I joined the fraternity and accepted on December 1970, as the first batch of the Main Chapter. Sometime in 1971, four (4) engineering students of the University of Mindanao, all members of the PI RHO FRATERNITY AND SORORITY namely, Brods Antero “Jun” Dayanghirang (RIP), Leopoldo “Pol” Valdez, Mario “Mar” Diuyan and myself, Rogelio “Roger” Tobias, happily strolling along Bolton Street when suddenly a group of more than fifteen (15) fraternity members known as the Upsilon Sigma Fraternity blocked our way and confronted us. There was a heated arguments which resulted to a fist fighting. The first group attacked us and we have to defend ourselves using our skills in Karate since we are all members of Taekwondo and Korean Karate Club. We easily knocked down the first group and we sense that movement of more fratmen will directly attacked us, we decided to retreat to a nearby police outpost in front of the University Campus and reported the incident. Two (2) members of the Upsilon Sigma was apprehended and detained by the police.
That was the start of the rivalry between PI RHO FRATERNITY AND SORORITY and the UPSILON SIGMA FRATERNITY. There was harassment and threat inside the campus from the rival fraternity and in order to defend other members, we organized a training session of karate every weekends. It lasted for almost three (3) months and it only ended when the Dean of Engineering called for the meeting of the two(2) fraternity to stop the escalated trouble. There was a signed covenant between the two fraternity to end the fight, otherwise, the same will be banned and dissolved from the University of Mindanao.
What I learned from this experience is that being a bonafide member of PI RHO FRATERNITY AND SORORITY, I will stand firm to defend not only myself, but all brothers and sisters of the organization. “ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE” – PRO DEO ET PATRIA.
BROD ROGER TOBIAS
1st batch-UM Davao Chapter-1970
