Centralian gets promoted to Air Force Inspector

By Prof. Sharon Rose G. Munar

*Major General Samuel G. Gotico (left) continues his service to God and country now as a the 72nd Air Force Inspector General of the Philippine Air Force. Photo Credit: Philippine Air Force*

Major General Samuel G. Gotico, a CPU alumnus, was recently designated as the 72nd Air Force Inspector General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) effective November 7, 2018.

Gotico received his high school diploma from CPU in 1980. After which, he took up Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting at the same university, graduating in 1985.

He served as the corps commander of the CPU Army Citizen Military Training Unit in 1984-1985 and was a graduate of the ROTC advanced course. In the same academic year he was corps commander, he was also a senator of the CPU Republic. For the entirety of his college life, from 1981-1985, he was a member of numerous organizations.

Gotico was a recipient of the CG, PAF Award for graduating number one among Philippine Air Force General Staff Course students in 2006. In 2008, he was conferred the Bene Meritus Award, a gold medal, for graduating at the top, with an overall average grade of 1.05 in his Masters in Business Administration at San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite. In all the military courses he took, he remained among the Top 10 of his class.

He is a multi-awarded and decorated officer, with over 100 medals, awards, and commendations. Some of his accolades include 3 Distinguished Service Star Medals for outstanding military service, 3 Distinguished Aviation Cross medals for outstanding airmanship, 2 Bronze Cross Medals for conspicuous heroism, 27 Military Merit medals for his meritorious achievements, and 11 Military Commendation Medals for his commendable performance among others.

Aside from being awarded 2 Kahusayan Awards for his outstanding feat of airmanship, one of which was because he safely landed his aircraft which encountered engine failure while on flight, he was also given 2 Haribon Awards for exemplary and outstanding Operations Management as Director for Operations of 15th Strike Wing during the conduct of Operation Lighting Sword against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and for his performance as Assistant Chief of Command Staff for Operations of the 3rd Air Division during the Zamboanga Crisis.

He was also awarded the Military Police Officer of the Year of the Philippine Air Force in 1996, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Military Police Officer of the 1997 due to his outstanding leadership and management when he was the Squadron Commander of the 594th Air Police Squadron, 15th Strike Wing.

Some of his notable assignments include the following: Squadron Commander of the 16th Attack Squadron and the 17th Attack Squadron, Wing Inspector, Director for Operations of the 15th Strike Wing, and Group Commander of Tactical Operations Group 6 based in Dingle, Iloilo. He was also Chief of the Air Force Modernization Projects Management Office in 2011, and the Assistant Chief of the Division Staff for Operations, 3rd Air Division in Zamboanga City in 2012-2014.

He momentarily left the PAF when he was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Operations (U3), then the Chief of Unified Command Staff of Central Command in 2015.

One of the 1994 Ten Outstanding Young Men for Military Science, Gotico is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class 1987. He became the commanding officer of the Philippine Marine Force Recon Company (61st Marine Company). One of his tasks as commanding officer was to recover kidnap victim Anthony Biel III in the camp of Abu Sayyaf Camp Al Madinah in Basilan.

In 2017, CPU President, Central Philippine University gave Gotico a Plaque of Distinction for his unwavering service to God and country.

Garingo: A Story of Faith and Passion

*Gershon shares that it is our faith in God that makes us live life excellently.*

Faith and passion—A Centralian in Abu Dhabi is making a name for himself, and is making his Alma Mater proud in the process.

Last July 2017, Gershon Loyd Garingo was the “Be a Star” awardee given by the Abu Dhabi National Hotel in New York University, Abu Dhabi. The Banquets and Catering Department describes him as “very consistent in his work. He is always willing to help and assist other departments to ensure not only his objectives are met, but theirs too! He always considers the safety of others and always ensures that his work is done well with passion.”

