The Rose Memorial Auditorium will be the venue of this year´s Alumni Homecoming.
Preparations have started for the 2017 Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly Meeting. Mr. Daniel P. Dorillo, CPU Alumni Association, Inc. President called the Committee members that include Department Heads, Deans, and Principals to an initial meeting on July 10 at the BOT Conference Room. This was in view of bigger and better alumni gathering at Central Philippine University on September 30, 2017. The Committee is co-chaired by Dr. Anita U. Ellenberger.
Taken up at the meeting were concerns and suggestions on how to “bring home” more alumni to this year’s homecoming. Other issues include security and order. It was pointed out that the seating arrangement at the Rose Memorial needs to be improved in preparation for a bigger turnout of attendance this year. The theme “Centralian: Sharing 3T’s (Time, Talent and Treasure) for One CPU” was chosen among the suggestions and will be presented to the Alumni Board for approval.
One suggestion was to convene the Chapter Presidents and representatives of alumni batches to discuss ways to improve attendance. Dorillo suggested that Alumni Chapter Presidents should be given a hand to invite and see to it that more members of their chapters will come. The presentation of U-Days best – winners of selected cultural contests will be performing. Tarpaulins will also be put up in different areas in Panay and Negros to announce the Alumni Homecoming, as well as an aggressive campaign in social media and news outlets.
Dorillo hinted at calling for more meetings in order to address any other matters with regards to the Alumni Homecoming. The organizers are praying and hoping that many alumni will be “coming home” this September 30, 2017.
Perspective of the CPU Elementary Covered Gym donated by Dr. Carmen P. Santos.
The CPU Elementary Department has been dreaming of having a covered gym. This dream is now becoming a reality as Dr. Carmen Pama Santos donated an amount for the construction of a covered gym.
The construction of the 936 Square-Meter area covered gym started in the middle of April 2017. According to Engr. Noel Tablason, the Construction Manager, the budget for the covered gym is 9 million pesos. He also added that the construction progress is on target to be completed on September 2017 in time for the University Day activities. The construction includes the renovation and modification of the current multipurpose stage.
Those who pass through Gate 6 can see the construction of the Elementary covered gym.
Mrs. Carmen P. Santos has been a generous donor to CPU throughout the years. Her family donated the Santos Park in front of the Johnson Hall, an area where students gather to study and have fellowship.
The progress of the construction of the covered gym.
Dr. Santos received the B.S.E. major in Mathematics, summa cum laude, from CPU in 1963 and two years later the M.A. major in English. Later, on October 15, 2006, CPU conferred a Doctor of Humanities honoris causa degree to Dr. Santos.
The open quarangle is where the Elementary covered gym is now being constructed.
It can be recalled that she joined the CPU faculty for ten years, and then became Principal of Iloilo Central Commercial High School for many years. She is a leading business figure in Iloilo, especially in the petroleum business.
Honor students pose with their benefactor Dr. Carmen P. Santos.
Her commitment to Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL) is demonstrated by her serving in the CPU Corporation, Board of the CPU Alumni Association, and president of the Alumni of the College of Education (ACE).
Mrs. Evangelica Diesto Padernilla reads a poem about Totik Diesto from Mrs. Omega Diesto Moore.
Remembering the legacy of Genaro “Totik” Diesto, Jr. – with the aim of sharing the life, love and works of Rev. Diesto, Central Philippine University held the 10th Genaro “Totik” Diesto, Jr. Memorial Lectures at the Educational Media Center on June 29-30, 2017.
Mrs. Jean Te Diesto, the wife of Dr. “Totik” Diesto thanks the Centralian community for remembering her husband.
For the welcome remarks, Rev. Dr. Bernabe C. Pagara, Dean, College of Theology acknowledged the participants in the event. He also reflected on the life of the late Rev. “Totik” Diesto stating that his passion and vision in enlightening others through discussion and meditation of the word has made an impact not only to the Centralian community but also beyond its borders.
Rev. Dr. Limuel Equina Executive director of ATESEA delivers a paper entitled “From Captivity to Contexuality: Revisiting Totik Diesto’s Theological Construction”
After which, Mrs. Jean Te Diesto, the wife of Dr. “Totik” Diesto, thanked CPU for always remembering “Totik” a true-blooded Centralian who finished his elementary, high school and college education at CPIU. She shared her memories with her husband and their children. They have three children namely Chaim, Asher and Iana.
Bishop Edgardo T. Espinosa, the Senior Pastor of the Solid Rock Baptist Church, talks about the challenges of the pastoral ministry in the Philippine setting.
Prof. Evangelica D. Padernilla, member of the CPU Corporation read a poem about the late Rev. Dr. Genaro “Totik” Diesto Jr. written by Mrs. Omega Diesto-Moore. Both are sisters of “Totik.” The poem talks about the love of a sister for her brother. Written in the days when Dr. Diesto was poor at health, the poem tells a story of a younger Diesto who was on fire with life. His imprisonment during the Martial Law years opened his eyes that made him eventually commit himself to the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. It can be recalled that “Totik” was actively involved in the CPU Republic and became an activists during the Martial Law years while enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science. It was his imprisonment that led him to commit himself in full-time ministry. He enrolled at the CPU College of Theology and graduated cum laude in his Bachelor of Divinity. Mrs. Padernilla also shared the meaning of the word “Totik” – it is a combination of “Toto” a word of endearment to Ilonggo sons, and “Diutik” which means small.
Dr. Emilito A. Yango, talks about decolonizing the colonial mentality of Filipinos.
The first speaker for the seminar was Rev. Dr. Limuel R. Equiña, Executive Director of the Association of Theological Education in South East Asia. Rev. Dr. Equiña’s topic “From Captivity to Contextuality: Revisiting Totik Diesto’s Theological Construction” talked about constructing a contextually relevant to Filipino theology. According to him, the relationship between the seminary and the church must be inseparable and indissoluble in doing contextualization. “The church must provide context and the resources for academic reflections. The seminary and the church must generate a synergy for a contextualized theological education and mission.” He also stated that the goal of late “Totik” Diesto was to “Construct a Contextually Relevant Filipino Theology.” “Totik” Diesto earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Inter-cultural Studies at the School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California where he was given the Contextualization Award for his excellent dissertation.
Rev Dr. Wati Aier, one of the lecturers of the Totik Diesto Memorial Lecture is the Convener of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and recipient of Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award in 2010, an award previously given to President Jimmy Carter.
For the second lecture, Bishop Edgardo T. Espinosa shared about “The Challenges of Pastoral Ministry in the Philippine Context.” His topic focused on the tasks and responsibilities of being a pastor in the Philippine setting. He shares that there are different areas of challenges, all of which can be converted into strength once one finds balance and putting Christ in the center of ministry work. He also mentioned that one should always be aware of the culture in dealing with the challenges.
CPBC General Sectary Rev. Dr. Jerson B. Narciso asks a question on how to decolonize the colonial mentality.
Dr. Emilito A. Yangco or “Emo” as he is fondly called was the third speaker. He talked about the topic “Towards Decolonizing Colonial Mentality.” His talk aimed at the realization that our Christian faith must be branded with our own identity as Filipinos. According to him, colonial mentality has affected the way we see faith because we have given it a Western and colonial standard. It must be embraced with our strength anchored on our unique identity as Filipinos. In doing so, one needs to decolonize the colonial mentality – meaning, to do away with the mentality that Westerners are superior and Filipinos are inferior.
The four lecturers (from left to right: Dr. Emelito A. Yango, Bishop Edgardo T. Espinosa, Dr. Limuel R. Equiña and Dr. Wati Aier) answer questions from the participants.
