By Nestle G. Taala

Susan P. Jovero, BS Chemical Engineering, Batch 1982, presented, on behalf of her batch, the receipt of the initial donation worth 35,000 pesos to University President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, and College of Engineering Dean, Engr. Danny C. Molina, on March 12, 2019 at Dr. Rex D. Drilon Building (formerly known as the Administration Building).

The said donation is intended for the construction of the walkway going to the Engineering Building. Mrs. Jovero shared that they started preparing for this project two years ago and the funds were collected last January 9, 2019 when their batch had their most recent reunion. She also emphasized that this is only the first of donations that her batch intends to make. Dr. Teodoro C. Robles suggested that the construction of the walkway be started after this school year’s graduation and be finished before the rainy season starts.

Engr. Danny C. Molina, in response, acknowledged the effort of the BS in Chemical Engineering batch 1982 and expressed his thanks.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jovero encourages the Engineering students to do well in their fields since the alumni are supporting them: “I would like to let them see who we are now because of the nurturing and the mentoring [we received from] the professors… in the College of Engineering, and the education that CPU had provided us, especially [for giving us the foundation for our faith in] our Lord Jesus. He really is the reason why we are now what we are.”

Engr. Molina and Dr. Robles then called on other alumni of different courses and batches around the world to attend the Alumni Grand Homecoming on February 5-9, 2020 at Central Philippine University.

By Nestle G. Taala

The Chemical Engineering Batch 1982 celebrated their first ever Grand Reunion on January 8-10 at the Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City. It was their first time to finally meet each other again after 37 years.

On June 2018, their batch representative, Susan Presaldo-Jovero, wrote a letter to Dr. Robles informing him about their activity. Since then, the class had been zealously preparing for the said event.

The three-day activity was filled with fun and excitement. On January 9, they went back to CPU and toured around the campus; they visited the Alumni Office and their beloved college, the College of Engineering.

Former Iloilo City’s Tourism Officer, Centralian Benito Jimena is now the Liaison Officer of the City Mayor’s Office. Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III made the announcement after he vowed to boost the tourism industry and give all the necessary support to the City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO).

“He (Jimena) is there as a sort of volunteer. He will be my consultant and I will include him in a task force that will oversee all our festivals,” said Espinosa. The mayor noted that Jimena will be the contact person between the Office of the City Mayor and CTDO. Jimena will also make sure that all the preparations including the venue and programs of events are well-prepared, Espinosa stressed.

It was noted that various events such as the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival, Paraw Regatta Festival, Independence Day, Rizal Day, Andres Bonifacio Day, National Heroes Day among others will need a facilitator like Jimena.

Jimena served during the time of former Mayor and now Iloilo City Lone District Representative Jerry P. Treñas before he retired in 2015.

Jimena is a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering graduate of Central Philippine University in 1971. He served as part of the full-time faculty at the CPU Department of Chemistry in 1971-1974 and as part-time instructor in 1980-1981, 1993-1995, 1996-1997, 2000-2002. He also served as treasurer of CPUAAI Board of Directors in 1998 and member of the CPU Corporation Investment Committee in 2001-2003.