Is violence the new brotherhood?
In an overwhelming and meritocratic society with diverse individuals, it is normal for one to feel the need to belong—to be a part of something where he would be recognized and accepted for who he truly is.
With all the stress and expectations it entails, including students with different levels of intellect, this concept is often applicable to law schools; which is why you would notice most law students join fraternities and sororities. Coupled with the pressures and demands of the impending professional world, law students most likely link themselves with groups and individuals who would be able to aid them with the possible problems they may encounter; more than that, to have people who will always be there for them.
Hence, brotherhood.
On the morning of Sept. 18, a cadaver of a young man was brought to the Chinese General Hospital. His name was Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, a freshman law student of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
As a freshman, he was new to the stressful world of law school—and, unfortunately, a perfect subject for recruitment by fraternities. Promised to be given aid in his academics and all throughout his law life, Atio eventually succumbed to the enticing words of his future brothers.
Two days before he was found dead, Atio got the permission of his parents to attend the welcome ceremony of Aegis Juris with the reassurance that the dean of UST Civil Law is a member, and that he would go home the next day.
But he never did.
What was once an alleged reason is now the truth. Atio did die due to a brutal fraternity hazing ritual, even with the existence of an Anti-Hazing Law under Republic Act No. 8094. A 22-year-old bill with only one conviction.
Long before the ill fate Atio has suffered, men around his age—or probably even younger—have suffered the same. It makes you ponder if those who are responsible for having blood in their hands still hold any fears, or worse, have a bit of compassion left in them.
Senseless and gruesome, this begs the question: Will the hazing culture ever end?
Although some would like to sway away from the general stereotype, most fraternities promote machismo ideals and still resort to hazing as initiation rites. As a result, they brew young individuals into onion-skinned males who get involved with fights due to petty reasons. Furthermore, they validate themselves—their strength, their pride, their ego—through violence.
If we scrutinize frat men in a common concept, they usually hinge their recognition on strength; and if we analyze it, the best way to gauge strength and power is through physical feats. This is the exact reason why fraternities get involved in and are associated with trouble—a manifestation of the pervasive culture of violence they uphold.
All these taint the true essence of brotherhood.
Brotherhood is about going beyond camaraderie and actually being a family who will always be there for another; it is about trust and loyalty in extremes. Although these are not mutually exclusive and may also exist in fraternities, the pervading culture of violence still haunts us.
In their own words, “Do No Injustice, Suffer No Injustice”, no one must ever die a senseless death. Those who perpetrate such must pay the prize.
Another promising man has fallen because of a false promise of brotherhood. Another promising man has been failed by the system that is supposedly there to protect him. It is high time to fix the flaws and weave the loopholes of the Anti-Hazing Law. It is time to bring the perpetrators to justice.
True brotherhood is not, and will never be, about violence.
Let the death of Atio be a constant reminder that hazing will never be okay, and that no one must ever die because of it. Never again.
In honor of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III. May he rest in peace.
