Grand Sis Night: Proud to be Phi

Written by Corrina Azarcon, Phi '11B

by Corrina Azarcon, Phi '11B

Beautiful faces and fancy dresses filled the halls of Hyatt Hotel as the ladies of the Phi Lambda Delta sorority came together to celebrate the Grand Sis Night 2011, with the theme 'Proud to be Phi.' The gathering was held at 7:00 P. M. last December 16, 2011 at the Le Salon room. Before stepping inside the ballroom, our alumnae, especially the sisses from the celebrating batch of Class 1986, gazed at the exhibit and reminisced their early years in Phi. This began a night that was full of memories of the past and hopes for the future of the sorority.

The hosts Bernadette Anne Samaniego Alcazaren (Phi '11A) and Corrina Pambid Azarcon (Phi '11B) gave a warm and lively welcome to the resident and alumnae sisses who were present during the evening. The progran began with a prayer led by Crista Belle Maglalang Valino (Phi '11A) and the opening remarks read by Sister Amica Aeterna Maria Carmina Lorenzana Santiago (Phi '09). After which, the sisses were asked to line up for the sumptuous and scrumptious food prepared by the chefs of Hyatt hotel.

The newest batches of Phi Lambda Delta prepared intermission numbers to entertain the audience as they eat. Phi batch 2011A, or PHIreworks, serenaded the sisses with the songs “True Colors,” and of course, “Firework.” Meanwhile, Phi batch 2011B gave life to the room through their dance number to the tune of “You Make Me Feel Like” and “Give Me Everything.” Then, the video entitled “The Year That Was” prepared by Corrina Azarcon was shown to recall all the activities held by both the resident and alumnae sisses throughout the busy but fruitful year. Nostalgia filled the room while the video prepared by Jean Hansel Alvarez Mendoza (Phi '11A) for Class 1986 was played. Dr. Asuncion Gueco Ramos-Soriano (Phi '82, Class '86) spoke in behalf of the celebrating batch.

Dr. Melissa Anne De Leon Zamuco-Mercado (Phi '86, Class '91), the current Vice Superior Sister Exemplar of the Phi Lambda Delta Alumnae Association, led our alumnae in the oath taking. Then, Miriam Catherine Bernal Dantes (Phi '11A) gave an overview on the plans of the Constitution Committee on revising the present constitution. The last guest speaker was none other than our founder, Dr. Zenda Biano Garcia-Lat (Phi '69, Class '72) who inspired everyone by sharing her dreams for the sorority for the coming years. The induction of Phireworks and Phierce followed, led by Christine Elize Aquino Jara (Sister Prior 2010-2011) and Julianne Francesca Flores Reyes (Sister Prior 2011-2012).

To close the program, Dr. Josephine Anne Cuevas Lucero (Phi '07, Class '12), Superior Sister Exemplar ‘11-‘12, shared her reasons for being proud to be a Phi. Dr. Shelley Anne Francisco dela Vega (Phi '83, Class '87) then led the Phi Lambda Delta Song.

Grand Sis Night 2011 was made possible by its sponsor, the San Miguel Corporation. The success of the event is attributed to the efforts of Sister Amica Aeterna Mindy Santiago, the program heads Jean Mendoza and Corrina Azarcon, the logistic heads Rae Ciro and Chax Lukban, publicity heads Ces Tuazon and Pat Asuncion and marketing heads Bea Gulmatico and Jodie Chuahiong.