By Cyrus A. Natividad

The CPU College of Agriculture Class’78 at the Punta Villa Resort during their 3rd Grand Homecoming.

Forty years after graduating from Central Philippine University College of Agriculture, the CPUCA Class ’78 came together to celebrate their Alumni Association on their 3rd Grand Homecoming. It was held at the well-known Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo, Iloilo City on July 8-9, 2022.

Despite the drizzly weather, many of them were able to arrive from Manila, Mindanao and places where they have mostly employed or established businesses. Some have checked-in the day before. ‘Hi’, ‘hello’ and lots of stories come readily with snacks served after their arrival and registration.

The invocation and singing of the national anthem and “Central, My Central” was followed by a welcome address by Class Chairman Eugene Glen Paraico. Agnes Martines Caliza made a roll call and recognition of new attendees.

A slide presentation of the departed Batchmates was followed by a moment of silence, and Marieta D. Temporal read ‘’The Empty Chair’’, an inspirational poem about life and reality.
Dr. Blanquita S. Garcia, CPU Cares Alumni President delivered a message to Class ’78 Alumni. In her message, Garcia recalled how agriculture was once a progressive economic foundation of the country (even mentioning Masagana ‘99), a program of the elder Marcos administration); then “as the technology was left to the latter generation-the bountiful basic rice production was taken over by other Asian nations. The country even suffers until now as rice importation is the order of the day.”

“Whatever happened to the development in rice production is a responsibility of the next generation – or what the agricultural technicians and agencies did after that?” She challenged the CPUCA Batch ’78 to continue on promoting Agriculture and make its group a catalyst of change in rice production and technology.”

Lunch was served while the songs “Then and Now”, “Yesterday When I was Young”, and “Batch ’78 On Lock Down” were played in a Video Recall. It was hosted by Josefina A. Magno.
The Business Meeting that followed included a financial report by Merlyn S. Teodoro; Election of the new set of Officers, and “What’s next for Batch ‘78”. Snacks were served at 3:00PM. There were parlor games by Mila Layog. Genedina S. Serofia was the Emcee during the activity.

The dinner was started at 5PM while old favorites of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were played. There was a live band and cocktails that followed later on.