By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Dr. Ann Catedrilla Seisa personally delivered and assisted in the Tapikan Feeding Program’s food supply held at Tapikan Elementary School in Brgy. Tapikan, San Joaquin, Iloilo on February 12, 2024.
A story of overcoming adversity, relentless perseverance, and a deep commitment to giving back, Dr. Ann Catedrilla Seisa’s journey is a true testament to these qualities. A proud alumna of Central Philippine University, Dr. Seisa has risen from humble beginnings to become one of CPU’s most inspiring graduates. Her unwavering determination has not only shaped her success but also driven her to give back to the community that helped her thrive. As part of this commitment, she and her family recently announced a generous P10,000,000.00 donation to establish the Dr. Ann Catedrilla Seisa & Loy Seisa Learning Commons for the College of Nursing.
Dr. Seisa shared during the Grand Alumni Homecoming Barrio Fiesta that the donation would enhance the clinical virtual discourses and provide nursing students with a space to interact scientifically while learning simulation in a digitally-equipped environment, available anytime during class hours, all within a comfortable and technologically advanced learning atmosphere.
As Atty. Salex E. Alibogha, CCINAA President, shared during the Grand Alumni Homecoming Barrio Fiesta, recalling the generosity extended by Dr. Seisa to the CPU-College of Nursing: “We have problems with delivery of our instruction during the pandemic years. But it’s only a chat and a call away from a significant alumna, who donated immediately and after two weeks, we were able to have our two virtual classrooms.”
During the Grand Alumni Homecoming Barrio Fiesta on February 4, 2025, Dr. Ann Catedrilla Seisa explained the details of the Dr. Ann Catedrilla Seisa & Loy Seisa Learning Commons for the College of Nursing, a project made possible by the generous donation of P10,000,000.00 from her and her family.
Dr. Anecita ‘Ann’ Catedrilla Seisa graduated from Central Philippine University (CPU) High School, Class of 1971, and went on to pursue a degree in Nursing at CPU, graduating as part of the Class of 1977. Notably, Dr. Seisa was honored as one of the Distinguished Centralian Awardees (1990-2005), in recognition of her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the Centralian community.
“I began my journey at CPU 57 years ago when I started my first year of high school. Coming from the mountains of Lambunao, the experience was both overwhelming and exciting. I was eager to start high school, learn, and make friends, but I was also quite intimidated. However, I flourished during my college days at CPU, receiving exceptional nursing education, embracing Christian values, cultivating discipline, and forming lifelong friendships. This period was also crucial for building my character and discovering my identity, aspirations, resilience, and resourcefulness,” Dr. Seisa shared in her message as a Commencement Speaker during CPU’s 96th Graduation Ceremony.
In her college years, she faced struggles that challenged her ambitions but ultimately helped her understand the importance of being resourceful. There were times when she lacked enough food, clothes, or money for textbooks. With only 5 pesos to spend each week, she often found herself running out of money before the week was over. The strain of balancing everything was exhausting, but she didn’t let it deter her. Yet, throughout these challenges, there was always a spark in her—a desire to pursue something bigger than herself.
“When eating balut, I noticed that many of my friends discarded the chick part because they didn’t like it. To hide my struggles, I told my friends that I liked that part of balut so they would always save it for me, even though I didn’t actually like it that much. I went around, and they filled up my plate with their leftover parts. They even poured soft drinks into my empty cup, little by little, until it was full. When I couldn’t afford books, my friend Chit generously lent me hers. I used to wake up really early when it was still dark outside, around 3 – 4 am, when everyone else was asleep to study from her books and meticulously annotated notes in the bathroom the only place with a single light on at that hour. It was challenging at times, but I learned how to survive with limited resources. Although my friend’s generosity may have seemed insignificant to them, it fueled my determination and influenced who I am today,” she said in her speech.
Because of her unwavering determination and relentless drive to succeed, Dr. Seisa now is the Chief Executive Officer of Vagthol’s Residential Care Center, Inc. Since becoming a Registered Nurse in the United States in 1981, Dr. Ann Catedrilla Seisa has gained over 40 years of in-depth, hands-on experience in both administrative and leadership roles across various nursing sectors. Her expertise spans public health, skilled nursing/long-term care, acute hospital care, acute rehabilitation, and community residential programs. Additionally, she has successfully founded and overseen the operation of seven specialized residential care centers, which currently provide support to 40 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, addressing their complex medical and behavioral needs.
As her career flourished, Dr. Seisa felt a deep sense of gratitude for the role that Central Philippine University (CPU) played in her success. In her speech, she spoke about the exceptional nursing education, the embrace of Christian values, the cultivation of discipline, and the lifelong friendships she formed within the Centralian community, all of which she is truly grateful for. These experiences have fueled her commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape her, ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to thrive and succeed as she did.
She is the founder of Project ETC, a nonprofit international organization that has sponsored over 4,000 students by utilizing Education, Technology, and Community. One of its main goals is to provide greater opportunities for schoolchildren in developing areas of the world and their families. The most recent project conducted by CPU Project ETC took place on December 11-12, 2024, benefiting the students of Tapikan Elementary School (ES) in Brgy. Tapikan, San Joaquin, Iloilo, and Zaragosa Elementary School (ES) in Brgy. Zaragosa, Balasan, Iloilo. They successfully conducted a distribution of monthly food supplies, uniforms, bags, and other supplies to the beneficiaries.
Her story is a powerful reminder that the road to success isn’t always smooth, but with determination, support, and a heart full of compassion, it’s possible to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. It also teaches us the importance of giving back, of ensuring that those who follow in our footsteps have the tools to achieve their own dreams. Indeed, Centralian Dr. Anecita ‘Ann’ Catedrilla Seisa’s journey serves as a powerful inspiration to the community, reminding everyone of the immense potential that lies within each Centralian to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields.