The
Golden Jubilee Celebrations
In
preparation for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, the Fraternity
under the governorship of Gov. Bro. Victor F. B. Ventura, held
a series of luncheon meetings to discuss the economic problems
and development needs of the country. Speakers to these luncheon
meetings were Bros. Cesar Virata, Gerado Sicat and Gil Puyat.
Various sports activities and fellowships/socials were held
to bring the brods closer.
The Golden Jubilee celebration was fittingly closed with the
National Convention at the Manila Hilton Hotel on November 18,
1973. Under the meticulous leadership of Gov. Eduardo r. Alvarez,
the long preparation for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations bore
unit. With Bro. Cesar Virata, then Secretary of Finance, as
the Keynote Speaker of the Convention, the theme "Continuing
Commitment to National Development Through Foreign Trade,"
was tackled with a panel of speakers and discussants, the members
of which were Pan Xenians who are in the government and private
sectors. Cabinet members, professors, presidents and heads of
several banks and business conglomerates attended the euphoria-filled
business affair.
It was also during this Convention that several Pan Xenians
were elevated to Honorary Membership. They were Bros. Antonio
de las Alas, Cornelio Balmaceda, Andres V. Castillo, Sr., Gregorio
S. Licaros Sr., and Leonides S. Virata. Outstanding Pan Xenians
for 1973 were also rewarded to Bros. Onofre D. Corpuz, for Education
and Manpower Development, Rafael M. Salas, for Population Planning,
Gerardo P. Sicat, for Economics and Cesar E.A. Virata, for Public
Finance.
The guest appearance as well as the guestbook itself was a veritable
rundown of who's who in Philippines business. Indeed, Pan Xenians
have mastered the business craft without having to compromise
business ethics and goodwill. The Fraternity's 50 years of existence
was a history of success.
It took a long while for the euphoria of the Golden Jubilee
to subside. The years that follow saw the Fraternity's active
involvement in sports, academic tournament, symposia, exhibits,
and seminars tackling the economic and business issues of the
day.
In the late part of 1976, the Fraternity sponsored KAWITAAN
MULI, an all-Philippine choral tribute to a departed loyal brother,
Bro. Leonides Virata, a rabid Pan Xenian whose loyalty to the
cause of the Fraternity was reputedly to the extent of admirable
fanaticism.
On April 3, 1977, an Alumni Homecoming and Grand Reunion was
held at the Lotus Garden of the Manila Midtown Ramada under
the cooperative effort of outgoing Governor Evan G. Siemens
and incoming Governor for the school year 1977-78, Larry San
Diego. In this affair, the 14 living Honorary members were honored
and conferred with the Awards of Distinction. Bros. Miguel Cuaderno
Sr., and Leonides S. Virata , were awarded posthumously. Several
alumni members were elevated to Associate level, while service
awards and certificate of merit were awarded to deserving members.
On April 29, 1978, the Fraternity celebrated its 55th Annual
Grand Reunion at the Manila Hotel. Elevated to the Honorary
level were Bros. Jose A. Carpio, Sr., Onofre D. Corpuz, and
Manuel M. Lim, Sr. Bro. Carlos P. Romulo was conferred the Award
of Distinction while Bros. Jaime C. Laya and Antonio R. Gatmaitan
were chosen as Outstanding Pan Xenians for 1978. Several Pan
Xenians were also elevated to Associate level and given Service
and Merit Awards for outstanding services and contribution to
the cause of the Fraternity.
It was at the close of this decade that the Pan Xenia Rare Book
Collevtion was given a rousing start when Bros. Delfin Buencamino
and Anselmo Trinidad Sr. pledged their book for collection.
Former Senator Helena Benitez, likeweise, promised the rare
books collection of her father, Bro. Conrado Benitez.
