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

Webmaster: Rodney Gicana

Centralian Excellence: Joana Christine Q. Rabulan

Excellence in the service of Ilonggos, Joana Christine Q. Rabulan inspires Centralians to persevere and pursue greater heights for the glory of God and the pride of Central. Photo Credit: Joana Christine Q. Rabulan

Scientia et Fides—The heart of the Centralian experience is the fulfillment of young lives in becoming exemplary Christian learners for life. To embody the pursuits of excellence and faith is the reason for the university’s existence. Central Philippine University is home to outstanding individuals that have made a mark in their respective workplace and community.

One of these individuals is Joana Christine Q. Rabulan, a Centralian alumna of CPU kindergarten until tertiary education. She graduated with the degree Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at CPU.

Recently, Rabulan was awarded the prestigious 2017 Top Branch of the Year Nationwide, Mall Branch Category, Banco de Oro Universal Bank (BDO)—the No.1 bank in the Philippines. As the branch head of BDO SM City Iloilo B Branch, located in SM City, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, she has dedicated her passion and perseverance in providing excellent banking services to Ilonggos. “I manage the overall operations, sales, and housekeeping area of the branch. I have 30 people (officers and staff) under me and my responsibility is to achieve and/or exceed the branch yearly targets and loans targets. My team and I focus on giving excellent service to all our clients.”

According to Rabulan, the award is a recognition of her commitment to her work. “This prestigious award is a huge, huge affirmation of my and my team+s persistent, hard work and output for the branch. To be awarded with this is a testament of God+s abundant grace upon the team. Our branch had stiff competition given that we had other mall branches all over the country who were also working hard to try to get the national awards. For our branch to be No. 1 overall for 2017 gives us a sense of pride and humility as well as this feeling that all our sacrifices were worth it. Each officer, each staff, including our guards and messenger, have contributed greatly to garner these awards. We also extend our utmost gratitude to all our clients for their continued trust and support.”

Sharing her experiences as a Centralian, Rabulan talked about the people who have helped her along the way to achieve her potential. “Two of the people I hold with high regard and I deem to be my mentors are, my mother and my professor in accountancy. My mother is Mrs. Corazon Rabulan, a CPU College of Education professor who has been with CPU for decades and who is an excellent teacher to her students. She has imbibed in me the value of hard work, integrity, and excellence in achieving my results. She is an intelligent, very gracious, and humble person who is strict but fair. The other one is Mrs. Gloria Biado, my accountancy part-time professor at that time. She was very clear whenever she explained the subject matter to us and was a calm, intelligent teacher. I even said to myself at that time she was our teacher that I wanted to be like her when I pursued my career.”

It was her faith in God that motivated her to excel and empower others. According to Rabulan, her stay in the university helped her get ready for the real world and translate her faith intoa excellent performance in her career. “During my student years in CPU, I was already proud to be a Centralian. I knew that when I got to the real world, I would be bringing with me the Christian values that the university had inculcated in me since kindergarten, as well as the strength that my learning years had molded into me. I believed that I would be a competent and a very productive graduate when thrown into the cut throat world of my profession. It was just a matter of time and I received that affirmation with the most recent top award in the country.”

Love for God, faith, prayers, love for work, sacrifice, selflessness, patience, humility, and the drive for excellence—these are the values Rabulan learned from her university.

For the next generation of Centralians Rabulan advises that they should carve their own path, write their own story. “Never listen to the naysayers; never let negativity touch your skin. Always remember that you have greatness in you. You just need to choose to harness it to its highest potential.” She further encourages them to persevere and work hard to achieve their dreams. “Perhaps I would like to echo what Mr. Denzel Washington said in one of the College Commencement speeches he delivered, ‘Don+t just aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference wherever you are.’ Finally, don+t ever let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. You are the only person who can ever say that. Dream big, work hard for it, and never forget that at the end of each success, always acknowledge the grace and mercies of God. In each of our own journeys, we must never forget to always be grounded and keep our values intact.”

Centralian Joseph Celis is new NAPOLCOM Chief for Region 6

*Atty. Joseph Celis, Director, National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region 6 shared how CPU honed him to act with integrity and discipline. Photo Credit: Aksyon Radyo Bacolod Facebook Page*

Attorney Joseph S. Celis, Director of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region 6 is a leader who exudes loyalty, love, and respect—among the core values he imbibed from Central Philippine University. Joseph Celis, also known as Jong-jong, revisited CPU after being installed with a Special Order as Director II at the Iloilo City NAPOLCOM Headquarters. He reminisced his good old college days as an idolized football star, an active student leader in the CPUR, and a member of the Political Science Student Organization and Order of Kalantiao.

