NMI chapter celebrates Triskelions’ anniversary

Tau Gamma Phi Northern Mariana Islands Council president Allan Hernandez, front fourth left, joins the other officers and members of the local chapter in celebrating the 49th founding anniversary of the Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity anniversary. (Jon Perez)

Tau Gamma Phi’s Northern Mariana Islands Council chapter joined the entire Triskelions Grand Fraternity family in celebrating its 49th founding anniversary Wednesday night at the Oleai Beach Pavilion.

University of the Philippines College of Arts and Sciences’ student leaders Restituto Alfonso, Rod Confesor, Romeo Fortes, Roy Ordinario, Talek Pablo, and Tito Venida formed the Order of the UP Triskelions on Oct. 4, 1968.

They were all members of the U.P. Political Science Club during the pre-Martial Law years of then Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. The Tau Gamma Sigma or the Triskelions’ Grand Sorority is its counterpart.

Erick Dizon and Edwin Orejola helped form and organize the NMI Council in 2007 with Edgardo Diaz of Paranaque Chapter as the first president. Allan Hernandez is the current president.

Dizon said the Triskelions’ NMI chapter started through a radio show where local members were frequently greeting each other.

“That’s when we found out that there were a lot of members of the Triskelions family here. We formally organized ourselves during relief efforts to help victims of a strong typhoon in Bicol in 2006,” said Dizon.

He added that they registered the chapter to the National Council in the Philippines while also enlisting as a non-profit group at the Internal Revenue Service of the United States where they were issued a tax identification number.

Current president Allan Hernandez said the NMI Council had been active with various projects that benefit the community and also help out during disasters, especially to those affected in the Philippines.

“We not only actively participate in [United Filipino Organization] events but also organize beach clean ups, help paint some of the pavilion, and other projects that would help our community,” said Hernandez, who is now on his fifth year as council president.

“We consider our annual feeding program during the trek up Mt. Tapochau during Holy Week as our biggest community project. We give food and other refreshments to people,” he added.

Tyrone Garon (first vice president), Vince Sablan (second VP), Aired Murillo (secretary/treasurer), and Rodel Albalate (sergeant-at-arms) are the other NMI Council officers. The council has more than 40 active members on Saipan and Tinian.