Upsilon Sigma Phi

{{Short description|Philippine state university fraternity}} {{Redirect|Upsilonian|the noun of the adjective|Upsilon (disambiguation)}} {{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox Fraternity | name = Upsilon Sigma Phi | letters = {{lang|grc|ΥΣΦ}} | motto = "We Gather Light to Scatter" | crest = USP Seal Transparent.png | image_size = 200px | alt = Upsilon Sigma Phi Seal | type = Traditional-PH | emphasis = Social | founded = {{start date and age|1918}} | birthplace = [[University of the Philippines Manila]] | affiliation = Independent | address = [[University of the Philippines Diliman]] | chapters = 2 | homepage = {{URL|http://talentium.ph/upsilon/}} | flower = Pink rose | colors = {{color box|#e32636}} Cardinal Red<br />{{color box|#11197B}} Honorable Blue<br />{{color box|#ffd700}} Gold | nickname = Oldest Born, Greatest Known | free_label = | coat of arms = | slogan = "The years cannot break us" | scope = National (Philippines) | country = Philippines | city = [[Quezon City]] | status = Active }}

The '''Upsilon Sigma Phi''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΥΣΦ}}''') is the oldest Greek-letter organization and fraternity in Asia. Founded in 1918, it is also the oldest student organization in continuous existence in the [[University of the Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sarmiento|first=Louie Blake S.|date=4 November 2017|title=History of Philippine Fraternities |url=http://oddfellowsorder.blogspot.com/2017/11/history-of-philippine-fraternities.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201084805/http://oddfellowsorder.blogspot.com/2017/11/history-of-philippine-fraternities.html|archive-date=February 1, 2018|access-date=August 9, 2018|website=Oddfellows}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://upsilon.com|title=One Hundred Years of Upsilon Sigma Phi|publisher=Upsilon.com|access-date=August 28, 2022}}</ref> It has two chapters—an integrated chapter for the [[University of the Philippines Diliman|UP Diliman]] and the [[University of the Philippines Manila|UP Manila]] campuses, and a separate one for the [[University of the Philippines Los Baños|UP Los Baños]] campus.

==History==

===Early years=== [[File:Upsilon Sigma Phi NHCP Historical Marker.jpg|thumb|left|Historical marker installed at the UP Diliman campus in 2022]]

The Upsilon Sigma Phi was founded in 1918 by twelve students and two professors from the [[University of the Philippines Manila]].

It was formally organized on November 19, 1920, in a meeting held at the Metropolitan Restaurant in [[Intramuros]], Manila, where the fraternity elected its first officers (among which include Agapito del Rosario, one of the founders of the [[Socialist Party of the Philippines]] and later on Mayor of [[Angeles City|Angeles, Pampanga]]).<ref name=":32">{{cite web|title=Upsilon Sigma Phi - History|url=http://upsilon.com/history/|access-date=June 20, 2020|website=Upsilon Sigma Phi|date=October 24, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626115026/http://upsilon.com/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sangil|first=Max|date=August 26, 2015|title=Sangil: Pampanga's Political Stars of Yesteryears (Part 2)|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph//article/27807/Lifestyle/Sangil-Pampangas-Political-Stars-of-Yesteryears-(Part-2)|access-date=June 20, 2020|website=Sunstar|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 13, 2017|title=Barangay Agapito Del Rosario {{!}} Angeles City Guide|url=https://angelescityguide.com/agapito-del-rosario/|access-date=September 8, 2021|website=Angeles City Guide {{!}} An Online Business Listings And Tour Guide}}</ref> Four months later, on March 24, 1921, the Greek letters '''ΥΣΦ''' were formally adopted, along with themes, rites, and motto.

During its early years, Upsilon Sigma Phi invited individuals with exceptional leadership potential or achievements to its ranks. Notable members during the 1920s include [[José Abad Santos]], [[Carmelino G. Alvendia]], [[Teodoro M. Kalaw]], [[Juan Liwag]], and [[Antonio Quirino]].