The fourth and fifth lectures were given by Dr. Wati Aier. Dr. Aier was the classmate of “Totik” in Fuller Theological Seminary and the Best Man of “Totik” and Jean in their wedding. He is from Nagaland, India. His topics were “Prophetic Imagination in Ministry” and “The Romance of Contextualization.” He said that we need to be like the prophets who were “troublemakers” in the right way. He cited the movement of the radical Baptists in the 16th century that was part of the Protestant movement. He also emphatically reminded everyone that “sitting is a crime.” According to him the need of foresight and revelation is important for any ministry to move forward. Ministries will grow if there is something to look forward to and to work on, the future helps the present persevere. Prophets imagine the future and they start the work of realizing that imagination in the present.
His second lecture revolved using contextualization as a way of doing theology in order to have a deeper understanding and reflection of the Christian faith. He cited the works of two Centralians Rev. Dr. Johnny V. Gumban, and Rev. Dr. Domingo J. Diel, Jr. who have great contributions in the development of an Asian theology. He also quoted Bishop Emerito Nacpil, the Filipino theologian who developed “The Critical Asian Principle” of doing theology.
Rev. Dr. Bernabe C. Pagara, Dean of the CPU College of Theology, acknowledges the participants of the annual memorial lecture in honor of Dr. Genaro Diesto.
For the Dialogue Panel, delegates asked the panel of speakers regarding practical applications of the lecture to their respective churches. Questions regarding the role of the church in the political, social and economic sector, pluralism, theological hermeneutics and contextualization challenges were also addressed.
The pastors of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches pose with the lecturers and organizers of the 10th Dr. Genaro Totik Diesto Jr. Memorial Lecture.
Ending the panel discussion, Rev. Dr. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, faculty and staff of the CPU College of Theology posed a question to the participants encouraging them to ask themselves how they will the things they learned in lecture-seminar help their church grow and to address their own respective challenges.
The Great Centralian Advertiser, Mr. Mauro Somodio and his wife, Cecelia Somodio.
Central Philippine University boasts of its international pool of alumni around the globe, as some would say it – one can always find a Centralian in every corner of the world. Whether as working professionals, visiting tourists or diplomatic representatives of our country, the Central Spirit is thriving beyond borders through the lives of our CPU graduates.
The Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Association (CPUFOAA) with its active officers has not only been promoting Centralian activities in their respective regions but they have also been encouraging enrollment of foreign students by endorsing CPU as an academic institution of excellence.
One of these officers is Mr. Mauro Somodio, a 1973 CPU graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. As the Vice President of the Australasia Chapter of the CPUFOAA, Mr. Somodio has been consistently showcasing CPU to the people of Solomon Islands.
When asked on how he promoted CPU to the people of Solomon Island, Mr. Somodio shares that he and his wife, Cecelia Somodio (a 1971 CPU graduate of Pre-Nursing) went to Papua New Guinea last June 2013 for a holiday. In their return to Australia they met Levi Wayne Delemani and his four friends – all from Solomon Islands. Delemani and his friends were planning to study in the Philippines. Mr. Somodio and his wife encouraged them to study in CPU. “CPU education is world class so I encouraged them to study there. I left my business card with him and his brother Mr. Kristen William. They contacted me to apply at CPU with his other friends and classmates. In 2015, there were about five of them who accepted to study at CPU. However, at that time CPU was not listed as priority list of NTU or Solomon Island Government Scholars, so these students went to other Pacific Island universities.”
Mr. Kristen Willam created a Facebook group called “Solomon Islands Students wishing to study in the Philippines at CPU.” Here, Mr. Somodio posted pictures, board exam results, and videos about CPU to encourage them to study in the university. On the other hand, Mr. Stan Joss & Mr. Charles Haamori, Solomon Island Student Coordinators in Manila sent SIG Scholars to study at CPU.
