After World War II, Solomon George Levy, Gamma Alpha ’47, a Scouter and an APO alumnus, went to the Philippines. At a conference, Levy shared the idea of a Scouting-based fraternity and left APO publications with the Filipinos in attendance, among them Dr. Librado I. Ureta. Starting in 1947, Dr. Ureta organized Alpha Phi Omega at Far Eastern University in Manila where he was a graduate student. The response from fellow Eagle Scouts was good.

By the year 1950, when Arno S. “Shorty” Nowotny, Alpha Rho ’38, was National President, and APO already had more than 200 American chapters coast to coast, the Filipinos were ready for official recognition by the school administration. On March 2, 1950, in Room 214 of the Nicanor Reyes Sr. Memorial Hall, the first organization of APO outside of the United States was established by Dr. Ureta’s group of over 20 Scouts and Advisors. Far Eastern University became the Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega of the Republic of the Philippines.

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A photo of Alpha Phi Omega Philippines, Alpha Chapter members at the Far Eastern University, Sampaloc, Manila, organized on March 2, 1950. Copyright Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity – Torch & Trefoil ’51. All rights reserved.

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This photo was taken at the first meeting of the National Board of Alpha Phi Omega of the Philippines. Members of the national body (clockwise around the table), starting at extreme left, are Brothers Ralph Hawkins, Ignacio J. Sevilla, Lamberto T. Dominguez, Romeo Y. Atienza, Librado I. Ureta, Godofredo P. Neric, Max M. Velasco, (standing at the rear) Alfredo L. de Ios Reyes. The inset of is Guillermo R. Padolina. Not in the picture are Brothers Bonifacio Lazcano, Sancho R. Varias, and Moises P. Rulloda.
Copyright Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity – Torch & Trefoil ’51. All rights reserved.

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Later in the same year, with the participation of other Scouts in Manila, including those from the nearby National University (named the Beta Chapter on 24 March 1951), the Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity became a national organization and Dr. Ureta became the first national president. On 13 September 1953, APO of the Philippines held its first National Convention in Manila. A Philippine college or university may become an APO chapter on the petition of at least fifteen students (all-male or all-female) of the school. Whichever organization by gender is established on campus first, the fraternity brothers and sorority sisters share the same chapter name.

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A photo of Alpha Phi Omega Philippines, Alpha Chapter members led by Brother Librado I. Ureta (on the middle of 2nd row) with the newly installed members of Beta Chapter at the National University, Manila. Beta Chapter was chartered on September 8, 1951 led by Brother Ismael Buyco, Chapter President (the 4th brother from left in back row).
Copyright Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity – Torch & Trefoil ’51. All rights reserved.

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Brothers taking the oath to membership in Alpha Phi Omega Philippines, Beta Chapter at National University, Manila. Beta Chapter was chartered on September 8, 1951 led by Brother Ismael Buyco, Chapter President.
Copyright Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity – Torch & Trefoil ’51. All rights reserved.

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In the past, sisters belonged to sororities of different names. Women were first admitted into the APO ranks on 17 September 1968, when the first sorority chapter was given official recognition. On 18 December 1971, Alpha Phi Omega Auxiliary Sorority took legal from (“Auxiliary” was later dropped).

Photo of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Kappa Phi Omega Sorority members of University of the Philippines in Diliman.
Copyright Alpha Phi Omega – Philippines, Eta Chapter. All rights reserved.

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On 13 October 1976, the APO National Executive Board started to grant recognition to alumni associations on the petition of fifteen life members from the fraternity or sorority. To date, ninety-two alumni associations based on location, region, profession, or chapter are official APO service resources throughout the Philippine archipelago and abroad. Among countries with active alumni groups are: Australia, England, Japan, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In North America, local chapters may contact these Filipino alumni associations in British Columbia, New York, Florida, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, San Francisco Bay area, Houston, Montreal, San Diego, Toronto, Seattle, Winnipeg and Guam. Many of these alumni associations are members of the Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Council of North America.

While APO through the years has acquired an identity separate from the Boy Scouts, and native culture has influenced the biggest fraternity and sorority in the Southeast Asian country, the Philippine Alpha Phi Omega always adheres to Frank Horton’s cardinal principles of leadership, friendship, and service. If there is one difference, it is that the handclasp is based not on the original APO member Thane Cooley’s, but on the Boy Scout handshake.