Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Pablo Borbon Campus
Rizal Avenue Ext., Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Tel. No. (043) 980-0385 local 1128

‘Neo’: Alpha Kappa Rho neophytes’

path to initiation rites

A case study by

Marc Gil B. Hernandez

Submitted to Mrs. Kathrina D. Lopez

As a requirement for partial fulfillment of the subject GEd 107-Ethics

Introduction

Brotherhood and sisterhood, in a societal setting, is one of the major aspects of

humanity. We make companionship of other people with the same ideals, views, and

beliefs. This redefines the meaning of family and what is the true purpose of it. One of

the most basic aspects of being human is the desire to fit in and be a part of a group.

Socializing in general is one our human needs to be able to grow. It creates a space

where we express ourselves to other people. We join different groups be it socially

recognized or not. And I’m sure you’ve heard of people joining fraternities and sororities.

Students, professionals, and other kinds of people join these groups. The reasons for

joining are purely social and emotional.

The current definition of fraternities are organizations, society, clubs or fraternal

order of men associated together for various religious or secular aims. They are

oftentimes called ‘Greek letter societies’ or simply a brotherhood. They usually call each

other ‘brothers’ or it may vary depending on the fraternity. Now joining these certain

groups is not really that complicated but it requires such confidence to do so. Most of

them, if not all, are conducting initiation ceremonies or rites as a basis for accepting new

members. Initiation rites are practices, rituals, or traditions that are done by the new

members or what they call neophytes in order to be formally accepted and recognized

as a legitimate ‘brother’. These rites are typically confidential in nature and are

conducted discreetly. Only the legitimate members must attend these ceremonies. Here

in the Philippines, fraternities play an active role in social activities. Feeding programs,

bloodletting, hosting community events, etc. are just some of the significant things they

are doing for the sake of their duty to the community. One of the most prominent
fraternities here in our country is the Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity and Sorority. They

have a huge number of members throughout the country and have been active since

then. They call themselves ‘Skeptrons’ or ‘ceremonial staffs’ in Greek language. It was

founded in 1973 in the University of Santo Tomas by its founding members. That time,

late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ infamous martial law was ongoing and fraternities and

other student organizations were banned as they were seen as a threat to the

government. But despite all that, Skeptrons thrived and strengthened the bond of their

group up to this day.

The researcher of this study is curious about how the AKP neophytes are

processed and evaluated before the actual initiation rites. Since discussion of activities

and business inside the said organization is highly confidential, the researcher only

focuses on the neophytes.

Background of the Study

Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity has a strict implementation of standard procedures

on accepting new members. They must be of legal age, have a clean record in their

respective communities, and have certain attributes that make us an ethical human.

They undergo an orientation first before being initiated by their seniors. The orientation

includes testing their character, integrity, and courage. This is the deciding factor

whether they are worthy of the title ‘Skeptron’. The orientation usually lasts for a month

or more depending on the orientation officer. This study will eye for their certain

experiences as a neophyte. The researcher found out that these kinds of things are kind

of overlooked and they want to have an in-depth look at them.

SOP

The following queries that need to be answered at the end of this study are the

following:

1. What are the experiences of the neophytes throughout their orientation prior to

initiation?

2. What are the factors that led them to the decision of joining the brotherhood?

3. How was the orientation and evaluation prior to the initiation?

Ethical Considerations

Some of the ethical considerations that this study will give regards are the following:

 Confidentiality- this study strictly complies with the rules of confidentiality. All the

personal information of the subjects will be kept confidential throughout the

study. Code names will be utilized too.

 Consent- rest assured that this study promotes consent and free will. A consent

letter will be sent to the subjects before conducting the data gathering procedure.

Rationale

Scope and limitation

The boundaries of the scope of this study have been set by the researcher and shall

not cross such. This will focus on the experiences of the neophytes throughout the

orientation and evaluation process. Factors affecting their decisions of joining the

fraternity will also be discussed and emphasized. All the references shall be aligned

with the topics.

II. Methodology

• Data gathering procedure

The researcher utilized questionnaires as a data gathering tool to collect the

crucial information needed for this study. He administered it via Facebook Messenger

chat since he found out that the subjects are not that familiar with Google forms. He

messaged them personally and discussed the content of the questionnaires. Consents

were also asked because willingness to participate in this study is one of the significant

aspects of research methodology. He also assured them of the confidentiality of the

interview and any personal information will be safe to the hands of the researcher. The

interview lasted for an estimated time of 10 mins(time varied depending on the

participants.) It was done for a day and data interpretation followed. Data collection was

done manually and was taken as notes then encoded.

