Celebrating the Central Spirit – Centralians here and abroad are invited to come to CPU Campus on February 5-9, 2020 to celebrate its Alumni Grand Homecoming.
“There is work to do.” This was how CPUFOAA current President Flora Grace Guillergan-Cudiamat explained how the many CPUAAI chapters will get involved in the preparation of the Alumni Grand Homecoming at Central Philippine University in 2020.
The oneness of Centralian alumni comes with the general sentiment of the Central Spirit of love, cooperation and generosity, between and among 156 CPUAA chapters all over the world.
In a meeting with members of the CPUAAI Board, Perla G. Londres Waters, Chair of the CPUFOAA Endowment Committee, agreed that there’s such a thing as Central Spirit at work that bring the alumni together towards the achievement of success for the coming grand reunion at CPU.
The idea of a global reunion started in Chicago in 1998, with the founding of CPU Alumni Association of North America. During the Centennial Celebration of CPU in 2005, the idea came up again with a group of overseas alumni who met and discussed possibilities.
The global celebration takes place every two years; hence, the reunion in CPU in 2020 is supposedly the 11th. However, as it is going to be a grand convergence of CPU alumni worldwide, CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles proposed to call it the 1st CPU Alumni Grand Homecoming and this was unanimously supported by the CPUAAI Board of Trustees.
A gala night will be held at the premier Grand Xing Hotel in Iloilo City.
Come and bring back the memories after many years. Attend the 1st Alumni Grand Homecoming at Central on February 5-9, 2020.
The CPUAA Chapter Presidents and CPUAAI Officers discussing their participation in the 2020 Alumni Homecoming.
Only about 17 months more to go before the highly-awaited Worldwide Reunion of Centralians takes place on February 5-7, 2020 at the CPU Campus. Anticipation building, a US-based Centralian mentioned, “We hope this year’s (2018) Alumni Homecoming can provide us already with a partial list of what is to come.” Due to the enthusiasm for the gathering, some Centralian alumni have already started planning for their own batch activities.
For example, the College of Nursing is planning to have its own worldwide reunion on February 3-4 before the grand reunion.
On the other hand, for the High School Batch 1970, the year 2020 would be their 50th year of graduating from the University. The organizers thought it would be an opportune time to celebrate “50 in 20.” Nonong Carvajal, one of the members of the batch, explained that the year 1970 was the height of rock & roll, Elvis Presley, hippie culture, etc., so that they came up with the theme: Rockin’ Back to Memories.
While some seem to already have well-laid plans for how they will be celebrating the Worldwide Reunion with their respective batches, some have just started getting into the spirit of planning. For instance, a Centralian couple who are here on vacation have just started calling Iloilo-based members of their batch to meet and start making plans for the big reunion in 2020.
However each Centralian alumnus/alumna plans to participate in the Worldwide Reunion, be it with their respective batches or with the whole CPU community, 2020 is year that we can all excitedly look forward to.
For more details on the Worldwide Reunion, kindly contact: Mrs. Tina Marie Hortelano, CPUAAI Liaison Officer through tel. nos. (033) 329-1971 to 329-1979 loc. No. 1033 or at cpuaai@gmail.com.
With reports from Gabriel Ortigoza, Flora Grace Guillergan-Cudiamat, and Emelda Frange–Valcarcel
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and his wife, Ma’am Angel Robles together with Centralian alumni.
Celebrating the Central Spirit across the globe—Centralians, 550 in total, came from different alumni chapters and associations around the world to gather together as Central Philippine University commemorates its 10th Global Reunion at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel on July 5-8, 2018.
With the theme “Fostering CPU’s Legacy: Let the Central Spirit Shine,” Centralians rekindled their friendships and shared their testimonies during the three day reunion. This year’s global reunion was spearheaded by the CPU Federation of Overseas Alumni Association-Chicago Chapter .
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, thanked the CPU alumni for their undying love and support for the university. He also highlighted the accomplishments of the university and the contributions of the alumni in funding constructions and scholarships. Dr. Robles also expressed his gratitude to the alumni for carrying the CPU torch with faith and excellence in whichever part of the globe they may be. According to the alumni present, Dr. Robles gave a powerful yet simple testimony of how he transcended all of the trials in life and responded to his mission of accepting the challenging task of being the university president instead of just enjoying retirement with his wife, Angel, in their Wisconsin home.
