Celebrating Centralian friendships—The Central Philippine University Alumni Association Inc. (CPUAAI) held a fellowship dinner and inducted the incoming CPUAAI Board of Trustees for Academic Year 2018-2020 at the Educational Media Center on December 2, 2017.

The invocation was led by Pastor Alfred C. Morales, CPUAAI Trustee. This was then followed by a musical number from the Techno Trio and Centralian violinist, Mr. Chris John P. De Guzman, BSSpEd 4.

Mr. Daniel P. Dorillo, CPUAAI President for Academic Year 2016-2017,  inducted the honorary alumni, Mrs. Delia Ciriaco, Mr. Donald Lebrilla, and Mr. Edwin Laru-an. He then headed the induction of CPU Medical Technology and CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association Officers.

The alumni officers of the CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association.

After which, CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, led the induction of the CPUAAI Board of Trustees for Academic Year 2018-2020. Atty. Joshua C. Alim, Engr. Vitini Edhard O. Idemne, Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Atty. Noel C. Siosan, Jr., and Atty. Alejandro S. Somo officially took their oath as the incoming Board of Trustees of CPUAAI.

For his Christmas message, Mr. Daniel P. Dorillo, thanked the alumni for their invaluable contribution to CPU and for bringing Centralight to whichever part of the globe Centralians may be. He also highlighted the Christmas season as an opportunity to make Centralight shine bright not only in the campus but to the outside community as well.

A song number was then given by the CPUAAI Board of Trustees led by Engr. Idemne and Ms. Crista Huyong.

For the acknowledgement and closing remarks, Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena, CPUAAI Vice President and Overall Chairman of the 2017 CPU Festival of Lights and Music, thanked the support of the alumni for making this year’s festival opening a success. Engr. Jalbuena hoped that the lights of the campus would remind alumni and guests about the greatest light of all—Jesus Christ.

Engr. Idemne then led the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” celebrating the bond of Centralians here and abroad as they meet together to welcome the yuletide season and revisit the memories and friendships they made in CPU.

The closing prayer was then led by Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, Outreach Pastor of the University Church.

The CPU Alumni Association, Inc. organized for the first time Pasalamat 2017, an evening and dinner affair last November 24 at the EMC Conference Room. The thanksgiving fellowship coincided with the celebration of Thanksgiving. The event was held to show appreciation for the alumni involved in the successful annual events, particularly the CPU Alumni Homecoming and the CPU Festival of Lights.

The highlight of the CPUAAI Pasalamat program was the Videoke Challenge. The challenge was made possible through the efforts of Engr. Vitini Edhard Idemne and Prof. Crista Huyong. It was a night “that was never done before.” It was the first time former DA Regional Director Larry Nacionales was heard singing “Imagine” by the Beatles; former CPU VP for Administration Engr. Aurora ‘Au’ Lim cheered with the rest as Nonong Millamena sang another 70’s hit.

The Videoke Challenge was participated by teams with assigned colors: the Red Team was led by Engr. Isagani Jalbuena, the Blue Team was led by Dr. “Nonong” Millamena, and the Gold Team by Engr. Rey Balogo. Tunes from the 60’s to the 90’s played. However, there was a big scramble when the CPU songs were played. The crawling texts had blank lines that the singers had to vocally fill up.

In the end, the Blue Team emerged as Champions while second and third places went to the Red and Gold Teams, respectively.

In his welcome remarks, CPUAAI President Dan Dorillo thanked everyone present and acknowledged that the CPU Festival of Lights would not have been a success all these years “without the alumni’s selfless participation and contribution of talents.” Then he challenged the alumni to continue supporting the CPU events, particularly the upcoming Festival of Lights.

Engr. Isagani Jalbuena, CPUAAI Vice President and Chairman of the Festival of Lights 2017, gave his closing remarks. He thanked everyone not only for the cooperation and for joining the contest, but for supporting the events and looking forward to the CPU Festival of Lights 2017. He invited everyone to the Switching-On Ceremony in CPU on December 1.

The Centralian Mayor of Dumangas Ronaldo “Onal” Golez and his sister, Jasmin Golez-Ocampo, a former senator of Central Philippine University Student Republic in the early 80s, are well-loved and well-respected by Dumangasanons because of their compassion and generosity. This is seen in the development of their municipality and “down to the grassroots” programs for the people in Dumangas.

Mayor Onal proved his good public relations skills during his birthday when he went to the Municipal Gym and solemnized the marriage of forty-five couples in a celebration attended by municipal officials, sponsors, and guests. In his capacity as the father of the town, he reminded the couples that marriage is so important that it has to be legalized. He further advised them to look at their children’s future and see how not being legally married could affect these children. To make sure that the ceremony had some fun, the Mayor asked the couples to stand and kiss each other. To the couples who kissed the longest, Mayor Onal awarded each of the pair with one sack of rice and P1,000.00, causing the spectators to give a big round of applause. He observed that most of the couples who registered were poor with no sufficient sources of income. He assured them that programs for livelihood are being studied.