From 1930 to 1949, then UP Student Council President [[Wenceslao Vinzons]], together with fraternity members, led demonstrations before the Philippine Congress to protest the insertion of a provision in the appropriations act that gave lawmakers a salary increase.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dooc|first=Emmanuel|date=September 27, 2019|title='Wenceslao Q. Vinzons: The Hero the Nation Forgot' {{!}} Emmanuel Dooc|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/27/wenceslao-q-vinzons-the-hero-the-nation-forgot/|access-date=June 20, 2020|website=BusinessMirror|language=en-US}}</ref> In 1933, five female UP students established the Sigma Delta Phi—which became the sister sorority of Upsilon.

In 1947, a chapter at UP Los Baños was established; the first Greek-letter organization on the campus. After the Battle of Manila, the UP administration relocated to the Diliman campus in 1949. Through the efforts of the UP Alumni Association headed by Upsilon member Hermenegildo R. Reyes Sr., the fraternity helped raise funds for the construction of the bell tower called the "Carillon".<ref name=":32" />

During the same period, the fraternity hosted the ''Cavalcades'', a series of stage plays and musicals that began on campus and eventually toured nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|last=Torrevillas|first=Domini M.|title=Dick Zamora and his music|url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2006/01/19/317388/dick-zamora-and-his-music|access-date=June 21, 2020|website=philstar.com}}</ref> Profits from ''Aloyan'' (the first full-length English play written by a Filipino) and ''Hanako'' plays were used to help finance the construction and furnishing of the [[Parish of the Holy Sacrifice|Church of the Holy Sacrifice]].<ref name=":32"/> One of the fraternity's productions, ''Linda'', cast the then seventeen-year-old [[Pilita Corrales]].<ref name=":32"/>

===Recent years=== [[File: UP Promenade.jpg|thumb|300x300px| UP Promenade]]

In 2013, the fraternity was named as a finalist in the [[TAYO Awards|Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations]] (TAYO) Awards, which recognize and support the outstanding contributions of youth organizations to the country.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 7, 2014|title=Ten accomplished youth organizations named|url=https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2014/0207_aquino1.asp|access-date=January 26, 2025|website=Senate of the Philippines 19th Congress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lozada|first=David|title=#TAYO11: Building the nation one youth organization at a time|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/49710-tayo11-finalists-judging/|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Rappler|date=February 5, 2014|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Awards Foundation, Inc. |url=https://www.tayoawards.net/category/news/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804213908/http://www.tayoawards.net/category/news|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 4, 2018|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Tayo Awards}}</ref>

On July 25, 2018, the [[Malacañang Palace]] issued [https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2018/07/25/proclamation-no-539-s-2018/ Proclamation Order No. 539] recognizing the fraternity for its "significant contributions to numerous civic and humanitarian causes, as well as the dedication and commitment of its members to public service and nation-building." The year 2018 was also declared the "Year for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Upsilon Sigma Phi".<ref name=":9">[https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2018/07jul/20180725-PROC-539-RRD.pdf Proclamation No. 539 - Declaring the year 2018 as the "year for the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Upsilon Sigma Phi"]</ref>

In the same year, the fraternity dedicated the UP Promenade, a 120-meter public walkway with Internet and Wi-Fi capable facilities, at UP Diliman.<ref>{{cite web|last=Secretariat|first=Upsilon|date=February 27, 2019|title=100 Novembers: The U.P. Promenade Inauguration Night|url=http://upsilon.com/100-novembers-u-p-promenade-inauguration-night/|access-date=July 5, 2020|website=Upsilon Sigma Phi|language=en-US|archive-date=June 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630041007/http://upsilon.com/100-novembers-u-p-promenade-inauguration-night/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 7, 2020|title=Within the Academic Oval (fourth of the UP Diliman series)|url=https://www.theurbanroamer.com/up-diliman-academic-oval/|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=The Urban Roamer|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Avecilla|first=Victor|date=November 17, 2018|title=The Upsilon Promenade in Diliman|url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/11/18/the-upsilon-promenade-in-diliman/|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Daily Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020105710/https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/11/18/the-upsilon-promenade-in-diliman/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the Los Baños campus, the fraternity gave the ''Kapit-Kapit'' Monument, which depicts 14 individuals with their arms locked in solidarity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bermudez|first=Jamie|date=September 30, 2018|title=The U.P. Promenade and the Kapit-Kapit Monument Rises|url=http://upsilon.com/u-p-promenade-kapit-kapit-monument-rises/|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Upsilon Sigma Phi|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File: Kapit-Kapit Monument.jpg|thumb|300x300px| Kapit-Kapit Monument at UP Los Baños]]

