By Morel Dominic Dragon Umipon Φ2017B
IGNIS. It is a direct latin interpretation of fire whose very essence is likened to the burning passion of the brothers of the Phi Kappa Mu. As they convened this 9th day of June 2018 within the halls of Diamond Hotel, Manila, this collective fire, too great to be contained in a single ballroom, did not just light the evening, but also shook the heavens enough for it to release a tempest, as if trying to extinguish that fire. Burning since 1933, the flame did not falter and stood ablaze, growing and stirring, as more and more brothers gathered in this momentous celebration.
Incited by eleven individuals, the “Untouchables”, this year’s induction ball was inspired not just by the flame of this new batch’s burning passion, but also by their admiration to the work of Dr. Jose Rizal, “Noli me Tangere”. This was made evident by our display in the foyer which featured a typical, classy household of an ilustrado giving a timeless, historical theme to the event. Gathered in the foyer, brothers filled the air with sounds of laughter and chatter as they try to catch up with each other.
To keep the vitality of the night going, the program kicked off with an introduction from the hosts, John Patrick Berroya Bulaong ф2017B, and Joram Nelson Parras Vivo II Φ2017B. This was immediately followed by an invocation led by Allen Khriztofer Pineda Lichauco Φ2017B, and Saffrolah Muti Guinal Φ2017A. Their prayers, although brief, shared the feelings of everyone regarding the fast recovery of our dear brod Romeo Pilotin Ariniego Φ1967.
The evening formally started as the outgoing Superior Exemplar Kevin Romeo Sangel Lucas Φ2013 SE 2017-2018 warmed the night with an opening remarks that conveyed appreciation and culmination of his gained wisdom and experiences. This was complemented by the president of the Phi Kappa Mu Alumni Association, Gil Martinez Vicente Φ1976, as he graced the night with his inspirational message on what it is to be a Phi. With these speeches, the proverbial torch was lit, and the spark of Phi, reignited. With the night still young, brods and guests, then filled their appetite with luscious food prepared especially for this momentous night.
As people lined-up and savored their food, one of the sponsors, Onesimus Suits and Barongs, recognized three gentlemen who stand out among others. Brimming with confidence, Edroico Mari Beltran Brilliante Φ2015, Mark Jason Dela Cruz Milan Φ2013, and Gerardo Dizon Legaspi Φ1983 received their complementary awards. This was followed by a solemn remembrance of the brods who have passed away this year, namely Norberto Punzalan Hocson Φ1948, Ramon Fabella Abarquez Jr. Φ1948, Hilarion Abaya Gironella Jr. Φ1953, Rodolfo Labag Jao Φ1953, Antonio Braganza Donesa Φ1954, Manuel Vergara Gatchalian Φ1955, Filoteo Asinas Alano Jr. Φ1958, Jesse Turla Espinola Φ1961, Rene Ibarra Marasigan Φ1962, Marcelito Canlas Custodio Φ1964, Jesus F. Yap Jr. Φ1964, Monchito Camahalan Entena Φ1966, and Luis Quisumbing Taylor Φ1978. They may have passed on, but the memories of their brotherhood remain.
But as older brods retire, younger ones enter. This continuous cycle cloaked within the grasp of time has kept the fraternity alive for 85 years. One of the highlights of the night, the induction of the new members was jump-started by a batch video which featured a short but entertaining skit about some ilustrados traversing time. As they travel from the past and into the present, the act highlighted the perkiness of the batch. A brief speech from the batch’s Brother Prior Regalado Isagani Legaspi Jose Φ2015 completed the introduction of the newest batch. With this, the formal rites came right after. Forged by their burning passion to join the ranks of celebrated men, eleven new brothers of the Phi Kappa Mu, namely Angelo Versoza Aquino II Φ2017B, Glen Aldrix Rosal Anarna Φ2017B, John Patrick Berroya Bulaong Φ2017B, Ric Michael Palabay de Vera Φ2017B, John Laetner Macavinta Enriquez Φ2017B, Allen Khriztofer Pineda Lichauco Φ2017B, Steven Cuapoco Tan Tan Φ2017B, Rafael Antonio Cabrera Tupas Φ2017B, Morel Dominic Dragon Umipon Φ2017B, Zadkiel Flores Velasquez Φ2017B, and Joram Nelson Parras Vivo II Φ2017B, officially entered the venerable fold.
Taking the place of the previous hosts, Rafael Antonio Cabrera Tupas Φ2017B and Morel Dominic Dragon Umipon Φ2017B ushered the audience to the succeeding part of the program. With souls full of gratitude, the hosts called on stage their batch leader, Angelo Versoza Aquino II Φ2017B, to present a heartfelt speech for the warm acceptance of their brothers. As it seems that a speech alone would not suffice, they offered the brods a batch surprise, that hopefully touched their souls, and tickled their ears, an operetta. This dramatic but musical performance featured a girl (Pauline Arejola) who’s conflicted with love as she find it difficult to choose between his past (Jose Miguel Espiritu), and present lover (Jeconiah Retullah). Their startlingly impressive voices reverberated the walls of the ballroom, along with music of their guitar accompanist (Aljero Jimenez).