Gershon graduated from CPU High School, Class 2007 and was a member of CPU Table Tennis Varsity Team. He also finished his BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management in 2011. To find better opportunities, and also travel to other places, he applied for work in Abu Dhabi. His prayers were answered when he found a job in line with his course. Since 2014, he has been working in the Abu Dhabi National Hotel. He also volunteers as a Staff Ambassador of the Office of Social Responsibility of the New York University, Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi National Hotel.

He is grateful that CPU instilled in him the importance of not just excelling in his academics, but more so, focusing on the spiritual aspect of his life. He believes that the Christian education that he received from CPU is one of the most important things in his life because it has eternal value.

In receiving commendation from his workplace that emphasized his willingness to help, he fondly remembers that kindness is one of the many values that he had learned from his Alma Mater. He said that when one is kind, it creates a positive impact on the people around that person.

What advise can Gershon Loyd Garingo give to Centralians who want to work abroad? He said, “Just continue to love your work and inspire people around you.” His life verse is Psalm 34:10,

“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

May the life of Gershon continue to inspire people to hold on to their faith in God, and to be passionate in everything that they do.

New PA for Western Visayas is a Centralian

*Jane Javellana will be serving the Ilonggos as Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas. Photo Credit: Jane Javellana.*

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has a new Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas. Centralian Jane Javellana, an Ilongga businesswoman and entrepreneur, was given the new appointment. A native of Jaro, Iloilo City, Javellana is a graduate of Central Philippine University High School. She finished her BS Accountancy at the University of San Agustin, and her Master’s Degree from the University of the Philippines. She was one of the lead organizers of Duterte’s presidential Campaign in Lapaz, Iloilo City in 2016.

Her office is under the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas. Her duties involve coordinating with different agencies in Western Visayas “to hasten the resolution of immediate concerns, issues and problems of communities in the region.” She added that “Duterte is a working president, and if the problems are identified, he wants it immediately resolved.”

She pointed out opportunities for employment and infrastructure projects, summing up her office’s function as the “bridge between the people of Western Visayas and the President.” The Panay Negros Bridge, international port and tourism are among her priority concerns.

Javellana’s appointment took effect on August 1, 2017, but she started her official duties on September 11.

A Centralian from Canada visits the campus

*Revisting Central – Mr. Filomeno “Jun” Faldas, Jr. together CPUAAI President Mr. Dan Dorillo and Mr. Cyrus Natividad.*

Meet Filomeno “Jun” Faldas, Jr. – CPU High School Batch ’65, and BS Chemical Engineering Batch ‘70. He passed the Licensure in Chemical Engineering Exams in 1970, and in 1971 went to work as a Chemical Analyst in a big company in Canada. Jun is currently a Board Member of the CPU Alumni Association of Toronto and Greater Toronto Area, Canada.

While on vacation in Iloilo, he visited the offices of his close friends at Central, and stayed a while at the CPU Alumni Office to exchange pleasantries, good news and applied for a lifetime CPU Alumni ID. Like a true blue Centralian with the Central Spirit, he appreciated how far CPU and the CPU Alumni Association have moved forward in terms of projects and campus development.

He took pictures and strolled around to admire the campus. He also reminisced on what he used to enjoy in CPU back in his student days. He cannot come back in the forthcoming Alumni Celebrations on September 30 but he promised, “I will always come back to enjoy the beautiful CPU Campus.”

Jun spent some time with Mr. Dan Dorillo, CPUAAI President outside the Alumni Office. President Dorillo showed him the possibility of putting umbrellas to serve as shades for the newly-built open terrace. Jun was positively interested to the idea and will bring the idea back to his alumni chapter. God bless you Jun!

Centralian Girl Scout Achiever represents Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in the United Nations

*Serving as the voice of the Filipino into the global arena.*

Angeli Monique Siladan, an alumna of Central Philippine University High School Class of 2009 and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in 2013, represented not only the Girl Scouts of the Philippines but the entire World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to the United Nations High Level Political Forum last July 10-19, 2017 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Last year, she went to Copenhagen, Denmark from May 16-19, 2016 to deliver a lecture for the “Women Deliver´s 4th Global Conference.” This is the world’s largest global conference on the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women in the last decade. From 5,000 applicants, Angeli was one of the 700 young people selected for a scholarship from Women Deliver to attend the event.