In 2022, the [[National Historical Commission of the Philippines]] unveiled the "Upsilon Sigma Phi" historical marker on the Diliman campus for the fraternity's 104th anniversary,<ref>{{cite web |last=Dabu |first=Fred |date=2022-12-01 |title=NHCP turns over Upsilon marker to UP |url=https://up.edu.ph/nhcp-turns-over-upsilon-marker-to-up/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=University of the Philippines |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Symbols== The Greek letters '''ΥΣΦ''' are the initials of the name "University Students Fraternity". The fraternity's motto is "We Gather Light to Scatter".<ref>{{cite web |last=Paña |first=Edwin |date=October 24, 2024 |title=Commentary: We Gather Light to Scatter - An Interpretation of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Motto |url=https://www.upsilonsun.com/opinion/commentary-we-gather-light-to-scatter-an-interpretation-of-the-upsilon-sigma-phi-motto |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Upsilon Sun |language=en}}</ref> Upsilon Sigma Phi members are called Fellows or Upsilonians.<ref name=":42">{{cite web |date=November 24, 2018 |title=At 104, the oldest living Upsilonian talks about a life fulfilled |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/314997/at-104-the-oldest-living-upsilonian-talks-about-a-life-fulfilled/ |access-date=July 6, 2020 |website=Inquirer Lifestyle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{cite web |date=November 25, 2018 |title=Upsilon's progressive legacy (or why Upsilon should not be associated with Marcos) |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/upsilons-progressive-legacy-or-why-upsilon-should-not-be-associated-with-marcos/ |access-date=July 6, 2020 |website=[[BusinessWorld]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":62">{{cite web |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Art exhibit celebrates Upsilon Sigma Phi centennial |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/cbb/content/663270/art-exhibit-celebrates-upsilon-sigma-phi-centennial/story/ |access-date=July 6, 2020 |website=GMA News Online |language=en-US}}</ref>

The fraternity's colors are cardinal red, honorable blue, and gold.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |date=2017-10-24 |title=Upsilon Sigma Phi - Traditions |url=http://talentium.ph/upsilon/traditions/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Upsilon Sigma Phi |language=en-US}}</ref> Red symbolizes courage and bravery, blue represents loyalty, and gold symbolizes excellence.<ref name=":4" /> Its flower is the pink rose.<ref name=":4" />

Membership is by invitation only and is exclusive to male individuals in the University of the Philippines Diliman, Manila, and Los Baños campuses. Selection is based on an individual's leadership positions and potential success and prominence in their respective fields (both on- and off-campus).<ref name=":2" />

