Supreme Court Associate Jusice Renato C. Corona '70 at his induction to the Utopia Hall of Fame.

Batch 1969 led by Donato Faylona with Nitoy Celis of batch 1968.	Batch 1994 led by Paulo Campos.	Batch 1976 led by Gary de Jesus.

All roads led to the Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Peninsula Hotel last Saturday, July 22 as the Gentlemen of the Fraternal Order of Utopia held their Annual Grand Fraternity Ball. Esteemed personalities from the legal profession, captains of industry and civic leaders graced the elegant surroundings of the Peninsula Manila as they mingled, wined and dined with their resident brothers from the Ateneo School of Law in the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship that Utopia has truly made its own.

Atty. Teddy Kalaw, SGV Vice-Chair Vic Noel and Atty. Boy Gabionza.	Topnotch lawyers Kune Gison, Jojo Bunag and Roger Nicandro.

Former Customs Commissioner Tony Bernardo, Caloocan City Mayor Recom Ecvhiverri and Atty. Vic Alimurung, senior partner at SRMO.	Atty. Pete Mendoza, PSE CEO Francis Lim, DOLE Sec. Art Brion and former fraternity president Buddy Campos.

The Fraternal Order of Utopia was instituted in 1964, originally as an honor society in the Ateneo School of Law. It produced a bar topnotcher within its first year of holding its Bar Operations and has produced 4o Bar topnotchers in its 43 years of existence. Its alumni now hold respected positions in the Executive departments, Congress and in all levels of the judicial system. Among those who attended the festivities were Labor Secretary Arturo Brion, Defense Undersecretary Ric Blancaflor, former Deputy Executive Secretary and now Couples for Christ Global Ministries Chairman Joe Tale, former BIR Commissioner Jose Mario Buñag, Ambassador Reynaldo Parungao, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, Caloocan City Mayor Recom Echeverri, former Dean of the Ateneo School of Law Dean Eduardo de los Angeles with his partners from Romulo Mabanta Sayoc & de los Angeles, Attys. Perry Pe, Roger Nicandro and Jack Jimenez, who is likewise a revered professor. Also on hand were Siguion Reyna, Montecillo & Ongsiako senior partner Atty. Vic Alimurung.

DOLE Secretary Art Brion, DND Usec. Ric Blancaflor, Justice Rene Corona, Mrs. Blancaflor, Mrs. Tina Corona, Atty. and Mrs. Tony Bernardo.

Atty. Mike Francisco, Charo Amio, 2007 Ball Chairman Art Asuncion, Joan Ong Oh, Derek and Meg Lu, Nikki and Wong Bacareza.

Closer to Utopia: FOU Foundation President Tony Bernardo signs the MOA with Gawad Kalinga Executive Director Luis Oquinena. Acting as witnesses are Boss Rene, Sec. Art, Utopia-GK Chairman Ronnie Siasoyco, CFC Chairman Joe Tale, GK's Francisco Balagtas and a guest GK community member.

Mr. Oquinena hailed the efforts made by Utopia and its dedicated alumni to direct the fraternity’s efforts towards helping alleviate the numerous problems of Philippine society as a revolutionary step for socio-civic action by a fraternity and expressed hope that more fraternities in the country would soon follow in Utopia’s admirable path.

Resident brods Karl Borja, TJ Rocamora, Gino Puno and the tireless ball committee program head Chadd Concepcion.	Congressman Exequiel Javier of Antique checking out the sponsors' booths.	Atty. SP Sumulong, Dean Perry Pe and Professor Vivencio Abano.

Utopia Hall of Famer Justice Corona with his family and brods Rey Pineda, Ric Blancaflor, Tony Bernardo and Walter Mactal.

The highlight of the night however, was the elevation to the Utopia Hall of Fame by Supreme Court Associate Justice Renato C. Corona. A steadfast and ardent supporter of the fraternity and its noble goals, Justice Corona served as President of the fraternity during his exemplary student days in the Ateneo and has continued living in the spirit of excellence all the way to his Master of Law degree from Harvard Law School up until his appointment to the highest court in the land as one of the youngest magistrates to have ever done so. In his acceptance speech, Justice Corona exhorted his beloved brothers to look beyond legal education and practice to become enlightened Utopians constantly striving for excellence in the light of the Lord and for the greater glory of God.

Justice Corona now joins martyred National Hero Evelio Javier in the Utopia Hall of Fame.

Utopians sing their hymn to newly inducted Hall of famer Boss Rene Corona. (At center of picture is another former fraternity president, Boss Garney Candelaria.)

Ball Chairman Art Asuncion, IBP Makati Chapter President Danny Cortina and Wong Bacareza, President and CEO of Philippine National Oil Corp. Dev't & Mgt. Corp.	Art Asuncion and Joan Ong Oh.

Special guest co-host Bettina Carlos with Ambassador Reynaldo Parungao.	Hosts Raffy del Rosario, Bettina and Job Gesmundo.

Hosting the event were actress and TV personality, Ms. Bettina Carlos, with resident Utopians Job Gesmundo and Raffy del Rosario.

BMW raffle winner Atty. Boy Gabionza with Autozentrum BMW's Doris Pastorfides and Bembot Villafuerte, and hosts Bettina and Raffy.

Batch 1981 Leader Saul Hofilena with some of his batchmates from Ball sponsors Batch Lakas Loob. Seated second from left is brod Fr. Gani Aviniante who is now based in the Philippines after 11 years in Canada.

The 2007 Grand Fraternity Ball was presented by Autozentrum Alabang and Utopia Batch Lakas Loob of 1981, in association with PNOC – DMC, Teng Cruz & Umali Law Offices, Philamlife, PAGCOR, Manila Water, Bernardo & Placido Law Offices, De Guzman Celis & Dionisio Law Offices, Bernard Francisco Insurance Brokers, Recuerdo Memorial Gardens, Mayor Enrico Echiverri, Mayor Benhur Abalos, Atty. Tony Ong and Atty. Jing David as well as numerous other sponsors and patrons.

Some members of Utopia Batch 1977 together with beloved professor Jack Jimenez (4th from left), Batch 1977 pledged to build 4 houses immediately after the MOA signing with Gawad Kalinga.

Comments (2)

Show/Hide comments ... : Rafael Donato del Rosario yes you did brod jojo. and your absence was felt. hope we won't miss you in the upcoming events, especially in the ball next year. August 01, 2007 ... : Elfren Jr. Pineda Hipolito Good work Brods! For those of us who were not around, I guess we missed a lot. August 01, 2007

Write comment

You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.