Beauty with a heart for others, Tess Duenas inspires others through her love for music and passion in helping those in need. Photo Credit: Fely AG
Tess Subang Duenas, Centralian alumna of the College of Nursing Batch 1985 and currently the Clinical Supervisor of Providence St. John’s Health Center in Sta. Monica, California, together with her co-nurses, was featured in the Los Angeles News and Video for Southern California as the “Caroling Nurses.”
Along with co-workers Joanne Clark and Irene Mendoza, they sang their way along the halls of St. John’s this Christmas season with carols and songs, encouraging patients with their voices. In their interview with the local news network, Tess shared that she had been traditionally singing Christmas carols in the hospital but this year, she decided to share the tradition with her co-workers and their patients, “I figured because we do it anyway, we should just share it with our patients.”
Tess’s love for music started at an early age. In fact, she had been part of the Pavia Baptist Choir. As a pastor’s kid, Tess originally wanted to be a missionary. Her heart for the ministry eventually led her to be a nurse.
Tess has always had the heart for others. This is shown in her service and compassion to those who need care and encouragement. Back in 2013, Tess helped raised funds for those affected by typhoon Yolanda. Through her efforts, St. John’s Health Center initiated a donation drive. The proceeds were then given to the Red Cross.
Though far from CPU, Tess actively participates in the Centralian alumni community. She was even hailed as the 2014 CPU Federation of Alumni Associations Global Queen. Her involvement is a testimony of how Centralians beyond the borders of CPU keep connected.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles thanked the batch for their continuous love and support to the university.
Celebrating the Centralian spirit of camaraderie—The Central Philippine University College of Engineering Batch 1992 held their Silver Jubilee reunion at the CPU Alumni Promenade Concert Park on December 29, 2017.
For the welcome remarks, CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, thanked the alumni for their consistent love for and support to the university and for coming back to rekindle their Centralian spirit, “I’m glad that you came back to CPU to see what the university is like now. It will be an interesting year ahead of us. We believe that with everybody working together, we can meet challenges with flying colors.”
Guest Speaker and former CPU President Agustin A. Pulido encouraged the alumni anchor theirselves in the spirit of excellence Central has taught them and most importantly in the Word of God.
Former university President and guest speaker, Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, talked about CPU’s commitment in producing exemplary Christian learners, “The real inspiration is the lives you have lived since 1992. I have not heard the stories of where you have been in the last quarter of a century but I believe that you have done well. CPU is now 112 years old and in all that time, the university has stayed true to its mission of teaching its students about the world that is around us and the Word of Lord that is in the Bible—this is summed in our motto Scientia et Fides.”
Although he was not present, 1992 College of Engineering Dean, Walden S. Rio also gave his greetings to the alumni through a video. In his message, Dean Rio asked them, “Was your education at CPU adequate enough to cover your happiness, strong family ties, friendship, work, and faith and God?” He went on to say that adequate did not have to mean wealth, fame or popularity, “If your answer is yes to the former question, your former teachers and I are grateful to God because we have done our job.” Dean Rio then urged the alumni to remember the lessons they have learned from CPU and to pursue excellence wherever they may be.
CPU College of Engineering Batch 1992 together with CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, Guest Speaker and former university President Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, College of Engineering Dean, Engr. Dany C. Molina, 1992 University Vice President for Operations Engr. Aurora Alerta Lim, CPUAAI 2016-2017 President, Mr. Daniel P. Dorillo and present CPUAAI President Isagani G. Jalbuena.Batch 1992 gives their tokens of appreciation to CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, Guest Speaker and former university President Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, College of Engineering Dean, Engr. Dany C. Molina, 1992 University Vice President for Operations Engr. Aurora Alerta Lim, CPUAAI 2016-2017 President, Mr. Daniel P. Dorillo.
College of Engineering Dean, Engr. Dany C. Molina, talked about the innovations and achievements of the College of Engineering especially on output-based education, technology, and learning management systems. Engr. Molina thanked the alumni for attending the reunion and hoped that they would continue to revisit CPU in the future.
Also present during the event was 1992 University Vice President for Operations Engr. Aurora Alerta Lim. Engr. Lim thanked the alumni for their active participation in university programs.
The batch then unveiled its Silver Jubilee project which is the rehabilitation of the EN 200 comfort room. The batch raised funds to remove and reinstall toilet fixtures and accessories, floor and wall tiles, ceiling and lighting fixtures, and toilet doors, jambs, and door knob sets.