Every student in the UP College of Medicine knows that in order to survive, one will have to learn how to deal with his/her group mates. And what better way is there to get to know your group mates than to enjoy a night of fun and excitement with them?

Last June 15, the Phi Kappa Mu and the Phi Lambda Delta successfully carried out “OlymPHIa: Rise of the Med Champions”, an activity for the freshmen from the class of 2015, held at the UPCM Grounds. The theme of this annual activity was “Greek Mythology”, inspired by the recent similarly themed movies such as “Clash of the Titans” and “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief”. Brod Christopher Salamaed Constantino Φ09 played Aesclepius, the greek god of medicine, who needed the help of the “Med Champions” (i.e. the freshmen) to restore order in this world by collecting all the needed relics. Yes, the plot sounds all cliché, but hey, it was still all fun nonetheless! Not only was the event a venue for the freshmen to get to know their peers, but it was also one to learn the values needed to overcome the hardships and difficulties of med school in a fun and interactive way. The first part of the evening was spent in an amazing-race-type of game, wherein each station had its own significance, imparting a specific trait or value. The freshmen were divided into 10 different teams, giving them the feel of being around their permanent group mates.

The rest of the evening was spent enjoying a pleasant dinner under the tents set up in Tipunan (thank God it didn’t rain), while listening to the awesome music provided by the Phi Band composed of John Michael Paraiso Baking Φ07 on drums, Joshua Anton Ostoy Yabut Φ08B on keyboards, Miguel Luiz Bahinting Guillermo Φ08B on rhythm guitar, Ace Robert Banas Alfabeto Φ09 on lead guitar, Sisses Panic Ramirez Φ08, Julie Reyes Φ09 and Aiza Ababan Φ08 on vocals, and Sis Rita Gollaba Φ07 on bass guitar. With their unexpected chemistry, hosts Christopher Constanino Φ09 and Julie Reyes Φ09 provided the night’s entertainment with their unique humor. Third-year ophthalmology resident Brod Carlo Josemaria Dino Rubio Φ02 gave words of inspiration and encouragement on how to go about life in med school and how the fraternity has molded him into the person that he is today. To top it all off, lots of freebies were given all throughout the program. Brand-new Lightweight Littman stethoscopes were raffled to several lucky winners. The winning teams of OlymPHIa also received prizes – Mont Albo Spa gift certificates for the third placers, brand-new dissecting sets for the second placers, and the very handy G&A notes for the champions. OlymPHIa coffee tumblers were given to the teams who didn’t win.

Congratulations to Brother Prior Antonio Miguel Padilla Dela Paz Φ08B and Project Head Joseff Karl Uy Fernandez Φ09 for the success of OlymPHIa! All for PHI!

To see more pictures of the event, click here.