by Steven Cuapoco Tan Tan Φ2017B
Last April 2, 2018, students from across Manila and avid music fans headed over at the Patio de Manila, in Malate Manila as the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority proudly introduced their newest members of brods and sisses in their event entitled, “One Big Phi: Soundwave”. In a night that featured varied musical talents from different bands such as The Ransom Collective, She’s Only 16, Taken by Cars, BP Valenzuela, the Phi Band, Aldwin and the Chipmunks, Fragment, and Running Ink, as well as sensational dances from our very own resident body of brods and sisses and of course, DiversiTouch, the latest set of proud members of Phi, it was truly one night for the keeps.
On the stage for the entire evening entertaining the crowd were the hosts Angelo Versoza Aquino II Φ2017B and Sis Patricia Marie Maiquez Lota Φ2018.
The PHI Band’s newest members, calling themselves DiversiTouch (Glen Aldrix Rosal Anarna Φ2017B, Angelo Versoza Aquino II Φ2017B, Allen Khriztofer Pineda Lichauco Φ2017B, Rafael Antonio Cabrera Tupas Φ2017B, Joram Nelson Parras Vivo II Φ2017B, Vibiene Norma Colobong Bernal Φ2018, Katelyn Edelwina Yap Legaspi Φ2018, Danicca Noelle Velasco Pineda Φ2018, Danielle Colleen Dee Tiu Φ2018) and Phi of Spades (Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr. Φ2014, Niel Benjamin de la Torre Kho Φ2015, Arthur Gregory Napao Virata Φ2015, Manuel Angelo Terania Griño Φ2017A, Rafael Antonio Cabrera Tupas Φ2017B) opened the night with a set of sensational songs including Hayaan mo Sila by Ex- Battalion and Mundo by IV of Spades.
The UPCM Class 2022’s Aldwin and the Chipmunks soon followed with their own rendition of Filipino songs such as Hanggang Kailan by Orange and Lemons and Tatsulok by Bamboo. Fragments and Running Ink, both bands composed of members of the UP Musician’s Organization then treated the people with their original compositions such Return Void and I’m Done. The NightPhire (Miguel Enrico Santos Acuin Φ2014, Federico Cristobal Carcellar De Jesus II Φ2014, Francisco Jose Amante Garcia Φ2014, Jose Antonio Esteban Habana Φ2014, Manuel Sabalo Vidal, Jr. Φ2014, Maria Patricia Malabag Valdez Φ2015) of the PHI Band brought the crowd into its feet with songs like Finesse by Bruno Mars and Smilky by SUD.
Not to be outdone, the Phi Band’s reigning and defending Fate Band (Van Euldem Diaz Battad Φ2013, Ryuichi Peralta Nakamura Φ2013, Miguel Enrico Santos Acuin Φ2014, Jose Antonio Esteban Habana Φ2014, Pat Valdez Φ2015, Rafael Antonio Cabrera Tupas Φ2017B) delivered a one of a kind performance of Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas.
Apart from the melodic sound waves brought by the various bands, the resident body of both the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority brought with them their bags of body waves as they hit the floor to present breathtaking dance performances with the brods of the PKM 2017A Juggernauts and the sisses of the PLD 2017 Phireflies, also known as PhireNauts of the LU4 leading the way. Next to follow were ICC brods and sisses, composed of PKM 2015 Stormtroopers and PLD 2016 Phightclub, collectively known as PhightTroopers charging the stage with mesmerizing moves. The brods and sisses Clerks from LU6 came soon after as PKM 2014 Noche Buena and PLD 2015 SaPHire, collectively known as NightPhire, captivated everyone in attendance with their own set of grooves. The PHI Interns’ 80Amps, composed of the PKM 2013 80ths and the PLD 2013 AmpliPHI, took to the floor well timed dance moves and perfect choreography proving that despite the toxicity of medical school, they can balance excellence in their hospital work while not missing out with the fun.
The main festivity of the night started with the presentations of the newest batch of brods and sisses. An audiovisual presentation prepared by PKM 2017B Untouchables and PLD 2018 DiversiPHI showcased the passion of each individual coupled with their fun-loving side which drew laughter and cheers from the audience. After which, the newest brods hit the stage with a medley of jaw-dropping dances with the music “Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer that delighted the crowd; they were soon followed by an awe-inspiring dance performance from the newest sisses. To top it off, both brods and sisses joined together in creating an astonishing set of stunning moves with “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars that left a mark to the entire people in Patio de Manila.
The crowd was then treated to live performances of popular solo acts and local bands in the metro which includes independent electronic pop artist, BP Valenzuela, whose father, Francisco Tupasi Valenzuela, Jr. Φ1982A is also a brod. She was then followed by a set of electro and shoegazing music from Taken by Cars. A mélange of alternative indie music from She’s Only Sixteen soon came after. The Ransom Collective then delivered distinctive sounds with their unique percussive patterns, acoustic guitar driven leads, melodic violin phrases, and full vocal swells. All these performances caught everyone in Patio de Manila entranced as they rushed towards the stage to get a better view of all the incredible acts as well as cheer for more songs to be played.
As the program came to an end, PHI Band’s Phi of Spades performed Hey Barbara by IV of Spades, Seiko and Alou (Louise Seiko Villanueva Hashimoto Φ2016, Alyssa Louise Aquino Uy Φ2017) serenaded us with Fix You by Coldplay, PhightTroopers (Niel Benjamin de la Torre Kho Φ2015, Jose Manuel Silva Santiago Φ2015, Luis Ysmael Gudez Santos Φ2015, Arthur Gregory Napao Virata Φ2015, Ana Beatrice de Vera Constantino Φ2016, Louise Seiko Villanueva Hashimoto Φ2016, Maria Katrina Magpantay Mata Φ2016, Francesca Ysabel Dela Cruz Rosas Φ2016) sang Umbrella by Rihanna and Animals by Neon Trees and the night was capped off by the newest set of brods and sisses’ newly-formed DiversiTouch as they attracted the people with a unique cover of 21 Guns by Greenday.
Indeed, this event will forever hold fruit and meaning to the memories of all the brods and sisses. It showcased the talents of PHI, how big it has become —— and the limitless potential it can still be.
