By Cyrus A. Natividad
College of Arts and Sciences Faculty and Staff. This picture was taken last 2019.
The College of Arts and Sciences, Central Philippine University is celebrating its 95th year Foundation Anniversary from December 16 to 23, 2020. This year’s theme is “Pagbalikid sa Nagligad, Ululupod sa Pag-umwad.”
As government health protocols require, the nightly program is shown online. The community of Centralians worldwide is upbeat about the celebration. The different academic units have prepared their video presentations to be aired on CPU TV Channel Facebook Live and YouTube accounts.
The opening celebration premiered on December 16 at 6:30 PM. It will be followed by Department of Languages Mass Communications and Humanities on December 17, Department of Social Science on December 18, Department of Life Sciences on December 19, Math and Physics Department on December 20, Social Work Department on December 21, Chemistry Department on December 22, and the Closing Celebration of December 23, 2020.
The opening program started with a prayer led by Pastor Zeus Familiaran, an alumnus of the College of Arts and Sciences. University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and CAS Dean Dr. Stella G. Fernandez conveyed their greetings and messages.
The speaker of the Opening Celebration was Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on. He corrected the date of the celebration. According to his research, this year is actually the 97th year of the College of Arts and Sciences because it was started in 1923. Rev. Jalando-on shared three lessons from the CPU history. He challenged Centralians to firstly bring light to this world because the rays in the CPU seal signify light coming from CPU. This light comes from Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. Secondly, we should bring Scientia. Thirdly, we should bring Fides. The second and third points come from the motto of CPU which is Scientia et Fides.
A short video featured the story of the College of Arts and Sciences – its history, highlights, achievements and others. The narration was voiced-over by Mrs. Jennifer T. Suarez (BS Biology, 1991). The Roster of Department Chairpersons and their Secretaries were also presented with their pictures.
The former Deans Dr. Eliza U. Grino, Dr. Lyn Pareja, Prof. Leopoldo Millamena and Dr. Anita U. Illenberger delivered their greetings and messages. The academic programs of the CAS were also presented. The Bahandi CAS Alumni Singers delivered a special number.
Greetings and messages of the CAS Alumni were also shown at the ‘Alumni in Focus’ part of the program. A Special Number was rendered by the couple – Dr. Mai Lynn Bermejo-Jacar (BS Biology, 1991) and Mr. Jason Jacar (AB English 1992). The Alma Mater Song, Central My Central, was played before the program closed.