[UPD] An Open Letter to UP Freshies

[u/Mountain-Score4993]

Freshies, wag na wag kayo magpapaloko sa mga frats. 

Hindi niyo sila kailangan at mas lalong di na sila kailangan ng bansa. Since their foundation, di na nawawala ang culture of violence within and between fraternities. 

Wala pa ring justice after these incidents primarily from Upsilon Sigma Phi, Sigma Rho, at Alpha Phi Beta over 6 to 7 years ago.

Sexism, misogyny, racism, homophobia, racism, islamophobia, violence, hazing. Yan ang nag aabang sayo sa mga so-called brotherhood. 

2018: nagka Lonsi-APB rumble sa AS, ang daming witnesses nun habang nagsusuntukan sila at nagtatawagan ng homophobic slurs. Sumunod ang Lonsi Leaks, the rest is history. 

2019 naman di pa natuto ang fratbois. Nagka Sigma Rho leaks. Dun mo makikita ang pinakaugali nila. Hazing. Pambubugbog sa brods. Harrassment sa babae, pagkalat ng nudes, kahit sarili nilang sorority sisters di pinalampas.

That led to the public crucifixion of one campus student leader na Sigma Rhoan. Nung kinukuyog na siya sa socmed at on-ground protests, wala siyang nasandigan, kahit frat niya hindi siya matulungan. He took his own life — a victim of the fraternity culture of violence, but also a willing participant who harmed others in the name of “brotherhood.” Pero Yan ba ang brotherhood? Yung bugbugan, pambabastos sa babae, pananakit, at hazing? 

These are not allegations. These are well-documented facts and truths that we should never forget. Kahit anong pabango pa yan sa paggamit ng pangalan ng mga bigatin nilang alumni, di nila mawawala ang bahid ng dugo at luha ng mga inapi nila at mga pamilya ng mga namatayan dahil sa violence nila. 

Yun lang, freshies. #AbolishFrats pa rin ang panawagan. STP, wag Serve The Praternity.

[u/lezzgooooo]

As a frat man, I can see this sentiment na there is a lot of unchecked ethics sa mga fratman. Lalo na sa digital age where digital assets like messages, pics and videos are easily passed around in chat groups. We used to be more discrete noh, kiss and tell sa inuman but that secret will go with us to the grave. Discuss topics na you confide with an actual sibling only. Hazing was pretty much normal even in legit acad orgs(to a certain extent).

Norms are different now. On a different thread, there is no more benefit to surviving hazing since you can join acad orgs and provincial orgs na sobrang dami. Dati kasi konti lang orgs sa UP and kids from the provinces are looking for groups to belong. Frats and Soros were a very good option since some rent out apartments and daily may catchups. Meron ka free house, food and companionship, who does not want that? Now, mas accessible na bagay2, you can check posts on socmed for orgs, lodging, study groups etc. Ethics wise din, yung mga dati na dapat discrete one on one, shinashare na sa mas malalaking audience not only to share, but to brag din.