These boots were made for rockin! The CPU North Texas Alumni Chapter.Members and officers of the CPUAA Midwest USA – host of the 10th Global Reunion.CPU College of Nursing Batch 1972 attending the 10th Global Reunion.
Also gracing the event is honorary Centralian, Dr. Aaron Alfred Lee. In a concert entitled “An Evening with Music,” Dr. Lee serenaded Centralians. It can be recalled that Dr. Lee performed at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, CPU Campus on February 8, 2018.
For the first evening devotional, Engr. Eddie C. Cañuto shared his experiences as a working student of the CPU Libraries. According to Engr. Cañuto, to help support his studies he worked 2 hours every day for 75 centavos per hour as payment. He was able to graduate with a degree in Engineering and placed 7th in the Engineer Licensure Exam. At age 55, he retired from his engineering profession, sold all his engineering equipment to live a simple life in the farm, and pursue his passion to spread the Word of God.
Engr. Cañuto established Ephrathah Farms, an organic farm also engaged in agri-tourism in Iloilo. There, he enjoys teaching people how to grow organic fruits and vegetables. He shared that the most important thing he does in life now is to teach people the love of Christ. He encouraged his fellow alumni to trust in the promises and the timing of God.
CPUAAI President, Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena thanks the CPU alumni community for their continuous love and support to the university.
Another devotional speaker who shared his testimony was Rev. Dr. Elmo D. Familiaran. In his message entitled “From Whence We Came,” Rev. Dr. Familiaran highlighted the importance of trusting God through remembering and obeying His Word: “Said another way, not only do we have the capacity to remember the past, but our experience in the present is informed and shaped by what we have previously felt, tasted, learned; and our memory of the past and our experience of the present come together through time to give us a vision of the future not yet realized but only imagined in our spirit and soul.”
He also emphasized the importance of taking root in Christ as the foundation of one’s purpose, “Without the consciousness of that story, we will not have roots; and if we do not have roots, we will be living lives devoid of identity and purpose. Our story is the power that sustains our spirituality, and it is so important for the vitality of our faith for today, more than ever, that it is nourished by the memory of our roots.”
The three-day reunion ended with Centralians filled with encouragement from one another and with the Word of God. The next CPU Worldwide Reunion will be on February 5-7, 2020 at the CPU campus.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles leads the oath taking of the newly elected CPUFOAA Officers for 2019-2020.
The following are the newly elected CPUFOAA Officers for 2019-2020:
The Centralian Spirit of Generosity—The Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Associations, Inc. donated $3,400 to the university on March 1, 2018. Rachel Villanosa and her family donated $2,000 of the said amount to the CPUFOAA Grant-in-Aid and Recognition Endowment Fund while $1,000 came from Evelyn Turalba to be added to the College of Nursing Virtual Laboratory Project. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Class 1979 gave $400 to the said project also.
The said amount was presented to CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles by Mrs. Perla G. Londres Waters, former president of the CPU Federation of Overseas Alumni Association, Inc. (CPUFOAA).
Alumni Imelda G. Quimpo and Michael F. Quimpo donated $55 dollars; $30 of which is for the renovation of the tennis court and $25 for the Occupational Safety Program. The said amount was turned over by the couple on March 1, 2018.
On March 4, 2018, the CPU Alumni Association Midwest Chapter, headed by Mrs. Mae Celiz Rogers, donated $700 to the God’s Grace Project of the University Church.
The university recognizes the role of Centralian alumni around world in propagating the Central Spirit. Thus, the Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Association and CPUAA Midwest USA is inviting all CPU alumni around the globe to attend the 10thCPU Alumni Global Reunion to be held at Crowne Plaza, Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois on July 5-8, 2018. This year’s global reunion will banner the theme “Fostering CPU’s Legacy-Let the Central Spirit Shine!”
Alumni are expected to be part of this grand event of rekindling the Centralian flame of friendship. Let us celebrate the Central Spirit with pride and joy as we gather together and immerse ourselves in the years of camaraderie and faith that CPU has helped shape.
For more information on the event, please check www.2018cpuglobalreunion.com for the itinerary and registration.
CPU hopes that more donations will be raised to complete the Nursing Virtual Laboratory Project before 2018 ends. For your donations and inquiries, please call (033) 3291971 loc. 1037 (College of Nursing Secretary’s Office) or loc. 2107 (Faculty Room), or email nursing@cpu.edu.
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