THE TRISKELION COLORS

Bro. Ray R. Ramirez, MDG

U.P. 1972
Sec Gen Los Angeles/Southern California
Over the years, certain matters come into light, some seen in a different light. Such is our Fraternity's history and
other facts and allegories closely related.

When I joined the frat in 1972, all 4 founding fathers still frequented the "tambayan" on an almost daily basis. In
fact it was Rod Confesor's brilliant and eloquent delivery at the orientation that made me and seven others decide to
join Tau Gamma Phi that Friday evening in late August, one of them the late Allen Hernandez (former Sec. Gen
1976). The seal we had to "kiss" was actually done in primary colors: red, yellow and blue. Even the decals and silk-
screened t-shirt logos were done in 3 colors. I could only assume the 3 primary colors equated with the 3 dynamic
forces of "Fortis, Voluntas and Fraternitas". In the '1990's, these dynamic forces were even likened to the Triune
God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); go figure.

If I am not mistaken, my "ka-batch", Roland "Adi" Adriano, who later transferred to NU and worked for KBS
involved in TV productions, made possible the procurement of reflectorized decals. Either his father, or another
close relative, worked for 3M Philippines and that we were given a handsome discount for a minimum order of 500
pieces but only in 2 colors since 3 would bump up the price, considering the cost of offset printing in those days
(1973 BC, "before computers"). So a decision was made to use black and gold since the contrast made the 3 legged
symbol glow when light, esp headlights, reflected upon it. For P2.00 each, half a day's allowance for a typical
college kid in those days, the brods snatched them up like crazy, sticking them on wallets, briefcases, "Cattleya"
notebook covers and car bodies, windshields and other windows.

I was at a gun show some years back, rummaging through military "distinguished insignias", enameled metal "pins"
worn on headgear such as berets and garrison caps. One such item caught my attention: a 3 legged symbol in gold
on a round, green background with the word "FORTIS" below. I thought to myself, since Tito Venida was a history
major, could he have come across this symbol before his inception of forming a fraternity? In 1967, Star Trek had an
episode entitled " The Gamesters of Triskelion" about inhabitants of a solar system with 3 stars (suns) who were
always gambling with each other, pitting intergalactic Gladiators in fights to the death, betting on who wins and
what the odds were. Captain Kirk engaged an alien warrior in hand-to-hand combat in an arena with the 3 legged
symbol painted on the floor of battle. I guess the brods' penchant for "pusoy" is just a coincidence. But clearly, Tito
could have been, and still probably is, a "TREKKIE".

I still have one surviving decal, affixed to my leather checkbook cover since 1979, still intact to this day. How are
we to know that from such trivial beginnings, noble principles could be derived? It is a classic version of "function
following form" and "the means justifying the ends". Pure symbolism, yet true to principle. And it takes real
Triskelions to find the true meaning of our norms and ideals and live our lives according to them.