By Cyrus A. Natividad
On March 19, 2022, Central Philippine University Alumni Association will be One Hundred One years old. The Association then, the “Jaro Industrial School Alumni Association” was organized by the first High School graduating class on the evening of March 19, 2021 under the auspices of Mr. Bigelow, Miss Houger, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart and Mr. Dineros. The objective found in its Constitution was “to keep all High School graduates in close contact with one another and with the affairs of the school.” High School graduates could be elected as members of the association, including both those who have graduated from Jaro Industrial School and those former students of the school who had graduated from some other High School, before there was a complete high school department at J.I.S.
In the revision of the Constitution in 1927, the name was changed to the “Central Philippine School Alumni Association.” The alumni association’s activities started mostly with ‘getting in touch’ with former students of the school whether members of the association or not; keeping them informed of the affairs of the school.
During that time, the Alumni Adviser has a card catalogue (long before we have the computer data base) where information concerning all former students is filed. Alumni were appreciated when they send in information about themselves and about others whom they know. Alumni in other places in the Philippines and abroad progressively organized their Chapters. These chapters then celebrate College Day wherever they are and send greetings to the Central they love.
Since their early beginnings, the alumni are imbued with responsibility to help the school to the best of their ability – including the capacity to comparatively donate amounts of money for campus projects, construction of buildings and increasing student population thru scholarships with allied support.
Today, the CPU Alumni Association, Inc. has more than One Hundred Fifty chapter- associations worldwide. It has a comfortable head office for all visiting alumni, with a lounge, conference room and a veranda at CPU. It is situated beside the Alumni Promenade and Concert Park. It has been working with the school, students and alumni in support of developments and programs in the University, scholarships and outreaches.
Centralians from abroad have come home to their beloved Central during the Grand Alumni Homecoming in February 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic. The most memorable event in CPU was attended by CPUAAI Chapters from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe and the Middle East among others.
The Centennial Celebrations of CPUAAI supposedly held last year, was put off due to the pressing situation brought about by the effects of Covid-19 Pandemic. CPUAAI Immediate Past President, the late Atty. Joshua C. Alim has been succeeded by former Vice President Dr. Florentino P. Alerta, Director – CPU Lifestyle Center and Professor- CPU College of Medicine who was replaced by former Secretary Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director, CPU Office of Communications.
One of the Past Presidents of CPU Alumni Association, the late Dr. Anatalio T. Viray , Chairman of the Board of Trustees (a.k.a. ‘The Grand Old Man of Central’), was an alumnus who was thought to have Central for breakfast, lunch and dinner; one who had a heart of endless compassion and uncorrupted virtues. He was a Work Student. His love and loyalty to CPU and the alumni association was never-ending. He sent this greeting to his Alma Mater during its 50th year.
It reads: Greetings to Central Philippine University, the school we love because:
1. “In our youthful days, she made our pathway clear…”Francis H. Rose.
2. Aside from giving us education of the mind, she has given us the education of the heart.
3. Bethlehem has made its way to Central, so that it was at Central that so many of us have found our way to Bethlehem.
4. In Central everyone is encouraged to search the truth, even the truth that makes the mind and the spirit free.
5. In Central, we find democracy at work and the environment conducive to good citizenship training and study.
As we celebrate the 101st Birthday of Central Philippine University Alumni Association, Inc., let us pray with gratitude for our beloved Alma Mater and CPUAAI.