Frat men build homes for GK

What would happen if you put together 11 fraternities with a long history of rivalry and actual frat war in just one venue?

Would the frat men beat each other to a pulp and match tit-for-tat violence? Or would they be able to work together for a good and worthy cause?

Last month, 100 members of different fraternities managed to set aside their differences for a day and picked shovels to build the homes of poor beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Iskolar ng Bayan Village in Central
Avenue, Quezon City.

Laureen Lopez, director of the GK Fratwar: From Rumbles to Rubble project, lauded the frat members’ efforts and commitment for a good cause.

“It’s been a great personal and group sacrifice for them. I know it wasn’t easy for them but still they committed. Gawad Kalinga became the perfect vehicle to bring them together for a worthy endeavor. It’s heartwarming,” Lopez said.

Prior to the build, the 11 fraternities signed a memorandum of agreement to participate in the project.

At first, everyone thought it was impossible to put the fraternities in one venue.

Van Galicia of Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, a participant in the build, was initially skeptical.

“Everybody thought it was a crazy idea to put the fraternities in one venue. There was this notion that fratmen cannot stay in one place because a rumble may ensue. We were surprised that finally someone stood up to the challenge and that is the UP Gawad Kalinga (GK). When we did not fight, we showed people that we can make it happen,” Galicia said in an interview.

Renewing the image of fraternities

Lopez said there has been a stereotype of fraternities, one that highlights a facet of a frat man that is not necessarily present in all.

“They have been boxed in a stereotype which unjustly depicts a negative picture instead of what they stand for. Fraternity culture has for many years been linked to exclusivity, division and worse, violence,” Lopez said.

“For many, it would be more feasible for fraternities to be involved in frat wars rather than have these fraternities to be in a friendly camaraderie. Because of such stigma, it had become difficult for the rest to see the man of character which has been developed in each frat man,” she added.

Efforts are already being done by each fraternity to change this image and even the university administration has involved itself in unity talks among fraternities, but to no avail.

Then came the idea of bringing the fraternities together through Gawad Kalinga.

“What better way to start the year with a frat war, not against each other but against a common enemy – poverty. Bringing together the fraternities to build for the poorest of the poor could pave the way for future similar projects and at the same time inspire others who would hear about this event,” Lopez said.

Lopez said she’s optimistic this could be the start of something great for all the fraternities as the project will have a part 2 and part 3 next semester.

A positive experience

Galicia said constructing homes for the poor has been a positive and worthwhile experience for him.

During the build, Galicia said the air was filled with tension and everyone was quiet but as hours went by, some fratmen started to joke around and in no time, they were good-naturedly cajoling each other.

Abe Moti of Alpha Sigma fraternity said the experience was rewarding.

Moti admitted feeling awkward working side by side with other frat members. At the build, he noticed that some of the frat men were quiet and serious, but he knows that building camaraderie doesn’t happen overnight.

“Most of the frats there are rival fraternities. What I noticed that there were some who were holding back. Sige sabihin na natin plastikan, but still they went there because the goal is to build homes for the poor and not to be chummy-chummy,” Moti said.

Caloy Cajucom of Alpha Phi Beta said the gathering of fraternities in one venue was already a big accomplishment. 

“It was a bit weird because we were all together. Usually when we see each other we end up fighting. But during the build, we were okay with each other,” he said.

Cajucom stressed though that while he supports the project, the directors could do more auxiliary activities to keep the activity from being routine.

“In my opinion, if it becomes a routine, violent incidents may occur. I don’t want to be negative about this but it is just a precaution. So I suggest there should be auxiliary activities. I treat this as a beginner’s luck,” Cajucom said.

Jericho Cruz of Upsilon Sigma Phi had a different experience and did not feel awkward at all with members of different fraternities.

“We made it friendly, our aim is to get to know each other. We want to make this a venue where we can foster understanding,” Cruz said. “I believe all of us have the same goal. We all want to study and finish school for a better future. Our joining a frat is something extra, we hope it results in our helping and not fighting each other.”

Roel de la Cruz of Epsilon Chi said the experience was fun for him, although he also initially felt concerned about security when all of them met at the site.

“I was really worried because anytime, a rumble might occur. Although friendly, kailangan magpaka-plastic na kaibigan mo sila, but I’m glad kasi it turned out masaya naman,” Roel said.

In fact, his unforgettable experience during the build was how 100 frat men squeezed in one tent because of the rain. “There were a lot of frat men laughing,” he said.

“Really, our goal is to be builders of nation. Building homes for the poor is part of nation-building,” De la Cruz said.