The University Theatre was abuzz with interns in their billowing robes. Today is a momentous occasion for those clad in black and green because in a few month’s time they will be undertaking one of the most important tests of their lives: the test that will determine whether or not they will be able to pursue the noble profession of medicine in the Philippines. However, this event is a moment of celebration for them for they have passed through the fires of UP College of Medicine as well as UP Philippine General Hospital, and have been deemed worthy to be called Doctors of Medicine by the University of the Philippines. They have been molded and transformed to not only become talented physicians but the future leaders in the field of medicine.
Among the throngs of graduates is a group that is a cut above the rest: the brothers of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity. The Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity congratulates her loyal sons Mark Joseph Mendoza Abaca Φ2011 and John Carlo Bernal Reyes Φ2011 for completing the MD-PhD program and their one year of internship and Francis Louis Malabanan Alcachupas Φ2012, Jose Nicolo Domingo Antonio Φ2012, Jose Joaquin Herrera Arroyo Φ2012, John Harvey Monzon Beza Φ2012, Superior Exemplar 2016-2017, Javier Miguel Dela Cruz Cabatan Φ2012, Jose Jaime Lorenzo Claudio De Rivera Φ2012, Jairus Adrian Ramos Flores Φ2012, Vincent Elvin Tabamo Garduce Φ2012, Ryle Siegfrid Ong Li Φ2012, Angelo Maria Mendoza Salonga Φ2012, Timothy Carl Francisco Uy Φ2012, Al Joseph Rodriguez Molina Φ2013 for overcoming the daunting trials of medicine proper and valiantly serving the underserved as interns in the Philippine General Hospital. These men, however, were not content with simply studying. They wanted to serve during their time in the college and that is what they did. Through the Fraternity, they have reached out to communities in need of medical services and raised awareness for the advocacies they have fought for, as well as bringing up the next generation of brothers to the Phi way of life.
Excellence is in the nature of a Phi. They don’t just get the job done, they do it well. Given this, it’s no surprise that outstanding interns are found within the most venerable fold. Congratulations to Jose Nicolo Domingo Antonio Φ2012, Outstanding Intern in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Mark Joseph Mendoza Abaca Φ2011, Top 6 Over-All Outstanding Intern, Most Outstanding Intern in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Outstanding Intern in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Internal Medicine.
Congratulations again to our brothers for proving themselves in the battleground of medicine. Their journey as medical students is over but their story as doctors is only beginning. They bring with them not only the values that the UP College of Medicine has instilled in them during their stay but also the Phi brand of Excellence, Leadership, Service, and Brotherhood. All for Phi!
