Write-up by: Paolo Eleazar Φ2026, Rench Consumido Φ2026, and Karl Atega Φ2026 | Edited by: Al Christian Navarro Mabute Φ2025
Every year, the shores of Lingayen, Pangasinan welcome PHI for a weekend filled with laughter, stories, and memories worth carrying home. This year was no exception, since PHI Dagupan remains strangely predictable in the best possible way. Good food, sandy beaches, blue skies, and the warmth of fellowship have long been the hallmarks of PHI Dagupan, an annual tradition we share as brods and sisses of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Phi Lambda Delta Sorority.
Last July 2-3, 2026, we journeyed once again to Dagupan City and Lingayen, Pangasinan. It was a well-deserved break from the demands of medical school life, but more importantly, it was an opportunity to reconnect with our alumni and keep a cherished tradition alive.
Our arrival in Dagupan City was met with bright smiles and generous hospitality by Brods Generoso Deloso Torres Φ1972, Zenaides Tactay Wi Φ1972 SE 1975-1976, Juan Antonio Maximiano Regalado Escano Φ1992, and Pocholo Iñigo Bleza Morales Φ2009, at the renowned Dagupeña restaurant. We enjoyed a hearty spread of local delicacies, including Dagupan’s famous bangus and fresh seafood. Beyond the satisfying meal, our alumni brods also nourished us with meaningful lessons on life and fraternity. We ended the morning festivities with a photoshoot, along with a solemn yet powerful rendition of our Frat Song.
Brod Maxie graciously gave us a tour of the Medical City Pangasinan. His witty jokes, and anecdotes kept us entertained while he gave us insight into what it’s like within one of the premier hospitals of the province. Afterwards, we eagerly made our way to the beaches of Dagupan, the much-anticipated highlight of the trip. Having arrived at dusk, we made the most out of each other’s company, enjoying the change of scenery until the sun went down. We continued on with games by the beach’s fine black sand, while others waded along the waters. We cemented the memory, no doubt, with good vibes and a lot of photos to look back on.
The fellowship was far from over, as we headed to Naro Cafe for the evening’s dinner together with brods Maxie, Poch, and Jayson Rosario Paragas Φ2008B. Once again, we were served with another set of Pangasinense delicacies as the banter continued. Just as we thought the festivities were winding down, brods Jon Bryan Santiago Tiosin Φ2013 and Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr. Φ2014 arrived as a welcome surprise after driving for hours from Manila. Their presence filled the room with jokes, and interesting stories over one too many drinks. Little did we know, the night’s real peak was still ahead of us. We kept the momentum alive, elevating the rest of the night at El Puerto Marina into an unforgettable celebration. We shared stories over the warm campfire, stubbornly refusing to call it a night. With the drinks never seeming to end, inhibitions faded, as old stories resurfaced, and embarrassing moments were made. For once, we were sleep-deprived by choice, rather than by an all-nighter before a module exam. Laughter echoed throughout the night, as the warmth of brotherhood kindled and lit the evening ablaze.
The following day, carrying the memories of a great night and barely any sleep to show for it, we made our way back. Before heading home, we shared one final lunch at Ciudad Elmina with Brods Maxie, Jayson, and Jeffrey Michael Viloria Wong Φ2006. Say what you will about brods who can’t seem to let go, but one farewell isn’t enough for us. Besides, nobody was going to complain about another round of drinks.
We find the identity and relevance of PHI Dagupan not only in its traditions, but in the people who keep them alive. None of this could have been possible without the support and thoughtfulness of all the alumni present, more so our Pangasinan-based alumni.
Without a doubt, we found in this event the spirit of brotherhood in a setting that felt both strange yet familiar. While it offered us a welcome escape from the usual routine of transes and hospital rotations, it continues to be an enduring tradition that we, as brods and sisses, look forward to year after year. It is a place where the “young” and the “younger” brods come together, share stories from the past, and make new memories to carry into the years ahead. We’ll probably forget half of what was said around that campfire by next year’s trip. Doesn’t matter. What we’ll remember is that nobody wanted to be the one to say it was time to sleep, and that two brods drove hours just to sit with us for a few more. There is simply no better place for us to create lasting memories than with our brods and sisses.
To more PHI Dagupans in the years to come!
