by Ace Alfabeto PHI '09

On July 1, 2011 the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority held Gold Rush: Race to Riches, for the Class of 2016. As a yearly tradition of welcoming freshmen into the UP College of Medicine, this activity was organized to introduce them to the college, and to the brotherhood and sisterhood of PHI. It also aimed to create characters and build new bonds among members of the class.

Hosted by Brod Dennis Sacdalan PHI ’10 and Sis Jean Mendoza, Gold Rush started by an introductory video presented in a Western Style, where Bandits had allegedly stole a map to a stash of Gold. It was up to Class 2016 to find the Gold, in the form of nuggets, before the Bandits could steal it. Teams were formed, composing of around 10 members. This served as an opportunity for students to get to know their future blockmates, and form a solid, competitive bond that would stand up to the trials of med. In a race against time, and each other, the UPCM was again under an atmosphere of competition.

Each team was to complete a set of challenges representing each of the 4 pillars of the Fraternity; Excellence, Leadership, Service and Brotherhood. These would introduce the team members to the virtues which the Fraternity and Sorority are built upon, but more importantly, to each other. After completing the challenges against an opposing team, the winners would be rewarded Gold Nuggets as proof of their victory.

The first game was a memory game, where the teams were faced with a large set of pictures faced down. Pictures of PHI events were then revealed one by one until pairs were formed. The group with the most number of pairs obtained the most number of nuggets. The second was a puzzle game, in which all but one team member was blindfolded. It was therefore his task to guide his groupmates to finish a block puzzle with the Gold Rush insignia. The concepts of the team leader and trust by the rest of the group was formed here; as the team raced against competitors of another.

During the rest station in PagKalma, the freshmen got to meet various PHI alumni brods and sisses. They were provided with useful tips and valuable advice on getting through their new life in med. The third game was a wheelchair obstacle course race, where contestants got on PHI wheelchairs. These very wheelchairs were shipped, assembled and donated by PHI brods to various government institutions and communities in need. Here the students were introduced to the concept that a life of service is not limited inside the walls of the college or the hospital. Lastly, the Finale was a team effort. It involved the whole team, with each member doing a specific task, in order to finish a much bigger challenge. Teamwork was essential, and top performance of each member was crucial. All in all, the winners were awarded with various prizes from the sponsors of the event and from PHI Store.

After the games, Class 2016 was treated to a sumptuous dinner, buffet-style, served in the 2^nd floor of Calderon Hall. As the students ate their fill and relaxed, Brod Raffy Marfori, PHI ’06, gave an inspiring speech, reminding the audience about the importance of having fun and staying human in med. In another perspective, Dr. Geraldine Tong Zamora Racaza, our PHI sis, also gave a speech on life in med and beyond.

To conclude the program, there were more prizes to be given away. A privileged few won brand new Littmann Stethoscopes, G&A notes, med books and other freebies from the raffle draws. A lucky freshman won the grand prize of a three-day, two-night accommodation at the Pearl of the Pacific Boracay. No one went home empty handed; the whole class was given discount cards to PHI store. Congratulations to the winners!

>In the end, the Race to Riches concluded with everyone awarded as winners. Aside from the various giveaways, Class 2016 gained not only valuable information about life in the college and the practice of medicine in general, but also new friends. Thank you UPCM Class 2016 for participating in Gold Rush! Watch out for many more activities from PHI!

Congratulations to Brother Prior Jon Paolo Sandico Pineda, PHI 2008B, and Brod Mark Terence Pua Mujer, PHI 2010 and our partner, the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority, for a successful event. All for PHI!

For a complete set of pictures, click here.