*Empathy is the universal language of development.*

While in the CPU High School, Angeli was a Chief Girl Scout Medalist in 2008, and the Girl Representative to the Iloilo Council Board in 2009-2012. She later became a Member of the GSP National Program Committee in 2012-2015.

In the website www.wagggs.org, Angeli wrote, “In a world where we are challenged to make a difference, it is my aspiration that: More girls stay longer in school. More women are healthier and are free to make their life choices. More women own enterprises and are able to provide for their families. And finally, more women take on key decision-making positions in the government. For a young woman like me, this is what a successful future looks like, and it is my dream that we all continue to take action for all girls and women worldwide.”

She previously attended the following international conferences representing the Girl Scouts of the Philippines: 11^th Asia Pacific Regional Conference 2013 in Japan; Participatory Photography Training on Maternal and Child Health 2013 in Pax Lodge, London; World Conference on Youth 2014 in Sri Lanka; ASEAN Young Women’s Leadership Conference 2015 in Malaysia.

Currently, she is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Youth Committee and WAGGGS Advocacy Network for SDGs.

Girl Scouts of the Philippines has been a venue for girls and young women to develop their personality, enhance their talents and skills and improve their communication and leadership abilities. Through the years, GSP Iloilo Council produced a lot of young women achievers and leaders in different fields.

CPU Elementary Batch ‘73 and HS Batch ‘77 hold Ruby Reunion

*Remembering memories and making them last.*

With the theme “Kit-anay, Kadlawanay, Kan-anay”, CPU Batch 1973 and High School Batch 1977 rekindled the Central Spirit of camaraderie as they held their Ruby Reunion at the Central Philippine University campus and Partner’s Paradise at San Joaquin on July 7-8, 2017.

*CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles welcomes the batch.*

The batch had their meet and greet at the CPU Educational Media Center. The event was graced by CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles who welcomed the Centralians in his opening remarks. He thanked the batch for always remembering CPU and carrying the Central Spirit wherever they may be. Also, present at the gathering, is Ms. Nona S. Dominado, the Principal of CPU High School Batch 1977. She recalled the memories she had with the batch and encouraged them to excel wherever life takes them.

*The importance of praying for one another – the batch prays for the high school and elementary teachers.*

On the same day, the group went to Partner’s Paradise at San Joaquin for their out of town excursion. During their evening session, Doc. Tino Alerta lead the devotional which was then followed by a group singing led by Girlie May Sublado Acorda, games and a bonfire session.

*The batch together with their High School Principal, Ms. Nona S. Dominado.*

Early 5:00 am on July 8, 2017, the batch enjoyed an early morning dip and stroll on the beach. Another round of games and activities were held showcasing the different talent of the alumni. For the morning devotional, Engr. Butch Eguico led the reading of the sharing of the Scriptures.

*The batch flashes their smile at the University Church.*

The batch is now preparing for their participation in the September 30, 2017 Alumni Homecoming.

Dr. Erwin Plagata leaves a Centralian legacy of service

By Cyrus A. Natividad

*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.

HS Class 1967 “Klasmitz” donate 2 LCD Projectors to CPU HS

*CPU HS Batch 1967 presents the two donated EPSON LCD Projectors.*

In line with the celebration of their 50th Grand Reunion, CPU High School Batch 1967 “Klasmitz” visited the CPU High School Building and donated 2 EPSON LCD Projectors on February 21, 2017. The said projectors will be installed in HS 116 and in the Science Building Room 101.

*CPU HS Batch 1967 Klasmitz with CPU HS Principal Prof. Janet S. Jalbuena and Purchasing Officer, Hermely A. Jalando-on.*

Prof. Janet S. Jalbuena, Principal of CPU High School thanked the batch for their donation and for their continuous support to CPU High School. She assures that the donations will be utilized for the academic advancement of CPU High School students.