Mu Sigma Phi (medical fraternity)

For other uses of "Mu Sigma Phi", see Mu Sigma Phi (disambiguation).
Mu Sigma Phi
MΣΦ
Founded October 3, 1933 (1933-10-03)
University of the Philippines
Type Medical
Motto All for the Glory
Colors

     Green      Red      Yellow      Black

     Gold
Publication

The MΣΦ Medics Newsette (1951; adapted by the UP College of Medicine as "The UP Medics Newsette" since November 1951)

The Amici (1952 - present)
Headquarters Manila, Philippines
Homepage www.musigmaphi.com

The Mu Sigma Phi, or MΣΦ is the first fraternity in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. It is also the first medical fraternity in the Asian region. Its birth in October 1933 was the answer to the need of a college organization that will uphold true brotherhood, responsible leadership, advancement of scholastic and cultural welfare, and an unselfish spirit of service. After more than 78 years, the fraternity stands today as among the most acclaimed student organizations in the Philippines, and the leading Greek-lettered global network of UP Medical Alumni.

The fraternity was first mentioned in the Philippine Collegian in its November 24, 1933 article as the "first and only medical students' fraternity."

The Mu Sigma Phi does not confer honorary memberships; nevertheless, it has ardently drawn a boastful number of 1,682 members in its glorious roster that has produced pioneers, heroes, leaders, scholars, luminaries, scientists, and humanitarians in the field of medicine. It sustains this unparalleled tradition by instilling to its student members a relentless fervor for excellence in medical education, strengthened by a noble commitment to public service.

The fraternity is renowned for its rich tradition revolving around the Four Pillars—Brotherhood, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. These pillars are points of fact to every MU Brod, and serve as guiding principles in our individual and collective efforts to continually fulfill the fraternity’s destiny of greater glory. It is in our eternal bond that we find greatness in our unrivaled unity. It is in our holistic endeavors that we hone and preserve a distinguished lineage of MU leaders and visionaries. And, despite our frequent expeditions away from academics, it is in our utmost perseverance and collaboration that we can attain our goal of becoming complete doctors.

History

One fine October afternoon, in 1933, a group of students of the UP College of Medicine headed by Saturnino Ador-Dionisio '35, Manuel G. Baliwag '35, Manuel M. Ramos '35 and Antonio T. Unchuan '35; all distinguished and the cream of their respective classes; organized and established the MU SIGMA PHI, the first fraternity in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. Dr. Fernando Calderon, the first Filipino Dean of the UP College of Medicine and the first Filipino Director of the Philippine General Hospital, became the fraternity's first Faculty Adviser.

Fraternity Seal

THE RINGS. The lettering on the seal is bounded by two rings, each representing the unbroken ties that bind the Fraternity together. The inner circle represents the undergraduate brothers—a fellowship of men, eternally renewed, and always in the thick of the action during their years in the College of Medicine, heirs to the Fraternity's honorable history and guardians of MU's existence and welfare. The larger outer circle represents the alumni brothers, and the Fraternity as a whole—all-encompassing; a brotherhood forged to exceed the might of steel and the test of time; a bond founded on tradition that knows no end.

THE WINGS. The Wings of Hermes are an ancient Greek symbol of maleness and heightened spirituality—a fitting symbol for a brotherhood of men devoted to achieving wholeness of body, mind and spirit. It is the belief of every Mu man that only a complete man can be a complete doctor; thus, the Fraternity strives for the holistic development of all its members. These Wings are also associated with the virtue of diligence, a value that is instilled in every member of the Mu Sigma Phi. While each brother in the Fraternity embodies this trait individually, it is also through the diligence of the entire Brotherhood that new heights of glory are attained.

THE SERPENTS. The symmetrical Serpents of Aesculapius that adorn the coat of arms embody the Greek concept of symmetria, and represent our desire for balance, harmony, truth and good. The brothers of the Mu Sigma Phi adhere not only to the Fraternity’s own by-laws, but to the moral mandates that govern our noble profession. The Mu man is adept in both the sciences and the arts, and is a medical professional whose conduct is guided by the highest ethical standards. These Serpents of Aesculapius are also a symbol of our reverence for our forefathers who paved the way for us; as the Serpents stand guard over the coat of arms, so, too, do the wisdom and knowledge of the ages keep watch over the fate of the Fraternity, guiding us and leading us to our destiny to become great healers.

THE GOLDEN SYRINGE. Perhaps no other tool of the trade of medicine evokes as powerful a reaction as the Syringe. It delivers healing right where it is most needed; and yet even the most stout-hearted men still fear its sting. Consequently, no other tool of the trade better represents the Mu man’s outlook on medicine, and life in general: There is no glory without tears. Nothing worth having ever comes easy; one must endure discomfort, hardships, even actual pain. In the end, though, the fulfillment that comes with achieving one’s noble goals will make even the greatest hurt seem like the bite of a mere insect. The Fraternity’s Greek letters are drawn in the barrel of the syringe, as if these were actually contained within and ready to be released into the waiting recipient—this represents the Fraternity’s noble goal of being a cure for whatever ails humanity, of immersing itself in the search for a solution for society’s problems. The Mu man heeds the call to service by offering himself through his commitment to uplift countless lives through his work and deeds.

The Roman letter U and P ([University of the Philippines]) are in its left and right side respectively, with the numbers [1933] at the tip, the year of its founding.

The Service Arm of the Fraternity

Being a fraternity of medical students, the Mu Sigma Phi has developed a tradition of service. This parallels the College of Medicine's vision of a medical education "directed to the underserved". Less than two years after its inception, Mu put together a fund for typhoon victims in the island province of Leyte. This unprecedented act was commended by then Governor-General Frank Murphy (the Philippines was under American rule until 1946). In the succeeding decades, the Fraternity put up projects for the College and its training hospital, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). These projects, notably the Mu Blood Bank and the Mu Eye Bank, were turned over to the College. To facilitate access of indigent patients of the PGH to free medicines, Mu put up a 'Charity Medical Bag' in 1956.

In line with the College's emphasis on community medicine, Mu has adopted several communities since the 1970s. Mu contributes medical and educational assistance to these areas through medical missions, public health seminars, and the training of local health workers.

Several organizations, including the Philippine government, have recognized the efforts of Mu Sigma Phi in socio-civic work. In 1997, the Presidential Commission for Urban Poor cited the Fraternity as its "Most Active NGO Partner[1] in Luzon", an award conferred by then President Fidel V. Ramos. The Committee of Health of the Philippine Senate, for its part, declared Mu to be the "Best Community Oriented Student Organization" in 2002. Recently, the Mu Sigma Phi was named as the 2007 Most Outstanding Student Organization in the University of the Philippines-Manila after also being bestowed the same honor the previous year.

Today, service activities of the Fraternity include medical missions, blood-letting drives, benefit concerts, and working trips to its adopted communities. These are usually held on Saturday and Sundays as the undergraduate brods have classes from Monday to Friday. Major medical missions are occasionally held during summer and semestral breaks.

The Mu Sigma Phi Foundation

In 2004, alumni of the Mu Sigma Phi and its counterpart sorority formed the Mu Sigma Phi Foundation, a nonprofit organization which aims to support the projects of the UP College of Medicine. Its most recent project was the renovation of the Anatomy laboratory for the benefit of first-year medical students. This undertaking was completed on July 2006.

In December 2008, Mu Sigma Phi celebrated its diamond jubilee. Its website lists over 1,600 brothers from all over the world.

Awards

External links

References

  1. ↑ Hernando, Merlina R. (2004-04-03). "Unplugging the sounds of silence". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
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