Eighty-four years. What an exquisite amount of time! Generations have passed, people have come and gone. Most individuals cannot fathom the breadth of 84 years. The traditions, the experiences, and the wisdom that can be built from such a long period. And yet, some of us are fortunate to be bestowed the knowledge and beliefs from an institution that has lasted this long. For a week, the loyal sons of the Phi Kappa Mu gathered in celebration of 84 years of Excellence, Leadership, Service, and Brotherhood.
On August 21, 2017, an anniversary mass in the PGH Chapel was held. Thanking the Lord for all that has happened to the Phi Kappa Mu and its members, we remain humbled that our Fraternity has grown so much in these years, and that the fire of brotherhood remains lit after all this time.
After the mass, a fellowship dinner was held at at the Tropicana Suites, Malate. Fellow brothers met once more to dine with one another and share the stories that continue the tradition of brotherhood. Medical students and alumni doctors alike sat down at the table, chatting and forgetting the time as they revelled in the strong bond of the Fraternity that keeps them together.
At the end of the week was a night to remember as the Annual PHI Awards night and Foundation Stag was held to recognize our brothers who have continuously stood by the values of the Phi Kappa Mu and to celebrate a brotherhood that is forever strong. Special performances were also given by the PHI Band and Ms. Madonna Decena, the first Filipina to become a finalist in Britain’s Got Talent and a multi-medalist in the World Championships of Performing Arts 2017.
For 2017, the brods who have exemplified the four Pillars were given the corresponding PHI Awards. These were: Cenon Rodriguez Cruz Φ1952, Father of Modern Algology in the Philippines, as Outstanding Phi Awardee for Excellence; Leonardo Aguila Ona, Jr. Ф1953 as Outstanding Phi Awardee for Leadership; Jose Ferrer Laceste Ф1961 as Outstanding Phi Awardee for Service; Cipriano Renato Perel Abaya Jr Ф1950 for the Katapatan sa Phi Award; and Jericho Thaddeus Pagtakhan Luna Ф1990A Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Awardee for Research Special Citation for Excellence.
Celebrating the legacy that lives through our brothers past and present, the fraternity continues to stand with it’s vision, which through the years has guided and inspired our brothers in and beyond the field of medicine: The Phi Kappa Mu is an enduring brotherhood of medical students & physicians in the Philippines and internationally that stands as a bastion of professionalism and excellence. Recognized as the premiere medical Fraternity in the Philippines, from the college extending globally through its active elder experiences, it renders exemplary service to humanity – to Filipinos foremost which reaches out to other nationalities, globally – with honor, dignity, and integrity. Long live the legacy of the Phi Kappa Mu!