The fervor in the air was turned into a type that render service as the Phi Batch 2013, “Eightieths”, reminisce their medical and fraternity journey through a video dedicated for them. To prime the graduating interns of the the future that awaits them, and to congratulate them as well for harvesting the fruits of their labor, a speech was prepared by their Brother Prior Jojiemar Salonga De Pano Φ2011 SE 2015-2016 which was read by the Eightieths’ batch leader Van Euldem Diaz Battad Φ2013 in his stead. Donned with gold medals as an acknowledgement of their achievement, these twelve members of Phi Batch 2013 will embark to a new chapter of their lives knowing that their brothers in the Phi Kappa Mu will forever be there to support them. Again, congratulations to the graduating interns of Phi Batch 2013: Lorenzo Abednego Bobadilla Adre Φ2013, Julian Que Arguilla Φ2013, Van Euldem Diaz Battad Φ2013, Jonathan Saputil Elevazo Φ2013, Gabriel Liberon Pulido Jazon Φ2013, Kevin Romeo Sangel Lucas Φ2013 SE 2017-2018, John Vincent Usita Magalong Φ2013, Mark Jason Dela Cruz Milan Φ2013, Dominic Leandro Fernandez Milla Φ2013, Ryuichi Peralta Nakamura Φ2013, Jon Bryan Santiago Tiosin Φ2013, and Jasper Paolo Ramos Villoria Φ2013.
Also, the induction ball provided a good opportunity to present the 85th year’s insignia, the Phi Watch. Presented with pride, Vice Superior Exemplar Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr. Φ2014, introduced the timepiece to the brods. With features deserving of the Phi quality, the watch is a solid proof that time indeed favors the strong.
For the highlight of the evening, medals of appreciation were given to the outgoing executive council for their exemplary service in guiding the fraternity for the past year. With the hope of exceeding their predecessors’ work, the members of the incoming executive council were invited to the stage for a momentous event in their lives as they receive the mantles of leadership passed on by the previous members of the executive council. With the fraternity still celebrating its 85th year, a heavier weight of expectations and responsibilities are bestowed on them. Led by Superior Exemplar Edmond Rodiel Bries Φ2014 SE 2018-2019, the newly elected members of the Executive Council namely, Vice Superior Exemplar Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr. Φ2014, Brother Prior Frinz Moey Caunes Rubio Φ2015, Standard Bearer Nefren Roy Azurin Lobitana Φ2015,Venerable Preceptor, Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosco Φ2017A, Brother Custodian Jose Manuel Silva Santiago Φ2015, Brother Scribe Manuel Angelo Terania Griño Φ2017A, Senior Guardian of the Temple Safrollah Muti Guinal Φ2017A, Brother Recorder John Patrick Berroya Bulaong Φ2017B, and Junior Guardian of the Temple Allen Khriztofer Pineda Lichauco Φ2017B, pledged their oath of office, and were inducted.
As the night reaches its peak, the incoming Venerable Preceptor Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosco Φ2017A, acknowledged the presence of the alumni brods who attended the ball despite the raging winds, torrential rain and gushing floods that came with celebration: Napoleon Medina Apolinario Φ1963, Martin Jalon De la Rosa II SE 1966-1967 Φ1963, Angelito Luna Sebollena Φ1963, Florencio Solis Carandang Φ1968, Jose Castillo Gonzales Φ1969A, Felix Paguirigan Nolasco Φ1974, Cesar Diaz Tongo Φ1974, Abdel Jeffri Abubakar Abdulla Φ1977, Pio Renato Figer Villacorta Φ 1977,, Enrico Pamintuan Ragaza Φ1978, Jose Magallon Acuin Φ1979, Rodolfo Jose Vitug Abalos Jr. Φ1980, Renato Trota Jose Φ1980, Adrian Estanislao Manapat Φ1980, Francisco Catibayan Manalo Φ1981, Rolando Asuncion Padre Φ1982, Gerardo Dizon Legaspi Φ1983, Henry Pedregoza Tupas Φ1983, Ernesto Antonio James Valdez Jr Φ1983, Billionario Januario Antonio Dolorico Veloso Jr. Φ1983, Renan Bince Abellera Φ1984B, Felixberto Siy Lukban Φ1985, Jose Jonas Diño Del Rosario Φ1986, Carlos Ramon Nable Torres Jr. Φ1986, Earlan Agustin Santos Bautista Cesar Diaz Tongo Φ1987, Jesse Noel Vargas Conjares Φ1987, Jose Joven Valencia Cruz Φ1987, Nicanor Syquia Montoya Φ1987, Genlinus Dator Yusi Φ1987, Rex Marco Miguel Mojica Poblete Φ1989B SE 1994-1995, Bernard Uy Tansipek Φ1990A, Racel Ireneo Luis Ceria Querol Φ1990B, Ronald Antonio Santos Reodica Φ1990B, Andro Jesus Hipolito Fernandez Φ1991, Arvin Von Guce Briones Φ1992, Christopher Quiambao Victorio Φ1997 SE 2001-2002, Eduard Malaka Alfanta Φ1998, David Vincent Jimenez Antonio Φ2000, Ronald Cabantog Añosa Φ2003, Bayani Soriño Pasco Jr. Φ2005 SE 2009-2010, and Javier Miguel De la Cruz Cabatan Φ2012.
With words centered about the long-lasting brotherhood of the Phi Kappa Mu, Superior Exemplar Edmond Rodiel Bries Φ2014 SE 2018-2019 delivered the closing remarks which marked the end of the program, and called a fraternity toast to conclude the celebration. As brothers inched together to form a bond, the most venerable circle, symbolizing a brotherhood that lasts forever, was formed, and the fraternity song was sung, ringing with the warmth of a fraternal bond that stood strong against the test of time.
