by Mark Jason Dela Cruz Milan Φ2013
2013 marked the 80th Anniversary of the Most Venerable Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine and here are the events and activities that served as its landmark.
Empowerment Through Mobility Run – 12 January 2013 | Quirino Grandstand, Manila
As a kick-off activity for the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity’s 80th anniversary, the Empowerment through Mobility (ETM) Run brought together hundreds of runners –young and old– at the Quirino Grandstand, City of Manila on Janurary 12. Despite the early gunshot launch and the gloomy weather brought about by the low pressure area that day, the participants sprinted gracefully for the benefit of the differently-abled Filipinos. ETM is a socio-civic program of the Fraternity that started in 2007 and has since reached out to more than 4950 indigent disabled Filipinos nationwide.
Verdict V – 28 January 2013 | Palladium Club, Makati
The fifth instalment of vERdict entitled, First Class was held at Palladium Club of New World Hotel in Makati on January 26. Students from the premier institutions of Medicine and Law of the country assembled and enjoyed the night; with Jose Nicolo Domingo Antonio Φ 2012 and Teri Marcelo from the Regina Iustitiae of the Ateneo as hosts. The venue was filled with good music and overflowing drinks; with the hallowed drinking game as one of its highlights. The event was made possible with the support of the Fraternity’s partner organizations: Regina Iustitiae Sorority of the Ateneo Law School; the Sigma Beta Tau Phi Fraternity and the Alpha Delta Mu Sorority of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; the Filiae Aesculapii of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay School of Medicine; the Sigma Rho Fraternity and the Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority of the UP College of Law; the Gamma Delta Epsilon Fraternity of the UST Faculty of Civil Law, and the Baliklaya from the Ateneo de Manila University. Proceeds of the event went to the Gawad Kalinga Village and the Ateneo Blue Plate.
7th Camp Braveheart: Valiant Hearts – 6 February 2013 | Fun Ranch, Pasig
They say that Time is a game played beautifully by children. Seeing a child play and explore his environment together with other children is just picture perfect. With the premise that every child should have the opportunity to partake in important childhood activities like play and games despite having an underlying medical condition, Camp Braveheart has again brought joy to kids with congenital heart diseases. The 7th Camp Braveheart themed, Valiant Hearts, was held in Fun Ranch, Ortigas, Pasig City on February 6. The Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Phi Lambda Delta Sorority are major partners in this event in cooperation with the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology. An inspirational message was delivered by Brod Jose Jonas Dino del Rosario Φ 1986, Council on Congenital Heart Disease Chairperson, during the camp. Lectures on care of children with congenital heart diseases also were given by pediatric cardiologists and cardiology fellows from topnotch institutions in the country. Fun team-building activities and games were organized by Storms Outdoor Club. Mr. Kim Atienza, who was Brod Jonas’ patient, graced the camp with his inspirational talk on how he is coping with his heart disease. He also brought some trivia about animals, for which he is popularly known. The camp ended with the kids enjoying an all access pass to the rides at Fun Ranch.
The Coming: Fraternity Induction Ball – 23 March 2013 | Diamond Hotel, Manila
On the 23rd of March, the Fraternity welcomed eleven young men into the most venerable fold. That night, Phi batch 2012- Extra D’yiz composed of Brods Francis Louis Malabanan Alcachupas, Jose Nicolo Domingo Antonio, Jose Joaquin Herrera Arroyo, John Harvey Monzon Beza, Javier Miguel Dela Cruz Cabatan, Jose Jaime Lorenzo Claudio De Rivera, Jairus Adrian Ramos Flores, Vincent Elvin Tabamo Garduce, Ryle Siegfrid Ong Li, Angelo Maria Mendoza Salonga, and Timothy Carl Francisco Uy, was inducted. Also, that night, Phi Batch 1987, known famously as the Gallerians,was honored as Silver Jubilarians in commemoration of their quarter of a century of undying commitment to the Phi Kappa Mu. A portion of the program was also dedicated to fourteen Brods of UPCM Class 2013 who, for the breadth of their medical schooling, have faithfully served the Fraternity in their capacities as resident Brods. Finally, the members of the outgoing Executive Council, led by Antonio Miguel Padilla Dela Paz Φ2008B SE 2012-2013, were awarded plaques in recognition of a year filled with innumerable successes. Their successors were formally introduced to the Fraternity, led by Superior Exemplar Jose Antonio Tan Paulino Φ2009.
