On the evening of June 6, the halls of New World Hotel were brought to life by the merriment of brothers banding together once again in joyous celebration. Often it is said, “There is a destiny that makes us brothers”, and indeed, this was a night destined to be a testament to the brotherhood of the Phi Kappa Mu. Aptly named “The Feast”, the gathering of these men could have easily been mistaken for the revelry one would find in legends of Valhalla or Olympus. The brothers of the Phi are mortal men, but through their spirit and the bonds that they have forged, they are immortalized.
True to its name, the night began with a “Noche Buena”, a sumptuous dinner that would do justice to the celebration that was to follow. As the guests partook of the last course of the evening, the program commenced with the opening remarks of outgoing Superior Exemplar Mark Terence Pua Mujer ф2010, whose words on the culmination of his years as a fratman were followed by cheers from the audience. With the air of pride and fanaticism thick in the room, hosts Miguel Enrico Santos Acuin ф2014 and Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr. ф2014 welcomed to the stage the first set of awardees.
A decade before the turn of the millennium, a total of 24 enterprising young men joined the ranks of the Phi Kappa Mu. Batch 1989A “Sweet Sixteen”, represented by brod Aldwin Alfonso Yaneza ф1989A, and Batch 1989B “Eight is Enough”, represented by Rex Marco Miguel Mojica Poblete ф1989B SE 1994-1995 and John David Vargas Zamora ф1989B, received congratulatory plaques marking their 25th year of dedication to the fraternity. As a special treat to both the celebrating batches and the audience, videos showcasing the fond memories that Phi 1989A and 1989B shared over the years were played.
Also honored were this year’s Golden Jubilarians, men who in their 50 years within the fold have risen as luminaries of the pillars of Phi excellence, leadership, service, and brotherhood. Phi Batch 1964, a band of brothers straight from the prosperous 60’s era of the Philippines, was presented with a plaque commemorating a generation of both their achievements and unwavering loyalty to the brotherhood.
The Phi brods of Class 2015 were also recognized in the program. With a mixture of pride, happiness, and nostalgia, ten members of Batch 2010 “Zodiacs” concluded their chapter in medical school as well as their years as Phi resident brods. With medals made of gold adorning their suits, the ten new Phi graduates of the UP College of Medicine proudly marched onstage as loyal sons of the Phi Kappa Mu. There they stood, knowing that though they are at the helm of their careers as physicians, the brotherhood of Phi will be ever present in whatever lands they may meet, wherever the future may take them. As tribute to these ten outstanding men of Phi, a video was presented showcasing the journeys they had taken together. Shortly afterward, the batch leader of the Zodiacs, Dennis Raymond Leoncio Sacdalan ф2010, took to the spotlight and delivered a heartfelt speech of gratitude, a speech which later on drew the attention of all those present as brod Dennis acknowledged their dear departed batchmate, brod Kenneth Roy Perez Mendoza ф2010. A video consisting of old pictures and documentation, prepared by brod Kurt Roland Alfonso Asperas ф2010, was played in honor of brod Kenneth, showcasing the countless memories he shared with his batchmates and the fraternity. Never one to miss out on a frat event, brod Antonio Miguel Padilla Dela Paz Phi ф2008B SE 2012-2013 and Brother Prior of Phi Class 2015 also prepared a video to congratulate them and to express his regards in having the privilege of guiding them during their years in the fraternity.
The hallmark event of the night was quick to approach. Angelo Mario Mendoza Salonga ф2012, “father” and proud Brother Prior of Phi 2014 Noche Buena, introduced the newest batch of Phi brods to the audience. The crowd was alive with laughter and cheers as they were entertained by Noche Buena’s batch video. With the conclusion of the video, the time had come for the formal rites of the occasion.
Time seemed to stand still as the lightness of the evening was replaced by the sombre of ceremony. December is a month reserved for jubilations, yet it was during this month of 2014 that eleven young men of the UP College of Medicine, united only by their desire and perseverance, undertook the journey to be worthy of the name Phi. Forged in fire and tested in adversity, eleven men prevailed, standing tall among the ranks of the venerable fold.