The son of Jose A. Celis, CPU Commerce graduate and a businessman, and CPU Education graduate, Elvira Celis, Joseph studied in CPU from Kinder 1 up to Grade 2. He graduated from CPU High School in 1984 and he finished his AB Political Science, also from CPU, in 1988. Celis recalled how he was supported in his studies by their family business—the famous Jackson Steel Cabinet manufacturing in Western Visayas, producer of quality vaults and other equipment. He helped his father in the business while also doing well in school.

He proceeded to study at University of Santo Tomas Law School after he finished college in CPU. Later, he worked hard to finish his Bachelor of Laws at the Philippine Law School. After that, he was appointed to several government agencies as legal officer, Assistant Regional Director, and Director, particularly at the National Police Commission, which is attached to the Department of Interior and Local Government.

His early engagements in the police included monitoring, inspection of police stations, spot checking, and compliance level for the police assigned. His job also included press and media interviews. His first assignment was in July 7, 2004 as Acting NAPOLCOM Assistant Regional Director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), after which, he was promoted to Assistant Director on December 2006. He became the Regional Director in December 2008.

He is the youngest Director in an Army Camp’s Instructional Defense Risk Association in Camarines Sur. He covered five provinces as NAPOLCOM Regional Director in Tuguegarao City’s Regional Office in 2010. In 2011, Celis served as NAPOLCOM Assistant Regional Director of Davao before being appointed in the same year as NAPOLCOM Regional Director for Muslim Mindanao. He has become the longest sitting non-Muslim Regional Director.

From 2004 to 2006, Celis was the Regional Director for Negros Island Region (NIR) while serving as concurrent NAPOLCOM Provincial Officer for Iloilo. He was assigned as Provincial Officer of Aklan and other provinces until his appointment as Regional Director of Western Visayas with Special Order: NAPOLCOM 2018-001, dated January 4, 2018.

Celis has been assigned another responsibility when he was elected President of Central Philippine University Elementary School Parent-Teachers Association for 2017-2018.

All his stints, positions and responsibilities, he carried on with excellence and integrity. These he attributes to his basic training at CPU, a strong Central Spirit and discipline in himself.

Alumni donate to CPU

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 10^th CPU 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.

For other inquiries about CPU’s other projects and donations drive, please email communications@cpu.edu.ph.

Gerry Escolta: Labor is honor

*Escolta with his friend and former co-worker Mr. Cyrus Natividad.*

From a humble working student at Central Philippine University, Gerry A. Escolta has realized his dream of becoming a Certified Public Accountant. He is now a CPA who owns the G. Escolta Management Consultancy Services that provides management consultancy services to several companies in Sta. Rosa City Laguna and parts of Metro Manila.

His hardships and difficulties during his college days only made him more determined to pursue his plans to finish college and become a CPA. Escolta recalls that he would wake up very early from the municipality of Passi where he came home to every weekend and catch one of the few jeepneys that go to Iloilo City every Monday. Escolta finished his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at Central Philippine University in 1981 and succeeded to pass the CPA Board Exam in Manila the following year.

He came back to CPU very recently to visit friends, former classmates, particularly his co-work students at the Student Service Enterprise. He did not forget his work 40 years ago—checking the enterprise stocks and serving his customers with courtesy. He studied his lessons diligently during work intervals and learned from the accounting process of the enterprise as well.

Escolta believes in quality and to have studied at CPU is a fortunate experience. He constantly thinks about how he could have succeeded if not for the Work-Study Program of Central Philippine University.

He emphasized that “labor is honor.” Labor was what made him a deserving work-student, a determined career person and now a very successful Certified Public Accountant.

Escolta revisited CPU with a plan to organize a Student Service Enterprise Alumni Association (CPU SSEAA). For those who have been a work student before and assigned to the SSE, please contact Gerry Escolta on this number: 09155477296.

Eric Otayde: A journey of success that began in CPU

*CPU Political Science Alumni Association President Eric Otayde with Former CPU President Dr. Agustin A. Pulido.*

The President of the CPU Political Science Alumni Association (PSAA), Eric “Noy” Otayde, takes some time to visit his old friends and classmates at Central Philippine University when in Iloilo City.

He drives his own car from Antique, and, as the President of the CPU Political Science Alumni Association, he calls up his PSAA officers one by one, making use of extra time apart from his many appointments in Iloilo City, to update and plan for this Special Alumni Chapter. While a hard working ranking official of the province of Antique, Otayde is a multitasker who seriously works for the advancement and development of his province.

A seasoned government official of Antique, Otayde comes from a political family. “Pres. Noy” as he is called by PSAA circle has his humble beginnings in CPU. He was a Bachelor of Arts graduate of Political Science 1984. He was President of the CPU Political Science Students Organization during his college days and the Governor of the College of Arts and Sciences. His involvement in the CPU Student Republic must have a political training ground for a colorful career in governance in Antique after his graduation.

