CPU HS batch 1964: Blessed to bless others

By Nestle G. Taala

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.

Centralian gets promoted to Air Force Inspector

By Prof. Sharon  Rose  G.  Munar

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.

Centralian named Executive VP of Administration, Chief Financial Officer of Drury University

Jeff Huinda is a testimony of CPU’s dedication to produce exemplary Christian learners for life.

Showcasing the Centralian brand of excellence—Jeff Huinda, a 1989 graduate of the CPU Bachelor of Science in Accounting program, was appointed as the new Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Drury University, a private liberal arts college founded in 1873 in Springfield, Missouri.

Huinda served as Interim Director of Internal Audit for a year. After which, he became the Controller of Evangel University for five years (2013-2018). Huinda was tasked to manage and oversee the university’s financial system.

He finished his Master of Business Administration in Missouri State University in 2013. With over 20 years of experience in the accounting and finance field, Huinda has established himself as a passionate worker whose discipline and faith showcase the Centralian Spirit of excellence and dedication.