The founding brothers were men of diverse persuasions and varied interests.

For its philosophy, the founders adopted the guideline: "We shall not be saved without wisdom for though knowledge is power, but only wisdom is liberty."

Since almost all of the founders held scholarships, a weighted grade average of 1.75 was the prime qualification for an invitation to apply for admission into the select group. While they belonged to the campus elite, they did not come from elitist backgrounds. Neither did they want to be elitists.

They welcomed all who desired to share their fraternal bond and the objects for which they had founded their brotherhood. They wanted to share the ideal of aspiring for relevance not only in the context of the campus, but in the larger national fabric. While they sought an increase in numbers, the founders insisted
in the maintenance of quality among the recruits.

1940 was a year of expansion and consolidation for the Alphans. Antonio L. Azores was Lord Chancellor for the first semester, and Adriano Garcia for the second semester. Prospects for membership had their backgrounds checked from records of the University Registrar and the Secretary of the College of Law. Those with the scholastic qualifications, and showed potential for leadership in campus and national affairs, were invited to join. The neophytes were oriented to the ideals and aspirations of the founders. Those who decided to proceed with their applications were made to undergo tests in skills essential to prove their actual possession of perceived potential, and commitment to the ideals and causes of the founders. Physical initiations were not encouraged on the theory that this would demean the brotherhood. No aspirant was turned down just because he did not have the social background or financial resources.

In addition, there were tests of humility, surrender of the individual to the larger aspirations and interests of the group, and the ability to yield total obedience to the consensus of the majority. While this seemed a simplistic approach, compared to the other fraternal organizations on the campus that believed that intensive physical tests sealed fraternal bonds, the founding brothers felt that those with a low threshold of pain, but nonetheless had all the other qualifications for membership and would be assets, would not be turned off and stay away. The approach worked, and the best minds on the campus joined the new fraternity.