APO Philippines

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by filipinoAPO

please share your points of view on AphiO philippines..as well as on the philippine fraternity system..

Thanks!

Joseph
Alpha Xi Chapter
Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines)

I think it's wonderful that APO has expanded beyond the United States and has a strong base in the Philippines. It's a wonderful organization and I only hope it expands further. Additionally, I think it's great that Philippine universities have developed their own fraternity and sorority systems.

Most everyone is very supportive of international chapters of fraternities/sororities as long as they are officially recognized by the governing body of the organization.

Problems arise when any fraternity/sorority -- regardless of location -- illegally steals copyrighted trademarks (crests, mottoes, symbols, creeds) or operates as a copycat/rogue organization with no recognition by the real fraternity. This happens in the Philippines, and it also happens in the United States. Copycat organizations are incredibly offensive to the real members who know the real meaning behind their precious symbols, rituals and creeds. Just because a group copies the Greek letters of an organization does not mean that they're brothers/sisters of that org.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by AChiOhSnap

Most everyone is very supportive of international chapters of fraternities/sororities as long as they are officially recognized by the governing body of the organization.

Problems arise when any fraternity/sorority -- regardless of location -- illegally steals copyrighted trademarks (crests, mottoes, symbols, creeds) or operates as a copycat/rogue organization with no recognition by the real fraternity. This happens in the Philippines, and it also happens in the United States. Copycat organizations are incredibly offensive to the real members who know the real meaning behind their precious symbols, rituals and creeds. Just because a group copies the Greek letters of an organization does not mean that they're brothers/sisters of that org.

I agree.
I do have a question: Is there, in truth, a real APO group in The Philippines?

I ask only because of recent activities on this board and way OP's question was posed and do not mean to hurt nor offend anyone.

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by jon1856

I agree.
I do have a question: Is there, in truth, a real APO group in The Philippines?

I ask only because of recent activities on this board and way OP's question was posed and do not mean to hurt nor offend anyone.

Yes, there is!

http://www.apo.org.ph/

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by AChiOhSnap

Yes, there is!

http://www.apo.org.ph/

Please take note that the site is on and about the APO's in the Philippines.
Is there any kind of information on or from the National APO about this group?

As some of us have seen, again from other recent events on this board, local web postings are not always true or correct.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by jon1856

I agree.
I do have a question: Is there, in truth, a real APO group in The Philippines?

I ask only because of recent activities on this board and way OP's question was posed and do not mean to hurt nor offend anyone.

Looking at APO's website, it doesn't appear that there are any APO chapters outside of the United States.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by kddani

Looking at APO's website, it doesn't appear that there are any APO chapters outside of the United States.

I noticed that as well.

[AChiOhSnap]

Originally Posted by jon1856

I noticed that as well.

From apo.org (APO USA) site about the USA-Philippines connection

http://www.apo.org/show/National_Pro...ld/Philippines

and

http://www.apo.org/show/National_Pro...he_World/ICAPO

The second link describes the formation of the international governing body of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO)

Hope that helps!

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by AChiOhSnap

From apo.org (APO USA) site about the USA-Philippines connection

http://www.apo.org/show/National_Pro...ld/Philippines

and

http://www.apo.org/show/National_Pro...he_World/ICAPO

The second link describes the formation of the international governing body of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO)

Hope that helps!

I am glad to learn that, in this case, there is a real connection between the two groups.

[filipinoAPO]

If you look at APO USA's website, you might not find any chapters outside of the USA..that's because APO Phils. is independent from APO USA though both organizations are the same Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. Both organizations are unified in the International Council of Alpha Phi Omega (ICAPO).

[Yeayea]

Originally Posted by jon1856

I am glad to learn that, in this case, there is a real connection between the two groups.

I don't want to disclose any part of my identity, but I will tell you that I'm from APO in the US.

To be quite frank, the general opinion of APO in the Philippines (at least in my Region) is extremely negative. The belief is that APO is huge in the Philippines because they are a gang. Literally, they go around and murder people; although to be fair, it is pretty much all based on anecdotal evidence... a LOT of anecdotes.

In the APO Facebook group, they frequently post RIPs for different brothers. It's sad people are dying, but it scares me to think about why so many Filipino APO bros are dying so often. I don't know why or how LFS got twisted up this way, but that's apparently what it is. Also, based on the APO Facebook group, the APO Philippines brothers just seem really really freaky in general--like they're brainwashed to love APO so much. They are obsessed with APO for their entire lives. Many of them have only pictures with them and some APO banner or at least making the APO hand sign--even people who are 40+ years old. They usually end every comment with "MWAB" or "STCW" which means "may we always be" and "strong the circle we," quotes taken from the Toast Song. They are so excessively proud of being part of a community service organization, but they don't post many things relevant to service at all. They make everyone else in the group too uncomfortable to post their own chapter things. They call donating blood, "bloodletting" which is a completely different thing that terrifies me. They also like to post "in memory" comments about the founding fathers of APO in a way that's really intense and comes off, to me, like worshiping. Also, they keep trying to guilt us into donating money so they can build their recruitment/scouting center that's like literally this insanely ginormous, crazy-nice center with glass walls and stuff. It simply just contradicts the overall goal of the fraternity, which is to help humanity, promote friendship, and develop leadership. This building is just completely unnecessary and grossly ostentatious.

In general, we don't like what APO is in the Philippines at all. The only reason why there is some relationship with APO USA and APO Philippines is because the US side doesn't have any way of stopping what the Filipino brothers are doing. Maybe it's just because there exists enough distinction between the two parties that the US APO has decided to just leave it the way it is. That's my guess. This is all based on my personal experience in APO, so please remember not to take it as the absolute truth. Hope this helps.