He has served as Provincial Board Member of Antique and Appointed Adviser for Semirara Coal—a difficult task which he handled intelligently especially during calamities and labor situations. He was also appointed as Member of the Tripartite Monitoring Team for Environmental Compliance. His love for public service continues for the betterment of his people and province. His current work for Antique is being the Public Information Officer and Executive Director of Binirayan Festival 2018. While serving as Public Information Officer, he had a public service program on radio.

Taking a night cap in Iloilo City with this CPU alumnus is always an interesting and valuable experience. He updates us on his job and shares his experiences with powerful corporate entities. He is a close friend to the likes of coal and construction magnate, the late David Consunji, Senator Loren Legarda, former Governor Sally Perez, and a string of government officials and businessmen.

“It took me a long time to reach this far, but in every step I made, I feel the Central Spirit within me; I recall the kindness of God and how He prepared me for this career through the training and knowledge I earned from Central Philippine University,” said Otayde.

From his humble beginnings in CPU, Eric “Noy” Otayde accomplished the wishes of his proud parents, Victoria and Maximo Otayde of Sibalom, Antique.

Agustin Pulido: A Distinguished Centralian

*A testimony of commitment to faith and excellence – Dr. Agustin A. Pulido continues to inspire a generation of Centralians.*

Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, nicknamed “Gus,” was born to the couple Agustin Pulido, Sr. and Sol Aguilar-Pulido on March 20, 1932 in Cadiz, Negros Occidental. He was brought up by his parents to follow their footsteps as educators. His mother and father were both teachers who believed that “it runs in the family.” For Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, it is an experience that strengthened him to become one excellent educator.

He started his education with a younger brother in a primary school in Cadiz. He was a consistent honor student, until World War II broke out in 1941. He transferred residences with his family several times during the war. They stayed in Isabela with his aunt but later moved to Escalante.

He finished his secondary education in Bacolod City then took up his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Silliman University, Dumaguete City. He graduated in 1953, magna cum laude. He pursued his Master of Science in Chemistry from U.P. Diliman in Quezon City. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Physical Chemistry) from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.

Turning his back to far more lucrative roles as an educator and researcher elsewhere, Dr. Pulido assumed the presidency of Central Philippine University on September 8, 1971, a post vacated by the passing away of senior friend and fellow Christian, Dr. Rex D. Drilon, the first Filipino president of CPU. He shelved his expertise, as a chemistry professor, to assume a position, which he declared “required a different and higher level of chemistry.”

After 25 fruitful years as President of CPU, Dr. Pulido retired in 1996. Immediately after that, Silliman University’s Board of Trustees chose him to be their 11^th President.

Dr. Pulido has served as member of the CPU and SU Board of Trustees and CPU Corporation. He has also served as Dean, Department Chair, Professor and Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines in Iloilo City. He has carried out duties in different committees in these three universities. In other institutions, he has served as Chair, as Vice Chair, and/or as a member. After Dr. Juanito M. Acanto, Dr. Pulido became Chairman of the Management Committee while the search for the new CPU president was ongoing.

With able leadership and selfless dedication, he developed the physical infrastructures, strengthened the financial resources through endowment funds. He upgraded the influence of CPU to make it one of the great centers of higher education in Asia. The Distinguished Centralian Award in Education was presented to Dr. Pulido for his outstanding accomplishments as an educator and University President last 1996 during the 91^st University Day celebration of CPU.

The concrete proof of this development under his administration are the Engineering Building, New Valentine Hall, the Elementary School, Henry Luce III Library, the new Rose Memorial Auditorium and other buildings. On the other hand, Dr. Pulido worked hard in the field of alumni relations. He successfully reached out to the CPU alumni all over the Philippines and many other countries, mobilized them into active chapters to support CPU in pursuit of its various programs and projects that offered an Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL).

Now, he is simply enjoying life with his loving wife Dr. Dorothy Ann Bermejo Pulido, a medical doctor, in their residence near CPU. Dr. Pulido shared some of his secrets in staying active and mentally alert. First of all, he says, “We need to free up our minds with problems, by choosing which one to solve first.” He added, “We can simply subsist on fresh fruits and vegetables, and a bit of exercise by walking.” But the activity that the Pulidos love most is reading.

Their children, Cybele Ann, an elementary and high school graduate of CPU, and married to Engr. Luther C. Risma now lives in the United States with their child Idra Ann. Deneel, also an elementary and high school graduate of CPU and married to Col. Ezra James P. Enriquez, a graduate from the Philippine Military Academy, have two children, Mark James “Wofie” and Joshua James, a famous photographer in the campus and in the Visayas region.