By Karren Jay G. Asgar

Dr. Ricardo Patricio, an alumnus of CPU, becomes the first president of the newly established Colegio de La Castellana, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Dr. Ricardo Patricio, a Centralian, has ascended to the prestigious role of the first president of the newly established Colegio de La Castellana in Negros Occidental. The recognition marks a full circle in Dr. Patricio’s journey that is characterized by his excellence in academics, leadership, and community involvement.

He is a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at Central Philippine University. Under the administration of Dr. Juanito Maca Acanto, he was a former Executive Assistant and Director for Planning and Development of Central Philippine University.

In an online interview with Dr. Patricio, he shared that his duties and responsibilities when we worked at CPU encompassed fundraising, student recruitment, alumni affairs, public relations, and publications. As such, he prepared the feasibility study for the College of Medicine and had it approved by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of President Acanto.

“I helped increase CPU’s student population from 6,000 to nearly 15,000 within three years. As Executive Director of the 100-million-peso Centennial Development Fund Campaign, my team reached the goal ahead of the deadline. I also helped expand the number of CPU alumni chapters worldwide from 38 to 118. All these experiences enabled and prepared me to lead the establishment of the community college in La Castellana,” he added.

For him, his greatest challenge so far is to accommodate the unexpected influx of more than 1,500 entrance exam applicants. He also said that at the Colegio de La Castellana, as a public community college, all students will have scholarships if they maintain passing grades in all subjects.

“For the first year, we only have an absorptive capacity of 350 students, but by 2028, we shall have reached a student population of at least 5,000. Another challenge is how to rapidly adapt our technological infrastructure to the changing educational landscape and be responsive to changes in teaching methodologies,” he emphasized.

“To overcome this challenge, we will invest in robust learning platforms and provide extensive training for our faculty and staff. We will also establish support systems for students to ensure they have the necessary resources and guidance,” Dr. Patricio added.

In stepping into the role of president of the newly established community college in La Castellana, he is filled with immense pride and gratitude for the journey that has brought him there. His shared experiences and the education he received at Central Philippine University (CPU) have been foundational in shaping his paths and successes.

“Your support and encouragement have been invaluable to me. I urge you to continue this tradition of unity and collaboration. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, and I believe that, together, we can reach even greater heights. I invite you to stay engaged, share your expertise, and support our mission to provide quality education and opportunities to the next generation. Let us remain committed to the values and principles that CPU instilled in us as we work towards making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Thank you for being an integral part of this incredible journey,” he said.

He also became a Ford Foundation Scholar of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños for his Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. Aside from this, he was also a Fulbright Scholar of the US Federal Government and finished his Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota.

In addition, he was also the former National Agriculture and Agroforestry Consultant of the United Nations Development Program, Regional Economist Consultant of the Asian Development Bank, International Agricultural Consultant of Goducate Singapore, Food Security Consultant of Unimax Power Indonesia, Socio-Economist Consultant of the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Food Security Consultant of the Greg Secker Foundation, and currently the country’s representative for Water Missions International.

Dr. Patricio’s journey from a Centralian student to Colegio de La Castellana’s president serves as an inspiration. His story stands as a testament to the limitless possibilities that education and dedication can unlock and as a beacon of hope for the future of higher education.