April 2, 2011 marked the start of a new beginning for Phi Brotherhood, with the celebration of the fraternity’s 78th induction ball, entitled “Helios: Searing from the Core”. It was truly a night of celestial proportions, as the fraternity was to induct its newest batch, the Zodiacs. Arriving at the venue, it was clear that this was an event of a different scale. Brods, accompanied by their captivating dates, gathered outside the grand ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila, engaged in conversation amongst themselves and with the sales representatives of the Ball’s many sponsors. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of nostalgia, as new brods and old brods got aquainted, and many of the fraternity’s merchandise was on display. Along with these, projected on LCD screens, were short profiles of the inductees.

Upon entry to the main hall, one could appreciate more the preparations made for the event. Much attention was given to detail, from the overall design of the place to handcrafted table centrepieces. The program hosted by Bin Rashid Arabani Chin, Abdel Hadi Mohammad Isa and Ashraf Abubakar Tawasil; a triad of our newest Muslim brods, who cracked jokes and delivered punchlines the whole night. Outgoing Superior Exemplar, Mikhail Lew Perez Ver, gave a short speech to start the program.After a satisfying dinner, the program continued on. This started with the recognition of brods who will be entering the next stage in the fraternity as Alumni brods, the graduating batch, Ф06 Titans. A short video prepared by Kurt Asperas Ф2010 was shown in tribute to the Titans, followed by a few words from Titans Batch Leader Dax Pascasio. Following this, outgoing Superior Exemplar Mikhail Lew Perez Ver Ф06, was awarded with a plaque of recognition for his outstanding performance as leader of our fraternity during the previous year. This was presented by Superior Exemplar Leonard Christopher Tenorio Seña Ф07, accompanied by Alumni Association President Jose Jonas Dino Del Rosario Ф86.

To start the main part of the formal induction ceremony, another video by Kurt Asperas Ф2010 was presented, this time to introduce the Zodiacs. The batch was then formally introduced by their Brother Prior, Tomi Dela Paz Ф2008B. The fraternity inducted 12 new brods, namely; Jose Carlo Marcellana Artiaga, Kurt Roland Alfonso Asperas, Jose Fidel Madrid Caballes, Bin Rashid Arabani Chin, Abraham Enriquez Cruz, Robert Zaid Dela Rosa Diaz, Kim Paolo Lugtu Lorenzo, Kenneth Roy Perez Mendoza, Abdel Hadi Malali Mohammad Isa, Mark Terence Pua Mujer, Dennis Raymond Leoncio Sacdalan, and Ashraf Abubakar Tawasil. Their batch leader, Dennis Sacdalan, gave a speech in behalf of the newly inducted brods.Subsequently, outgoing Venerable Preceptor Ardynne Mallari, then introduced and presented an award to the Silver Jubilarians Ф Batch 1985, represented by Brod Felix Lukban. In a special segment of the program, Brod Allison Gocotano Ф03 was the lucky brod of the night, winning a trip for 25k worth 3 days and 2 nights’ accommodation at The Pearl of the Pacific in Boracay, from Metrobank.

The induction of the newly elected Executive Council came next. Outgoing Superior Exemplar Miko Ver swore in the new officers; Superior Exemplar Leonard Christopher Tenorio Seña Ф07, followed by Vice Superior Exemplar John Faustine Danan Gutierrez Ф08B, Brother Prior Jon Paolo Sandico Pineda Ф08B, Standard Bearer Abdelsimar Tan Omar II Ф08B, Venerable Preceptor Jose Antonio Tan Paulino Ф09, Brother Custodian Joseff Karl Uy Fernandez Ф09, Brother Scribe Ace Robert Bañas Alfabeto Ф09, Senior Guardian of the Temple Ardynne Martin Corcelles Mallari Ф08B, Brother Recorder Jose Carlo Marcellana Artiaga Ф2010, and Junior Guardian of the Temple Kim Paolo Lugtu Lorenzo Ф2010. The program was closed with a speech by Superior Exemplar Leonard Christopher Tenorio Seña, a frat toast and the fraternity song.

The event was well attended, by our very active and ever supportive alumni, as acknowledged by Venerable Preceptor Tonicci Paulino Ф09, among which were our previous Superior Exemplars, leaders and frat luminaries. Namely, these were Brods Ramon Fabella Abarquez Ф48, Nestor Sanvictores Pareja Gregorio Domingo Labio Ф62, Romeo Pilotin Ariniego Ф67, Manuel Tan Chua Chiaco Jr. Ф67, Luisito Rosales Maaño Ф69A, Jose Castillo Gonzales Ф69A, Espiridion Rufo Reyes Ф71, Abundio Asis Balgos Ф76, Ferdinand Lim Morabe Ф77A, Abdel Jeffri Abubakar Abdulla Ф77A, Bernardo Dimacali Dimacali Ф78, Peter Bautista Bernardo Ф80, Edwin Chong Reyes Ф80, Rolando Asuncion Padre Ф82A, Alfredo Caasi Calado Ф84A, Renan Bince Abellara Ф84B, Felixberto Siy Lukban Ф85, Jose Jonas Dino Del Rosario Ф86, Orville Cortez Ocampo Ф87, Racel Ireneo Luis Ceria Querol Ф90B, Constantino Tocong Castillo III, SE 95-96 Ф91, Karlos Noel Roxas Aleta Ф91, Francis Emil Batnag Daytec, SE 99-00 Ф94, Harold Louis Esguerra Trinidad Ф95B, John Joseph Ocampo Laceste Ф95B, Emmanuel Silva Prudente Ф97, Romeo Jalbuena Encanto Ф97, Eduard Malacca Alfanta Ф98, Richmond Go Ocao Chang Ф00, Ryan Julius Angeles Bañez Ф02, Nestor Don Nepomuceno Santiago Ф02, Allison Eugenio Gocotano Ф03, Walter Valdevilla Laurel Ф03, Martin Miguel Inocencio Amor Ф04A, John Paul Emerson Serrato Mariñas Ф04B, and Bayani Soriño Jr. Pasco, SE 09-10 Ф05.

It also marked a change of leadership, with the induction of the Executive Council with SE Leonard Christopher Tenorio Seña. But most importantly, the Fraternity welcomed our 12 newest brods, the Zodiacs, proven worthy in all their endeavors to be called Phi. Congratulations brods, and also to Project head, Brother Custodian Karl Fernandez Ф09 under the supervision of Vice Superior Exemplar JF Gutierrez Ф08B. Indeed, it was an event which captured all the aspects of the fraternity; a night to honor those before us, and welcome a new set of brods, a stellar night of Phi brotherhood. All for PHI!

For a complete set of pictures, click here.