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HAZY DAYS :: VIOLENCE FOR THE SAKE OF BROTHERHOOD
To frat or not to frat
Published in Youngstar Magazine July 2002
One of the most commonly asked questions about hazing in fraternities is why do young men and women participate in such horrific and life-threatening activities just to belong to a group? This seems like a reasonable question--but it reveals the lack of understanding about the dynamics of the hazing process.
Eleven years ago, law student Leonardo “Lenny” Villa died as a result of injuries sustained during fraternity initiation rites. Charges were filed and in January of this year, the acquittal of 19 of the 26 Aquila Legis fraternity members accused of killing the law student of the Ateneo de Manila University and the downgrading of the sentence of four, from homicide to slight physical injuries by the Court of Appeals stirred controversy. Only the conviction on homicide charges of two Aquila Legis leaders, whom the court found to be responsible for resuming the hazing after it had already been completed, was upheld after the CA found proof that they have been against Villa and had apparently used the fraternity hazing to get even (Source Agnes Donato et.al., Philippine Daily Inquirer, 15 January 2002.). Apparently, Justice Eulogo Versola’s considered the neophyte’s consent to undergo physical initiation as a "valid defense". Mrs. Villa maintained that her son consented only to humane initiation rites.
Is brotherhood really the driving force behind hazing?
Apparently, the answer is yes. What is hazing? The first word that usually pops into mind is fraternity, the second, initiation, and this is no farther from the truth. According to Republic Act No. 8049, an act regulating hazing and other forms of initiation rites in fraternities, sororities and organizations, hazing is an initiation rite or practice as a prerequisite for admission into membership in a placing the recruit, neophyte or applicant in some embarrassing or humiliating situations such as forcing him to do menial, sill, foolish and similar tasks or activities or otherwise subjecting him to physical or psychological suffering or injury.
Fraternity, on the other hand, is a group of men or women is bound together by friendship, brotherhood or sisterhood, and common goals and aspirations. The members that form the fraternity share their friendship, efforts and knowledge. Together these members learn and grow and make the fraternity strong. Their common experience build ties that last a lifetime.
Sounds like something out of a commercial, doesn’t it? Well, it’s very real – that’s what fraternities are all about. However, before one could join, one has to undergo hazing or initiation. No fraternity is without its own initiation rites. Whether you like it or not, there is and always will be an initiation. In fraternities, it is a part of life. All fraternity members I’ve talked to while researching for this article declared that it is through hazing that one proves his loyalty to the fraternity: how much the organization could count on that neophyte undergoing the initiation once he’s part of the organization, how far he would go for the frat, and how much pain and suffering he is willing to go through to prove his loyalty. After all, since fraternities operate under the oath of brotherhood, it is a lifelong commitment.
One commonly asked question is why plebes have to undergo pain and suffering during initiation with regards to the violent nature of hazing? The answer: tradition and brotherhood. According to Charles,* a present member of a fraternity (whose name he wishes remain anonymous), “Kung ano yung napagdaanan ng brod mo, dapat daanan mo din, kasi kung na-survive niya yun, kaya mo din i-survive kung willing ka talaga sumali sa frat.” (Whatever your fraternity brother has gone through in the past, you also have to go through because if he was able to survive it, you also will, if you are really willing to join.) And the biggest part of it all is that a neophyte gives his full consent to undergo such ordeal.
“What people don’t understand about hazing is that there is more to it than just violence,” says Francis, member of Alpha Sigma. “While it is true that the endurance of physical pain constitutes hazing, there are also mental and psychological testing and training procedure and practices to determine and enhance the physical, mental and psychological fitness of prospective regular members.”
