CPUAAI holds testimonial banquet in honor of Atty. Ramon L. Muzones

By Keziah G. Huelar

Atty. Rex Muzones presents the medallion of Order of National Artist to Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona, Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees, Atty. Zacarias D. Bedona, Dean, CPU College of Law and Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, Vice President for Student Affairs. The Muzones family has decided to donate the National Artist medallion and some of the original works of Atty. Ramon L. Muzones to Central Philippine University.

Recognizing the contributions of Atty. Ramon L. Muzones not only to Philippine literature but also to the prestige of the University, the Central Philippine University Alumni Association Inc. held a testimonial banquet in his honor at Conference Room 2, 4^th Floor, Henry Luce III Library, on February 26, 2019.

The opening prayer was led by Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director, CPU Office of Communications.

On behalf of Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena, President, CPUAAI, Atty. Joshua C. Alim, Councilor, City of Iloilo, gave the welcome remarks. In his message, Atty. Alim highlighted Atty. Muzones as a public servant and an advocate of Ilonggo culture: “Atty. Muzones was a public servant, he was councilor of Iloilo City from 1963 to 1971. That’s why after he died on August 17, 1992, the City Government in 2002 issued Ordinance No. 00-121 in September of 2000 to recognize him as one of the outstanding Ilonggos.”

*Atty. Rex Muzones shares his recollections of his father, Atty. Ramon Muzones, National Artist for Literature.*

Sharing her insights on why Atty. Muzones was given the distinction of the Order of National Artist for Literature, Dr. Cecilia Locsin-Nava talked about the life, love, and works of Atty. Muzones and his deep appreciation for the Hiligaynon language: “Iloilo waited for 20 years before it could get one of its own [National Artist], and this was Ramon Muzones in 2018.”

After which, Atty. Rex Muzones, son of Atty. Muzones and an alumnus of the CPU Elementary School, talked about his recollections of his father. Atty. Rex remembered his father as a man humor, zest, and passion.

As a writer, legal practitioner, and advocate of Hiligaynon, Atty. Muzones was a man of great depth and appreciation, especially of his own native tongue: “My father and I were brothers. There are many stories to tell about him. [He] has come a long way and the award should rest with CPU where he earned his law degree.”

*Atty. Rex Muzones and his wife, Gloria Muzones together with CPU officials.*

CPU awarded a posthumous citation to Atty. Ramon L. Muzones. It was presented by Atty. Joshua C. Alim; Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona, Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees; Atty. Zacarias D. Bedona, Dean, CPU College of Law; and Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, CPU Vice President for Academic Affairs.

In response, Atty. Rex Muzones thanked the CPU Administration and the CPUAAI for honoring and preserving the legacy of his father. The Muzones family has decided to donate the National Artist medallion and some of the original works of Atty. Ramon L. Muzones to Central Philippine University.

Engr. Vitini Edhard Idemne then led the singing of the Alma Mater Song. It was followed by the closing prayer led by Engr. Rey Balogo, Trustee, CPUAAI.

CPU 2018 alumni homecoming committees meet for final instructions

By Cyrus A. Natividad

The Alumni Homecoming committees for 2018 met together on September 20, 3:00 PM at the Alumni Affairs Office Board Room. About a week before the highlights of the CPU Alumni Homecoming, CPUAAI President Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena made sure that all members of the respective committees are working hard to achieve their goals for this year’s homecoming. Jalbuena also encouraged everyone to contribute good ideas and suggestions to help make the homecoming successful.

Among the highlights of the homecoming is the reunion at the Rose Memorial Auditorium where old classmates and friends could meet and reminisce the good old days. Alumni can expect various presentations as well as recognition for those who have contributed to upholding the Central Spirit in their various professions. These will be followed by the election of new officers.

The fun and excitement will continue in the evening at 7:00 PM at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in downtown Iloilo on September 29, 2018. The highlight of the evening affair is the Alumni King and Queen pageant.

The Alumni Homecoming has always been something that old Centralians look forward to every year. See you at the events!

Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline celebrates 25 years of service

By Cyrus A. Natividad

The 25^th “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.

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.

CPU celebrates 10th Global Reunion

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 10^th 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 7^th 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:

President: Flora Grace Guillergan-Cudiamat

1st Vice President: Rod Gonzales

2nd VP for US: May Celiz-Rogers

2nd VP for Canada: Norma van Dusen

2nd VP for Australasia: Joseph Beloria

2nd VP for Middle East/Africa: Mildred Majeed

2nd VP for Europe: None

Regional Vice Presidents

Region 1: Lee Plagata

Region 2: None

Region 3: Lilian Lau

Region 4: None

Region 5: Manuel de la Fuente

Region 6: Rufino Gonzales

Region 7: Easter Arora

Region 8: Lydia MacDonnell

Region 9: Dot Cuales

Region 10: Leynebelle Leysa

Corporate Secretary: Yolanda Jain

Asst. Corporate Secretary: Dianabin Penacerrada

Corporate Treasurer: Melba Debulgado

Corporate Auditor: Kathy Kriewall

Board of Directors (At-Large):

Melinda Boice
Elma Divinagracia
Rick Falco
Erlinda Galanto
Tito Gervacio
Pio Go
Lilia Magdamo

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