==Notable members== {{Main|List of Upsilon Sigma Phi members}}

Among its alumni are two Philippine presidents, a vice president, 15 senators, 14 supreme court justices (including three chief justices), three house speakers, a [[Salvador P. Lopez|chairman]] of the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Photo |first=U. N. |date=March 22, 1965 |title=Twenty-First Session of the Commission on Human Rights |url=https://www.unmultimedia.org/s/photo/detail/112/0112841.html |access-date=September 10, 2021 |website=www.unmultimedia.org |language=en}}</ref> three executive secretaries, four solicitors-general, 26 ambassadors, an [[Gregorio Pio Catapang|AFP chief of staff]], a NEDA [[Dante Canlas|director-general]], a Central Bank [[Alfonso Calalang|governor]], 24 honorees of [[The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines|The Outstanding Young Men]], four [[National Scientist of the Philippines|national scientists]], three [[National Artist of the Philippines|national artists]], a [[Romulo Davide|recipient]] of the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]], and five [[President of the University of the Philippines|UP presidents]].<ref name=":0">[http://albertdomingo.com/the-upsilon-on-your-coffee-table/ Ninety Years of Upsilon Sigma Phi]</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web |last=Silvestre |first=Jojo |date=November 19, 2018 |title=A legacy in nation-building |url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/11/19/a-legacy-in-nation-building/ |website=[[Daily Tribune (Philippines)|Daily Tribune]] |access-date=April 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023135049/https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/11/19/a-legacy-in-nation-building/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite web |last=Matoto |first=Bing |date=October 24, 2018 |title=The gathered lights of the Upsilon Sigma Phi |url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/10/24/the-gathered-lights-of-upsilon-sigma-phi/ |website=[[Daily Tribune (Philippines)|Daily Tribune]] |access-date=April 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026084859/http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/10/24/the-gathered-lights-of-upsilon-sigma-phi/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Following are a select number of notable members:  * [[Gémino Abad]] - National Artist of the Philippines for Literature, literary critic, poet * [[Jorge L. Araneta|Jorge Araneta]] – billionaire businessman; Chairman, [[Araneta Group|Araneta Group of Companies]]; director, [[7-Eleven]] Philippines * [[Joker Arroyo]] – Senator; Executive Secretary; Makati Representative; founder of [[Free Legal Assistance Group]] (FLAG)<ref>{{cite news |last=Torrevillas |first=Domini M. |title=Joker remembered |work=philstar.com |url=http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2016/01/07/1540077/joker-remembered |access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref> * [[Ninoy Aquino]] – Senator; Tarlac Governor; founder, [[Lakas ng Bayan]]; recipient, [[Quezon Service Cross]]<ref name=":1">{{cite web|last=Avecilla|first=Victor|date=November 15, 2016|title=Remembering Salvador 'Doy' Laurel|website=[[Manila Standard]] |url=http://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/hail-to-the-chair-by-victor-avecilla/221458/remembering-salvador-doy-laurel.html|access-date=April 6, 2019}}</ref> * [[Danilo Concepcion]] – President, University of the Philippines; Representative, [[Interim Batasang Pambansa]] * [[Onofre Corpuz]] – Minister of Education; Secretary of Education; President of the [[University of the Philippines]]; Member of the [[Interim Batasang Pambansa]]; [[National Scientist of the Philippines|National Scientist]]; Academician, [[National Academy of Science and Technology]] * [[Jose Encarnacion Jr.]] – National Scientist for Economics; Dean, UP School of Economics * [[Richard Gordon (politician)|Dick Gordon]] – Senator; Chairman, [[Philippine Red Cross]]; founding Chairman, [[Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority]]; delegate, [[1970 Philippine Constitutional Convention election|1970 Constitutional Convention]]<ref name="dickgordon2010">{{cite web |title=About Dick Gordon |url=http://www.dickgordon2010.com/about.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202070311/http://www.dickgordon2010.com/about.php |archive-date=February 2, 2010 |access-date=February 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Torrevillas |first=Domini M. |title=Shaping leaders, inspiring change |work=philstar.com |url=http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/09/11/1367756/shaping-leaders-inspiring-change |access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref> * [[Ted Herbosa]] - Secretary of [[Department of Health (Philippines)|Health]]; President, 78th [[World Health Assembly]] * [[Teodoro Kalaw]] – Father of the Philippine Library System; Batangas Representative; Interior Secretary * [[Salvador Laurel|Doy Laurel]] – 8th Philippine Vice President; 5th Prime Minister; Senator; founder, [[United Nationalist Democratic Organization]] (UNIDO)<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |date=March 23, 2014 |title=Remembering Doy Laurel |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2014/03/23/1303935/remembering-doy-laurel |website=[[The Philippine STAR]]}}</ref> * [[José Laurel Jr.]] – 9th Speaker of the House of Representatives; Batangas Representative * [[José P. Laurel]] – 3rd Philippine President; Senator; Justice of the Supreme Court <ref name="Fookien862">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cXsMAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Jos%C3%A9+P.+Laurel%22+upsilon |title=The Fookien Times Philippines Yearbook |date=1986 |publisher=The Fookien Times |isbn=9789710503506 |page=226 |language=en}}</ref> * [[Salvador P. Lopez]] - Filipino writer, journalist, educator, diplomat, and statesman * [[Tony Mabesa]] – National Artist of the Philippines for theater, actor, director, pioneer of Philippine university theater * [[Ferdinand Marcos]] – 10th Philippine President; 3rd Prime Minister; 11th Senate President, Ilocos Norte Representative, World War II veteran, bar topnotcher<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-xgkAAAAMAAJ&q=Ferdinand+E.+Marcos+upsilon|title=Fraternities, Sororities, Societies: Secrets Revealed|last=Elefan|first=Ruben S.|date=January 1, 1997|publisher=St. Pauls|isbn=9789715048477|page=21|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IkUbAAAAIAAJ&q=upsilon|title=For Every Tear a Victory: The Story of Ferdinand E. Marcos|last=Spence|first=Hartzell|date=1964|publisher=McGraw-Hill|page=33|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=FALSE: Marcoses were not convicted of any charges|url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/marcoses-not-convicted-any-charges/|last=Torrevillas|first=Domini M.|work=philstar.com|access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref> * [[Querube Makalintal]] – 11th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives; Solicitor General * [[Mel Mathay]] – Quezon City Mayor; Quezon City Representative; Chairman, Metropolitan Manila Authority ([[Metropolitan Manila Development Authority|MMDA]]) * [[Christian Monsod]] – Chairman, [[Commission on Elections (Philippines)|COMELEC]]; member, [[Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986|Constitutional Commission of 1986]] * [[Francis Pangilinan|Kiko Pangilinan]] – Senator; President, [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]]<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Porcalla |first=Delon |date=January 30, 2012 |title=Law frats also in spotlight at CJ trial |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/01/30/772271/law-frats-also-spotlight-cj-trial |website=[[The Philippine STAR]]}}</ref> * [[Alfredo Pascual]] – Secretary of Trade and Industry; President and Regent, University of the Philippines * [[Gil Puyat]] – 13th Senate President; founder, Manila Banking Corporation (now [[China Bank Savings]])<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Knights in Orders|url=http://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b2a1c22e-f7c2-4837-9b31-3533aa9cffcc/downloads/1bmgfpi5e_189655.pdf}}</ref> * [[Antonio Quirino]] – founder of the first television station in the Philippines, Alto Broadcasting System ([[ABS-CBN]]) * [[Jesus Crispin Remulla|Boying Remulla]] – Secretary of Justice; [[Cavite's 3rd congressional district|Cavite's 3rd district]] Representative; Deputy Speaker * [[Jonvic Remulla]] – Secretary of [[Department of the Interior and Local Government|Interior and Local Government]], Governor of [[Cavite]] * [[Martin Romualdez]] – Speaker, House of Representatives; House Majority Leader, Leyte Representative; National President, [[Lakas–CMD]] * [[Roman Romulo]] – Pasig Representative; Chairperson, House Committee on Higher and Technical Education * [[Gerardo Roxas|Gerry Roxas]] – Senate Minority Leader; Capiz Representative; lawyer; founder, Gerry Roxas Foundation * [[José Abad Santos]] – Acting Philippine President; 5th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Secretary of Justice<ref>{{cite web|last=Torrevillas|first=Domini|date=February 4, 2014|title='Arangkada 2014' sa Manila|website=[[The Philippine STAR]] |url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/02/04/1286428/arangkada-2014-sa-manila}}</ref> * [[Kidlat Tahimik]] – [[National Artist of the Philippines|National Artist]] for Film * [[Arturo Tolentino]] – Senate President; head of the Philippine delegation, [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea|UN Convention on the Law of the Sea]]<ref>{{cite web |date=April 1, 2005 |title=Toronto Upsilon Sigma Phi and Sigma Delta Phi to host 2006 reunion |url=http://philippinereporter.com/2005/04/01/toronto-upsilon-sigma-phi-and-sigma-delta-phi-to-host-2006-reunion/ |access-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903035944/http://philippinereporter.com/2005/04/01/toronto-upsilon-sigma-phi-and-sigma-delta-phi-to-host-2006-reunion/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Wenceslao Vinzons]] – [[Camarines Norte]] Governor; "Father of Student Activism in the Philippines"; member, [[1934 Philippine Constitutional Convention election|1934 Constitutional Convention]]<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oGIKAQAAIAAJ&q=Wenceslao+Vinzons+upsilon |title=Filipinos in History |date=1989 |publisher=National Historical Institute |isbn=9789715380034 |page=266 |language=en}}</ref> * [[Nicanor Yñiguez]] – 15th Speaker of the House of Representatives; Southern Leyte Representative