His efforts finally yielded fruit, as the Centralian community welcomes eight new foreign students from the Solomon Islands; seven of them will be studying Bachelor of Science in Nursing, one will be studying Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and one will be taking up Masters in Agriculture. “In June 2017, Miss Judith Malefodiana Dick enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing followed by seven students coming from the Solomon Islands. After three years of promotion in Solomon Islands, I am so happy that we finally have enrollees and I look forward to seeing more students in the future.”
To further promote CPU in the international community, Mr. Somodio encourages the CPU faculty and staff to look for opportunities of studying outside the country. According to him, attending post graduate courses will encourage foreign enrollment. “As an alumnus I witnessed the growth of CPU. I believe that if our faculty and staff will be given opportunities to travel outside the country attending post-graduate courses in their field of specialties we can encourage more international enrollment. We also have to market our seminars. The conferences, seminars, workshops organized by CPU have high international standards. If we market them in the region, more partnership programs between universities especially in South East Asia and Pacific Islands including Australia and New Zealand will be established.”
Mr. Somodio encourages the alumni chapters to actively promote CPU wherever they are. “I believe CPU must mobilize all alumni chapters all over the world to entice their children, families and friends to study at CPU. I suggest that we continue giving placement exams in other places which we started in United Arab Emirates. I believed we can have the Placement exams too in Solomon Islands this year.”
In order to accommodate more foreign students enrollment, Mr. Somodio suggests that CPU should build international dormitories inside the campus if possible and encourage Centralian families to adopt international students. “They can stay in their house and also pay for board and lodging. This will address the issue of lack of dorms inside the campus”.
He plans to further promote CPU in Papua New Guinea and other countries in the Pacific Island. For his fervent efforts in encouraging CPU to the international community, Mr. Somodio has been dubbed by one Solomon Islands enrollee as “The Great Endorser of CPU”, a title given to those who not only uplift CPU as prime academic institution to the world but to those who exude the passion of the Centralian spirit, lighting others as well with the Centralian flame.
Mr. Mauro S. Somodio was given by CPU the Distinguished Centralian Award in International Relations and Community Service last August 6, 2005.
The new PhD title holder, Engr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa (center) with committee members, professors and guests after the defense.
Münster, June 2, 2017 – After getting a private message in social media from Engr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, an Associate Professor of the College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CARES) Central Philippine University (CPU), that she would be going to Germany soon for her PhD defense, I rushed immediately to my laptop to buy a train ticket to meet up with her at the city of Weimar in the eastern part of Germany. The trip from the very west of Germany, my city Münster, took around eight hours of travel, a bit tiring but, nevertheless, my heart palpitated because of the excitement to meet up with a fellow alumnus, a fellow Ilongga and a good friend. I arrived on May 18, 2017 and met her for breakfast at our cozy hostel which was at the city center of Weimar. I had the impression that very morning that Ma’am Aries seemed to be well prepared for her PhD dissertation defense because I have not seen any signs of pressure on her face. We caught up a lot of things while having our breakfast, and talked about our beloved Central Philippine University, the people and institutions who made her PhD journey possible, the things that had to be done prior to her defense and what we are going to do after the occasion.
(L-R) Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Kraft and the PhD graduate, Engr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa with her symbolic “doktorhut”.
Two Centralian supporters came to her PhD defense. Apart from me, who graduated AB Mass Communications in 2014 and is currently studying here for a Master’s Program at the Westfaelische-Wilhelms University, Engr. Klaus Hanuschke, a Centralian by heart and former Development Advisor to CARES, also came from Frankfurt. Ma’am Aries and Engr. Klaus jointly developed the Diploma in Environmental Resource Management and Technologies major in Solid Waste Management (ERMAT-SWM) for the enhancement of professional education in solid waste management in the Philippines for more than three years.
Dr. Engr. Romallosa and yours truly after the defense and awarding.
The defense of Ma’am Aries started on time at 10:45 in the morning. Her PhD dissertation entitled “Briquette Production by the Informal Sector: The Case of UCLA in Iloilo City, Philippines” was co-financed by CPU, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
The defense took around 3 hours to finish which comprised of presentation, questions and discussions, and recommendations of each panel member to the Committee. After internal discussions, it was announced that Ma’am Aries passed the oral defense and received her PhD degree “cum laude.”