• Subjects of the Study

The primary subjects of this study are the neophytes under the wings of their

senior brothers. This study shall recognize the line between them and the legitimate

members to avoid conflict on data collection and gathering.

Conceptual Framework

• Sources of the data (primary and secondary)

RRL

Reasons why neophytes still join fraternities and sororities

 Despite the evils they have done and deaths they have caused, and the truth that

fraternities and sororities in universities and colleges have no redeeming social value, it

should surprise and alarm us why neophytes continue to patronize and join these

purveyors of murders through initiations and hazing. The answer is fear of being bullied,

harassed, ostracized, and discriminated against. And knowing that some deans and

college secretaries are also members of the same gangs of bullies and thugs, it is a

matter of survival to opt to join such notorious alliances. They are willing to undergo

atrocious rites of passage to get in. The cost of being accepted includes inhuman and

brutal hazing ending possibly in multiple injuries, sprains, broken bones, or even death,

like that of Leni Villa and now, Horacio Castillo III.

The lure of protection, euphemistically named Grand Protectus, motivates

neophytes to join. Did you see how Castillo looked? In law, that is called res ipsa

loquitur: the thing speaks for itself. The frat who recruited Castillo are masters of Latin.

Of course, this column is not limited to Castillo's death. There are scores of other

fraternities and sororities, not just in Metro Manila and suburbs but even in the

provinces. This is not just UST. This is all over. School administrators should be vigilant

and must have their ears to the ground.

Another reason neophytes join frats is the promise of mutual help and protection

when they become lawyers, even to the extent of violating the code of judicial and legal

ethics. When the defense counsel and presiding judge are members of Lamba Lamba

fraternity, odds are high the accused shall be acquitted. When the prosecutor and judge

are brods of Sigma Sigma fraternity, then the accused will most probably be convicted.

When the clerk of court and counsel for one of the civil case litigants are members of
the same Kappa Kappa fraternity, then case assignments can be manipulated,

decisions twisted and jumbled to favor the brod or sis. In matters of appointments and

promotions in the prosecutorial and judicial, positions are often influenced by fraternal

ties. Look at the Cabinet today. Count how many are members of Lex Talliones. Look at

the law firms, they are extensions of the frats and sororities. Non-members are stripped

of their faculty assignments, despite superior academic credentials. Frat membership

overrides all qualifications.

If you wonder why there is corruption in the bureaucracies, look at their frat

memberships. Suppliers of machineries, equipment, and services are usually members

of the same fraternity or sorority. Bidders who are fratmen usually win. Those who are

charged with graft are often exonerated when the investigating official is a fellow

fratmen. These people do not even have the decency to inhibit. In fact, they manipulate

case assignments to make sure they themselves handle cases against their fratmen

precisely to exonerate them. Fraternities and sororities are not only useless, they are a

burden to our society, the bane of good governance. They are the purveyors of graft,

aside from murdering their neophytes. So why should we tolerate these gangs of

rascals and scoundrels? They should be outlawed and their nefarious practices

exposed and punished.(Jimenez, 2017) Retrieved from

Philstar.com/TheFreeman/Opinion

Experiences under the Fraternity: Being a neophyte

Most of the participants attended applicant orientation, which is called the

“recruitment phase” through which fraternity members scout potential neophytes into
admittance to their fraternity. Fraternity orientation is held so that the applicants could

have a clearer picture on the activities they would do when they become active

members. Usually, it includes the pros and cons of joining and an open forum. This is

also the time when the nonmembers are introduced to the fraternity, its principle, and

the kind of fledgling program they are likely to undergo. They give nonmembers time to

decide if they want to pursue or to decline the opportunity to be a member. Orientation

is one of the first steps in the neophyte’s decision-making. Applicants undergo stages of

decision making while they are undergoing training. Once the non-members (applicants)

attended the orientation and showed on the first day of the membership process, their

attendance served as an unwritten agreement between the non-members and the

fraternity. An applicant allows himself to be under the fraternity’s authority by obeying

the fraternity members‟ command as long as the command is in line with the program.

The initiation rite is also included in this unwritten agreement because the applicants are

given hints to fraternity’s tradition of initiation rite which will enable the applicant to

decide if he really wants to commit himself with the organization. Besides paddling,

other forms of hazing are also practiced throughout the training program. (Alcedo et. al,

2015)

Unity and loyalty: How neophytes are accepted

Troa Canturias, formerly one of the chapter leaders of the Alpha Kappa Rho

(Akrho) fraternity in Cebu, said most youths join the fraternity due to “peer pressure”

and a psychological need for belonging. “There were some who joined the fraternity

because their friends are already members of the group and they’re not,” Canturias

said. In joining a fraternity, he said one can establish a network of friends in Cebu and
around the country. Canturias, a 27-year-old travel sales agent, said there’s a prevailing

negative impression on people who are members of fraternities. He said he was told by

a client that he was lucky to be employed after seeing the burn mark on his wrist.

