Fraternities come together and address issues concerning the Fraternity Community. It is the alumni of each fraternity who can significantly help. That being said, I’m proud that our alumni brods are not wanting in this department. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE ALUMNI GUIDE AND POLICE THEIR RESIDENT BRODS. Any erring member should be expelled and be brought to the proper authorities. They should not be cuddled. We have by-laws. We have our Constitution. It is IMPERATIVE that we follow the proper code and the proper conduct.

I cannot say the same thing for other self-styled fraternities.

There are only two things that I can think of that can help alleviate this problematic situation:

1. Give the Anti-Hazing Law real teeth and have the appropriate institutionalized enforcers well equipped in bringing down the culprits. If people are witnessing these acts of crime, they should immediately inform the proper authorities for immediate action. I would love to see these scumbags caught in the act.

2. Inform the boys that real well-meaning fraternities do not recruit highschool kids. If they go to college and they get to be recruited by fratmen, they should be smart enough to do their own research about that specific fraternity. Look at their history. What have they done for the community, for the school? Do they have a history of frat-related deaths? What has that organization done to its members in order to be better individuals?

The key thing here is awareness. I would rather see a young man not join a fraternity than him joining one that PRETENDS to be an honest-to-goodness fraternity.

If my son would join a fraternity it would only be mine simply because it is the only Fraternity I know and trust. It would be easy to guide him and make a real Fratman out of him. He has his Grandfather, Father, and his Godfathers there for him.

I will not let him settle for anything less.

That would be disgraceful.

UP Argonaut 90 aka UP Fratman”

edit: In that post of HERS… darn, I just hate it when my fingers could not catch up with my thoughts and accurately encode what I would want to express… *another rolleyes*

edit:i guess its better to stop the fraternities/sororities especially in public school,,,,even though it doesnt made a bad effect for others,,and hoping for it to bE confraternity still we dont have to wait for the consequences…..hazing was already made…did everybody think that it mayhappen…twice,thrice,,,or even at last,,,dont wait 4 it 2 be happen!!!!!
DA BEST ANG SAN JOAQUIN KALAWAAN HIGHSCHOOL;;;;;;;;;

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!111

DA BEST ANG SAN JOAQUIN KALAWAAN HIGHSCHOOL;;;;;;;;;

amen! nyahahahagarglegarglearrrck xD

DA BEST ANG SAN JOAQUIN KALAWAAN HIGHSCHOOL;;;;;;;;;

This dude just made my day. THANK YOU! Hahahahaha.

DA BEST ANG SAN JOAQUIN KALAWAAN HIGHSCHOOL;;;;;;;;;

APIR! RAKENROL! \m/ \m/ \m/

hey just found out the ariel paolo ante – the one accused of killing cris mendes ISNT GOING TO JAIL!!!

YEY EVIL PREVAILS!!!

HALELUIAH!!!!

THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THE WORLD

CARE TO TRY ANARCHY?

HIAHAHAHA AHA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAH AH HAH AHHAHAHA HA HA HA

guys,dont generalize fraternities and sororities.
those who speak ill of them doesnt realy know the gudness it has
lets admit,”some” are using it abusively.
but look at its bright side.
most of the best and succesful people i know are part of several frat n sorority in the country.
best and outstanding youth org in the country are frats nd sor.
we just have to assess cguro backgrounds of frats and sor..even orgs. before we decide to be a part of them.
hav a nice day=)

liz tell that to cris mendes.

ohh wait!! you cant

HE’S DEAD!!!

HIAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAH AHAHHAHAHAH HA HAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

CALLING ALL PSYCHOPATHS

KILL ALL MEMBERS OF SIGMA RHO!!!

ANARCHY! ANARCHY! ANARCHY!

HEHEHEHIHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

What I’m confused about is that why is it that when a guy dies because of hazing by a fraternity, our government quickly jumps on the opportunity to point the blaming finger; but when activists, students and journalists die, we see no action. Don’t misinterpret me, i feel the same way. i find it just too hypocritical for the government and the general populace to escalate this issue without creating an actual solution to the issue. There was a great bastardation of the concept of ‘brotherhood’ in this instance; but we must admit that we make the mistake of creating the stereotypes that limit us from searching further than what is made to be seen.

let us first STOP all this general dicussion about fraternities and hazzing and ask the more important question that needs to be addressed immediately…

HOW DO WE GET JUSTICE FOR CRIS MENDES?

i just found out from a reliable source that the case against the sigma rho scumbags namely Ariel Paolo Ante and others will not be persued. The lawyers say that “malabo na raw makulong sila” because of lack of evidence and witnesses and the fact that Cris’s mom is just a poor bibingka vendor and the sigma rho scums have a lot more money(note:paolo ante’s dad is a doctor)

So ladieess and gentlemeeennn

what do we do now?

it’s simple…

ah we kill Ariel Paolo Ante

if we dont deal with him now, sooon

he’d be on a plane to the US and get away with MURDERRRRRRR HIHAHAHAHAHAH HA HA HA

now are organization is small but
with careful planning we can get justice for Crissyy

so why dont you ps me when you want to start taking this a little more seriously

here’s my friendster and facebook: (joker@yahoo.com)

and by the by by

if you want to help make Ariel Paolo Ante(the one who orchestrated crisssy’s colorful demise HIHAHAHAHA) life a living hell

Heres his friendster(THIS IS FOR REAL!)

http://profiles.friendster.com/37966109

you will see that his background is batman because i have been harrassing his account since last year(Its SO MUCH FUN!HIHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHH HA HA HA AHA)

so lets put a smile on Ariel Paolo Ante’s face HIAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA

oh just found out that Ariel Paolo Ante (the MURDERER) is living comfortably

he works at libis as a manager of some restaurant

hes so hapi oh so hapi he so pretty and witty and gay
and he pity’s Cris Mendes relatives who are bibingka vendors who he thinks will never make him accountable for his sins

but he will know soon that he was wrong…

HIAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA HA HA HA

for the clown of justice is out and has come out to plaeyyyyyy

HIHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHEHEEHEHEHHAHAHAHHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHEHEHEHEHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH HA HEHE EH HE HE HE

im guessing that everyone will just ignore my comment

because people dont want to discuss the issue of injustice, they are just happy because it didnt happen to them or any of their love ones

the so called “sucks to be you mentality”
(sigh) it really is a sick world where people dont care about other people’s pain so long as they are not affected directly HIAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA HA HA HA HA HAHA

HAHAHA THIS REALLY PROVES IT

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! THERES NO SUCH THING AS GOOD PEOPLE

THIS REMINDS ME OF THE TED BORLONGAN URBAN BANK FIASCO HIAHIAHIAHIAHIAHAIHIAHAIHAIHAHIAHAIHAIHAIHAIHAHA