02/09/2026
⚔️ CROSS SWORD BROTHERHOOD • LEADERSHIP • SERVICE
Strengthening Bonds Among Brothers and Xavier Ateneo Alumni
The League of Cross Swords in the Philippines, through its current Public Relations Commander, Atty. Virgilio A. Galarrita, Jr., recently took the opportunity to visit fellow Cross Swords and Xavier Ateneo alumni LTC ALLAN M PEÑAFLOR ART (GSC), PA, Commanding Officer, 4FAB, and LTC MICHAEL O SUMAPIG AGS (GSC), PA, Commanding Officer, 4IMB.
The gathering provided an opportunity for the brothers to reconnect and discuss updates on Cross Sword programs and activities, chaptering and recruitment, and the planned Cross Sword Leadership Summit.
As a reaffirmation of their commitment to the ideals and traditions of the Cross Sword, LTC Peñaflor and LTC Sumapig likewise signed the Cross Sword Covenant, signifying their continued commitment to Duty, Honor, Loyalty, Brotherhood, and Service, and to upholding the values and legacy of the organization.
As a further gesture of brotherhood and in keeping with the tradition of honoring the organization's legacy, Atty. Galarrita presented each of the two brothers with a special Cross Sword coin token commemorating the 50th Founding Anniversary of Cross Sword in 2024—a lasting memento of five decades of brotherhood, leadership, camaraderie, and service.
Atty. Galarrita likewise invited both brothers to become part of the organizing members of the Xavier University Reserve Officers Training Corps Alumni Association (XU ROTCAA), now in the process of being established, bringing together alumni of the University's Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force ROTC traditions.
As Vice President of the Xavier University Alumni Association, Inc. (XUAAAI) and President of the Xavier Ateneo Law Alumni Association, Inc. (XALAAI), Atty. Galarrita also introduced the Iggy Bank Program, an alumni giving initiative of the XU Alumni Relations Office.
Through the Iggy Bank, Xavier Ateneo alumni are encouraged to save and contribute at least ₱10 or any amount they wish, in support of the University. 25% goes to the University's scholarship program and other initiatives, while 75% goes to the alumni chapter where the donor belongs.
Both brothers gladly expressed their support for the initiative and were each given their own Iggy Bank.
LTC Sumapig is a graduate of the Xavier University School of Law, Class of 2004, while LTC Peñaflor is a graduate of Xavier University BS Economics, Class of 2002.
They were likewise personally invited to join upcoming Xavier Ateneo alumni activities, including the Inter-Alumni Sportfest on November 28, 2026, and the XU Grand Alumni Homecoming on December 5, 2026.
Atty. Galarrita is also a Major, Philippine Air Force (Reservist), AFP, serving as Director for Operations, 590th Air Base Group Reserve, and Squadron Commander, 594th Security Force Squadron (Reserve).
From the Cross Sword brotherhood to the Xavier Ateneo community, the spirit remains the same:
Duty. Honor. Loyalty. Brotherhood. Service.
⚔️ One Brotherhood. One Purpose. A Continuing Legacy of Service.