“There’s a stigma in our society that those who have burn marks or frat members are

bad. But fraternities are not entirely negative. Our by laws says it plainly: our group is

intended to promote love, unity, brotherhood, courage,” he said. He said they used to

donate P10 each and raise P500 in their chapter every week. Canturias said they used

their savings for feeding programs, civic welfare activities, and team building. He said

members who need money for hospitalization or in case of death of a loved one can

borrow money from their funds. Canturias joined Akrho in 2003 when he was still 17

years old. Canturias said those who wanted to join the fraternity had to undergo

interviews and orientations.These will be followed by a “service period” when one is

instructed to do things that include “public humiliation.” “You’ll have to be tested,” he

said. After a series of orders comes hazing. Canturias said the aspirant will have to

endure 150 blows inflicted by paddle-wielding frat seniors. He said hazing is done in a

“secret place” where the aspirant is blindfolded. “I didn’t know how many people hit me.

I really lost consciousness (when I underwent hazing). I passed out,” Canturias

recounted. Those who cannot bear the pain will be given an option to resume in another

session or “quit.” Canturias managed to receive all 150 blows in one session. He said

those who were done with the hazing session will be given enough time for bruises to

heal before moving on to the final procedure known as the ”ritual.” “You won’t be a full-

pledged Akrho if you don’t have a burn mark. It (scar) is like your permanent ID,” he

said. He said the group can use either a one peso coin, a 25 centavo coin, or the
bottom of a Pentel pen during the ritual. ” One of these materials is set on fire, wrapped

using a cigarette foil and applied on the right wrist of an applicant. “When the heated

coin is applied on the wrist for the first time, the skin will pop. It has to be removed using

the thumb of the person who placed the coin,” Canturias said. He said the coin will be

placed on the same area of the wrist three times. “While the ritual was going on, I kept

on reciting the phrase ‘I will protect the name of Alpha Kappa Rho’,” he said. Canturias

said he chose to be intoxicated during the ritual so he could not feel the pain. It took six

months before what he referred to as a third degree burn healed. While the wounds of

some other applicants got infected, Canturias said he applied medicine to his injury so it

would heal easily. (to be concluded) /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter

III. Results

• Describe what you found out from your research

• Develop each point thoroughly as this is the main section of your paper

In this section, the researcher presents the results of the data collection process

previously.

1. What are the conditions and rules of your seniors prior to joining?

-”Must be of legal age, orientation process should be confidential, must be sure

of joining.”

2. What are the activities/events you did during your orientation and evaluation?
 - introduction to the history and rules of the organization, doing community

service like cleaning a brother’s backyard or public roads, testing one’s loyalty to

the brotherhood.”

3. How did you manage to cope up with those said rules?

-”It was hard at first but I got used to it eventually. Sometimes I want to quit but I

realized I made this too far to quit.”

4. In what manner did the evaluation take place?

-”It was done personally and a group of brothers asked me a couple of questions.

It’s like an interview.”, “I was like a wingman to a senior and following him.”

5. What made you join them?

-”new friendship”, “protection and support in case of trouble”, “exploration of a

different personality”, “peer pressure”

6. What particular norms do you find bizarre during the orientation?

-”respect and recognition were prevalent all the time”,

7. How did you qualify as a neophyte/recruit?

-”I am of legal age, my determination to join, my clean record in school and in our

community.”

8. Is the orientation an individual or a group activity?

-”Individual, Grouped”

9. What did you consider first prior to joining?

-”the background information of the fraternity, benefits of being a brother”

10. What is something about a fraternity that enticed you to join?

 -”The popularity of being a fraternity member, their ideals, sense of social

responsibility in a higher level”

The results from the data gathered are divided into two themes: Experiences and

Factors

Experiences

A. Introduction to the fraternity via frequent meetings - All the respondents

encountered this part of the orientation process. Frequent meetings were

conducted and as a neophyte, they must attend them or else their standing as a

newbie will be in jeopardy. Here, the history and background of the fraternity is

being discussed. It is basically an overview of the brotherhood they’re joining and

a heads up to what is more to it. According to the responses, a couple of seniors

are present in the said meetings and they are not that really talkative. They can’t

really tell the difference between a senior and neophyte due to that quiet

persona.

B. Community services - One of the principles of AKP fraternity is the duty to the

community. The neophytes, guided by their seniors, join various activities of the

brothers which usually includes feeding programs, cleaning of public places, and

bloodletting and Operation “Tuli”.