His Kagawad sister Jasmin, the number one municipal councilor, was there to support him. Jasmin also found an opportunity to serve the people of Dumangas. Although already residing in the US for 20 years, she went home and ran for Kagawad of the municipality. Both were already civic-oriented back in their college days at Central Philippine University.

Success, according to the Centralian Mayor, owes much to attitude and dedication, which must be learned through education. Mayor Onal and Kagawad Jasmin look forward to some programs to link up with CPU in the future.

The Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline (RCJC) led by Club President Jude Marsh Grande greeted Enigardo ‘Jundad’ Legislador, Jr., Governor, Rotary International District 3850 during the latter’s visit to Central Philippine University in Jaro, Iloilo City on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. The occasion was primarily scheduled for the district governor to meet the RCJC officers and members at their university-based headquarters.

During his visit, the Rotary District Governor admired the new buildings and the way the school grounds and buildings are managed. He informed his co-Rotarians how studying in CPU can prepare the students for a good future. As an example, he referred to three sisters who are currently working as nurses in his clinic. The three are Nursing graduates of CPU.

Dinner and a short program for the Rotary District Governor was prepared which follows a Rotary tradition every year. Legislador gave an inspirational message commending how good it is for RCJC to be a partner of Central Philippine University for progress. He also acknowledged the scholarship program that the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline extends to poor but deserving students of CPU. As a special alumni chapter of Central Philippine University Alumni Association, RCJC has also created projects and events relevant to the humanitarian programs of Rotary International.

Enigardo “Jundad” Legislador, Jr. was born in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental to Enigardo Legislador Sr. and Estelita Buenavista. He is a Doctor of Medicine from Southwestern University in Cebu. He is a general surgeon and the President of Medical Associates Diagnostic Center, Inc. in Kabankalan. He was introduced to Rotary in 1992 when he was selected as a member of the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team to D-3070 in India. He joined the Rotary Club of Kabankalan in 2000 and served as its President in 2004, during the Centennial Year of Rotary International. District Governor Jundad is a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow (MPHF) and a member of the Paul Harris Society whose members commit to contribute at least US$1,000 a year to The Rotary Foundation.

CPU alumni have always shown passion for excellence. The word “Centralian” has become synonymous with determination, integrity, faith in God, love, generosity, gratefulness and loyalty to one’s Alma Mater. Centralians always look back to their Alma Mater and are grateful for what the Lord has done in and through their lives.

One example of a Centralian who proudly looks back to his Alma Mater is retired Captain Eligio P. Parcon, Jr. who is the first Centralian international pilot and was recently awarded a Certificate of Recognition during the Alumni Homecoming 2017 at CPU.

He finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at CPU in 1971, joined the Philippine Navy in 1974, and later pursued a Master’s Degree in Flying. He then ventured into the international skies as a pilot of the Airbus for Philippine Airlines for many years.

Parcon hails from Passi City where he took his elementary education. He is married Marivic Caga of Leon. They have two children. The daughter and the eldest is presently a professor of Psychology at UP Diliman and the son, who is following in his father’s footsteps, works as a First Officer onboard the Airbus for Philippine Airlines.

For all his achievements, his love and endearment for CPU remains. He fondly remembers that he finished his studies through the CPU’s Work-Study Program. There he learned the Christian values of hard work and integrity. He carried these lessons with him even from the very beginning of his career. Upon his retirement, he contemplates on building a scholarship project for deserving students in need of help in their studies at his beloved Central Philippine University.

Centralian alum, Reuben S. Basiao has been promoted to Brigadier General last October 2017.  BGen Basiao took up his kindergarten, elementary, and high school education at Central Philippine University. He thereafter pursued Chemical Engineering in the same university but stopped on his second year to pursue his desire for military service.

During his stay in the Philippine Military Academy, he became the Class Baron. He graduated in 1988. On January 20, 2017, then Col. Basiao assumed leadership of the Philippine Army’s 701st Brigade from BGen Bienvenido R. Datuin Jr. He also served as the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché in Thailand.

BGen Basiao is the son of the late Rev. Melecio T. Basiao, former Head of the CPU Religion and Ethics Department and Mrs. Esther S. Basiao, a long time University Registrar of CPU.

Known as a man of peace and prayer, BGen Basiao has carried the Centralian Spirit of camaraderie and faith. He has indeed made the Centralian community proud.