by Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosco Φ2017
Brothers, both young and old, students and professionals, have one common goal that makes them keep coming back to the Fraternity: to savor the warmth of brotherhood. As PHI, the moment that all of us cherish the most is when we get to know more about our brods. That essence was clearly seen in Phi Iloilo-Bacolod.
We can never be called brothers without knowing more about our brods. And we can never know more about our brods without savoring the warmth of brotherhood.
-Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosco Φ2017
On a not so ordinary afternoon of June 25, 2017, the brods looked astonished to have witnessed the beauty of the famous “city of love” as they arrived in Iloilo Airport. After being welcomed by brod Ramon Salva Guerra Φ ’77, the brods went straight ahead to Guerra Family Resort in Passi City in an almost 2-hour ride from Iloilo City. The Guerra Family prepared the brods a bountiful buffet for dinner and afterwards they enjoyed a night of fellowship with beer and laughter. The following morning, the brods enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast before heading to Iloilo City to meet the other Iloilo brods.
Right after arriving at Iloilo City, the brods checked in at SmallVille 21 hotel where they were welcomed by brods Jose Senoi Gumayan Gulmatico Φ ’76 and Carl Dwight Resquites Demetria Φ ’98. Afterwards they all headed to Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafoods at Sto. Niño Sur Arevalo, Iloilo City where brods Manuel Juanico Posecion Φ ’66, Henry Pedregoza Tupas Φ ’83 prepared lunch, showcasing the fresh seafood delicacies with freshness that you cannot find in Manila. A while later, brod J. Edgar Winston Cruz Posecion Φ ’86 arrived to join us. The brods were amazed with the sea breeze and the fresh seafoods as they enjoyed Iloilo City’s most famous restaurant in the company of their brods, both young and old. The brods thanked their gracious hosts for that day, brods Manuel Juanico Posecion Φ ’66, Jose Senoi Gumayan Gulmatico Φ ’76, Ramon Salva Guerra Φ ’77, Henry Pedregoza Tupas Φ ’83, J Edgar Winston Cruz Posecion Φ ’86, Carl Dwight Resquites Demetria Φ ’98.
The brods then headed to a one and a half hour ride to visit Miagao church and to have a glimpse of their sister campus from Iloilo, the UP Visayas Miagao campus, where they had a picture with UPV Miagao Oblation Statue.
Hours later, the brods had their dinner at Aida’s Chicken at Atria Ayala Park District, Iloilo City where they had a taste of Iloilo chicken with brod Henry Pedregoza Tupas Φ ’83 and Carl Dwight Resquites Demetria Φ ’98. Then the brods were given a tour at QualiMed Hospital Iloilo by brod Henry Pedregoza Tupas Φ ’83, where he served as their past president and currently as one of its directors. Later that night, the brods ended the long yet enjoyable day with a karaoke night at SmallVille 21 Hotel KTV room.
The next morning, the brods had another hospital tour at Medicus Medical Center by one of the hospital’s founders, brod Jose Senoi Gumayan Gulmatico Φ ’76. They then headed to Netong’s Original Special Lapaz Batchoy at Atria Ayala Park District, Iloilo city to have a taste of the Iloilo’s famous Lapaz Batchoy. They also bought Iloilo’s famous delicacies for pasalubong at Biscocho haus. Before going to Iloilo’s fast craft terminal, the brods thanked their gracious hosts: brods Jose Senoi Gumayan Gulmatico Φ ’76, J Edgar Winston Cruz Posecion Φ ’86 and Carl Dwight Resquites Demetria Φ ’98.
After arriving at Bacolod port, the brods were welcomed by brods Harold Louie Esguerra Trinidad Φ ’95B and Emmanuel Silva Prudente, Φ ’97. They checked in at the Saltimboca tourist inn before having their lunch at Sharyn’s Cansi, one of the Top 50 street food masters by the Department of Tourism. Afterwards they tried Sofia Bread and Pastries’ famous chocolate cake and iced coffee. Our gracious host, brod Emmanuel Silva Prudente, Φ ’97 joined us for lunch and snack before the brods went to have a tour at Bacolod’s famous tourist attraction, The Ruins, at Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
Before the brods went to have dinner, they headed to Bacolod-Silay Airport to pick up brod Leopoldo Jose Ma. Lopez Picazo, Φ ’99, who had just arrived from his family trip in Hong Kong. Before we headed back to Bacolod City, he showed us the famous Balay Negrense. The brods enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at Aboy’s Restaurant, Bacolod City where they were served the fresh delicacies of Bacolod. The brods not only enjoyed the feast but also the each other’s’ jokes and hirits. The dinner filled not only their stomachs but also their hearts as they enjoyed the moments with their Bacolod brods. The brods then thanked their gracious hosts for the evening: brods Harold Louie Esguerra Trinidad Φ ’95B, Emmanuel Silva Prudente, Φ ’97 and Leopoldo Jose Ma. Lopez Picazo, Φ ’99.
The night is far from over as the brods headed to Gorka Bar, Azotea bldg, Lacson St. Bacolod City for a night of fellowship over some drinks. They were made to taste Bacolod’s famous Don Papa Rum made from local sugar cane. While bonding over beer, the Bacolod brods reminisced their UPCM and PGH days by telling their extraordinary experiences with their batchmates and their brods back then. The night ended by thanking our gracious hosts, brod Emmanuel Silva Prudente, Φ ’97 and Leopoldo Jose Ma. Lopez Picazo, Φ ’99 and with a very lively and enthusiastic Fraternity song.
The following day, the brods had their breakfast at Saltimboca tourist inn before heading to Mambukal Resort. After an hour and a half trip, the brods reached the famous Mambukal resort where they enjoyed dipping in Sulfur Hot Spring Pool, hiking the seven waterfalls of Mambukal resort, and relaxing at the resort spa. The brods had a great time escaping the busy Manila life, enjoying the beauty of nature at its finest. They thanked their gracious host, brod Leopoldo Jose Ma. Lopez Picazo, Φ ’99, for the time very well spent and the memories to be very well cherished in the future.
The brods went back to Bacolod City, where they had their lunch at Manukan Country, Bacolod City. On a rainy weather at Bacolod, the brods enjoyed a snack at Mimi’s Café and Restaurant and tasted their famous half-moon cake and Napoleones. The brods then thanked their gracious host for the afternoon, brod Harold Louie Esguerra Trinidad Φ ’95B. With the rain still pouring in Bacolod City the brods had a dinner at Café Bob’s and afterwards had a taste of negros local craft beer. Before heading to the airport, the brods thanked their gracious hosts for the evening, brods Harold Louie Esguerra Trinidad Φ ’95B and Leopoldo Jose Ma. Lopez Picazo, Φ ’99.
It is a one of a kind opportunity to bond with our brods, both young and old, as well as to enjoy adventures in new places. This is where you get to appreciate life even outside Medicine. Three cheers to our event head, the Venerable Preceptor Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr, Φ 2014.
All for PHI!