==UNO Awards== The Upsilonian Noble and Outstanding (UNO) Awards are among the highest honors conferred by the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association, recognizing members whose lives, careers, and service exemplify the fraternity's core values of brotherhood, integrity, excellence, leadership, and service. The awards are presented to distinguished alumni across a variety of fields, including law, medicine, business, public service, education, and community development, and are intended to acknowledge lifetime achievement and significant contributions to society.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 1, 2023|title=Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association awards 18 members with UNO Award|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/cbb/content/862414/upsilon-sigma-phi-alumni-association-awards-18-members-with-uno-award/story/|publisher=GMA News}}</ref>

The UNO Awards were instituted in 1985 and are considered the fraternity's most prestigious individual honor. Recipients are selected by a committee of past awardees and senior members who assess nominees based on their adherence to the fraternity's imperatives and their impact on national and community life.

Ceremonies are traditionally held during major alumni gatherings, such as the Upsilon Sigma Phi Biennial Congress. For instance, in 2023 the awards were presented to eighteen fellows during the fraternity's 19th Congress at the University of the Philippines Diliman, reflecting achievements in diverse sectors including law, journalism, medicine, engineering, and public administration. In 2025, the UNO Awards ceremony took place at the Goldenberg Mansion in San Miguel, Manila, where winners were honored alongside the fraternity's 20th Biennial Congress.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 10, 2025|title=Upsilon Sigma Phi Honors Alumni Fellows, New Officers Named and Board Members Elected in Fraternity's 20th Congress|url=https://www.upsilonsun.com/articles/upsilon-sigma-phi-honors-alumni-fellows-new-officers-elected-in-20th-congress|publisher=The Upsilon Sun}}</ref>

Notable awardees have included legal luminaries, prominent public servants, and leaders in education and industry, highlighting the fraternity's long tradition of producing influential figures in Philippine society.

==Member and chapter misconduct==

===Hazing incidents=== On July 18, 1954, a UP student recruit, Gonzalo Mariano M. Albert, died in the wake of the fraternity's initiation proceedings. After experiencing abdominal pain, the student was rushed to a hospital where he was diagnosed to undergo an emergency [[appendectomy]] but succumbed on the operating table.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zarco |first1=Ricardo M. |last2=Shoemaker |first2=Donald J. |date=2012 |title=Report on Student Organization Conflicts, University of the Philippines, Diliman, 1938-2000 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43486340 |journal=Philippine Sociological Review |volume=60 |pages=28 |issn=0031-7810 |jstor=43486340}}</ref> Philippine President [[Ramon Magsaysay]] assigned an ''ad hoc'' medico-legal committee, that failed to indicate that hazing "contributed to Albert's death" in their findings; albeit which jeopardized his physical condition before the patient's appendectomy.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Castro |first1=Fred Ruiz |title=Report on the Albert case, the fraternities and sororities, and their control and supervision by authorities of the University of the Philippines submitted by the Committee of the President of the Philippines composed of [[Fred Ruiz Castro]], Arturo Garcia, and Vicente Lontok. |last2=Garcia |first2=Arturo |last3=Lontok |first3=Vicente |year=1954 |location=Manila}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Abinales |first=Patricio |date=July 12, 2015 |title=A hazing |url=https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/99091-up-1954-albert-hazing-case-castro-committee-report/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}</ref> The committee further recommended the expulsion of four officers of the fraternity, implicated residents and neophytes being suspended, and a censure of several UP deans, directors, and faculty members for their collective remiss to discharge proactive duties.<ref name=":3" /> Albert's death was the first recorded fatality attributed to hazing in the Philippines, and the only known demise of an Upsilon Sigma Phi neophyte.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 3, 2017 |title=Deaths Caused by Hazing |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/infographic/09/27/17/deaths-caused-by-hazing |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=An Act Declaring February 10 of Every Year as the 'National Anti-Hazing Day' in Commemoration of all the Victims of Hazing in the Philippines |url=https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3164528491!.pdf |website=Senate of the Philippines}}</ref>

On July 4, 2014, the fraternity was once again implicated in the hazing of a seventeen-year-old neophyte who sustained physical injuries during fraternity initiation.<ref>{{cite web |title=UP Diliman chancellor: Upsilon Sigma Phi tagged in hazing incident |url=https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/campus/2014/07/04/1342597/diliman-chancellor-upsilon-sigma-phi-tagged-hazing-incident |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sauler |first=Erika |date=July 5, 2014 |title=Family of UP hazing victim to take frat to court |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/617186/family-of-up-hazing-victim-to-take-frat-to-court |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref>

