1003 – Kappa Gamma History

In the summer of 1993, the Alpha Phi Omega Philippines Biennial Convention was held at the University of the Philippines Visayas, Miag-ao Campus. During the convention, then APO National President Bro. Chato Mariñas observed with surprise that there was no Alpha Phi Omega presence in the university hosting the national event. This realization became the immediate trigger for renewed efforts to establish the fraternity at UP Visayas.

Earlier attempts had been made. In 1983, Bro. Jerry Chaves (Delta Tau) initiated recruitment efforts within the university, but these did not take root and no sustained presence was formed.

The 1993 Biennial Convention renewed attention to this absence and set in motion the organizing efforts that followed.

The Organizing Group

The Initial Organizing Group was composed of UP in the Visayas Iloilo students who were initiated in nearby universities. In the absence of a local Alpha Phi Omega chapter at UPV, they took the initiative to begin organizing the fraternity on campus.
These early efforts allowed Alpha Phi Omega to gain formal recognition at UP Visayas and marked the beginning of the fraternity’s continuous presence on campus.

Batch 91-B (Zeta Chi, WVSU)
Bro. Richard Layson

Batch 91-A (Delta Tau, University of San Agustin)
Sis. Ivy Apostol
Sis. Tara Macansantos

Batch 91-C (Delta Tau)
Sis. Glenda Gravino
Sis. Shelah Mae Buen

The UP Petitioning Group

They started the process of recruiting students who would later form the UP Petitioning Group. The group must meet the required minimum of fifteen (15) enrolled students, as prescribed by both the University and the Alpha Phi Omega National Office, before it can be recognized on campus as a legitimate organization and as a petitioning chapter.

Batch 93-A — The Bench Brats – The Pioneers (Iloilo Campus – College of Management | July 1993, 2nd week)
Bro. Giovanni Miraflores
Bro. Rovel Tomambo
Bro. Archie Arenga
Bro. Jayvee Zarraga
Bro. Nonimar Lasora
Bro. Cled Gabawa
Bro. Rafael Retazo
Bro. Delfin Del Rosario

Batch 93-B — Labyrinth (Miag-ao Campus | July 1993, 4th week)
Bro. Jubert Maquiling
Bro. JJ Giner
Sis. Carol Jalover
Sis. Euridice Tupas

Batch 94-A (Miag-ao Campus | February 1994, 1st week)
Sis. Gladys Macas
Recognition as a Campus Organization
On August 14, 1994, the Alpha Phi Omega – UP Petitioning Group was formally recognized by the Office of the Student and Personnel Services (OSPS) as a campus organization. At this time, they were still considered as a petitioning collegiate chapter by the National Council.

Building towards Kappa Gamma Chapter
Following recognition as a campus organization, Alpha Phi Omega at UP Visayas continued to grow through the formation of succeeding batches.

Batch 95-A — Pentagon
Sis. Therese Gatusang
Sis. Charma Rose Sambayan
Bro. Robinson Dacula
Sis. Suzette Bolivar
Bro. Ishmael Tibudan

1003 – Officially Kappa Gamma Chapter

On May 25, 1996, during NVAR held in Tacloban, Leyte, the Alpha Phi Omega – Kappa Gamma Chapter was formally established and assigned Chapter No. 1003. This marked the culmination of the organizing and petitioning efforts and the official recognition of the chapter.