C. Being a ‘wingman’ of senior - Superiority is prevalent in a fraternal setting and

there is a certain hierarchy that kind of divides and organizes the brotherhood.

Throughout the duration of the orientation, the neophyte follows a certain senior
 and obeys their commands. These commands typically include helping in a

brother’s company.

Factors

A. Peer pressure - Most of the respondents felt the pressure of joining from their

peers and friends. Half of them are friends or close to a legitimate member.

Being in a fraternity, according to them, gives you a new label or status in

society. Of course it sounds cool when you belong to a certain group that is

widely recognized in our society. Peer pressure is just one of the many factors

that affects one’s decisions.

B. Sense of belonging and identity - All the respondents felt the sense of wanting to

belong. Being left out is really sad and everyone tries to fit in in this world full of

division and boundaries. We, humans, tend to join groups for the purpose of self-

exploration and expression. It also gives us an identity that shapes us as a

whole. The respondents felt like a ‘new person’ even during the orientation

process.

C. Perks of being a member - It can’t be denied that being a fraternity member

comes with a lot of perks. It takes in many forms and it suits one’s desires and

needs. One of the perks of being a member is you get exclusivity. There are

things or actions that are exclusive in a fraternity hence branding you as

‘unique’.

IV. Discussions
• Interpretation of the Results

• Implications

• explain the significance of your findings

• describe how they support your thesis

• discuss limitations of your research

The results gathered by the researcher efficiently described the experiences by

the neophytes under the orientation process. It seems a cliche’ but it is what it is. Just

like any individual that undergoes a certain training or orientation, everything seems

new and at times, challenging. To the surprise of the researcher, the results exceeded

his expectations and answered the queries of the study. This study agrees with the

study conducted by Alcedo et al, 2015 about the lived experiences of Fraternity hazing

initiators. The latter discusses the experiences of the legitimate members who initiate

neophytes while the results of this study is all about neophytes prior to the initiation

rites. The connection was established via statements of the fraternity members and

neophytes themselves. This makes a relevant piece of information to support each

other. In Alcedo’s study, there’s a brief look at the neophytes and just their basic

experiences. This study was somehow inspired by it and proceeded to describe their

experiences and factors.

Results gathered by this study give this certain group of people the spotlight and

carefully understand and know what they are going through before the final process. It

expands the body of knowledge that tackles this aspect of human groups. It seems the
information about neophytes is kind of limited and the findings of this study will surely be

an effective tool to cross those gray areas.

V. Conclusion

VI. References (APA Style)

Gutierrez, F. C. (2019). Violence and hypermasculinity in university fraternity initiations: Situating the

reproduction of masculinity in the Philippines. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 27(3), 243-264.

Allan, E. J., & Madden, M. (2012). The nature and extent of college student hazing.

Dalisay, G., Van Heugten, M. L., & Domingo, M. R. S. (1995). Ang pagkalalaki ayon sa mga lalaki: Pag-

aaral sa tatlong grupong kultural sa Pilipinas. Philippine Social Sciences Review, 52(1-4).

Anderson, E. (2008). Inclusive masculinity in a fraternal setting. Men and masculinities, 10(5), 604-620.

Alcedo, J., Cabacang, A., Empig, C., Peralta, J., & Puno, R. (2015). Buhay Frat: The Lived Experiences

of the Fraternity Hazing Initiators in Palawan Philippines. University Psychology Society. Palawan State

University.

Pagalilauan, E. J. F. (2015). Anti-Hazing Law of the Philippines: An Evaluative Study on its

Implementation and Adequacy. UE Research Bulletin, 17(1), 1-1.

Bawan, O. M., Pascual, M. P., & Gabriel, A. G. (2017). Hazing and Organizational Tradition in a Higher

Education Institution in the Philippines: What Has the Law Got to Do with It?. Open Journal of Social

Sciences, 5(12), 110.

Cruz, J. D. S. (2016). Through hell and high water: the effect of initiation processes on group commitment

among members of fraternities and sororities (Doctoral dissertation).

Lupos, R. D. (2014, June 8). The socialization of men through fraternity and initiation. Academia.edu.

Retrieved November 14, 2022, from

https://www.academia.edu/1879027/The_Socialization_of_Men_though_Fraternity_and_Initiation

Jimenez, A. J. B. (2017, September 29). Why do neophytes still join Fraternities and sororities?

Philstar.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from

https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2017/09/28/1743714/why-neophytes-still-join-fraternities-

and-sororities

News, C. D. (2013, June 17). Unity and loyalty: How neophytes are accepted. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved

November 14, 2022, from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/427837/unity-and-loyalty-how-neophytes-are-

accepted

VII. Appendix

a. Research Questionnaire