The brotherhood of the Phi is limitless – free from the boundaries of time and space. Unhindered by age and unbroken by distance, it is the infinite bond that brings together only the greatest of men to have ever traversed the gates of the UP College of Medicine. An ever-burning flame with a blaze rivaling Apollo’s Chariot, to which its sacred seal was modelled upon, kept alit by generations upon generations of its Loyal Sons. Unquestioning, unwavering, and unconditional, they guard this flame and heed its call, regardless of where the tides of life takes them.
Last December 17th, 2018, the Loyal Sons once again heeded the call of the Phi brotherhood in celebration of its 85 years of unparalleled existence at the Sofitel Hotel, Manila. The warmth of brotherhood burned brighter than ever with over 200 Phi’s from all around the globe in attendance – indeed, another night for the history books.
Within the hour, the doors were finally opened, revealing the grandeur of the halls in which another Phi milestone will take place. It was a sight to behold, each detail of the ballroom carefully curated to reflect the je ne sais quoi of being a Phi. The intimate glow of the warm lights, the soft wisps of smoke, the cacophony of black and gold scattered across the room, and the melody of nostalgic classics permeating the air, completed by the boisterous laughter and excited conversations of the Phi – indeed, this was the place to be, This was home.
As if transformed by the very presence of the Phi, the luxurious crystal and platinum of the Sofitel were bathed in golden light, illuminating its halls with the colors of the fraternity. Carefully displayed on the foyer were various memorabilia and personal effects from some of the most accomplished of Phi’s. From medical school artifacts from decades past, to treasured instruments that have been touched by the paragons of Philippine medicine, each item reverberated with the foundations that built the most venerable fold, the unparalleled excellence that builds the greatest of physicians. But beyond the material were the memories of those that once held the items. Wistfully, the Phi looked at each display, their eyes aglow with anecdotes from personal experiences with the masters of each item, remembering the brotherhood that was shared from years long passed. With the ticking of the clock, the foyer slowly filled with brods from across generations and continents, all radiating with the excitement of seeing their brothers, new and old, and the fervent anticipation of the night to come.
The night finally began as the Phi settled down on their tables, Safrollah Muti Guinal Ф2017A and Glen Aldrix Rosal Anarna Ф2017B opened the evening with prayers of thanks for the 85 years of greatness that the fraternity has lived and of intention continue the Phi legacy for Centuries to come. A moment of silence was also given in remembrance of our brothers who have passed within the last year. After the solemnly paying our respects, brods Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosco Ф2017A and Steven Cuapoco Tan Tan Ф2017B stormed the stage with their infectious energy and excitement as the hosts of tonight’s event. To get everyone’s blood flowing, The grand fraternity video was played followed by the opening remarks given by none other than the 85th Superior Exemplar, Edmond Rodiel Bries Ф2014, SE 2018-2019. The night was young, and with the line-up of activities, everyone was kept at the edge of their seats in anticipation. But first. dinner – and in the true Phi fashion, it was indeed a feast for the Gods accompanied by the melodies of the Phi band.
With full stomachs and even even fuller hearts, the festivities were continued with anecdotes from our brods from across the eight decades of the Phi Kappa Mu. The testimonials were laced with pride and nostalgia. As the Phi continued to grow and evolve through the words of our presenters, one could not help but imagine what being a Phi would have been like if fate had woven our lives through a different notch on the timeline. Surely, the experience would have been worlds away, but the brotherhood and greatness would have been the same all together. Progressing through the decades to the present it was time to showcase the various triumphs that the Phi has enjoyed during the year long celebration presented by Vice-Superior Exemplar, Manuel Sabalo Vidal, Jr. Ф2014 as a testament to the undying loyalty and unconditional love the Loyal Sons of the Phi Kappa Mu have for the fraternity,
“Ang Amin na Itlog” was a legendary trio of Phi’s composed of Quarterstormers Benigno Amor Agbayani Jr.
