By Cyrus A. Natividad
A drone shot of the foot parade participants forming 114.
The 2019 Central Philippine University Day celebrations involved students, faculty, and alumni – whose chants and fashion brought bigger, more exciting, and colorful events from September 26 to 28. Early on at 5:30 in the morning on the first day, participants from different colleges and departments have put on their colorful uniforms, accessories, and streamers to be shown off to the public during the foot parade.
The parade was led by Mr. and Miss CPU 2019 winners and their court aboard a float. Spectators cheered them all the way from CPU to Jaro Plaza and back. All colleges and departments joined the foot parade, including the CPUAAI, CPUFOAA, CPU Board of Trustees, and CPU Corporation.
The awardees gave a salute to their former teachers namely Dr. Evangelica Padernilla, Engr. Walden Rio and Engr. Aurora Lim.
When all participants arrived at the Big Field, they lined-up to have a big human formation of the numbers “114” signifying the 114 years of existence of Central Philippine University. The University Day celebration was then opened by Dr. Elmer Q. Pedregosa, Secretary of the CPU Board of Trustees.
The street dance competition took place after the foot parade. Each contesting group performed in different areas around the campus – College of Engineering area, Administration area, College of Nursing area, and Rose Memorial Auditorium area.
CPU Officials with Alumni Awardees from the AFP. (from left) CPUAAI President Engr. Isagani Jalbuena, CPU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Irving Rio, CPU Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Florence Bogacia, Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr., Major Gen. Tyne Banas, Major Gen. Reuben Basiao, Brig. General Ezra James Enriquez, BOT Member Dr. Elmer Pedregosa, Vice- President for Student Affairs Prof. Esther Rose Romarate.
The University picnic followed with all the departments and offices having their own “pot luck” or otherwise catered food in their designated areas around the campus. Year after year, the alumni look forward to the picnic as a bonding moment, a time to fellowship and reminisce the past, with their classmates and old friends recalling the younger days they enjoyed at Central.
Participants from the Elementary Department during the Street Dance Competition.
On the second day, Friday, September 27, Hip Hop and Dance Sports contests were held at the Rose Memorial and the University Gym, respectively. On September 28, the CPU Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly happened at the Rose Memorial Auditorium which alumni from different places in the country and abroad attended.