Centralians with former College of Computer Studies Dean, Rodney Gicana (standing).
Alumni members of the Central Philippine University Alumni Association of Greater Toronto Area (CPUAAGTA) attended the Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Association (PCUAA) Autumn Dinner Dance on September 15, 2018 at the Kalayaan Cultural Cultural Community Centre in Missisauga, Ontario, Canada.
The annual event is a fund raising endeavor in support of the PCUAA activities. The organization was founded to foster friendship and unity among Filipino alumni associations in the Greater Toronto Area.
The names of the members are Edwin Frank Arroz (CPUAAGTA Chapter Vice President), Jun Faldas (CPUAAGTA Board of Directors), Kellah Dayao (CPUAAGTA Chapter Trasurer), Jade Yocogco (CPU Alumna, Kella’s sister), Rodney Gicana (CPUAAGTA Chapter Webmaster), Faith Hope Gicana (CPUAAGTA Chapter PRO), and Lisha Charity Gicana (CPU Kindergarten Alumna).
The 25th “Year of Service” celebration of the CPU Alumni Association Special Chapter-The Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline (RCJC) was held last Sunday evening, July 29, 2018, at Gerardo’s, The Castle Hotel on Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City. It was attended by the officers of the club and other notable people in Iloilo City. Both the Rotarians and Rotaractors (Youth Chapter of RCJC) consider the event as a historic assembly of RCJC’s past presidents.
Seated at the presidential table was Rotary District 3850 Governor, Mr. Lindon See Diet, the guest speaker and inducting officer at the event; Current CPU Alumni Association President, Engr. Isagani J. Jabuena; Charter President, Dr. Andresito Millamena; Outgoing RCJC President Jude Marsh R. Grande; and Incoming President RCJC President, Mrs. Evelyn Rose A. Catilo (see related article).
President Grande, R.I. (Rotary International) of 2017-2018, banged the gavel and called the event into order. The program started at 6:00 PM, with Centralian, Pastor Jec Dan Borlado, leading the invocation. Dr. Lorna T. Grande, Dean, CPU College of Business and Accountancy, acknowledged the Rotarians and guests.
Dinner was then served. All the while, the affair was being shown live on widescreen TV, courtesy of the CPU Office of Communications, which provided coverage of the program with Mr. Dionisio Coronado and his team from CPUTV.
RCJC welcoming its new members.
A brief history of the Rotary Club was read by the RCJC Charter President shortly after dinner was served: The Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline was founded by Dr. Andresito “Nonong” Millamena, also a member the CPUAAI Board of Trustees and CPU Corporation, in 1993. He served as Club President from 1993 to 1994.
Some of the Centralian past Presidents have also served at Central Philippine University in different departments and offices. Among them are the late CPU BOT Chairman Narciso “Narcing” Maravilla who served as RCJC President from 1997 to 1998; Ricardo “Ric Patricio, Planning Officer, Office of CPU President) and RCJC President from 2004-2005; Alma “Tita Doc” Frondoza, Asst. Dean of the College of Medicine and served as Chapter President of RCJC from 2005 to 2006; and Dr. Fely P. Chin, former Vice President for Academic Affairs and who served RCJC from 2006 to 2007; Novy Lagradilla, CPU Alumni Association Liaison Officer and served as Chapter President from 2008 to 2009; Freddie “Butch” Salvania, Franklin Hall Dormitory Coordinator and served as RCJC President from 2010 to 2011; Johnny “JV” Villanueva, faculty and served from 2012 to 2013; and Jude Marsh R. Grande, Engineering faculty, 2017 to 2018, and served as RCJC President.
It was a “Night of the Presidents” as the past presidents of RCJC, since it was founded in 1993, were invited to the affair and were awarded with personalized gold medals by new RCJC President Catilo.
The newly inducted officers of the RCJC are: Evelyn Rose Catilo, President; Trinidad “Trenz” Sorongon, President Elect; Jude Marsh Grande, Secretary; Rotarian Lorna T. Grande, Treasurer; Cyrus A. Natividad, Chairman for Public Image; Lyds Grio, Director for Membership; and Budz Senorio, Chairman, Rotary Foundation.
In his message, President Grande promised to do more, having been elected as the current Club Secretary. Under his leadership, RCJC was able to initiate and sustain a feeding program to the indigents and youth of Barangay Tirador in Janiuay, donate desks to selected schools, launch youth and sports program with which he was able to mobilize a Fun Run in support of Central Philippine University’s Alumni Homecoming in 2017, and other various socio-civic projects.
President Evelyn Rose Catilo delivered her inaugural speech with a commitment to extend more to the needy and do her best to make RCJC a worthy cause. Mrs. Catilo selflessly facilitated, among others, a gift-giving activity to indigent communities at Christmas and medical missions intended to support senior citizen in selected communities.
The Inducting Officer DG See Diet who has been visiting Rotary Clubs in Iloilo City admired the cooperation of the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline and CPU Alumni Association, Inc. He expressed gratitude to Central Philippine University for the support it has been giving to RCJC.
Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena, CPUAAI President, delivered his message of support to the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline, “As a Special Chapter of Central Philippine University Alumni Association, your club is assured of support and cooperation on any activities and partnerships during my leadership.”
The program was hosted by Miss Camelle Frances M. Romero, Administrative Officer, CPU Office of the President.
Summer Picnic of the CPUAA North Eastern USA with its president Rev. Felix Colinco (first from right, in blue) and Ms. Gladys Pearl H. Gico-Jabalde (sitting fourth from right).
The Central Philippine University Alumni Association of North Eastern USA held an alumni summer picnic at the Calvary Baptist Church of Clifton, New Jersey on July 21, 2018.
Invited guest speaker, Ms. Gladys Pearl H. Gico-Jabalde (CPU BS Nursing Batch 1977) in her message entitled “Just Do It,” talked about the importance of obedience and gratitude in one’s walk with the Lord. She shared the favorite Bible verses of her parents, Mrs. Pacita Huelar Gico, a graduate of CPU Baptist Missionary Training School, and Rev. Jose T. Gico, Jr., a graduate of CPU College of Theology, as well as that of her aunt’s, Mrs. Felicidad B. Huelar, a graduate of the CPU College of Education.
She shared her experiences as a pastor’s kid waking up early to attend Sunday Service. According to her, one’s faith is not only a passionate endeavor but a faithful discipline one must work with fear and trembling. Mrs. Jabalde shares that “obedience of the Word of God is the mark of a true Christian.”
Mrs. Jabalde also encouraged fellow Centralians to continually share the message of the salvation: “My daddy said to me, ‘You do not stop telling others about the Lord. You continue until you die to the end. Tell your spouse, children, brothers, sisters, coworkers, neighbors, friends, everyone. Do not be ashamed to share the good news with them. That’s your responsibility as a believer. The Lord will teach you, equip you, empower you, mold you and help you on what to say. The Holy Spirit is going to be with you all the way. Just continue His work.’”
Recollecting on the wisdom of her parents and aunt, Mrs. Jabalde shared that when they were still alive, she was able to preserve their conversations about God and the Bible through a recording teddy bear. She shared the sound clips of the said conversation during the picnic.
As a family of Centralians serving the Lord, Mrs. Jabalde highlighted the importance of families not only in strengthening and encouraging one another, but in helping each other fulfill their purpose in the Lord.
At the end of her message, Mrs. Jabalde read a poem entitled “Do It Anyway” by Mother Teresa.
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