Though not dubbed as the “SmashFam” until the Fall of 2009, the SmashFam has been around since the revival of the Kuya-Ate-Ading-Mentorship Program in 2004. During this time Perennial Cabinet Member, Kathleen Lee, mentored Rhea Pera, who served as a Public Relations Officer. Rhea then mentored Sherry Estrada, whose Akbayan resume includes being a PIMPS Intern, Media & Publications Officer, and Treasurer. From there, Sherry went different routes. As an intern, she adopted Danreb Victorio through the Akbayan-Mabuhay KAAMP Program and the following year she mentored Valerie Redrico, who served as Media & Publications Officer in 2008.
That pretty much ended the generations of females in the family. Not including his Independence adings, Danreb mentored Jason Rastrullo, Jonathan Apilado, Michael Bicomong, and recently adopted Kevin Candido–the cousin of Paulo Candido, one of Akbayan’s key contributors.
Many assume that the family is one of many gaming nerds, due to their name being inspired from the Super Smash Bros. family. Their crest is the Smash Ball, an item that is hard to get ahold of–but when it’s caught, its holder is met with impressive results. Danreb regards each member of this KAAMP Family as people who are key contributors to anything they get involved in.
13 people in the Smash Family have made key contributions to an on-campus organization. Two have served as President of Akbayan, and 3 are members of a Greek.
Kathleen Lee (03-04 Political Affairs Chair, 04-05 President & Internship Coordinator)
Rhea Pera (04-05 Lumpia Intern, 05-06 Public Relations Officer)
Sherry Estrada (05-06 Pimps Intern, 06-07 Media & Publications Officer, 07-08 Treasurer, Member of Alpha Phi Omega)
Solly Ann Palileo (06-07 Shaboobala Intern, 07-08 Community / Political Affairs Chair)
Danreb Victorio (07-08 Mas Malakas Intern, 08-09 Community / Political Affairs Chair, 09-10 Internship Coordinator, 10-11 President)
Valerie Redrico (08-09 Media & Publications Officer)
AJ Cua (07-08 Mas Malakas Intern, Member of Alpha Phi Omega)
Jason Rastrullo (09-10 L.E.G.I.T. Intern)
Jonathan Apilado (09-10 L.E.G.I.T. Intern)
Paolo Listana (09-10 L.E.G.I.T. Intern)
Julius Juan (10-11 Legacy Intern)
Francisco Alolong (10-11 Legacy Intern)
Kevin Candido (10-11 Legacy Intern)
Michael Bicomong (Member of Zeta Chi Epsilon)
Despite the Family Name, none of the members of Smash Fam have played Smash Bros. with one another.
A number of the guys are into the Naruto Manga.
SmashFAM has an all-you-can-eat sushi outing every year.
None of the members of SmashFam are connected by major. Their fields are very diverse
Bernadette Faller is considered an “unofficial” in the same generation as Paolo and Francisco.
- written by Danreb Victorio
