By Pocholo Rafael Castillo Resurreccion Φ2024
As the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity enters a new decade, onto her 91st year, the newest brothers of the fold have been formally inducted. On the 21st of September 2024, in One Esplanade, Pasay City, ten young men stood strong and proud as they were formally welcomed into the Fraternity as Φ2024: Bloodstone. Carved in Stone, Sealed in Blood. Ten men answered the call of the Most Venerable Fold, embodying the unyielding tenacity etched into their very souls. The Bloodstone pulses through the ages, a living testament to their origin, exuding power and endurance. Their unshakable will and relentless commitment drive them to show that they are worthy of carrying the name of the Fraternity. Whatever challenges arise, they stand ready — united as brothers and growing stronger with every step forward.
Right at the heart of the Mall of Asia Complex, AVENTUS took place in the halls of One Esplanade, where the venue was elegantly designed around the theme of the inductee batch. The venue was decorated with elements from ancient temples such as stone walls, pillars, grass, and trees. These elements were meant to invoke the feeling of exploring the wilderness of ancient paths with the goal of finding great treasure — just as how the Bloodstone batch followed the call and found their way into the Fraternity.
The Induction Ball was kicked off by Kevin Lloyd Bedico Aboy Φ2023 and Francis Ivan Cabuguas Frigillana Φ2024 welcoming all the brods in attendance. Brod Kevin talked about how he was in the place of the current inductee batch a year ago and now, he’s proud to be the one to host the program in front of the newest batch while Brod Francis reflected on his time so far in the Fraternity. Before moving on to the following program, a tribute to the departed brods of the past year was presented to honor their lives. Though they have passed beyond this life, their legacies and the bonds of their brotherhood shall endure for all time.
The welcoming remarks of the program were given by Superior Exemplar Jerico Mari Causing Manlapid Φ2021 SE 2024-2025. Through his words, he welcomed the brothers of the Fraternity to the event and to her new decade while reaffirming the values that bring brothers from different walks of life together — the pillars of Excellence, Leadership, Service, and Brotherhood. The night then moved into the lovely banquet provided for the brods and the guests where a variety of food was served while a live band kept everyone entertained.
After dinner, the main event of the evening then proceeded with the introduction of Φ2024 Bloodstone and the presentation of their Batch Video. United with their brothers in a bond forged in blood and as strong as stone, they begin their tale as loyal sons of the Phi Kappa Mu. Joaquin Young Alonso Φ2024, Kim Arvie De Guzman Atienza Φ2024, Dwight Martin Aguilar Camacho Φ2024, Earl Jerald Fadriquela Cansino Φ2024, Francis Ivan Cabuguas Frigillana Φ2024, Arhiel Philippe Manuel Tuazon Malixi Φ2024, Mikael Carlos Almazar Mendoza Φ2024, Louiejabe Yap Nuniala Φ2024, Pocholo Rafael Castillo Resurreccion Φ2024, and Fritz Andrew Barrozo Soriano Φ2024 were formally introduced to the Fraternity by their Brother Prior Franco Guillermo Se Rondain Φ2022. He then gave a few words for the inductee batch and to the guests of the ball, discussing the importance of preserving the long and lasting brotherhood of the Phi Kappa Mu. Following the words from their Prior, Φ2024 Bloodstone then went through the formal induction rites.
Fresh from the formal induction rites, the second half of the program was started by Dwight Martin Aguilar Camacho Φ2024 and Arhiel Philippe Tuazon Malixi Φ2024. They had the honor to introduce their Batch Leader Earl Jerald Fadriquela Cansino Φ2024 to thank the guests of the ball and give a few words on behalf of his batchmates.
Along with the celebration of the induction of Φ2024 into the Fraternity, AVENTUS also celebrated the Golden Jubilarians of the Fraternity — namely Diosdado Gan Capino, Jr. Φ1974, Felicisimo Demetrio Doloroso de Castro Φ1974, Mamerto Gabriel Garcia Φ1974, Mateo Villena Guanzon III Φ1974, Celerino Malabanan Magbuhos Φ1974 SE 1977-1978, Jovino Burias Morte, Jr. Φ1974†, Felix Paguirigan Nolasco Φ1974, Rodolfo Pacheco Nonato Φ1974, Caesar Diaz Tongo Φ1974, Melchor Gaton Tupas Φ1974, Cesar Corpuz Ubaldo Φ1974 †, and Felix Misalas Zaño Φ1974. Additionally, acknowledgments were also given to the Silver Jubilarians of Φ1999: Fifth Gear — Robert Charles Sambajon Millhauser Φ1999, Leopoldo Jose Ma. Lopez Picazo Φ1999, and Mark Anthony Ramos Rivera Φ1999.
On the last segment of the program, the 91st Executive Council was also formally inducted as the 90th Executive Council passed down the mantles to Superior Exemplar Jerico Mari Causing Manlapid Φ2021 SE 2024-2025, Vice Superior Exemplar Pierre Angelo Lachica Aliño Φ2022, Brother Prior Arvin John Sumalabe Malapo Φ2023, Standard Bearer Justin Matthew Rapanut Lapastora Φ2023, Venerable Preceptor Garret Royce Kho Dychiao Φ2023, Brother Custodian Mark Isaiah Nicolasora Baligod Φ2023, Brother Scribe Jose Julian Dionisio Pascual Φ2022, Senior Guardian of The Temple Rommel Lumbao Quintal Φ2023, Brother Recorder Joaquin Young Alonso Φ2024, and Junior Guardian of The Temple Fritz Andrew Barrozo Soriano Φ2024. The 91st Executive Council took their oaths to always serve the Fraternity in all their abilities and to always uphold the values of the Fraternity.
To officially bring the program to its close, Venerable Preceptor Garret Royce Kho Dychiao Φ2023, joined by Brod Gerardo Dizon Legaspi Φ1983B and Orville Cortez Ocampo Φ1987, delivered the Fraternity Toast, extending their acknowledgements and gratitude to the attending alumni. The brods attending then took a Fraternity picture and proceeded to the night-long fellowship where brods exchanged stories, sang songs with the live band, and drank to their heart’s desires.
