Tara Yap (5th from left) poses with fellow journalists in front of the White House
A few years back we featured this “Ilongga” journalist for the award she received from a national media organization on her work with typhoon Yolanda. Tara Katherine Yap, simply and fondly called Tara Yap in media circles in Iloilo is a Centralian and current President of the CMM (Centralians in Mass Media). She was presented with an award of recognition by the Central Philippine University Alumni Association Inc. (CPUAAI) during last year’s General Alumni Homecoming at CPU.
We congratulate her this time for the 10-day U.S. Tour that includes Washington D.C, California and Hawaii. Tara is one of the two Ilongga journalists who are recipients of the tour awarded by the foreign media relations officer of the U.S. State Department./ C.A. Natividad
Colonel Manuel Trece Robles, CPU graduate of Civil Engineering Batch 1994, has been recently promoted to Brigadier General at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on January 30, 2017.
Certified Centralian, Colonel Manuel Trece Robles has been promoted Brigadier General, (Photo Credit, army.mil.ph)
Robles was the Brigade Commander of the Engineer Brigade of the Philippine Army in April 2014 and of the 53rd Engineer Brigade in 2015 respectively. He was also Deputy to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, G5 Philippine Army September 2011 to April 2014.
In 1999, He took his Master+s Degree in Project Management 1999 at the Queensland University of Technology.
Honor, Service and Patriotism – Colonel Custodio J. Parcon Jr., Commander of Taskforce Tawi-Tawi (a vital multi-service AFP unit conducting joint sea, air, and land security operations in Southern Philippines), a CPU High School Alumnus Batch 1980, and Col. Samuel G. Gotico PAF (GSC), the Deputy Wing Commander of the 520th Air Base, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting were recently promoted as Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines respectively. They were promoted on January 11, 2017 and December 29, 2016 respectively.
Brigadier General Samuel G. Gotico with wife Gina T. Gotico
General Parcon, one of the 1994 Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee for Military Science, is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class 1987. He became the commanding officer of the Philippine Marine Force Recon Company (61st Marine Company). He was tasked to recover kidnap victim Anthony Biel III in the camp of Abu Sayyaf Camp Al Madinah in Basilan.
After the successful operation, Colonel Parcon was awarded the Medal of Valor, the most prestigious award attainable by military personnel and is given to those who served their country with courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger by former President Fidel V. Ramos on November 20, 1994.
For God and for country – Brigadier General Parcon flashes a smile while in the field of service.
General Parcon hails from Iloilo and considers Jaro Evangelical Church, the first Baptist church in the Philippines as his home church – he considers his faith as the strength of his service in the military.
Colonel Parcon, now Brigadier General with President Rodrigo R. Duterte
In 1991, while still being 2nd Lieutenant, General Gotico was given the Golden Aviator Award (PAFFSAAI). He was also the PAF Police Officer of the Year in 1997. He was promoted to Colonel in 1998.
Christmas Party and Induction of Officers for 2017-2018 December 10, 2016 1000 Bascom Ave. San Jose CA 95124
It was a rainy day on the 10th of December but the anticipation for several weeks about the event did not deter the CPU Northern California Alumni Association family. Some had to drive three hours or more but, that too, was not a reason to miss the big event. You see, each time there is a gathering of this group, it always paints a picture of a family gathering; so eager to see each other with laughter, sharing of food and fun. Hearts overflowing with joy and love characterize each time we meet.
The beautiful ladies of the CPU Northern California Assn. posing with the traditional and nostalgic Filipino lechon.
Our delightful Pat Desales was our master of ceremonies that day and kept the program going. The Gasacao family provided the sound system and music. Pastor Eduard Faalam gave a Christmas message. A thought provoking question he asked everyone that day was: “What gift can you give to Jesus this Christmas?” Singing was led by Ortha D. Lumanlan and Pat Desales, and Lisaer Carlo Pineda provided a special violin number. This was followed by the induction of officers for 2017-2018. Our very own FOAA VP Northwest, Lee Plagata inducted the group. After the induction, Kathy Leyble Kriewall, incoming president, gave her acceptance speech. Kathy emphasized the unity, love and respect amongst each other as describing the CPUNorCalAA family. Dear to her heart was a quote by Beth Moore, “Effectiveness depends on our connectedness.” This quote reflected several of her platform points, e.g.: a. an updated directory to be distributed to all CPUN or CalAA members; b. intentionally connect with younger alumni; and increase membership by personally being involved in connecting with other Centralians. In addition, there is a plan to have a newsletter featuring both a seasoned member and a younger alumni, to help bonds grow stronger, an on-going prayer ministry, meeting workshops, and involvements that make a difference both locally and abroad, like being a part of Operation Christmas Child or a Gift Giving Outreach to the remote places in Iloilo province to school children, or locally, hosting a fellowship meal with the Firefighters, Veterans or members of the Law Enforcement.
Oath taking of alumni officers for 2017-2018 led by Mr. Lee Plagata.
Leveraging from the love, unity, and respect already in place, additional efforts in connecting with each other and the desired actions to make a difference and sharing what has been entrusted, with the Lord Jesus as our Ultimate Leader, success of these dreams and visions will become a reality.
Centralian Camaraderie – the smiling faces of the CPU Northern California Alumni Association.
The outgoing and fabulous former president Marah Rafols Torres gave some acknowledgements, which was followed by a surprise appreciation presentation to her for a “job well done”. We concluded the event with dancing, visiting, packing some “take home” and a swift clean-up. Hearts were warm, full of joy, and many will bask in the glow of such a fine time and thank God for a chance to be together as a family. It was a delightful and memorable event!
Alumni Updates 