Xi/Omicron Formal

A Modern Fraternity

Zeta Phi Rho is a brotherhood that extracts the full potential of its members and molds them into the leaders you see today. Leaders who are ready to contribute to society and make a difference. Leaders who remember those who have inspired them, and in turn will inspire others. Leaders who are known as the Distinguished Gentlemen of Zeta Phi Rho. -Phillip Austria, Alpha Chapter, Zeta Class

Brotherhood Unlike Any Other

Zeta Phi Rho is a young fraternity rapidly expanding in every direction - physically, structurally, strategically, culturally, philanthropically. We break fraternity stereotypes. Our 8 chapters in southern California, governed by our Distinguished Council, provide a huge network of brothers in constant communication with each other. We are a diverse group of brothers driven by our philosophy - commitment to character, leadership, academics, and the community.

Zetas on the Hill

Philosophy

For decades, fraternities have taught young collegians lessons that cannot be found anywhere else. Established to expedite the scholastic, social, and professional interests of the members, Greek-letter organizations separate themselves from other groups by instilling their members with an outstanding brotherhood. Unfortunately, many fraternities have devalued the system by constantly promoting their negative stereotypes, causing others to view “frat guys” as rich, loud, conceited, alcoholic party animals.

Dissatisfied with the current fraternal system at the University of Southern California, eight students - Ernie Aglipay, Jeoffrey Cudiamat, Geoffrey del Rosario, Earl Nadal, Ray Reyes, Darryl Sol, Dennis Trazo, and Patrick Vallejo - began searching for the fundamental essence of brotherhood. They came upon a new family known as Zeta Phi Rho, which was only one year young but already prepared for expansion. Every member of Zeta Phi Rho, despite the youth of its existence, displayed a strong sense of responsibility to each other and the community as well as a distinct character that was uncommon among “frat guys.” Having been shown the real essence of a fraternity and determined to be a part of the Distinguished Gentlemen, on March 23, 1996, these eight men became the Founding Fathers of the Gamma Chapter of Zeta Phi Rho at USC.

A brotherhood unlike any other, Zeta Phi Rho continues to promote its growth and further establishes the foundations of traditions that future classes and chapters will uphold and teach to new brothers.
As a philanthropy-based fraternity, Zeta Phi Rho serves as a focal point to bring together the variety of talents and strengths within each member, whether it be social, academic, or athletic ability, and utilize them not just for creating new leaders but most importantly for our larger endeavors for the community, including our national philanthropy, Habitat for Humanity.

The brotherhood shared between every member of every chapter is what distinguishes us from other fraternities. Having recently crossed the Theta Chapter at the University of California at Riverside, the family is now eight chapters strong, a tight network of brothers in which each chapter continuously supports the others. Zeta Phi Rho is not one fraternity on one campus, nor is it a multitude of dislocated fraternities under the same name, but one fraternity on all eight (8) university campuses across southern California. We strive to become a true multicultural brotherhood. Additionally, while Zeta Phi Rho is not the stereotypical fraternity that hazes its pledges and gets drunk, it is a fraternity that works on improving its members. We are Distinguished Gentlemen, men of a unique nature, instilled with the Cardinal Principles. Zeta Phi Rho is not just a fraternity - it is a way of life, which we have engraved in our hearts. Thus, we do not feel like we are “better” than other people. Our brotherhood has no rivalry. Zeta Phi Rho is neither superior nor inferior to, but Distinguished Above All Others.

History

ZETA PHI RHO was founded upon the dream of building a secure bond amongst a team of individuals, working in harmony to provide a strong brotherhood. The dream became a reality on August 10, 1995. On this day, the birth of our ALPHA Chapter was established at California State University, Long Beach. Fourteen distinguished gentlemen devised the fraternity’s backbone and heart, known as the Cardinal Principles, which were to be passed down for generations to come. Christopher Arnaldo, Francis Baylen, Carlo Boiser, Joseph Braza, Butch Callanta, Ian Carbonell, Archie Cardenas, Vincent Delupio, Johnnie Garcia, Ronald Hipol, Alfred Perdito, Jan-Michael Roy, Carlos Sanchez and Greg San Luis were the fourteen distinguished gentlemen who became our Founding Fathers.

The brothers of Zeta Phi Rho decided to make another step into forming bonds with individuals at the University of California, Santa Barbara. On March 16, 1996, Jon Austria, Jay Carino, Matt Chua, Lionel Garcia, Avelino Llenado, Lester Sebastian and Richard Villegas decided to become part of our organization. As a result, the BETA Chapter of Zeta Phi Rho was formed.