===Inter-fraternity brawl and group chat leaks=== On September 20, 1969, Upsilon member Rolando S. L. Perez was killed by members of the rival [[Beta Sigma]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=September 5, 2007 |title=Casualties of frat-related violence in UP |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/content/59204/casualties-of-frat-related-violence-in-up/story/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 16, 2012 |title=Choice needs lots of thinking |url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/34864/choice-needs-lots-of-thinking |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref> It was the first publicly documented fatality of a fraternity "rumble" (brawl) in the University of the Philippines, prompting UP president [[Salvador P. Lopez]] to issue stringent regulations affecting university organizations, and suspended both the Upsilon Sigma Phi and Beta Sigma fraternities.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 27, 2015 |title=UP's gangland wars: A historical note |url=https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/97510-up-gangland-wars-historical-note/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref>

On June 18, 2015, Quezon City police arrested five Upsilon members after allegedly mauling three rival fraternity members and leading police in a brief car chase while fleeing.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sauler |first=Erika |date=June 20, 2015 |title=Frat violence on UP Day: 3 mauled, 5 arrested |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/699690/frat-violence-on-up-day-3-mauled-5-arrested |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Alvarez |first=Kathrina Charmaine |date=June 22, 2015 |title=UP suspends students involved in frat violence |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/508278/up-suspends-students-involved-in-frat-violence/story/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}</ref> The five members were released on June 24, 2015, upon posting bail of {{Currency|200000|PHP}} each on frustrated homicide charges, and {{Currency|80000|PHP}} each for illegal possession of ammunition.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gamil |first=Jaymee T. |date=June 25, 2015 |title=Frat men take selfies upon posting bail |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/700616/frat-men-take-selfies-upon-posting-bail |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref>

On November 14, 2018, rival fraternities Upsilon Sigma Phi and [[Alpha Phi Beta]] were recorded on campus CCTV in a brawl.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rocamora |first=Joyce Ann |date=November 15, 2018 |title=UP denounces violence involving two warring frats |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1054043 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref> The incident prompted campus authorities to tighten security within the UP system and a statement of condemnation from Diliman chancellor [[Michael Tan]] and UP president [[Danilo Concepcion]], himself an Upsilon member.<ref>{{cite web |last=Montemayor |first=Ma. Teresa |date=November 23, 2018 |title=UP security tightened amid frat-related brouhahas |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1054750 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tomacruz |first=Sofia |date=November 14, 2018 |title=U.P. says car chase, not shooting, occurred in Diliman campus |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/216704-up-diliman-says-car-chase-occured-not-shooting-november-14-2018/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}</ref> The same month, screenshots of a [[Facebook Messenger]] group chat of alleged Upsilon members containing misogynistic and discriminatory messages was leaked via Twitter.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guno |first=Niña V. |date=November 23, 2018 |title=#LonsiLeaks: UP frat linked to group chat of sexist, racist, anti-poor slurs |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1056522/lonsileaks-up-frat-linked-to-group-chat-of-sexist-racist-anti-poor-slurs |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Meddler |first=Bette |date=November 22, 2018 |title=Updated: The Upsilon Sigma Phi Leaked Group Chat Controversy: A Short History |url=https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/the-latest-news-features/75789/upsilon-leaked-group-chats-a1938-20181122-lfrm |access-date=February 8, 2023 |work=spot |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Patag |first=Kristine Joy |title=People insulted in the controversial #LonsiLeaks speak out |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/on-the-radar/2018/11/23/1871069/people-insulted-controversial-lonsileaks-speak-out |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=November 23, 2018 |title=UP frat in hot water over discriminatory, misogynistic conversations |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/11/23/18/up-frat-in-hot-water-over-discriminatory-misogynistic-conversations}}</ref> The fraternity was again censured by Concepcion as "reprehensible and totally unacceptable" language.<ref>{{cite web |last=Concepcion |first=Danilo L. |date=November 23, 2018 |title=A Statement by the President on Recent Issues Involving Fraternities |url=https://up.edu.ph/a-statement-by-the-president-on-recent-issues-involving-fraternities/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=University of the Philippines |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also== * [[List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines]]

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

[[Category:Upsilon Sigma Phi| ]] [[Category:Fraternities and sororities in the Philippines]] [[Category:Student societies in the Philippines]] [[Category:University of the Philippines]] [[Category:Student organizations established in 1918]] [[Category:1918 establishments in the Philippines]]