Ф1986, Jose Jonas Diño Del Rosario Ф1986, and Jose Anthony Querubin Jocson Ф1986 renowned for their prowess in hosting events held by the UP College of Medicine. Their segments have always been the highlight of any function and that remains to be true even to this day as they took over the stage with their timeless anecdotes, songs, and banter. The light and cheery nature of the segment was the perfect break in the formalities – a reminder that the essence of the celebration was to enjoy the company of our brothers, with the halls filling with vibrant sounds laughter and song.
The greatest treasures that the Phi Kappa Mu has are its Loyal Sons. With the forty-nine rays ever extending towards the darkest corners of the world, it is the Phi that break the barriers so that the light may pass. As such, the Phi took this moment to recognize their most loyal brothers who have gone the extra mile in their chosen fields all in the name of the Phi Kappa Mu. Embodying the Pillar of Excellence was Romeo Pilotin Ariniego Ф1967 for his unparalleled contributions in the field of Cardiology and the Academe, being one of the fathers of the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute. For Leadership, it was none other than the current Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Dizon Legaspi Ф1983, leading the fortress that has served as the training ground of tens of thousands of the best of the best physicians in the country. For the Pillar of Service, two Phi’s were recognized for their demonstrating service in its purest form by serving as pioneers in Medicine within their respective home provinces. These were Espiridion Rufo Reyes Ф1971 and Ramon Salva Guerra Ф1976. Finally, the awardee for Loyalty to the Phi Kappa Mu, given to the most senior living Phi, a testament to the life-long loyalty the Phi are privileged to have, was Ponciano D. Manalo Ф1945, who has produced the greatest of legacies by heading three generations of Phi’s within the Manalo family. Truly embodying of what it means to be a Phi, these are the men who all others try to emulate and hopefully surpass.
2018 is indeed a historic year. This is especially true for the Golden and Silver Jubilarians of the Phi Kappa Mu, Phi Batches 1967 and 1992, respectively, for reaching the most illustrious of milestones with their beloved batch mates. The Golden Jubilarians, Phi Batch 1967: Romeo Pilotin Ariniego, Mario Toledo Balmaseda, Jr., Silverio Buenafe Cabellon, Jr., Alfredo Mendoza Cabusora, Jr., Manuel Montilla Castillo, Manuel Tan Chua Chiaco, Jr., Jose de Veyra Cruz, Jose Cordero Ilao, Michael Jamias Liquete (deceased), Edwin Valencia Palileo, Salvador Copas Portugal, Melchor Dagoro Romero, Manuel Villarroya Sarroca, Enrico Calibo Sobong, Andrew Ambucay Tauli, Francis Javier Verde, and Siver Jubilarians, Phi Batch 1992 (Cranial Nerves) – Rodolfo Perey Bergonio, Arvin Von Guce Briones, William Aranas Briones, Christopher Del Rosario Bustamante, Antonio Algene Rivera Cunanan, Fabian Arnel Angeles De Jesus, Juan Antonio Maximiano Regalado Escano, Erasmo Gonzalo De Vera Llanes, Prescillano Vargas Zamora, Jr., were all met with riotous applause for their loyalty to the Phi Kappa Mu fraternity as they accepted their respective plaques.
With the awards given and Jubilarians recognized, the guests were slowly ushered out of the ballroom, leaving only the Phi’s within the halls. The lights were dimmed down and the air was heavy with the quiet pride of the Phi. It was time for our most sacred rites, an elegance so exalted that only those that have seen the light of the Phi are blessed to witness. A secret so deeply kept that the mere utterance beyond the hallowed halls to which it takes place becomes an unthinkable sin. Silence broken only by the fraternity song, once again, the Phi rises with a renewed fervor, it’s flame glowing brighter than ever.
As the night drew to a close, the fraternity pictures were taken. Decade after decade, batch after batch, the Phi’s came on stage in hopes of ingraining the image of the ball into a physical reminder. Fading with music from the Phi band, the Loyal Sons leave the halls of the Sofitel glowing with the indescribable pride that they are, indeed, the Phi Kappa Mu. With hearts full and fists held high to the call of the Phi Kappa Mu, the now empty halls echoed with the memory of a lifetime of brotherhood, resounding the legacy that proves that indeed, Time Favors the Strong.