The Centralians during our celebration hosted by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Kraft.
It felt great to see a Centralian here in Germany and to exchange experiences with people who also pursue a career in the academic field. I was really inspired by the challenging work Engr. Romallosa had to put through especially that she is also working full-time in CPU while undertaking her individual PhD course. The research that took her around 5 years to finish made a significant contribution for the informal sector of Calajunan dumpsite in Iloilo City, as shown during her defense. Because she had an international audience, I felt that the research was transparent to the world. It makes it more appreciative to look at for Europeans who do not experience real poverty and problems that surround the issue discussed in her dissertation work. After the defense and brief closing program, the Chair of the Department of Biotechnology in Resource Management who is also her mentor/adviser, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Kraft invited us for a small celebration at the city.
It was a long yet fulfilling day and the Lord blessed us with a warm sunny weather and a Gelatto to munch on.
The trip to Weimar let me realize many things, one of them is, if you have a dream, go for it, no matter how long it would take. I hope to finish my Master’s Degree here sooner and help humankind with my research too.
Dr. Plagata with his wife Franzine and son Keith Erwin.
Former Iloilo City Councilor Dr. Erwin Plagata, popularly known as “Tongtong” returned to his Creator on May 17 (2:00PM) at the Iloilo Mission Hospital, leaving his wife Franzine and son Keith Erwin.
Dr. Plagata was a member of the CPU High School Batch 1973. He was one time President of the CPU Alumni Association, Iloilo City Chapter. He served his term as Iloilo City Councilor from 1995 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2012 with his helpful Barangay Extension Services. He provided free circumcision and surgery among other medical services to the people, especially to the “grassroots” of Iloilo City. The Centralian Doctor and former “Kagawad” left a remarkable public service – in line with his profession and government position. Long after working in the Iloilo City Council, Dr. Plagata continued to extend free surgical services to his constituents. A necrological service will be held before the cremation of the body of Dr. Plagata on Saturday, May 27, 2017, 2:00PM. The service will be at University Church, Central Philippine University. To his family, relatives and friends: Our condolences and prayers – from the CPU family.
The Centralians of the College of Commerce Batch 1997 are all smiles in their first ever reunion 20 years after graduation.
It was one fine day on the 20th day of May 2017. All things were set and done. Tarpaulins were put up. Permits done. T-shirts done. Programs done after many hours of meetings and discussions. All is set to start the ever first reunion of CPU Commerce Batch 1997.
The assembly area was at CPU NV Building, the house of the College of Commerce during our time 20 years ago. I was the first to arrive a minute before 1:00 P.M. since I was in charge of the Registration. One by one, Alumni arrived — some in cars and others on foot. Little by little the hall of the New Valentine echoes the deafening laughter’s and chatters of each other’s stories. One could not imagine that these people have graduated college 20 years ago but felt that they were just kindergarten kids with no inhibitions.
College of Commerce batch 1997 poses in front of the University Church.
While waiting for others to arrive, some were busy taking pictures. Most, were busy chitchatting and reminiscing back the old days. A total of 27 Alumni came (not bad for a first). After the registration, we had our official picture taking around the grounds of CPU. Having to smile at different cameras at different angles — all these were worth it. Then we had our motorcade from CPU and went around the City proper until we arrive in our venue, The Mango Tree at Guzman St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
After we have settled in at The Mango Tree, our Master of Ceremony (MC) DJ John Lemon welcomed us with a big smile. A short prayer was led by Joy Osano-Durana followed by a Welcome Address of Heman Simora, one of the reunion’s core group. He stressed on how important it is that we have reunited with our batch mates and reminisced the days when we were in college and also to openly share our lives after college. He ended up by thanking those who have attended and most especially to those have not attended yet shared their blessings to make this reunion a success.
