by Daniel Alexander De Joya Go, Φ2019A
The Sons of IVALDI are a group of Nordic blacksmiths who mastered the art of fire and metal. They are solely responsible for the creation of the most exquisite weapons our Earth has ever seen: the Spear of Odin, Mjolnir of Thor, and the Skidblandir of Freyr. The Sons, who spent their lifetime crafting instruments of change bearing power beyond measure, can be likened to the Phi Kappa Mu in their quest for selfless perfection. Year in and year out, the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity welcomes a new batch of aspiring Doctors to her ever-expanding Brotherhood. This year was no different. Taking place in the Pan Pacific Hotel, the 29th of June 2019 will be remembered as the day ten of the finest men were inducted into the Most Venerable Fold.
An extravagant beginning to this lifelong journey; the ten gentlemen who entered the fold, each bringing a different element into the flame were forged as one: The Tostados. Through the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity the Tostados will learn how to be Fratmen dedicated to a life of service. With Phi, they will hone their métier, for one day they will be the ones at the helm. As a symbol of their journey, the black and gold halls of Pan Pacific were filled with hammers and anvils, representative of the Fraternity’s impeccable craftsmanship.
The ceremonies were opened with invocations led by Binladin Ali Balt Φ2019 and Miguel Vicente Tumaliwan Belizario Φ2019 who brought the Fraternity together in solemnity. Following this was a video in remembrance of Brods who passed away in the last year, whose legacies will forever be remembered within the Fraternity’s pages. Then, hosts Jasper Ian Amparo Alindayu Φ2019 and Reynaldo Gabriel Tan Paulino Φ2019 carried Brods and guests alike through the night of warmth and brotherhood.
Outgoing Superior Exemplar Edmond Rodiel Bries Φ2014 took the stage first, formally welcoming Brods and guests with an eloquence only he possesses. He delivered a speech that was both commanding and charismatic, marking the culmination of his year of service in the highest form.
As guests enjoyed the warmth of brotherhood with the warmth of sumptuous food to go with it, the audience was given a preview of what was to come. The Tostados’ batch video gave Brods and guests a glimpse of the batch, in distinct Tostado fashion.
Brother Prior Frinz Moey Caunes Rubio Φ2015 SE 2019-2020 took the stage next to introduce the next segment: The Induction Rites, 86 years of sacred tradition protected by the veil of secrecy. As the First Brother, he started off with an inspiring speech to both introduce and officially welcome the newest batch of Brothers into the Most Venerable Fold. The formal rites came right after, which saw the induction of Jasper Ian Amparo Alindayu Φ2019, Binladin Ali Balt Φ2019, Miguel Vicente Tumaliwan Belizario Φ2019, Jose Manuel Ricardo Morato Conjares Φ2019, Ignatius Dominic Pamittan Cumigad Φ2019, Carlos Policarpio Dela Cuesta Φ2019, Yrneh St. Lois Ladera Φ 2019, and Reynaldo Gabriel Tan Paulino Φ2019, led by Batch Leader Daniel Alexander De Joya Go Φ2019 into the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity.
Taking over from Jasper and Tomy, hosts Jose Manuel Ricardo Morato Conjares Φ2019 and Ignatius Dominic Pamittan Cumigad Φ2019 took the stage and brought a new energy to the Ball. With re-ignited flames, the hosts welcomed the next keynoter to speak in front of the Fraternity. Representing the Tostados, he was entrusted with the lifelong responsibility of captaincy – he is none other than the Batch Leader of the Tostados, Daniel Alexander De Joya Go Φ2019. On behalf of the newly inducted Brods, he humbly accepted their admission into the Fraternity, and passionately spoke of their desire to make a lasting mark within and beyond the Phi Kappa Mu. He vowed that they will one day exemplify what it means to be Phi, as beacons of Excellence, Leadership, Service, and Brotherhood. After concluding his speech, Daniel Alexander De Joya Go Φ2019 called on the University of the Philippines Classical Ensemble fill the halls of the ballroom with their compositions as a demonstration of their gratitude to their newfound Brothers.
As one batch of Brods celebrates their induction, another batch celebrates the culmination of their time as Resident Brods. A video looking back at the last four years were filled with memories of Phi’s graduating interns: Noche Buena. Composed of Miguel Enrico Santos Acuin Φ2014, Edmond Rodiel Bries Φ2014 SE 2018-2019, Francisco Jose Amante Garcia Φ2014, Jose Gabriel Trono Go Φ2014, Arobe Shiek Goling II Φ2014, John Albert Amante Gonzales Φ2014, Jose Antonio Esteban Habana Φ2014, Benjamin Francis Pablo Rodriguez Jr. Φ2014, and Hans Edison Esmere Yap Φ2014, this batch of Brods were called up the stage to be awared their Interns’ Medals as the Brother Prior of Noche Buena, Angelo Maria Mendoza Salonga Φ2014, delivered a moving speech to congratulate them.