Here are the list of the alumni brods who witnessed the momentous gathering: Enrique Tangonan Ona Ф1957 Gonzalo Cariño Robles Ф1965 Manuel Juanico Posecion Ф1966 Manuel Bautista Agulto Ф1969A Jose Castillo Gonzales Ф1969A Godofredo Gonzales Miranda, Jr. Ф1969A Jesus Guinto Cabrera Ф1971 Espiridion Rufo Reyes Ф1971 Edgardo Espiritu Ortiz Ф1972 Ronaldo Aspillaga Paraan Ф1973 Cesar Corpuz Ubaldo Ф1974 David Mequi Cabatan, Jr. Ф1976 Venancio Petate Garduce, Jr. Ф1976 Jose Senoi Gumayan Gulmatico Ф1976 Pablo Jacinto Florencio Lazatin III Ф1976 Abdel Jeffri Abubakar Abdulla Ф1977 Victorio Laurente Naranjo Cajita Ф1977 Raul Dalmacio Cruz Ф1977 Ramon Salva Guerra Ф1977 Sukarno Hasim Hadji Socor Ф1977 Edgar Emmanuel Sanchez Manaois Ф1977 Bernabe Reyes Marinduque Ф1977 Pio Renato Figer Villacorta Ф1977 Bernardo Dimacali Dimacali Ф1978 David Yu Dy Ф1978 Teodoro Kintanar Gonzales Ф1978 Carlos Nicolai Imperial Lasa Jr, Jr. Ф1978 Enrico Pamintuan Ragaza Ф1978 Benjamin Avelino Medalla Abela, Jr. Ф1979 SE 1982-1983 Jose Magallon Acuin Ф1979 Jack Domingo Gonzales Arroyo, Jr. Ф1979 Teodoro Javier Herbosa Ф1979 Axel Adolfo Ares Sucalit Ф1979 Noel De Jesus Atienza Ф1980 Peter Bautista Bernardo Ф1980 Armando Martinez Chiong Jr., Ф1980 Edwin Chiong Reyes Ф1980 Jerome Chen Young Ф1980 Antonio Roberto Marave Abaya Ф1981 Dennis Tolentino Bautista Ф1981 Vicente Ylanan Belizario, Jr. Ф1981 Francisco Perfecto Flores Ф1981 Francisco Catibayan Manalo Ф1981 Ricardo So Yang Ф1981 Edwin Adona Chavez Ф1982A Gerardo Rasay Lahoz Ф1982 Eric Dennis Cu Legaspi Ф1982 Chuck Stephen Garcia Mangubat Ф1982 Rolando Asuncion Padre Ф1982 Rodolfo Mangubat Ramos, Jr. Ф1982 Ramon Ragasa Reynoso III Ф1982 Francisco Tupasi Valenzuela, Jr. Ф1982 Edwin John Abacan Cruz Ф1983 Aris Luke Iguico Dungo Ф1983 Gerardo Dizon Legaspi Ф1983 Henry Pedregoza Tupas Ф1983 Ernesto Antonio Jamias Valdez, Jr. Ф 1983 Billionario Januario Antonio Dolorico Veloso, Jr. Ф1983 Alfredo Caasi Calado III Ф1984A Renan Bince Abellera Ф1984B Jose Ma. Pascual Dionisio Bautista Ф1984B Rene Vincent Sison Levosada Ф1984B Albert Castillo Mamaril Ф1984B Enrico Gil Cruz Oblepias Ф1984B Charles Tan Valmadrid Ф1984B Lafayette Roque Ang-Santo Ф1985 Felixberto Siy Lukban Ф1985 Benigno Amor Agbayani, Jr. Ф1986 Jose Jonas Dino del Rosario Ф1986 Fernandino Jose Ang Fontanilla Ф1986 Jose Anthony Querubin Jocson Ф1986 Richard Samonte Nicolas Ф1986 Jesse Noel Vargas Conjares Ф1987 Jose Joven Valenzuela Cruz Ф1987 Nicanor Syquia Montoya Ф1987 Orville