December 18, 2011 – The rainy Sunday morning did not stop the brods and sisses of the Mu Sigma Phi in formally promulgating the Mu Sigma Phi Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Sta. Rita, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Taking time off their busy schedules, resident and alumni brods and sisses were present to witness an amazing first in the history of the Mu Sigma Phi.

The MU Sigma Phi GK Village was born from the initiative of the alumni brods and sisses in the USA. What started as a simple discussion of possibilities and opportunities has become a campaign to provide our needy countrymen their own homes. Twenty-five (25) families, who were recognized during the program, are going to be the first recipients of new homes by the time the project comes into completion.

Brod Wilfrido “Dido” Feliciano MΣΦ 1966, who represents the Mu Sigma Phi Foundation, attended the ceremony and provided the message in behalf of the donors. During the program, He also shared how he got motivated to take the initiative of presenting the idea to the foundation, through the inspiration of his late wife who used to devote much time in GK efforts. The idea, rooted from the vision of Tony Meloto to eliminate poverty through building homes, was well-received by brods and sisses around the world.

Representing the current leadership of the Fraternity and Sorority during the program were Bearer of the Staff Marvin Masalunga MΣΦ 2014, and Most Exalted Sister Miko Liquete µΣΦ 2012, sharing their insights regarding the project, ever consistent with the Mu brand of self-denying Service.

The actual groundbreaking ceremony was held a stone’s throw away from the gathering area. Led by Brod Dido, the first powders of concrete were shoveled up, symbolizing the commencement of a home-building undertaking which the Fraternity and Sorority explore for the first time.

Brod Marvin Masalunga ’14 (center), and sisses Mel Caraan ’15 and Marianne Naria ’14 (left and right respectively) lead the Fraternity and Sorority in the ground-breaking ceremony, along with GK Las Piñas Head Emil Virtudes

Also gracing the event were Emil Virtudes, GK Las Piñas Head, and Jay Meloto, Area Head for NCR 2 and son of GK founder Tony Meloto, giving inspiring pieces elaborating on the great vision that GK has for the country. The event was capped off with entertaining dance and song numbers from the mothers and children of the community. Lunch was also heartily served by the community members.



GK Sta. Rita was chosen primarily because of its proximity to the college.  Accessibility is seen as a main factor because the Fraternity and Sorority would like to constantly maintain strong and sustainable connections with their adopted community. With its current state, the site has a lot of potential for improvement.

Jumpstarted through the efforts of Brod Dido and Brod Abraham Rasul MΣΦ 1983A, officers of the Mu Sigma Phi Foundation USA, in coordination with Inoy Figueora, the GK Coordinator for US, and generous donations by Brod Bernard Cruz MΣΦ 1974 and other US-based brods and sisses, the project had earned much interest and support not only from the undergraduates but also from the international Mu circles. Serving as coordinators of the Mu Sigma Phi for Gawad Kalinga are Brod Aries Poncio MΣΦ 2015 and Sis Mel Caraan µΣΦ 2015.

With the development of the Mu Sigma Phi GK Village in Sta. Rita, Alabang already underway, along with already existing endeavors such as in GK Baseco, Tondo, the brods and sisses hope that this further strengthens the partnership between Mu and GK. All for the Glory! 

Written by Kevin Mendoza, Batch 2016
Photos by Migo Mantaring, Batch 2016