By Cyrus A. Natividad

CPU will celebrate its 118th Foundation Day on October 1, 2023.

Central Philippine University (CPU) in Jaro, Iloilo City will be 118 years old on October 1, 2023. A wreath laying and memorial service will be held at 6:00 in the morning at the Filipino-American Cemetery in Jaro, Iloilo City. The Foundation Day Worship Service will follow at the University Church by 9:30 AM.

There are several events held within the week prior to October 1. On September 27, Wednesday, the Kabayao Family ensemble and the Bahandi Singers partnered in the “Musical at Central; Joyous Faith and Praise” at the Rose Memorial Auditorium (RMA). Matinee shows were held at 8:30 A.M. and 10:00 AM for Senior High School Students and College Students taking up Humanities, Music and Art subjects. A Gala Concert opened to the public at 6:00 PM. These were also held at the RMA.

The Awarding Ceremony of the Outstanding Alumni of CPU was held at the Grand Xing Hotel on September 28 – Live via CPU TV. There were 6 awardees of the Outstanding Alumni of Central Philippine University – Atty. Salex E. Alibogha, Dr. Maredil R. Ambos, Mrs. Meriam Garrido-Amy, Mrs. Flora Grace Guillergan-Cudiamat, Mr. Hilario D. Lebiga, and Mrs. Nellie Bermejo-Obligacion.

The Adlaw sang Kabataan and the Zumba for a cause are sponsored by the CPUR and the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline, on September 29 and 30, respectively-on Campus and at the Centennial Walkway.

The Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly will be held at the Rose Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, September 30 from 8:00A.M. – 4:00PM.

CPU was founded by the American Baptist missionaries led by Rev. William O. Valentine in 1905 through a three-pronged approach of preaching, healing, and teaching. The Philippine Baptist pastors and American missionaries organized churches, established hospitals, and built schools, including the Jaro Industrial School.

Later it became Central Philippine College. The college was closed during WWII and was reopened after the war. It continued to grow and in 1953 was renamed Central Philippine University. In 1969, the entire university property was turned over by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society to Central Philippine University with the stipulation that safeguards are made against CPU ever becoming non-church related.

CPU is one of the largest Baptist universities in the world. It ranks among the country’s top Universities and Colleges and also among the best Universities in Asia. Countless foreign students from neighboring South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Far East Asia have studied at Central Philippine University. Many of its graduates have ranked high in National Licensure Board Exams and continues to produce graduates of quality and excellence.

CPU continually improves because of its commitment to Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL).