CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY HISTORY
Central Philippine University (CPU) Profile
By Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on & Karren Jay G. Asgar
The birth of Central Philippine University (CPU) is linked to the beginnings of the Baptist mission in the Philippines.
In 1898, Rev. Dr. Eric Lund, a Swedish Baptist missionary, baptized Braulio Manikan, a native of Aklan, Panay, in Barcelona, Spain. Manikan became the first Filipino Baptist, and together they began preparing for missionary work in the Philippines. Their mission was funded by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (ABFMS), and in May 1900, they arrived in Iloilo City to begin their work.
The Philippine Baptist pastors and American missionaries developed a three-pronged mission work patterned from the ministry of Jesus Christ – Preaching, Healing, and Teaching. This pattern was developed as a means to minister to the “whole person” and not just his or her spiritual needs.
The preaching ministry resulted in organizing churches in Iloilo, Negros, and Capiz. For instance, Jaro Evangelical Church was organized in September 1900, Bacolod Evangelical Church in 1902, and Capiz Evangelical Church in 1908. As to the healing ministry, the Philippine Baptist mission established two hospitals in Panay Island. In Iloilo, the Baptists partnered with the Presbyterians in operating the Iloilo Mission Hospital (IMH) in 1901. Later, the IMH became an exclusive Baptist institution in 1925 when the Presbyterians turned over their mission work to the Baptists. In Capiz, a medical mission was started in 1902 which later became the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in 1912.
The Philippine Baptist mission soon started a Baptist Home School in Capiz in 1904. Later, this became known as the Filamer Christian University. In Iloilo, a Bible School for women was established in 1904 through the leadership of Anna V. Johnson. This later became the Baptist Missionary Training School (BMTS). In June 1905 the Bible School for men was also opened. A few months later on October 1, 1905, another school was opened – the Jaro Industrial School. The Philippine Baptist mission commissioned Rev. Dr. William O. Valentine, a pastor and teacher, to head the two schools.
CPU is the first Baptist university and the second university established by Americans in Asia (the first being Silliman University in Dumaguete City).
Jaro Industrial School which later became Central Philippine University (CPU) was the first school in the Philippines to combine industrial education with Christian teachings and also pioneered the first student government in the country, the Jaro Industrial School Republic, now CPU Republic.
In 1913, the school was incorporated and recognized by the government. The school also began to admit female students. In 1915, the first two years of high school were opened. In 1920, the third- and fourth-year classes were added and the following year the first batch of high school graduates were turned out.
The school was expanded into a junior college in 1923, and the name was changed to Central Philippine School and then to Central Philippine College. The senior college was established in 1936 and by 1940 five degrees were offered: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Theology, and Bachelor of Religious Education. Another achievement for the college is that it was the first in the Philippines to offer a nursing course in cooperation with the Iloilo Mission Hospital, and also the first in the country to offer a Kindergarten School.
When World War II broke out, destruction and death arrived at CPC. The college buildings were destroyed. In Hopevale, Tapaz, Capiz the Japanese soldiers captured and killed the eleven American Baptist missionaries and one little boy in December 20, 1943. They are called the “Hopevale Martyrs.” One of those who died was Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose who was the Acting President of CPC before the war. He was the one who designed the CPC/CPU seal in 1923, and the one who also designed Weston Hall, Franklin Hall, and Roblee Hall. He composed many of the Central Songs, and through one of these songs, he is credited with coining the term “Central Spirit.”
In April 1, 1953, the institution was renamed from Central Philippine College to Central Philippine University when the Department of Education approved the request for university status.
On May 10, 1966, the CPU Board of Trustees elected the university’s first Filipino president, Dr. Rex D. Drilon. Later, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1969, the entire university property – land, buildings and equipment – was turned over by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society to Central Philippine University. One of the conditions was to make “safeguards against CPU ever becoming non-church related.” Thus, the CPU Constitution and By-laws stipulates that 33 out of 65 of the members of the CPU Corporation and at least 10 out of 15 of the CPU Board of Trustees should come from member churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches. Since then, the next presidents of the university were all Filipinos – Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, Dr. Juanito M. Acanto and Dr. Teodoro C. Robles.
In 1996, when Dr. Juanito Maca Acanto became the third Filipino President of CPU, the Vision and Mission statements of CPU were formulated. He said, “We want our students to be educated but more than that we wanted them to become a Christian, not merely in name but in fact and in life. Central’s vision now and in the years to come is to build an institution of higher learning that is obedient to the Lord, an institution that endures because it is sustained by a living faith, and not because it is fossilized.”
The CPU Vision Statement reads: “A University committed to Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL) and responsive to the needs of the total person and the world.” On the other hand, CPU’s Mission Statement is: “The mission of Central Philippine University is to carry out a program of spiritual, intellectual, moral, scientific, technological, and cultural training, and allied studies under influences which strengthen Christian faith, build up character and promote scholarship, research and community service.”
The core values of CPU are Faith, Character, Justice, Stewardship, and Excellence was approved by the CPU Board of Trustees in 2003. Faith is defined as “the act of believing the things God has revealed about Himself and acting on those beliefs. This includes commitment, cooperation, trust, and confidence. For character, it is “the aggregate feature and traits that form the individual’s nature of a person, moral quality, and good report. This includes honesty, integrity, humility, and loyalty. For justice, it refers to the “righteousness of lawfulness and fairness. It is observing due process in administrating the deserved punishment or reward. This includes fairness, equality, morality, and peace.” Stewardship is defined as “the proper and responsible management of life, position, possession, and other resources entrusted by God to man. This includes service, accountability, culture, and outreach.”
“Faith, character, justice stewardship, and excellence are the values that have been guiding Central Philippine University as it copes with the ever-changing society,” former CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles wrote.
From its origins to today, CPU’s journey has been marked by significant milestones. Accredited by national and international bodies, CPU is renowned in the Visayas and across the Philippines. Recently, the University passed the ISO Surveillance Audit, reaffirming its ISO 9001: 2015 certification in July 2024. CPU was first issued its ISO 9001:2000 certificate on December 10, 2004.
CPU is the only university in Western Visayas declared as a tourism site. On November 21, 2001, the Iloilo City Government through the Sangguniang Panlungsod declared CPU as a tourism site in Iloilo City.
CPU also earned five awards at the 3rd CHED Regional Quality Awards in May 2024, including distinctions for its Registrar’s Records, NSTP programs, and Internationalization Initiatives, as well as recognition for its support to CHEDRO VI and a top ranking in the Chemical Engineers Licensure Examination (CheLE).
Notably, CPU was among 77 private higher education institutions granted Autonomous status by the Commission on Higher Education in 2024; with validity period of three (3) years from September 16, 2024, to September 15, 2027. Central Philippine University was first granted with Autonomous Status by CHED in 2001, under the administration of former CPU President, Dr. Juanito M. Acanto.
CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy expressed enthusiasm in the said achievement, saying, “This prestigious recognition serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic development through Christian education. This milestone marks a new chapter in our continuing journey, and I am confident that we will reach even higher levels of success. I express my gratitude to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) led by Dr. Prospero De Vera for this recognition, and to the entire Centralian community for rallying together to accomplish this goal. By the grace of God, we made it. To Him be the highest glory!”
Additionally, CPU has once again solidified its rankings in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings as it secured seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Out of 2,152 universities from 125 countries, CPU secured the following ranks: SDG 1 (No poverty) : 801 – 1000; SDG 2 (Zero hunger) : 601 – 800; SDG 3 (Good health and well-being): 801-1000; SDG 4 (Quality education) : 1501+; SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) 601- 800; SDG 16 (Peace, justice, and strong institutions) : 801 -1000; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals) : 1501+.
Last August 2024, several of CPU’s iconic buildings have been officially recognized and listed on the Philippine Registry of Heritage (PRH), also known as the “Talapamana ng Pilipinas”, under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The Philippine Registry of Heritage listed the following: Franklin Hall (Bulwagang Franklin), Weston Hall (Bulwagang Weston), Stuart Hall (Bulwagang Stuart), Old Valentine Hall (Bulwagang Old Valentine), Mary J. Thomas Hall (Bulwagang Mary J. Thomas), Eugenio Lopez Memorial Hall (Bulwagang Eugenio Lopez), Roblee Science Hall (Bulwagang Pang-agham ng Roblee), and University Church (Simbahan ng Pamantasan).
Coupled with this development is the fact that CPU was ranked first in the Western Visayas in the 16th QS World University Rankings, 14th among universities in the Philippines and in the top 851-900 in Asia, a development that shows CPU’s increasing visibility at the international level. In the 2021 QS rankings, CPU was the only HEI in Western Visayas included in the ranking. CPU earned a place in the 601+ bracket together with Adamson University, Central Luzon State University, Central Mindanao University, and Xavier University. For the third straight year, CPU was once again included in the Quacquarelli Symonds’ (QS) Asia University Rankings for 2023, earning a spot in the 701-750 bracket.
In terms of international linkages, CPU has always been committed to building and maintaining strong relationships with global academic institutions, research organizations, and industry leaders. These international partnerships have enabled the University to remain at the forefront of innovation, facilitate cross-cultural academic exchanges, and provide students and faculty with valuable opportunities for global exposure. Currently, there are 52 active international linkages with institutions in countries like the Philippines, Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, through respective memoranda and agreements, further strengthening CPU’s global network and collaborative efforts.
CPU will remain as the institution that provides education of highest quality through 81 academic programs from Kindergarten to School of Graduate Studies for School Year 2024-2025, imbued with faith and service to enable the Centralian community to make a positive impact and embody the CPU values since its establishment.
Besides that, it is worth mentioning that thirteen academic programs of CPU were granted re-accreditation status valid from December 11, 2023, to December 2028 by accreditors of the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities – Accrediting Council, Inc. (ACSCU-ACI) last October 2-6, 2023. Aside from the ACSCU-ACI, other accrediting agencies involved include the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) and the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA). These recognitions reflect how CPU continues to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and institutional integrity, ensuring that its programs are quality-based and firmly rooted in Christian education.
The history of Central Philippine University (CPU) is a testament to growth and resilience, evolving from its humble beginnings as Jaro Industrial School, established on October 1, 1905, with only 20 male students.
This year, as of September 4, 2024, CPU serves an impressive 15,096 students for School Year 2024-2025, a symbol of its enduring legacy in Philippine education and its dedication to shaping future professional equipped with the intersection of Scientia et Fides.