With Phi 2014 attached forevermore to their name, these men took the collective title “Noche Buena”, because they believe, along with the rest of the Fold, that brotherhood is a feast. The Fraternity thus formally inducted Miguel Enrico Santos Acuin ф2014, Edmond Rodiel Bries ф2014, Federico Cristobal Carcellar De Jesus II ф2014, Francisco Jose Amante Garcia ф2014, Jose Gabriel Trono Go ф2014, Arobe Sheik Goling II ф2014, John Albert Amante Gonzales ф2014, Jose Antonio Esteban Habana ф2014, Benjamin Francis Pablo Rodriguez Jr. ф2014, Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr. ф2014, and Hans Edison Esmere Yap ф2014. Francisco Jose Amante Garcia, the batch leader of Noche Buena, then addressed the brods and guests with a message of heartfelt appreciation.
Members of the outgoing executive council were then invited onstage to receive medals for their distinguished service in leading the fraternity. In the one short year that each executive council has for their term, the course of the Phi Kappa Mu progresses further towards her destiny. To continue their legacy and pave the road before them forward, the incoming executive council was called to receive the mantle of leadership from their predecessors. In a symbolic gesture of passing on the trust and confidence of the fraternity, it was recognized that the future that lay ahead was commended to the capable hands of the new executive council.
Led by Jojiemar Salonga De Pano ф2011 SE 2015-2016, Vice Superior Exemplar Timothy Carl Francisco Uy ф2012, Brother Prior Kevin Romeo Sangel Lucas ф2013, Standard Bearer John Vincent Usita Magalong ф2013, Venerable Preceptor Angelo Maria Mendoza Salonga ф2012, Brother Custodian Ryle Siegfrid Ong Li ф2012, Brother Scribe Ryuichi Peralta Nakamura ф2013, Senior Guardian of the Temple Gabriel Liberon Pulido Jazon ф2013, Brother Recorder Benjamin Francis Pablo Rodriguez Jr. ф2014, and Junior Guardian of the Temple Hans Edison Esmere Yap ф2014, the new Executive Council took their oath of office and were inducted as the new officers of the Phi Kappa Mu.
To conclude the festivities and thanksgiving of the event, Superior Exemplar Jojiemar Salonga De Pano gave the closing remarks in honor of the brotherhood that is forever strong. With this, a fraternity toast was called and as the glasses were emptied, the brods gathered together for the fraternity song, led by the youngest brod, Hans Edison Esmere Yap ф2014.
Phi Batch 2014 Noche Buena would like to acknowledge and thank the alumni brods, the living embodiment of brotherhood that spans the seas of time and space: Romeo Pilotin Ariniego Φ1967, Abdel Jeffri Abubakar Abdulla Φ1977, Bernardo Dimacali Dimacali Φ1978, Teodoro Javier Herbosa Φ1979, Renato Trota Jose Φ1980, Francisco Catibayan Manalo Φ1981, Aris Luke Iguico Dungo Φ1983, Ernesto Antonio Jamias Valdez Jr. Φ1983, Enrico Gil Cruz Oblepias Φ1984, Jose Ma. Pascual Dionisio Bautista Φ1984B, Dennis Pestano Serrano Φ1984B, Devino Rivera Garcia Φ1986, Orville Cortez Ocampo Φ1987, Aldwin Alfonso Yaneza Φ1989A, Rex Marco Miguel Mojica Poblete Φ1989B SE 1994-1995, John David Vargas Zamora Φ1989B, Constantino Tocong Castillo III Φ1991 SE 1995-1996, Eduard Malaca Alfanta Φ1998, Richmond Go Ocao Chang Φ2000, Oliver Bryan Sy Oliva Φ2003, Jonathan Dela Cruz Galingan Φ2005, and Dax Carlo Go Pascasio Φ2006.
