History of the San Diego California Chapter Tau Gamma Phi
by Brod. Ric Santos, UP 1972, Crow
Brod. Ric Santos (Crow 72)
During the 39th Anniversary celebration of the Tau Gamma Phi (TGF) in Northern California, Brod Ray Ramirez (Crow 72) and Sis Suzette Ranillo (SS) prepared a slide show presentation about the history of the Fraternity. In the presentation, San Diego was declared as the TGF's First International Chapter. They used a picture in the presentation that was taken during the October 4, 1979 TGF Anniversary Celebration in San Diego.
The picture showed San Diego and Los Angeles Brods celebrating the Fraternity's 11th foundation. I was present during that celebration and I remember the warm camaraderie we felt among ourselves, which helped soften our feelings of sadness for being so far away from home.
All of those who attended got a commemorative plaque designed by Brod Danny Barrameda (Tiger 73). The plaque proclaimed the TGF as the "Greatest Brotherhood on Earth".
Quite a lofty statement for an 11th Anniversary Statement. Other Brods present at that Celebration were Brod. Philip Isorea (Crow 72), Brod. Bert Reyes (Dragon 74), Brod. Ray Ramirez (Crow 72), Brod. Danny Barrameda (Tiger 73), and Brod. Tito Venida (FF).
San Diego had always had U.S Navy Triskelions stationed here. Brod Alan Uyenco (Charter Batch) we believe was the first one who came over. He was here in April 1973. Brod Danny Viado (Founder - Feati) was here about the same time, but the two never met when they were here. They never got to socialize.
In March of 1974, Brod. Boni Alcantara (Crow 72) and Brod Danny Barrameda (Tiger 74) arrived in San Diego for the U.S. Navy “Boot Camp”. The two of them were in the same company and from what I heard from Brod Boni, the two of them all through Boot Camp continued the Triskelion camaraderie they experienced when they were in college . They went on “liberty” together all over San Diego. Both Brod Boni and Brod Danny, on their later visits to the Philippines would recount stories of how they celebrated together while in San Diego
In trying to reconstruct the history of the San Diego Chapter, Brod Ray Ramirez and I decided that we should pick a Founding date when at least two Brods were here on an extended period (not just a quick stop over) and actually got to socialize. There would be no Chapter, we believed, if there was no camaraderie. We picked the 17th of March 1974. March 1974 was when Brod Boni and Brod Danny were here together and the 17th was an arbitary pick.
The camaraderie which they started continued with the arrival of other U.S. Navy Brods. Brods Elmer John Aguigam (Crow 72) and Philip Isorena (Crow 72) frequently got together when they were stationed here. It was Brod Philip who welcomed me to San Diego when I graduated from Boot Camp in May 1979. Brod Danny used to pick me up from my ship, the USS RAMSEY (FFG-2), so we could go on liberty. Brods Philip, Danny and myself would hang-out at Brod Tito Venida’s house who was stationed here at that time.
Brod Danny Viado (Founder- Feati) would also warmly open up his house to the Brods for get togethers and parties. Brod Loy Dela Cruz (UE) who was a Navy Corpsman stationed at the Medical Center started joining us at gatherings.
Later the Los Angeles Chapter got so big with the arrival of so many more Brods. On the other hand San Diego began to loose members with the transfer of Brods out of the area. At one point it was only Brod Elmer John and myself who were left in San Diego.
It was the arrival of Brod Lando Rosal (Auk 78) in 1997 that led to the resurgence of the San Diego Chapter. Brod Lando was able to recruit a dynamic crop of new Brods like Winslo Rivera (DOMC 78), Tony Ilagan (SBC 79), Androw Ibarrola (UST 91), and Ingram Penamora (UE 84).
The picture showed San Diego and Los Angeles Brods celebrating the Fraternity's 11th foundation. I was present during that celebration and I remember the warm camaraderie we felt among ourselves, which helped soften our feelings of sadness for being so far away from home.
All of those who attended got a commemorative plaque designed by Brod Danny Barrameda (Tiger 73). The plaque proclaimed the TGF as the "Greatest Brotherhood on Earth".
Quite a lofty statement for an 11th Anniversary Statement. Other Brods present at that Celebration were Brod. Philip Isorea (Crow 72), Brod. Bert Reyes (Dragon 74), Brod. Ray Ramirez (Crow 72), Brod. Danny Barrameda (Tiger 73), and Brod. Tito Venida (FF).
San Diego had always had U.S Navy Triskelions stationed here. Brod Alan Uyenco (Charter Batch) we believe was the first one who came over. He was here in April 1973. Brod Danny Viado (Founder - Feati) was here about the same time, but the two never met when they were here. They never got to socialize.
In March of 1974, Brod. Boni Alcantara (Crow 72) and Brod Danny Barrameda (Tiger 74) arrived in San Diego for the U.S. Navy “Boot Camp”. The two of them were in the same company and from what I heard from Brod Boni, the two of them all through Boot Camp continued the Triskelion camaraderie they experienced when they were in college . They went on “liberty” together all over San Diego. Both Brod Boni and Brod Danny, on their later visits to the Philippines would recount stories of how they celebrated together while in San Diego
In trying to reconstruct the history of the San Diego Chapter, Brod Ray Ramirez and I decided that we should pick a Founding date when at least two Brods were here on an extended period (not just a quick stop over) and actually got to socialize. There would be no Chapter, we believed, if there was no camaraderie. We picked the 17th of March 1974. March 1974 was when Brod Boni and Brod Danny were here together and the 17th was an arbitary pick.
The camaraderie which they started continued with the arrival of other U.S. Navy Brods. Brods Elmer John Aguigam (Crow 72) and Philip Isorena (Crow 72) frequently got together when they were stationed here. It was Brod Philip who welcomed me to San Diego when I graduated from Boot Camp in May 1979. Brod Danny used to pick me up from my ship, the USS RAMSEY (FFG-2), so we could go on liberty. Brods Philip, Danny and myself would hang-out at Brod Tito Venida’s house who was stationed here at that time.
Brod Danny Viado (Founder- Feati) would also warmly open up his house to the Brods for get togethers and parties. Brod Loy Dela Cruz (UE) who was a Navy Corpsman stationed at the Medical Center started joining us at gatherings.
Later the Los Angeles Chapter got so big with the arrival of so many more Brods. On the other hand San Diego began to loose members with the transfer of Brods out of the area. At one point it was only Brod Elmer John and myself who were left in San Diego.
It was the arrival of Brod Lando Rosal (Auk 78) in 1997 that led to the resurgence of the San Diego Chapter. Brod Lando was able to recruit a dynamic crop of new Brods like Winslo Rivera (DOMC 78), Tony Ilagan (SBC 79), Androw Ibarrola (UST 91), and Ingram Penamora (UE 84).
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