I am a proud Frat Boy
Let me give you an idea of what it's like to be an APO. What you are about to read is a pure, no-bullshit and unadulterated account of being part of the biggest Greek-letter fraternity in the world.
When I was in high school, I detested fraternities. I was being recruited left and right since almost all of my buddies are members. But I saw no point in joining one. What the fuck is the point of getting repeatedly paddled on the thighs just for the right to proudly declare that you are now a "hooligan," as I lovingly called frat boys then. Madness. Pure insanity. The pain doesn't end there though. The life of a fraternity member as most people see it is riddled with violence. Which is often the by-product of a rift against a rival organization. People die because of senseless shit like these. But before you start calling me a self-righteous asshole, let me tell you something first. I could actually be a poster boy for the stereotypical frat kid. Delinquent, never liked school, always drunk, hates authority figures, gets in a fight once in a while, you name it. I actually got kicked out of my school for failing so many subjects. No, I am not a moron. Going to school is just not in my to-do list. Anyway, back to the frat talk, I just never really liked the idea of belonging to a fraternity.
Fast forward to 2 years ago. I was in my 2ND year of attending a college campus that I never really liked. A college campus where I had no real friends in. A college campus whose students and professors I can't really relate to. Simply put, I was an alien in this place. I mentioned earlier that I've never really liked school. No reason why, I just don't like it. This time is different though. This time there was a reason. My current school sucked ass. That's it. And I was getting more and more bored as each day passed. Which made me not want to go to school again. That's when I said to myself, "fuck this, I'm gonna find something productive to make life here bearable." I'm gonna stay here for at least two years, so I better make it worth my while. So I started looking for clubs to join and extracurricular activities to spend my time on. Still, nothing caught my fancy. Now, time for me to stick my foot in to my mouth.
Yes, I gave in just because of sheer boredom. I just wanted to experience something new. That's my only reason. Most members, when asked why they joined a fraternity, would just say "curiosity." Well not me. I already knew whatever there is to know about the organizations I was choosing from. I researched about all the fraternities available in my campus. All their advantages and disadvantages, their programs, their objectives, their accomplishments, everything. And one group constantly rose above the rest.
Alpha Phi Omega.
Established in the United States of America on December 16, 1925 by Frank Reed Horton. Organized in the Philippines on March 2, 1950 by Librado I. Ureta. Its purpose? Service to others. Specifically to the school, youth and community and service to the nation. Not bad eh? But APO in the Philippines had a notorious reputation. It was known to be the hardest fraternity to get in to. There were rumors of extreme hazing and very long periods of pledgeship. Add to that the fact that you will become a pledge and be initiated twice. With the second time to occur a few months after you first passed as a new member.
So what encouraged me to go on? Honestly, the challenge. And the knowledge and feeling in my heart that even as a man who doesn't have riches, I'm still able to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it. I am not shitting you. It really does feel good to help. I'm guessing this is the part where you say, "well I don't need a fraternity to help and provide service to others. I can do those myself!" Well yes, you have a point. But doing it alone or with your friends can only go so far. And no fraternity can provide service in a scale as large as what Alpha Phi Omega can. We exist because of service. Without service, there is no Alpha Phi Omega. Alpha Phi Omega is service.
APO is not just an organization, APO is a family. No ifs, no buts. No discrimination. This might sound too cliche but that's the truth. It is here where you will hear a 20 year old call a 70 year old "brother." It is here where the sight of a top company executive drinking beer with a carpenter is not uncommon. Alpha Phi Omega is made up of the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor. Yet we don't care. From equality, comes friendship. Alpha Phi omega is friendship.
APO is not just an organization, APO is also a place for leaders and followers. Here, you will learn lessons that will last you a lifetime. Such lessons will greatly help you succeed in whatever goal you decide to pursue. In Alpha Phi Omega, you will learn the value of humility. For without humility, one cannot be a good follower. Being a good follower is essential before becoming a good leader. Alpha Phi Omega molds leaders. Alpha Phi Omega teaches leadership. Alpha Phi Omega is leadership.
Eighty-one years of caring and sharing. We have gone really far and achieved so much. Never in my life did I think that I would experience this kind of fulfillment from joining a fraternity. I am living proof that stereotypes are just that, stereotypes. In every organization there are bad apples, but that does not mean that the whole organization is rotten. I am thankful that I made the long journey in to the world of APO. So today, Alpha Phi Omega, I would like to greet you a very very happy birthday.
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