The AKP Foundation

On 8th day of August year 1973, the celebration of the Feast Day of St. Dominic, patron saint of the University of Santo Tomas, Espana St., Manila, Philippines sixteen young, all-male, energetic and ambitious freshmen and sophomore students of the University, sharing the same interest, dreams and ambitions, formed their own kind of fraternal organization - the ALPHA KAPPA RHO Fraternity. This was during the tumultuous early years of the martial rule in the Philippines. However the time was then, these young men guided by the Almighty, bonded themselves together as one.

Our group was formed out of necessity since all that time, as it is now, members of other fraternities in the AB-Commerce building of University of Santo Tomas, would recruit potential neophytes to join their ranks. But since this new grouping, who’s for the boys in Metro Manila were themselves already in a band in the campus, and in order to ward-off the pesky recruiters who could not wait to lay their hands on them, they thought - why not form their own?

Lead by Bro "Boy" Chua, whose idea was it to form their own brand of fraternity, and with Bro Noli Manalo, Bro Roger Sarmiento, Bro Teddy Aves, Bro Philip Balange, Bro Tanny Bernabe, Bro James Bracewell, Bro Monchet Cabrera, Bro Philip Diman, Bro Renato Go, Bro Teddy De Lara, Bro Arnel (Lim) Lorenzo, Bro Vismark Quequep, Bro Edwin Solano, Bro Ronnie Leuterio and Brod Gil Villegas, they founded the ALPHA KAPPA RHO Fraternity or AKRHO. Thus, the seed of the organisation was planted and soon after the birth of ALPHA KAPPA RHO came to be.

Happy times and good times followed out to this AKRHO barkadahan. However, what started out as a cluster of young students out to have a good education while having fun inside the University campus began to take seriously their being members of this new group. Little did our Founding Fathers realised that they were already creating ripples of anxiety with other fraternities for grabbing attention for themselves inside the school.

It happened that our founders themselves were likewise starting to recruit young members to join their own rank. Tensions rose within University of Santo Tomas campus among fraternities with our presence. Inevitably, we had to show true grit during heightened emotions, even when others tried vainly to erase the name ALPHA KAPP RHO in the face of the earth. Our growing young fraternity then stood their ground and faced adversities with much courage, vigor and fortitude, in defense of, and for the protection of its existence.

The collective unanimity among our founding members to pursue with firmness the existence of ALPHA KAPPA RHO became very clear. Soon after, under the guidance of the Founding ALPHA KAPPA RHO brods, the ALPHA KAPPA RHO Sorority was likewise established. With smart and friendly Sister such as Sis Marissa Cumuyog, the late Sis Jayjay Aquino, Sis Alda Altiveros, Sis Girlie Tesoro, Sis Grace Mendoza, Sis Jay Mercado and Sis Irene Ileto, they formed the first Sorority Members of the ALPHA KAPPA RHO in University of Santo Tomas.

In so short a time, the small group developed into a strong force-in character and spirit, as well as in great number. Its popularity grew by leaps and bounds! More Collegiate Chapters were formed in different Universities and Colleges in Metro Manila, and over the years spread as well to all parts of the Philippines. Later, Junior and Community Chapters were likewise established and became part of the ALPHA KAPPA RHO family. Bro Jun Pasaporte (deceased) and Bro William Ho founded the Junior ALPHA KAPPA RHO at the University of the East.

In addition to the adaption of the ALPHA KAPPA RHO Sorority, other fraternities and sororities with the same thoughts and feelings as that of the ALPHA KAPPA RHO at that time merged with it. From these mergers evolved one practice which becomes the hallmark of our group.

For one, the noble, the traditional hand mark and its handclasp was a covenant agreed by our foreleaders from both ALPHA KAPPA RHO and the Omega Fraternity and Sorority, Inc. Reresented by our OFSI Bros from San Sebastian College, Bro Alex Ramirez, Bro Dennie Ravarra, Bro Alex Mangubat, to name a few, and together with the Officers of the founding Members and the Officers of ALPHA KAPPA RHO, they signed pledge for and in behalf of each other’s group. This merge which happened in September 1976 at Rancho, Marikina (then a municipality) was momentous for to this day we carry in our hands the mark of synthesis, the handclasp that set a strong bond and true unity under one name, the ALPHA KAPPA RHO.

And on August 8, 2008, the 35th Anniversary of ALPHA KAPPA RHO, the first National Convention was conducted; Brothers and Sisters from all over the Philippines meet and elected the rightful Officers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Thus the first National Council was established.

The AKRHO or the SKEPTRON SOCIETY as it is likewise known has always been and always will be an organisation steeped in the tradition of the past-free expression,  fun loving, seek for the truth, unity, loyalty, respect, the pursuit of true Brotherhood and Sisterhood. The Organisation is made up of men and women from diverse cultural, social, religious, political backgrounds and interest. It has spread through-out the archipelago and all over the world and has now become better known as the ALPHA KAPPA RHO International Humanitarian Service Fraternity and Sorority.