26/08/2025
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲!
What is the story behind the silence of Restituto Alfonso and Romeo Fortes, two of the six founders of Tau Gamma Phi?
For many years, oral tradition handed down by fraternity elders suggested that FF Alfonso and FF Fortes were expelled from the brotherhood. This version of the story became widely repeated, creating the impression that their departure was due to internal conflict or disciplinary action.
However, more recent accounts including testimonies and clarifications shared by the elders present a different picture. Instead of being formally expelled, Restituto Alfonso and Romeo Fortes are said to have voluntarily withdrawn from the fraternity for personal reasons that remain largely private. Their departure did not erase their role in the founding of Tau Gamma Phi on October 4, 1968 at the University of the Philippines, but it explains their long silence in the fraternity’s later history.
These clarifications emphasize that the narrative of expulsion is inaccurate. FF Alfonso and FF Fortes were co-founders, and their decision to leave was voluntary, not forced, a fact that should be acknowledged to preserve the integrity of the fraternity’s history.
Notably, FF Restituto Alfonso made significant contributions during the formative years of the fraternity, particularly in helping formulate its Tenets and Code of Conduct. His work laid an enduring foundation for the guiding principles that continue to shape Tau Gamma Phi.
-Ctto