Upsilon Phi Sigma

Upsilon Phi Sigma, (ΥΦΣ) abbreviated as UPS, is a Philippine inter-university and collegiate fraternity and sorority which claims to have been established in the University of the Philippines Los Baños on February 14, 1935. However, this assertion has been questioned because there is no record of Upsilon Phi Sigma at the University of the Philippines. As of 2020, the organization has chartered 230 chapters in sixteen local councils and eight international councils.

History

Foundation story

Upsilon Phi Sigma Honor and Excellence Service Fraternity says that it was organized by seven students from different colleges of the University of the Philippines on February 14, 1935. Valentine's Day was purposefully chosen to emphasize the fraternity's concepts of love and peace. On May 14, 1935, the seven founders and other original members wrote a comprehensive constitution and by-laws.

Upsilon Phi Sigma decided to include women in its roster of members. From that time on, the Upsilon Phi Sigma fraternity and sorority has expanded its membership with chapters across the Philippines.

Actual history

While the Upsilon Phi Sigma asserts that it was created in 1935, there is no documentary evidence to prove that it existed before World War II or that it had a chapter at UP Los Baños. It also claims that Upsilon Beta chapter was establishd at UP Diliman However, UP Diliman did not exist as a campus until 1949 and has had no record of an Upsilon Phi Sigma since then. Finally, none of its alleged founders were alumni of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños from the late 1930s to early 1940s. This has lead many fraternity historians to believe that the foundation story and list of founders was fabricated to claim lineage, and there is reason to believe that the Upsilon Gamma chapter is actuality its first chapter and the fraternity was organized in Manuel L. Quezon University in the late 1960s.

Symbols

The organization's motto is Unitas, Pax, Et Salus! or "Unity, Peace, and Prosperity for All!". Its official symbol is the shield, signifying the strong establishment of the organization in the early 1900s. Its colors are red, white, and blue.

Activities

Upsilon Phi Sigma gives 100 red roses every Valentine's Day during the Founding Anniversary. It offers humanitarian services to the schools and communities of the Philippines. The National Executive Council and Upsilon Phi Sigma Alumni Association are two of the fraternity/sorority's alumni organizations.

Chapters

Collegiate

Following is a list of the collegiate chapters Upsilon Phi Sigma. Inactive chapters and institutions are indicated in italics.

Community and alumni chapters

Upsilon Phi Sigma has alumni groups in the Philippines and other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Germany, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. It also has community chapters in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, and other parts of Asia.

See also

• List of fraternities and sororities in the Philippines

References