Cortez Ocampo Ф1987 Clarence Nelson Go Uy Ф1987 Jaime Labaco Gatchalian, Jr. Ф1989A Raul Francis Panopio Ledesma Ф1989A Jose Mari Reyes Makalinao Ф1989A Vicente Ramon Albano Santiago III Ф1989A Aldwin Alfonso Yaneza Ф1989A Carlo Gene Salva Ynion Ф1989A John David Vargas Zamora Ф1989B Roland Guillermo Ontengco Saulog Ф1990A Frederick Patrick Ilustre Nicomedez Ф1990B Karlos Noel Rojas Aleta Ф1991 Constantino Tocong Castillo III Ф1991 SE 1995-1996 Donald Daniel Samson De Padua Ф1991 SE 1996-1997 Andro Jesus Hipolito Fernandez Ф1991 Rodolfo Perey Bergonio Ф1992 Arvin Von Guce Briones Ф1992 Juan Antonio Maximiano Regalado Escano Ф1992 Fabian Arnel Angeles De Jesus Ф1992 Romeo Jalbuena Encanto Ф1997 Emmanuel Silva Prudente Ф1997 Christopher Quiambao Victorio Ф1997 SE 2001-2002 Eduard Malaca Alfanta Ф1998 David Vincent Jimenez Antonio Ф2000 Ronnie Enriquez Baticulon Ф2003 Julius Ruaya Migriño, Jr. Ф2003 Fercival Balandra Sabino Ф2003 Cesar Vincent Lopez Villafuerte III Ф2003 Dante Carlo Valdez Valenzuela Ф2004A Clarence Pio Rey Cid Yacapin Ф2004A Jason Rafael Aspuria Maddumba Ф2004B John Paul Emerson Serrato Mariñas Ф2004B Ted Russel Caronongan Ureta Ф2004B Alvin Christopher Sy Chu Ф2005 Bayani Soriño Pasco, Jr Ф2005, SE 2009-2010 Alvin Anthony Patricio Anastacio Ф2006 Jaifred Christian Felicilda Lopez Ф2006 Melvin Villacorta Valera Ф2006 Jeffrey Michael Viloria Wong Ф2006 John Michael Paraiso Baking Ф2007 Dante Barbado Salvador, Jr. Ф2007 Rodolfo Uy Fernandez III Ф2008B Clint Patagnan Guitarte Ф2008B John Faustine Danan Gutierrez Ф2008B Alberto Mañibo Ong, Jr. Ф2008B Jayson Rosario Paragas Ф2008B Jon Paolo Sandico Pineda Ф2008B Joshua Anton Ostoy Yabut Ф2008B Joseff Karl Uy Fernandez Ф2009 Jose Antonio Tan Paulino Ф2009 SE 2013-2014 Jose Carlo Marcellana Artiaga Ф2010 Kurt Roland Alfonso Asperas Ф2010 Kim Paolo Lugtu Lorenzo Ф2010 Dennis Raymond Leoncio Sacdalan Ф2010 Ashraf Abubakar Tawasil Ф2010 Jose Nicolo Domingo Antonio Ф2012 John Harvey Monzon Beza Ф2012 SE 2016-2017 Javier Miguel Dela Cruz Cabatan Ф2012 Jairus Adrian Ramos Flores Ф2012 Vincent Elvin Tabamo Garduce Ф2012 Angelo Maria Mendoza Salonga Ф2012 Timothy Carl Francisco Uy Ф2012 Kevin Romeo Sangel Lucas Ф2013 SE 2017-2018 John Vincent Usita Magalong Ф2013 Mark Jason dela Cruz Milan Ф2013 Al Joseph Rodriguez Molina Ф2013 Jon Bryan Santiago Tiosin Ф2013 Ryuichi Peralta Nakamura Ф2013 Jasper Paolo Ramos Viloria Ф2013
A brotherhood that is forever strong. The brotherhood of the Phi Kappa Mu.