The ideas, principles, and experiences of our brotherhood were taken to the next level, and introduced to the University of Southern California. After implementing the values and traditions of our fraternity into the minds of eight individuals, the GAMMA Chapter of Zeta Phi Rho was given life. On March 23, 1996, Ernie Aglipay, Jeoffrey Cudiamat, Geoffrey del Rosario, Earl Nadal, Ray Reyes, Darryl Sol, Dennis Trazo and Patrick Vallejo became the founding pledge class of the fraternity’s third lifeline.

After many learning experiences and hardships, Loyola Marymount University was introduced to the philosophy of Zeta Phi Rho. Taking in what they have been taught, six individuals became part of this fine organization. Erwin Allado, Ray Mandap, Franz Quiambao, Mark San Buenaventura, Jesse Urbano and Alex Zapanta were initiated into the brotherhood on November 24, 1996 as the founding pledge class of the DELTA Chapter.

Nearly four years has gone by since Zeta Phi Rho has passed on its traditions, values, and lessons to those outside of its current structure. Looking towards its future, a group of nine gentlemen decided to take up the task of helping the fraternity grow. It has found its home at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Peter Borja, Eldrin Cruz, Marvin Cruz, Eduardo Mayor, Alain Nicasio, Christian Ramos, Ian Reyes, Jimmy Sauz, and Chad Villacorta on September 17, 2000, became the founding class of the EPSILON Chapter.

In light of the fraternity’s amazing growth, within six years the sixth expansion of Zeta Phi Rho was created. Commemorating the first anniversary, ZETA Chapter, nine gentlemen extended the brotherhood to the University of California, Irvine. Nolan De Ramos, Don Marc Dimaranan, Gregory Primavera, Oliver Reyes, Joel Sacayanan, Jakob Sebastian, Michael Thai, Christian Tsuji, and Paul Uy, exercised the principles and traditions of those who came before them in founding the chapter on January 11, 2002.

Zeta Phi Rho, in its quest to perpetually strive for more, set its eyes on the University of California, Los Angeles. The ETA Chapter was born on February 22, 2004 with four distinguished gentlemen as its founding members: Christopher Aquino, Andrew Evangelista, Marco Munar, and Marko Marbella. These four individuals marked the beginnings of the seventh chapter of Zeta Phi Rho’s unprecedented growth beginning just eight years prior.

Later that year, yet another group decided the future of Zeta Phi Rho is far from over. From the University of California, Riverside, Aidesiderio Alhambra III, Peter Ancheta, Andrew Ipapo, Rafael Llana, Geff Primavera, Mark Rasoul, Louie Tejada III, and Sean Wy, rewrote our history as the THETA Chapter on December 5, 2004.

After four years of trials and tribulations, Zeta Phi Rho sought to expand their Brotherhood even further by establishing their ninth Chapter. California State University of Fullerton, exemplified great potential for the future of Zeta Phi Rho and its Brothers. With that said, five determined gentlemen, Jeremy Vaughn Alalay, David May, Viet Nguyen, Ben Shum, and Wilson Tsoi, made their mark into history on October 11 2008, by founding Zeta Phi Rho’s IOTA Chapter.

Since our foundation was laid, we were able to grow nine chapters strong. With the mindset of extending our beliefs and principles to other groups having the heart of the same caliber, we will grow even larger – even stronger.

DC All-Chapter Formal

Philanthropy

Zeta Phi Skid Row

Every Thanksgiving and Easter we pack meals and hand them out at night to the homeless in Los Angeles’s Skid Row. It has been one of our traditions, and each time we try to improve on our previous effort.

Bros, Zeta Sisters, Delta Phi Kappa and Troy Phi at Zeta Phi Skid Rho

Community

As a philanthropy-based fraternity, Zeta Phi Rho serves as a focal point to bring together the variety of talents and strengths within each member, whether it be social, academic, or athletic ability, and utilize them not just for creating new leaders but most importantly for our larger community endeavors. The result of our mission is this: the brotherhood and character built within the fraternity will ultimately and inherently be reflected on to the community.

Bros at Catholic Big Brothers

Getting Involved

Urban Los Angeles, with its many impoverished areas, provides countless opportunities for community service. If you and/or your organization would like to contribute to Zeta Phi Rho’s philanthropy projects, please contact our philanthropy chair.

Beach clean-up with UCI Tau Theta Pi