Marawi City, Philippines – The Rho Chapter of the Alpha Theta Omega (Althonians) Fraternity/ Sorority located at Mindanao State University, Marawi City Campus celebrated its 30^th founding anniversary and alumni homecoming here on Saturday, August 8, 2009.

            The Rho Chapter was organized on August 11, 1979 by Edgardo Bermudo (Alpha Chapter), Teodoro Llanes (Alpha Chapter) and Onofre Jalipa (Mu Chapter). The three organizers were transferees from their respective schools to pursue their studies at MSU. 

            After 30 years of existence of the chapter, and at least 26 years after the first batch of alumni graduated and left the campus, the batches from 1979 to 1980 have agreed to call for a reunion. The main objective, aside from reuniting with old buddies and reminiscing memories, was to help the chapter rebuild its organizational strength. It was earlier reported that Rho Chapter is currently diminishing in terms of membership and activities.

            Fifteen alumni attended the event while the local chapter members and officers (students) were in full force led by the current Supreme Grand Altho, Brod Mark Gil Baga.

            An informal program was held where five alumni were given the chance to give their messages. The speakers focused their messages on recalling their past experiences in the chapter and giving advises to the current officers and members. The last speaker, Brod Dotdot Lagumbay expressed his disappointment that the students can not interpret the Althonians theme songs. He likewise stressed the importance of familiarizing the fundamentals of the Alpha Theta Omega, from its history, passwords, logo, and theme songs citing his experiences as the past Rho Chapter and current Metro Manila Chapter SGA. He further advised the chapter officers to keep track and participate in campus-wide activities either organized by the administration or sponsored by other fraternities. If possible, the chapter should initiate activities that will involve other campus organizations. It is important to maintain visibility to the fellow students as well as to the school administration, he added.

            Immediately after the program, lunch was served, followed by parlor games where everybody gamely participated. The games introduced were tomato dance, calamansi relay, duck walk, “hephep hurray” and egg catching.

The last activity was a meeting cum open forum where the students were asked to share their problems and issues in administering the affairs of the chapter. The alumni pledged full support but urged the members to do their part and comply their individual obligations to the chapter and the society as a whole. The alumni reminded the students the importance of strictly adhering to the provisions of the Althonians Constitution and By Laws (CBL).

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List of Local Chapter Members (Students)Who Attended the Rho Chapter Reunion August 8, 2009 at MSU Marawi City, Philippines 1 FRANCIS BENEDICT DUQUE Beta Omicron chapter (7th Batch- Sept 18, 2003) 2 NIMROD MANJAAL Epsilon chapter ( December 24, 2005) 3 ANNA FELIA M. TORRES ( 110th Batch- August 13, 2005) 4 MELISSA B. MORRONDOZ ( 111th Batch- June 7, 2006) 5 AHRAM POLANCOS ( 113th Batch- August 13, 2006) 6 RODEL CANDADO ( 116th Batch- January 19, 2007) 7 ALVIN TANUDTANUD ( 117th Batch- June 24, 2007) 8 MELCHOR NATINGGA ( 117th Batch- June 24, 2007) 9 BENJAMIN TORCULAS Jr. ( 118th Batch- December 2007) 10 MELVIN ELLARINA ( 118th Batch- December 2007) 11 MARK GIL BAGA ( 119th Batch- April 9, 2008) 12 MICHAEL DAVE MONOY Alpha Pi chapter ( May 1, 2008) 13 JOHN KEVIN MONTERO ( 120th Batch- April 27, 2008) 14 CHIENA CASAL (121st Batch- July 19, 2008) 15 JAMALODEN PARAHIMAN ( 122nd Batch- December 14, 2008) 16 JAMEL UMPA SAMPORNA ( 123rd Batch-  February 7, 2009) 17 DAISY MAE ABAPO ( 123rd Batch-  February 7, 2009) 18 MOHAMMAD ALAUYA ( 123rd Batch-  February 7, 2009) 19 SAADODIN BACARAT ( 124th Batch- February 22, 2009)      20 GERALD DUMOLOY (Now in Alpha Omicron Chapter, 2006)