Phi Caroling 2011

by Theia Joaquin, Phi '11B

It has been a long-standing tradition of the Phi Kappa Mu fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority to carol in the houses of the senior brods and sisses. Today, the tradition lives on.

 

On the first night of caroling, we went to the residence of Dr. Nelia Tan Liu (Φ’71, Class ‘75), where we were welcomed with good food and exciting stories. We sang our classic set of songs: Hark the Herald, Ding Dong, Pasko Na, Carol of the Bells, Jingle Bell Rock, 12 Days of Christmas, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas with a Phi twist.

 

Since caroling at Dr. Nelia Tan Liu’s, our audience continued growing. On our second night of caroling, we sang for Dr. Chittina de Ocampo (Φ’92, Class ‘96) and her guests at her dinner party. On the third night, we met and sang for the dear family members of our sisses, Dr. Aileen Riego Javier (Φ’69, Class ‘72), and Dr. Shelley Ann Francisco Dela Vega (Φ’83, Class ‘87). Caroling became more enjoyable as we saw the friends and family members of our sisses singing and dancing to our carols.

 

On the fourth night, we visited Dr. Stella Marie Legaspi Jose (Φ’80, Class ‘84) and Dr. Renato Trota Jose (Φ’80, Class ‘84). It was such a joy for everyone to sing and play music that after our standard set for caroling, brods and sisses kept singing while Joshua Yabut Φ’08 played the piano.

 

In a Phi’s mind, Pateros is a place for surgical missions, but this time around, Dr. Mary Joyce Flores Medina (Φ’90, Class ‘95) asked us to leave our surgical blades and bring our songbooks so we could sing for her and her batchmates during their Class 1995 reunion. Among those present were Dr. Josefina Ly Uson (Φ’90, Class ‘95), Dr. Valerie Tiempo Guinto (Φ’91b, Class ‘95), Dr. Maria Teresa Flores Paelmo (Φ’90, Class ‘95), Dr. Rex Marco Miguel Mojica Poblete (Φ’89b, S.E. ’94-’95, Class ‘95), Dr. Cesar Joseph Curameng Gloria (Φ’90b, Class ‘95), and Dr. Racel Ireneo Luis Ceria Querol (Φ’90b, Class ‘95). Pateros will no longer be solely remembered as a place for surgical missions, but also as a place for caroling, reunions and lechon.

 

The last night of caroling called for a big finish, as we sang for over 12 brods, namely: Dr. Michael Jamias Liquete (Φ’67, Class ‘72), Dr. Ferdinand Lim Morabe (Φ’77, Class ‘81), Dr. Enrique Pamintuan Ragaza (Φ’78, Class’82), Dr. Teodoro Javier Herbosa (Φ’79a, Class ‘83), Dr. Januario Antonio Dolorico Veloso Jr. (Φ’83, Class ‘87), Dr. Carlos Ramon Nable Torres Jr. (Φ’86, Class ‘91), Dr. Genlinus Dator Yusi (Φ’87, Class ‘91), Dr. Aldwin Alfonso Yaneza (Φ’89, Class ‘91), Dr. Dennis Antonio Rosete (Φ’95a, Class 2000), Dr. Christopher Quiambao Victorio (Φ’97, S.E. ’01-’02, Class ’02), Dr. Leopoldo Jose Maria Lopez Picazo (Φ’99, Class ’03) and Dr. Bjorn Malabuyoc Molinyawe (Φ’02, Class ’07). We were truly grateful for their invitation. Not only were we served a big bowl of buko pandan, but we were given the chance to be personally toured around the National Kidney Transplant Institute.

 

Each night of caroling was a different experience, but what everyone saw and felt each night of caroling was the spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood traversing time and space. Caroling in Phi is more than just a time to sing; it is a chance to meet and bond with our brods and sisses during the season of Christmas.

Caroling 2011 was headed by Nika Reyes Φ’10, Bea Gulmatico Φ’10, Ria Cabrera Φ’10 and Miko Amante Φ’11, coheaded by Dana Santos Φ’11a, Theia Joaquin Φ’11b and Gela Villa Φ’11b.