Why GBE? Why Not?
Everybody has his reasons in joining a fraternity or not. At first thought, I knew that a fraternity was not for me nor was I for a fraternity.
However, I looked at fraternties in the wrong way. I looked at them from the view on what i could get and how it would benefit me in my quest to be a doctor. I looked at what I would gain in joining such a group, if ever. If I would have to undergo such an uncertain (and what i heard, hard) initiation process, it should be for a good cause. It must be worth it.
It was not until an elder Gamman talked to me and changed my perspective. He told me simply that a fraternity is not for anyone who is looking to gain something, but for someone who is willing to give. Something very similar to medicine – being a doctor is not the business of getting, but of giving – one’s talent, time and if needed, treasure.
Right there and then, I signified my intention and underwent the process. At that time, I was already a third year medical student. It did not matter then that it was quite late for me in joining a fraternity. Being a brod is not good only for the next four years of medicine and the several years of internship and residency. Being a brod is for life. And it will be a lifetime of giving to the brotherhood and brods, whether it be just a word of support, guidance, or plain and simple financial assistance.
Why GBE? Why not.
It was the group that i felt i belonged to. GBE was a silent, low profile group that just worked hard in its activities and in its brotherhood. No loud pronouncements nor high-impact projects. It just took pride in its brotherhood, silently. And it played hard, too. It was no coincidence that the happiest and brightest spots in my medical student life were the countless GBE outings and outreach programs spent in the far-flung provinces.
A fraternity is not for everybody. And GBE is not for everybody, too.
But for some, it is. And joining GBE will be one of the greatest and best decisions one can make.
For me, it was. And still is…