The Great Phi Cup – 8 May 2013 | Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Laguna
True to its brand of grandiosity, the Phi Kappa Mu, in celebration of its 80th year of existence has again organized a golf tournament that was enjoyed by brods and golf enthusiasts alike. The great Phi Cup was held at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club on the 8th of May 2013. The tournament commenced with, the most senior of all brods in attendance, Brod Benito Rances Reverente Jr. Φ1950 taking the opening shot. Brod Antonio Roberto Marave Abaya Φ1981 claimed the top spot in his bracket, while brods Bilionario Januario Antonio Dolorico Veloso Jr. Φ1983 and Venancio Petate Garduce Φ1976 finished as second runners-up of Brackets A and B, respectively. Proceeds of the Great Phi Cup assisted the hospitalization of our departed Brod Kenneth Roy Perez Mendoza Φ2010.
Surgical and Medical Missions – Year Long | Nationwide
The Phi’s tradition of service is something that has been tested through time. For the year 2013, various free medical and surgical missions were conducted in several municipalities, which include Antipolo, Cavite, Oriental Mindoro and Aklan. PHI missions were able to cater to over 2,000 patients during the months of April and May alone. These include: Araw Ni Inang hosted by the family of Brod John Paul Emerson Serrato Mariñas Φ 2004B in Antipolo, the annual medical/surgical caravan in Boracay led by Sis Cristina Alindogan Teotico Ching Φ1992, the annual medical/surgical mission hosted by Brod Francis Emil Batnag Daytec Φ1994 SE 1999-2000, and the various medical and surgical missions in Cavite, Quezon City, Caloocan, Pateros and Pasay.
Phi Kappa Mu Gawad Kalinga Village Completion – GK Tabora Village, Quezon City
The residents of Gawad Kalinga Tabora in Tandang Sora, Quezon City became witness to the Fraternity’s commitment to excellence and service as the Phi Kappa Mu Gawad Kalinga Village was finally completed after years of inspired labor. A brainchild of Brod Eugenio Acevedo Picazo Φ’57, the construction of houses for the Phi Kappa Mu GK Village began in 2010. Working hand in hand with Class 1962 of the UP College of Medicine and the multitude of GK volunteers and community mobilizers, the final 6 houses of the 26-house compound were turned over to their excited new owners on June 16. The Brods were welcomed warmly by special presentations from members of the community. Senior Guardian of the Temple Mikhail Gopez Amante Φ’11 and Brod Eugenio Acevedo Picazo Φ’57 addressed the audience with words that reflected the overwhelming sense of fulfilment felt by the Brods and benefactors. Finally, the residents then invited their guests to the feast that they have prepared. True to the PHI vision of making this village a model sustainable community, the Fraternity conducted one of the series of public health lectures focusing on common injuries such as sprains and burns last November 24, 2013. After the turn-over that happened last June, the Fraternity has taken its first steps in building a community that is able to express and address its own health needs. In the near future, medical missions and livelihood programs will be sponsored and conducted by the brods for the members of the community.
Prior’s Stag – 18 July 2013 | Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, Manila
With the goal of introducing upon the gentlemen of UPCM Class 2018 the qualities and virtues characteristic of every PHI, brods gathered at the Molly Malone’s Irish Pub on the 18th of July. The long and lasting tradition of Excellence, Leadership, Service, and Brotherhood was exemplified in the words of Brods who shared to the audience their journey in the Fraternity. Brods Jose Castillo Gonzales Φ1969, Orville Cortez Ocampo Φ1987 and Ronnie Enriquez Baticulon Φ2003 gave lengthy discourses on the four pillars of the Fraternity. The various activities undertaken by the Fraternity in the name of service were then discussed by the previous Vice Superior Exemplar, Brod John Faustine Danan Gutierrez Φ2008B. The night then came to a close with Brod Martin Donato Bautista Φ1984B leading a Fraternity Song sung with fervor quite unmatched, effectively rounding out the 4th Pillar of the Fraternity, Brotherhood.
Phi Relief Operations – Year Long | Nationwide
This year was a year of catastrophe for the Philippines due to the myriad of natural disasters that caused billions of damage, most especially to the Visayas region. Just like a golden sunburst that scatters light in the dark clouds, the PHI instilled hope to the dampened souls of the victims of the Typhoons Maring and Yolanda by conducting relief operations for the countless victims of the storm surge. Just as how the rains fell down heavily, donations from Phi Alumni and Donors poured in immediately and relief operations were instantly conducted during the height of the calamity. Packing and distribution of relief goods were initiated straightaway. The relief operations were a success and made possible by the combined efforts of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Phi Lambda Delta Sorority.
80th Anniversary Mass – 22 August 2013 | PGH Chapel, Manila
The Fraternity offered a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the PGH Chapel as part of its 80th anniversary festivities on August 22. The brods thanked the Almighty for the Fraternity’s 80 years of meaningful and selfless existence while also praying for the blessing of the years of excellence, leadership, service and brotherhood to come.
