CHEERS and good spirits filled the halls of the Pan Pacific Hotel’s Grand Ballroom as the crowd welcomed the newest members of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity, along with the newly elected Executive Council members for 2014-2015 and the men of Phi Batch 1963, who celebrated their 50th anniversary in the brotherhood. The ceremony, entitled Rising Sons: The Phi Kappa Mu 2014 Induction Ball, was attended by members of the Fraternity from all over the world, young and old, with their lovely dates and guest sponsors. The ceremony also paid tribute to the graduating Interns and the outgoing Executive Council.
The event opened with a few words of wisdom and guidance from the outgoing Superior Exemplar, Jose Antonio Tan Paulino Φ2009. A bountiful feast was served to the guests as the batch video of the newest Brods, the Eightieths was played. The outgoing Brother Prior Jojiemar Salonga De Pano Φ2011 proudly introduced his “sons”— Lorenzo Abednego Bobadilla Adre Φ2013, Julian Que Arguilla Φ2013, Van Euldem Diaz Battad Φ2013, Jonathan Saputil Elevazo Φ2013, Gabriel Liberon Polido Jazon Φ2013, Kevin Sangel Lucas Φ2013, John Vincent Usita Magalong Φ2013, Mark Jason Dela Cruz Milan Φ2013, Dominic Leandro Fernandez Milla Φ2013, Al Joseph Rodriguez Molina Φ2013, Ryuichi Peralta Nakamura Φ2013, Jon Bryan Santiago Tiosin Φ2013, and Jasper Paolo Ramos Viloria Φ 2013 as they came up onstage. The program then turned into a solemn ceremony as the Eightieths were formally inducted into the Fraternity. The batch leader of the Eightieths, Brod Van, gave a heartwarming reply of gratitude and hope before the Brotherhood.
A video commemorating the shared experiences and achievements of the Phi Kappa Mu Batch 1963 was played for the returning Brods, Martin Jalon De la Rosa II Φ1963, Napoleon Medina Apolinario Φ1963 and Angelito Luna Sebollena Φ1963. Brod Marni and Nap, in reply to the tribute, elicited laughter among the crowd as they recounted their experiences as medical students during their time. The celebrants were awarded plaques of appreciation by the outgoing Venerable Preceptor Kim Paolo Lugtu Lorenzo Φ2010.
To congratulate the Graduating Batch of 2014, a commemorative video was played and medals were conferred to them by their Brothers Prior Leonard Christopher Tenorio Seńa Φ2007 and Dax Carlo Go Pascasio Φ2006. Brod Leonard and Dax both spoke on how the graduating interns were moulded from ordinary individuals into Phi brods living out the Fraternity’s virtues.
As the program drew to a close, overwhelming applause greeted the new Executive Council as they came up onstage and were formally sworn into office, alongside their outgoing counterparts. The new Superior Exemplar Mark Terence Pua Mujer Φ 2010 gave his closing remarks, and capped the night of with a momentous fraternity toast—celebrating the monumental achievements of the past year, and looking forward to the new year.
