by Monchi Goce, PHI '09

On March 27, 2010, nine men became full-fledged members of the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity, and ten men became part of the Executive Council to lead the Fraternity in its 77^th year.  Sporting a theme of crowned heads and royalty, this year’s induction ball was aptly entitled ‘Regalia: The Mark of Brotherhood’ and was held at the 6^th floor Ballroom I of the Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila.

Hosting the event were Apolinario Estrellado Esquivel III Φ09 and Jayson Cabalag Panganiban Φ09, the godsons of the prestigious tandem of John Michael Torricer Mendoza Φ08B and Ardynne Martin Corcelles Mallari Φ08B, respectively.  The program began with a simple invocation by Jaifred Christian Felicilda Lopez of Φ06, followed by some words from outgoing Superior Exemplar Bayani Soriño Pasco, Jr. Φ05. A sumptuous dinner was then served, and then Venerable Preceptor Ardynne Mallari Φ08B introduced this year’s celebrating batches.  The silver jubilarians, Phi 1984A and 1984B were given plaques, certificates and medals for 25 years of being loyal sons of Phi Kappa Mu.  Following this, outgoing Standard Bearer Mario Emmanuel Lim Lopez-De Leon Φ07 introduced the graduating class of this year.  The interns of 2010 were given a tribute, thereafter, with a video by Brother Scribe Rodolfo Uy Fernandez III Φ08B and with a gift to recognize their stay in medicine and in Phi.  A special part of the night then was reached, where outgoing Superior Exemplar Bjay Pasco Φ05 was given a plaque for his exceptional leadership of the Fraternity in her 76^th year.

This year, a video introducing the godfathers or ninongs of the incoming batch Ninetails was shown, and outgoing Brother Prior Leonard Christopher Tenorio Seña Φ07 then introduced the nine new faces to be included in the Fraternity’s roster.  Their induction then followed suit, and the Fraternity welcomed Ace Robert Bañas Alfabeto, Christopher Salamaed Constantino, Apolinario Estrellado Esquivel III, Joseff Karl Uy Fernandez, Richmond Paul Enriquez Goce, Mark Rosario Manzano, Pocholo Iñigo Bleza Morales, Jayson Cabalag Panganiban, and Jose Antonio Tan Paulino.  The Ninetails’ batch leader, Tonicci Paulino Φ09, gave a short speech of thanks and acceptance in behalf of the batch.

Then, it was the Executive Council’s turn to be installed as the next leaders of the Phi Kappa Mu.  The new set of officers are led by Superior Exemplar Mikhail Lew Perez Ver Φ06, and he has Vice Superior Exemplar Ivan Christian Villa Juan Imperial Φ08A, Brother Prior Antonio Miguel Padilla Dela Paz Φ08B, Standard Bearer Michael Chua Mo Φ07, Venerable Preceptor Ardynne Martin Corcelles Mallari Φ08B, Brother Custodian John Faustine Danan Gutierrez Φ08B, Brother Scribe Rodolfo Uy Fernandez III Φ08B, Senior Guardian of the Temple Joshua Anton Ostoy Yabut Φ08B, Brother Recorder Ace Robert Bañas Alfabeto Φ09, and Junior Guardian of the Temple Richmond Paul Enriquez Goce Φ09 as his aides.

To formally wrap up the 76^th year of Phi Kappa Mu, a short video showcasing the 76 best pictures of the year was shown.  Following this, SE Miko Ver Φ06 called upon the Fraternity for a toast, and delivered his closing remarks afterwards.  VP Ardynne Mallari Φ08B t hen acknowledged personally the over 40 alumni brods in attendance—Saturnino Mercader Reyes Φ54, Romeo Piloio Ariniego Φ67, Manuel Tan Chua Chiaco Φ67, Jose Castillo Gonzales Φ69A, Jose Senoi Guyaman Gulmatico Φ76, Abdel Jeffri Abubakar Abdulla Φ77A, Cristan Quiñola Cabanilla Φ77A, Bernabe Reyes Marinduque Φ77A, Bernardo Dimacali Dimacali Φ78, Eric Sta. Maria Talens Φ81, Rolando Asuncion Padre Φ82A, Alfredo Caasi Calado Φ84A, Laurence Tan Loh Φ84A, Renan Bince Abellera Φ84B, Rainier Vincent Sison Levozada Φ84B, Albert Castillo Mamaril Φ84B, Enrico Gil Cruz Oblepias Φ84B, Dennis Pestano Serrano Φ84B, Benigno Amor Agbayani Φ86, Jose Jonas Dino Del Rosario Φ86, Dexter Francis Toribio Estrada Φ95B, Eduard Malaca Alfanta Φ98, Richmond Go Ocao Chang Φ00, Ronald Cabantog Añosa Φ03, Martin Miguel Inocencio Amor Φ04A, Joelloyd Dela Cruz Asi Φ04A, Dante Carlo Valdez Valenzuela Φ04A, Gino Francesco Agoncillo Cuesta Φ06.

As fitting way to end the night, the Fraternity Song was then sung, as led by the youngest member of the fraternity, JGOT Monchi Goce Φ09.  This one song culminates the Cardinal Virtues and the Pillars of Excellence, Leadership, Service, and Brotherhood that has survived for generations, entwining the loyal sons of the Most Venerable Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine, the Phi Kappa Mu.