By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Some members of the faculty and staff that attended the Rex D. Drilon Memorial Service.

Central Philippine University (CPU) held a heartfelt memorial service on February 21, 2024 at the Evangelical Garden in Jaro, Iloilo City, to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Rex Divinagracia Drilon, the institution’s first Filipino president. The ceremony, held on the 53rd anniversary of his passing, drew faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Drilon family to celebrate his impact on the university and beyond.

The service began with the words of welcome from the CPU President, Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy. The service began with a jubilant hymn and a call to celebration by the liturgist, Pastor Justine Palmes-Mije. Following an invocation by Pastor Neva Grace L. Fabila and a short reflection by Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, a musical tribute by Rev. Roger Quimpo set the mood for the Rite of Remembrance with Floral Offering.

Through this ritual, different groups within the university community laid wreaths while remembering Dr. Drilon’s guiding principles. Graduates were reminded of his emphasis on Christian character, urging them to be “the salt of the earth.” Department heads, faculty, and staff recalled his call to “talk less and do more,” highlighting the importance of action over rhetoric. Finally, alumni and family members were reminded of the “Centralian badge of honor” they carry, signifying the responsibility to live up to the university’s values.

As each wreath was laid, the words of Dr. Drilon resonated, emphasizing the importance of Christian principles, active engagement, and living up to the university’s legacy. The ceremony concluded with a hymn of affirmation led by Prof. Crista Huyong and accompanied by Rev. Franz Hestia Lovejoy Quimpo-Leysa, followed by a closing prayer and benediction by Rev. Ruth G. Lunasco.

Quotes from the Ceremony:

“The World Outside is greedy, parasitic, deceitful… also kind, generous, noble, truthful… You will be discouraged at first, but you need not be. For with your training at CPU, you are theoretically armed with the weapons of Christian character…” – Dr. Rex Drilon

“The burden of my message is simple. In this day when the country is on fire, we must talk less and do more… Everybody is talking and nobody is listening. We must learn to listen so we can cure ourselves.” – Dr. Rex Drilon

“The CPU badge that you will carry all your life long is a badge of honor… You tarnish that badge and you tarnish yourself and your precious heritage. You live up to it and you place all that is best on a pedestal for the world to see and perhaps to emulate…” – Dr. Rex Drilon

This memorial service served as a powerful reminder of Dr. Drilon’s enduring legacy at Central Philippine University and his lasting impact on the lives of students, faculty, and alumni. His commitment to Christian values, active engagement, and upholding the university’s values continues to inspire the CPU community to this day.