One common misconception about fraternities is that all they do is pick fights and engage in “frat wars.” According to Allan,* this is not true. “In our frat, we do more than just pick fights with other frats or non-frat members. Minsan nga lang mangyari yun, eh. Believe it or not, we help each other out in academic matters.” That isn’t really surprising, considering that the first fraternity founded in 1776 was put up after students realized a need to discuss current events outside the classroom. Fraternities have since taken on a broader role to develop the moral, mental, and social skills of their members. Since fraternities are composed of individuals from different years, sometimes with the same majors, sometimes with different ones, (depending on the kind of fraternity) and diverse interests, one can always find some senior members who have already completed the courses his brods are taking and therefore can offer advice on content and testing.
While it cannot be denied that the social aspect of fraternities is one of the many reasons that students get involved in fraternities, fraternities spend significant amounts of time working with, and raising funds for, local and national community service organizations and agencies. Whether it is planning a party, a premier or concert, a community service project, or regular weekly meetings, fraternity members have learned to manage their time wisely with other commitments like homework, relationships, and jobs. “After I joined my frat, I was surprised at myself nga na kaya ko palang i-balanse lahat – school, family, even my girlfriend kahit na active member ako sa frat,” said David.
And since fraternities operate under the principles of brotherhood, trust that they will remain loyal to each other for life. The role of the alumni as advisors and consultants is substantial. Lifetime friendships expand beyond individual chapters to include all members of the national and (for large-scale fraternities), international fraternity life community. “I know I got my job on my own, because of my transcript and resume,” shares John, “though I doubt if my papers would have been noticed had it not been for Michael, a senior brod from our frat when we were back in college.” There are so many stories out there on how fraternities helped students network for potential employment opportunities after graduation, a reward that according to Andrew, a senior VP for large company, “was worth all the paddles I received during my hazing when I was a wee little freshmen in a huge university.” Apparently, when Andrew passed his application papers several years ago, the hiring officer in the Human Resource Department recognized him as a member of the same frat that particular officer belonged to in college. “It wasn’t what got me the job, but it certainly made things a lot easier – my application was processed very quickly!” Andrew shared fondly. “All because of brotherhood.”
Brotherhood. It’s such a strong word. To those willing to make a lifetime commitment to a group who they know would help them become better people in the future, the pains and humiliation that one has to undergo during hazing may well be worth it. But keep in mind: choosing the fraternity that you will be a part of the rest of your life may very well lead you to self-improvement and self-fulfillment, or may just downright lead you to your own demise. So choose wisely.
© Valerie V. Mayuga, 2005
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Is it worth
it to undergo all those initiation rites? According to all fraternity members,
the answer is a resounding yes. “Definitely,” volunteers Jeffrey*. “Because once
you’re in the fraternity, okay ka na, hindi ka na kailangan mag-alala kasi
alam mo na may mga brod ka who’ll stick with you through thick and thin.
At pagkatapos mo madaan yung hazing, madali na lahat. I think it also really
boosted my self-esteem, in a way.” Through think and thin, huh? Does this mean
even through fights and everything. “Of course,” says Gabe,* “all for one, one
for all. But what most people don’t know is that fraternities are more than just
a barbaric group of men. Non-frat members always think that all we do is pick
fights and wreak havoc. That’s not true. Oo nga, nagkakaroon ng mga away,
pero hindi kasi talaga maiiwasan yun. I mean, you have different people in a
fraternity, meron at meron talagang mga gustong manggulo at makipag-away
when there’s a reason to. Ngayon, depende na lang yun sa frat ninyo kung pano
niyo iha-handle yung situation kapag, kunyari, may isa kayong ka-brod
na napaaway sa taong member ng ibang frat. Pero palagi muna pinag-uusapan yun,
kung reasonable ba na makikigulo yung frat sa away ng isang brod.”
Chris* adds, “Also, depende ‘yun sa frat na sasalihan mo.
Totoo nga na may mga frat na war freak, pero yung mga
fraternities na ganun, walang kwenta yun – they won’t do you good, they
won’t help you improve yourself. Diba nga, isa sa mga factors kung
bakit sumasali ng frat eh para ma-improve mo yung sarili mo,
both socially and in academics.”