In the early 80’s,
existence of the Alpha Theta Omega fraternity/sorority
members was already evident in Butuan City and in
the provinces of Agusan (Agusan del Norte and Agusan
del Sur) but largely unorganized because most of the
members have survived from various Chapters in
Visayas and Mindanao. It was only in
the year 1990 when the Althonians of Nasipit (Agusan
del Norte), Bayugan 1 (Agusan del Sur) and Butuan
City began to communicate and gather occasionally. Among
the topics frequently discussed during meetings and
social gatherings were to conduct initiations and to
establish a Chapter in Butuan City. The
dream of the members was finally realized when an
initiation was finally conducted as a response of
the Althonians call to “spread the wings”.
The first initiation
was conducted on February 2, 1993. The
initiation was conducted by Brod Nestor Apawan
(Kappa Chapter), Rodelito Felias (Alpha Xi Chapter),
Toto Moran (Alpha Chapter), Chito Honrada (Mu
Chapter) and Sis Lorna Cabiao (Rho Chapter). Although
only few Althonians were present during the
initiation, the initiation rite was a big success
and signifies a big leap for the Althonians in
Butuan City. The pioneering batch
“Lucky 6 Survivors” (all the 6 survivors were from
Nasipit, Agusan del Norte) marks the beginning of
the Althonians in Saint Joseph
Institute of Technology (SJIT)
and in Butuan City.
The Althonians in SJIT
grew rapidly in numbers under the leadership of Brod
Nestor Apawan (a transferee from Cebu Institute of
Technology) who was elected as the first Grand Altho
in SJIT and with the support of Brod Toto Moran
(connected with DENR Butuan) who serves as the group
adviser.
Among the projects that
was accomplished by the group was a wall clock (with
carved Althonians logo on a Yakal wood) that
was donated to the SJIT school library.
The Alpha Chapter
registered the Saint Joseph Institute of Technology
in Butuan City as Beta
Rho Chapter after
the members accomplished the requirements.
Series of initiations had followed in the
succeeding years and the membership had spread
rapidly to various Colleges in Butuan City
namely; Urios College, Agusan Institute of
Technology, Butuan Doctors College, Agusan Business
& Arts Foundation Inc., Agusan Colleges and
NORMISIST.
Among the Colleges
mentioned above, Urios College has the rapid growth
of members. The pioneering batch
“Bizarre 17” obviously, consists of 17 new members
who survived on December 20,1994 were responsible
for the widespread of Althonians in Butuan City and
in the neighboring municipalities of Agusan del
Norte and Agusan del Sur.
Brod Roland Bataclan was
elected as the first Grand Altho in Urios College
and Sis Villanueva (Rho Chapter); a Math instructor
in Urios College serves as the group adviser. Althonians
in Urios College were very active in extending
service to the community; provided assistance to the
Bureau of Fire Protection thru SF02 Brod Boy Vasquez
in their BFP “Fire Prevention Month” information
dissemination campaign. A streamer
bearing the Althonians logo on both end with the
“Fire Prevention Month Campaign” information was
hanged across the street fronting the Urios College
school. This depict the resemblance of the Alpha Theta Omega Fraternity
and Sorority as a service-oriented group.
Althonians who survived
from various Colleges in Butuan City other than SJIT
however, adopted the Beta
Rho Chaptersince these schools have no
Chapter name of its own.
Today, Althonians of Beta
Rho Chapter are very active
in promoting camaraderie, molding the members to
become future leaders and extending worthwhile
service to the community and to fellowmen.
Article By:
Brod Romel Rafols
1990 - Alpha Omicron Chapter
[MSU-IIT, Iligan City]
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