In the spirit of congratulations, the Fraternity’s Golden Jubilarians were awarded a plaque, to celebrate 50 years of being a Fratman of Phi. The celebrating batch of Golden Jubilarians Φ1968 is composed of Benedicto Laluces Asa Φ1968, Florencio Solis Carandang Φ1968, Victor Santos Ejercito Φ1968, Rafael Aguilar Javier Φ1968, Emmanuel Alina Lat Φ1968, Anastacio Edwin Camacho Malixi Φ1968, Anacleto Apostol Mangaser Jr. Φ1968, Edwin Bautista Poblete Φ1968, Manuel Carlos Tan Jr. Φ1968, and Emmanuel Umali Trinidad Φ1968. On behalf of Φ1968, Jose Castillo Gonzales Φ1969A received the congratulatory plaque and reminisced what life of a Phi was like 50 years ago.
The Fraternity’s Silver Jubilarians, Phi Batch 1993, were also recognized for 25 years of Brotherhood with the Phi Kappa Mu. This batch, composed of Alfredo Limlingan Blas III Φ1993, Tristan Albert Aaron Catindig Φ1993, Carlo Oliver Dona Diasnes Φ1993, Dennis Allen Minas Fito Φ1993, Joel Ditiangkin Hernandez Φ1993, Marlon Obtial Lajo Φ1993, Elpido Posa Magalong Jr. Φ1993, Henry Falzario Manzares Φ1993, and Christopher Valdez Navalta Φ1993 SE 1997-1998. Brod Constantino Tocong Castillo III Φ1991 SE 1995-1996 accepted the Silver Jubilarian Medals on their behalf.
The highlight of the evening was the recognition of the outgoing Executive Council 2018-2019 led by Superior Exemplar Edmond Rodiel Bries Φ2014 SE 2018-2019, Vice Superior Exemplar Manuel Sabalo Vidal Jr. Φ2014, Brother Prior Frinz Moey Caunes Rubio Φ2015 SE 2019-2020, Standard Bearer Nefren Roy Azurin Lobitana Φ2015, Venerable Preceptor Gabriel Paulo Candongo Orosoco Φ2017A, Brother Custodian Jose Manuel Silva Santiago Φ2015, Brother Scribe Manuel Angelo Terania Griño Φ2017A, Senior Guardian of the Temple Safrollah Muti Guinal Φ2017A, Brother Recorder John Patrick Berroya Bulaong Φ2017B, and Junior Guardian of the Temple Allen Khriztofer Pineda Lichauco Φ2017B. This was followed by the induction of the incoming Executive Council 2019-2020 led by Superior Exemplar Frinz Moey Caunes Rubio Φ2015 SE 2019-2020, Vice Superior Exemplar Joe Mayo Villanueva Viray Φ2017A, Brother Prior Allen Khriztofer Pineda Lichauco Φ2017B, Standard Bearer Glen Aldrix Rosal Anarna Φ2017B, Venerable Preceptor Zadkiel Flores Velasquez Φ2017B, Brother Custodian Steven Cuapoco Tan Tan Φ2017B, Brother Scribe Alfonso Rafael Goseco Abaya Φ2017B, Senior Guardian of the Temple Joram Nelson Parras Vivo II Φ2017B, Brother Recorder Yrneh St. Lois Ladera Φ2019, and Junior Guardian of the Temple Denzel Cruz Umerez Φ2019. In a meaningful ceremony that involving the passing of mantles from one Executive Council to another, the Fraternity witnessed the continuity of the Phi Kappa Mu, as the incoming Council took their oaths and pledged to lead the Fraternity in in the year to come.
As another night of Brotherhood came to a close, Superior Exemplar Frinz Moey Caunes Rubio Φ2015 SE 2019-2020 gave the closing remarks. Formally addressing the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity for the first time as Superior Exemplar, Brod Frinz gave an enigmatic speech in typical Frinz fashion — brimming with confidence and Phi pride. To end the program, he called for a Fraternity toast where Brothers of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity come together to form the Most Venerable Circle, symbolizing the everlasting unity. Shoulder-to-shoulder, the Fraternity Song echoed throughout the ballroom, after 86 years of fraternal brotherhood.
