Ms. Tapasii Ranii Sinha (at the back, fourth from left) shares that she will give back the kindness CPU HS batch 1964 when she finishes college and finds stable job.
The CPU HS batch 1964 held their 55th Year Reunion at Damires Hills, Janiuay, Iloilo on February 4. Aside from the presence of the alumni of the said batch, the event was attended by Tapasii Ranii Sinha, the batch’s scholar.
Ms. Sinha is taking up Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology and is now on her 4th year. She was one of the three students who were nominated to avail of the said scholarship. For her, it was a blessing from God when she was chosen since the scholarship helped not only her but her family as well. Moreover, Ms. Sinha is grateful to CPU HS batch 1964 for their generosity. This is the reason why she strives to give back by passing on the kindness she has experienced from CPU HS batch 1964.
Meanwhile, the CPU HS batch 1964 is now preparing to support another student since Ms. Sinha will soon graduate from college.
CPU HS batch 1964 celebrates their 55th year reunion.
Honoring memories of their high school life, the CPU HS batch 1964 celebrated their 55th Year Reunion on February 4 at Damires Hills, Janiuay, Iloilo inspired by Psalm 92:14 (NIV): “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.”
The event was graced with the presence of their classmates, both from here and abroad. There was a total of 21 attendees. The reunion started with a thanksgiving service where they recognized God’s faithfulness. Pastor Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes said that in a class reunion, participants “remember” and “re-member”: “The call to remember is to bring to mind not only the happenings of yesterday. To remember is to draw forth meanings that reshape us and make us better persons. We become who we are because of what we remember.” She added, “A reunion is an attempt to ‘re-member’ because the relationship that we built 55 years ago are too precious to be thrown to the dustbin of forgetfulness… and so at this 55th anniversary, we have come to remember in order to re-member.”
Rev. Dr. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes leads the batch in their thanksgiving service.
Afterwards, the batch enjoyed each other’s company through fun games and the sharing of their life stories and things they look forward to in the years to come.
The organizers had prepared for this event since April 2018 through online communication. In addition, Emelda Frange-Varcacel, a retired registered nurse and one of the organizers, said that after their 50th year reunion in 2014, the group had been meeting each other annually through their mini reunions.
The CPU HS batch 1964 enjoys the parlor games prepared by Emelda Frange-Varcacel (center).
Meanwhile, Rev. Dr. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, also their President, shared in an interview their memorable experiences and the great lessons they learned from CPU: “One of the most exciting… experiences is to challenge each one to do our best.” Moreover, she said that “trying to understand what Central Spirit is [is] to live out that spirit in our own daily lives.”
CPU HS 1964 is looking forward to another fellowship with former classmates, especially in the Grand Reunion at Central Philippine University in 2020.
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 Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting at Central Philippine 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. Later, he became the Deputy Wing Commander of the 520th Air Base Wing stationed at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City and in 2016, he was designated the Deputy Commander of Air Education, training and Doctrine Command where he got his promotion to Brigadier General. He was the designated as Wing Commander, 520th ABW prior to his assignment as the Air Force Inspector General where he was promoted to Major General.
Celebrating the Central Spirit for 113 years – Central Philippine University is inviting its alumni here and abroad to attend the 2018 Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly on September 29, 2018, 8:30 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
Centralians are encouraged to immerse themselves once again in the tradition of camaraderie and faith as we recall our memories in dear Central and as we thank the Lord for His faithfulness in bringing the university to greater heights.
With the theme, “Fostering CPU’s Legacy: Let the Central Spirit Shine” let us proclaim the goodness of the Lord in our university and His favour in our lives.
The Alumni Night will be held at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel on September 29, 2018, 7:00 PM. On the other hand, CPU’s 113th Foundation Day Memorial Service will be held at the Philippine-American Cemetery on October 1, 2018, 6:00 AM.
CPU looks forward for its campus to be once again crowded with its dear alumni and friends. This grand celebration is a testimony of CPU’s commitment of placing Christ as the cornerstone of the university for 113 years and its dedication to producing exemplary Christian learners for life.
Mrs. Evelyn Rose Catilo is the new president of the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline.
Newly inducted Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline (CPUAAI Special Chapter) President Evelyn Rose Catilo is a B.S. Medical Technology graduate of Central Philippine University, Batch 1979.
Evelyn worked at the Iloilo Mission Hospital. She is a pioneer technician of the Heart Station Department. She was later sent to the Philippine Heart Center for Asia to train on ECG Interpretation and also to perform a D-2 Echo and Stress Test.
Carrying her true Central Spirit, she made sure to involve herself in worthy causes and charitable outreach. Thus, in 2014 she joined the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline and started participating in outreach programs for indigent communities.
Evelyn is an exemplary Centralian much as she is a very active Rotarian. On her second time as RCJC President, Catilo promises to follow this year’s Rotary International motto “Be an Inspiration.”
Evelyn Rose Catilo is married to Wenifredo Orbe Catilo and together, they have 3 children.
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