By Zadkiel Flores Velasquez Φ2017B
No storm would ever break the warmth of brotherhood of the Phi Kappa Mu. This was exemplified last June 11-12, 2018 when, despite the rainy weather, the brods and sisses from the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Phi Lambda Delta Sorority joined together once again for the Phi Dagupan trip. Happening annually, this event lets the resident brods and sisses of PHI visit our alumni from Pangasinan for an overnight trip full of fun, excitement, and of course, fellowship.
The day started with a hospital visit at The Medical City Pangasinan. After coffee, stories, and a photo op, our gracious host, Brod Juan Antonio Maximiano “Maxi” Regalado Escano, MD Φ 1992, toured us through the hospital and talked to us about his plans of further developing it into a quality healthcare facility that would cater even more to the Filipino people, especially the Pangasinenses.
After the hospital visit and tour, we headed to Mamalols for a mouthwatering lunch hosted by Brod Maxi, Brod Jason Rafael “Raffy” Aspuria Maddumba, MD Φ2004B, and Brod Jeffrey Michael Viloria Wong, MD Φ2006, where our empty stomachs were filled with the delectable soup, lumpia, turon, and the Mamalols’ famous ham.
After the sumptuous meal, the brods and sisses, together with Brod Raffy, headed to El Puerto Marina Resort in Lingayen, Pangasinan. Once settled, the PHI immediately rushed to the beach for a fun-filled afternoon in the sun. The day went from chill to thrill as the beach somewhat transformed into a sports arena as the brods’ competitive spirits were ignited by action-packed games of volleyball, dodgeball, and ultimate frisbee. With their bodies worn and hearts aflame with the excitement of sportsmanship, the PHI were once again ready to face another challenge, this time at the dinner table.
Next stop, Silantro, a Fil-Mex Restaurant which started in Dagupan and gained popularity as they extended into Metro Manila. The very generous Brods Maxi, Raffy, and Jeffrey once again hosted our dinner consisting of nachos, quesadillas, burritos, and everything mexican! The dinner ended with a photo op of the brods and sisses of PHI, their stomachs filled with food and their faces, with smiles.
The night was still young and after being recharged by the bountiful dinner, everyone gathered back in the resort for a night of fellowship. The hosts ordered drinks for everyone and the night began with a slew of games prepared by the Venerable Preceptor, Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosco Φ2017A. The resort lobby was charged with stories, laughters, and music as the brods and sisses enjoyed their drinks and each other’s company. The night was concluded with a frat song, filled with joy and excitement after another day of fellowship.
After having breakfast at the resort, the brods and sisses once again got their swimsuits ready and proceeded to the resorts’ waterpark, Aquatica Marina. The adrenaline rush was palpable as the brods tried the resorts’ water slides before moving back to the beach for football, spikeball and a final dip in the sea.
A trip to Pangasinan would not be complete without a taste of their famous bangus. Brod Zenaides Tactay Wi MD, Φ1972, SE 1975-1976 and his wife Sis Jennifer Ann Reyes Mendoza-Wi, MD Φ1972 Class 1976 had everyone covered as they hosted a lunch at the Dagupeña Restaurant. The meal served as a double celebration of a successful Dagupan trip and brod Zen’s birthday as the resident brods surprised him with cake and a Birthday song.
With the acknowledgement of its gracious hosts and the alumni who have shared the unforgettable two-day trip with us, Phi Dagupan was culminated with a final frat song lead by Superior Exemplar Edmond Rodiel Bries Φ2014, SE 2018-2019, ringing with the familiar warmth of brotherhood that one can only experience in the PHI, the goodbyes said with the promise of our return after another year.
Three cheers to our gracious hosts: Maeva Guinang dela Cruz-Lalas, MD Φ1969, Class 1972B; Zenaides Tactay Wi, MD Φ1972, SE 1975-1976 and Jennifer Ann Reyes Mendoza-Wi, MD Φ1972, Class 1976; Juan Antonio Maximiano Regalado Escano, MD Φ1992; Jason Rafael Aspurias Maddumba, MD Φ2004B; and Jeffrey Michael Viloria Wong, MD Φ2006!
Three cheers as well to our event heads, Venerable Preceptor Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosco Φ2017A and Sister Amica Aeterna Annemarie Pamela Vidal Torga Φ2017, Class 2021!
