The Pan Xenia Fraternity
in the 1950's
The 1950's marked
another successful decade for Pan Xenia. Early in February 1950,
the Fraternity had its 27th anniversary celebration under the
leadership of Onofre D. Corpuz, who alter became Minister of Education,
Culture and Sports, as gonovernor, at the Fiest Pavillion of Manila
Hotel. A pageant parodying the initiation ceremonies characterized
the celebration to honor the Fraternity's "Muse of the Reunion
Night." It was in this occasion that the Philippine Alpha
Chapter was lauded by Dr. Macy skinner, then International President
of Pan Xenia. In a letter send to Bro. Dominador Torres, a former
Governor, Dr. Skinner cited the Philippine Alpha chapter, as "deserving
of all credit for being a remakble active and successful organizstion,"
adding that "it is unanimous opinon here (U.S.) that the
Philippine Alpha Chapter had distinguished itself both by high
quality of membership as well as by its initiative and its admirable
activities which augur well for the future." It was also
in this particular celebration that the Fraternity was well publicized
in the different newspapers of the county.
Early in April 1950s, the officers of the Fraternity were unanimously
elected by the Bro. Renato Sabater as Governor and Cesar E.A.
Virata, later a Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, as Vice-Governor.
Bro. Andres V. Castillo was reacclaimed as Chapter advise. The
Board of Mentors was reconstituted. In June, another banquet was
tendered for Bro. Rumulo for having been elected as President
of the Southeast Asia Conference. In this occasion, he was given
the plaque and title of "Pan Xenians of 1949" for his
achievement in the UN General Assembly and in the SEAU. He brought
more glory to the fold when he was appointed Secretary of Foreign
Affairs.
The acceptance and induction of President Elpidio Quirino as the
seventh honorary member of the Chapter on October 20, 1950 established
another precedent in the history of Pan Xenia. In 1951. Dr. Amado
A. Castro brought more honors to the Philippine Chapter when he
was elected International Vice-President of Pan Xenia.
The following years saw the Fraternity's active in the promotion
of its objectives and ideals. It held various symposia, open for
a, and conferences discussing economic problems and development
of the country, which caught the attention of the press. In 1955,
another precedent was established in the history of Pan Xenia
when the Fraternity gave recognition to companies and individual
who made valuable contribution to the development of the Philippine
economy, particularly in the field of foreign trade. Elizalde
and Company, Inc., headed by Manuel Elizalde and Sen. Jose P.
Laurel, Sr., Chairman of the Philippine Mission to the U,S. for
the Belll Trade Act, were named outstanding contributors to the
Philippine Foreign Trade for 1954 by the Pan Xenia.
This decade in the history of Pan Xenia was fittingly closed by
the celebration of its 36th Anniversary under the leadership of
Bro. Leopoldo Clemente, Jr. of Clemente Capital fame, as the governor,
on February 6, 1959. A symposium was held with the Ambassador
of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Chrge d' Affairs of Israel,
and Bro. Gil. J. Puyat as speakers. The annual reunion and ball
was held the next day, with the radio coverage, radio time courtesy
of Bro. Emerson Coseteng, at the Camp Murphy Central Club.
|