80th Anniversary Dinner – 24 August 2013 | Medicard Lifestyle Center, Makati
In the evening of August 24 at the MediCard Lifestyle Center, Makati City, doctors from all over the world, of different generations and of various backgrounds gathered for a night of festivity as the Phi Kappa Mu is celebrating 80 strong years as the Most Venerable Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine. Updates on the Phi Residence Hall and election of the new Phi Kappa Mu Alumni Association officers (which included Brods Gil Martinez Vicente Φ1977, Bernardo Dimacali Dimacali Φ1978, Jubert Pasion Benedicto Φ1987, Nicanor Cesar Bruno Syquia Montoya Φ1987, and Christopher Mallore Enriquez Calaquian Φ1991) highlighted the night of brotherhood and merrymaking. The event was hosted by MediCard Philippines president Brod Nicanor Cesar Bruno Syquia Montoya Φ1987. Brod Ryle Siegfrid Ong Li Φ2012 also showed a video presentation describing what has been and what is yet to come in celebration of the Fraternity’s 80th year. Brod Orville Cortez Ocampo Φ1987 acknowledged the presence of brothers coming from other countries: Brods Arsenio Gonzales Buendia Φ 1964 SE 1968-1969 (Oklahoma City, OK), Henry Caoili Echiverri (Warrenville, IL) and Ernesto Serrano Rivera Φ 1984 (Roseville, CA).
One Big Phi 2013: Yield – 18 November 2013 | Bellagio Square, Manila
On the evening of November 18, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority proudly introduced their newest members to the UP Manila community at the Bellagio Square in Ermita, Manila. The event, “One Big Phi 2013: Yield! Give in to the Beat” featured the musical talents of the Itchyworms, Taken By Cars, the Phi Band, the A-Band, the Epimers, Autosave, and the Phi brods and sisses themselves. The new batches of both Fraternity and Sorority, the Eightieths and AmpliPHIrespectively, then lit up the night with a medley of dances which made them leave the stage to a standing ovation from the crowd. As the program neared its end, the crowd was treated to live performances of the popular local bands Itchyworms and Taken By Cars which made almost everyone rush towards the Bellagio Square stage to better enjoy the show. The Fraternity and the Sorority allotted part of the proceeds of this event to the PHI Relief Operations. They were able to prepare 400 bags filled with relief goods which were then immediately sent to the typhoon-stricken areas.
Only the Phinest 2013 – 11 December 2013 | PGH Atrium, Manila
The Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Phi Lambda Delta Sorority of the UP College of Medicine carried on the traditional event annually held at the Philippine General Hospital Atrium to bring Christmas cheer to the patients and their relatives who will be spending their holidays in the wards of PGH. This year’s Only the Phinest with a tagline: Sangkaterbang Sorpresa, Sangkaterbang Ligaya brought smiles and laughter to the patients and their watchers in attendance. The audience welcomed the show’s guest stars, Kapamilya Star Cherry Pie Picache, and well-loved personalities such as Ramon Bautista, Gretchen Ho, Bettina Carlos, and Thomas Torres. The Neurosurgery band headed by Brod Gerardo Dizon Legaspi Φ1983 and also featuring Brod John David Blanco Mata Φ2004B made an appearance, playing hits such as “Sunday Morning”. To end the fun-filled and entertaining night, gift packages were distributed to all the members of the audience. Truly, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Phi Lambda Delta Sorority had once again given the PGH community only the finest of the gifts – happiness.
Semper Phi! 80th Anniversary Ball – 17 December 2013 | Manila Polo Club, Makati
On the 17th of December 2013, the elegant and storied Manila Polo Club lit up in the colors black and gold to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Fraternity of the College of Medicine. The story of the Phi Kappa Mu through the decades was narrated by eight brothers. Timeless music serenaded the audience as members of the Phi band from various generations of the Fraternity performed on stage together synchronously and excellently. Various brods gave out their testimonials about the Fraternity, giving tribute to the well-kept tradition of Excellence, Leadership, Service and Brotherhood of the Phi Kappa Mu. After a rundown of all the activities headlining the Fraternity’s oak year, the Executive Council and the Phi Kappa Mu Alumni Association gave tribute to the brods who best exemplified all the Fraternity stands for through the introduction of the Outstanding Phi Award, eventually bestowed upon six esteemed brods. To end the night, the brods formed that familiar circle giving tribute to that spark in 1933 that has been passed on to each and every one present through a small ceremony, recitation of oaths and singing of the Fraternity Song under the moonlit sky.
