With the turning of a new century, the world is at the threshold of peace, prosperity and opportunity. For the first time in recorded history, Europe has attained sustainable peace. People in India have attained independence and China has finally opened its gates to the world, ushering an era of a new and powerful synthesis of east and west. Barriers between countries begin to blur as the pull of Globalization grows in momentum. As though proud of its own shrinking, the world had nicknamed itself a ‘global village.’ But utopia remains elusive. The distribution of wealth maintains or widens rather than narrows the chasm between First and Third World countries. Preventable  communicable diseases, including tuberculosis and AIDS, continue to threaten the health and well-being of many nations. The 9 -11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York made ‘terrorism’ a household word, and became an epicenter of both fear and vigilance.

Despite the economic growth of its neighboring countries, the Philippines struggles against poverty. The government is as it has always been, despite two EDSA revolutions. Hope becomes the currency of national elections rather their the result. Economic crises and  unstable national security issues hamper the processes of repair in a country just getting back on its feet, already forgetting it was once the tiger of Asia.

Through the bright sunny days and the dark stormy nights, the most venerable Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine, the Phi Kappa Mu rolls with the blows, but never falls. The Phi look backward only to laugh and to learn. Already looking ahead, the Fraternity makes ready to take on the challenges a new century will surely bring.