The next part program was the Kamustahanay in which each one was given an opportunity to share who their fondest memories during college time, and also their current whereabouts. All had a short yet meaningful sharing. We had a good laugh when Ms. Ma. Cypress shared a mini-lecture about the dangers of rabies. (Peace Cypress!)
Everyone relished the sumptuous dinner with the obligatory Lechon. The food was really, really, really great! Hands up to the Chef! A short history was shared by myself — on how the reunion was materialized. It was last year when a few of our batch mates wanted to organize a reunion — 20 years after graduation. Some made a FB page but to no avail – it was not a hit. Sometime in February of this year 2017, I was pushed by many of our batch mates to make a Group Chat in the FB Messenger. That is how this reunion came to be. Meetings were held and a few came by. So we volunteered and named ourselves as the Reunion Core Group – Michael Rene Jaranilla, Petsferald Palencia, Heman Simora, May Maniva, Jocelyn Ramos and myself Connie Gomez Molina. Hopefully, next time around a lot will join us.
After sharing time, we enjoyed the games together with the best MC in town guiding all throughout the program.
The officers of the Commerce batch 1997 take their oath of office.
Election of Officers and Oath-taking followed. Elected officers are as follows:
President: Connie Gomez-Molina
Vice President: Michael Rene Jaranilla
Secretary: Liza Cuba
Treasurer: Grace Gimotea-Genovate
Asst. Treasurer: May Maniva-Monteclaro
P.R.O.: Heman Simora
Auditor: Emerald Joy Esmaya-Perucho
Muse: Geraldine Salmeo-Arancillo
Escort: Gilbert Arancillo
The reunion was concluded by a speech from Batch President Connie Gomez-Molina. She shared that cooperation is important to make any given event a success. Being an officer or not, one should be accountable and give a firm commitment for the betterment of the organization. We thank God that the reunion was a success with just two months of preparation. The memories continue to linger and will forever be kept in our hearts. See you in our next reunion!
Centralian Spirit of Camaraderie – A family vacation turns into a reunion with Centralians in Iligan City. The Centralians of the Jalando-on Family led by former CPU Board of Trustees members Mr. Roberto R. Jalando-on, Mrs. Josette Gico Jalando-on Corporation Member Rev. Amsil Alubog, Director for Communications Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, and CPU Purchasing Officer Mrs. Hermely A. Jalando-on met and enjoyed the fellowship of two Centralians in Iligan City — Mrs. Leslie Navarro-Uy and Mr. Lourence Uy. According to them, there are many Centralians in Iligan City but the Alumni Association in Iligan needs to be reorganized. Also in the picture are Kairos, Francheska and Ruben Vincent Jalando-on. The Central Spirit is alive wherever you go.
Seniors all (L-R) Myrna Abototo, Edith Italia, Joe Calderon, Maria Palencia and Antonieta Eguico
Registrar’s Office watch out!
Looking out from a window at the 2nd floor of the CPU Information Center Building, we saw Five Familiar Figures (Fantastic! I should say) huddled at the halfmoon drive earlier this month. They’re all senior alumni coming back after some years to meet and plan for their group.
The group has actually four members who worked at the Registrar’s Office before retirement. Except for Edith Italia who was a former staff at the College of Nursing, Myrna Abototo, Maria Palencia, Antonieta Eguico, and Joe Calderon all worked with Ms. Ruth Fernandez at the Registrar’s Office. So what’s up?
It can’t be far from hatching a plan – to “wow” all the rest of the seniors and retiring alumni at CPU, with their surprise number. For what else? but the forthcoming Grand Alumni Homecoming on September 30.
Surprisingly, all of them looked like active employees. What’s the secret? They’re not about to divulge on how to maintain a young looking face after retirement. But other groups of Senior Alumni would surely follow on what this group is doing in preparation for the September Alumni Celebration. Welcome!
Alumni Updates 