By Cyrus A. Natividad

Proud graduates of the CPU College of Medicine throw their caps up in the air in celebration.

The 15th Commencement Exercises of the CPU College of Medicine was held on Monday, July 4, 2022 at the University Church. The program started with the processional at 2:30 pm. The normal face- to-face procedure was observed, with everybody wearing facemask. Some parts of the program were done virtually.

Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, Associate Pastor for Outreach, University Church led the Invocation. The singing of National Anthem was followed by the Welcome Remarks of University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles. He acknowledged the Guest Speaker Dr. Romeo Y. Enriquez, the CPU Corporation, and the Board of Trustees with its Chairman Atty. Peter Irving Corvera.

In his message Dr. Robles congratulated the graduates who will soon become “Centralian Doctors”; their parents, and the Faculty and Staff of the College of Medicine who despite the challenges of the situation did not waiver in their commitment to educate the students. He encouraged the graduates by telling them that “It is the Lord who shields us from hurt and heals us from sickness.” Quoting from a book author, Dr. Robles said to the graduates that, “God has placed you right where you are to best glorify Him. He shared a verse from Proverbs 17:22 that says: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Dr. Robles thanked the Commission on Higher Education for approving the College of Medicine to have a limited face to face instruction.

Dr Elmer Q. Pedregosa, M.D., Vice Chairperson, Board of Trustees, and Administrator of the Iloilo Mission Hospital sent greetings to the graduates in behalf of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Henry D. Gonzales, Dean of the College of Medicine introduced the Commencement Speaker.

Dr. Romeo Yu Enriquez is a Philippine Medical Association Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial awardee for the Academe, 2021; Former Dean School of Medicine, Angeles City; Former President, Philippine Psychiatric Association, and the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges, Inc.

Dr. Enriquez made an awareness to the graduates. He said that, “There are 3 important challenges of the times, namely: Surviving the Pandemic, Learning despite the Pandemic, and Serving despite the Pandemic. He challenged the graduates by telling them that, “Despite the Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes you learned from to your mentors, they have prepared you to face all the challenges that lay ahead of you; to excel in any field you may wish to be proficient with; to be of Service to others, to be of Service to our country, and to be of Service to God.”

He shared many other values and reminders to be successful in the field of Medicine. He recalled that he has now “the chance now to serve your country through the Commission on Higher Education and the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges” because he persevered the challenges of medical education, even up to the first few years of his medical practice. He also told the graduates, “as you go on to serve your country, remember the Challenges of the Times: Surviving the Pandemic, Learning despite of the Pandemic, and Serving despite of the Pandemic.”

A group of selected CPU Alumni rendered a musical number- “For the Glory of the Lord”. Dr. Japhet Fernandez de Leon, Section Head- Section of Psychiatry read the Class Commitment. The Presentation of Awards for Valedictorian and Salutatorian was led by Dr. Diadem Pearl S. Equiña, Associate Dean of the College of Medicine.

Dean Gonzales presented the candidates for Graduation. Dr. Robles, assisted by Miss Charissa June G. Deocampo, Registrar conducted the Conferral of Degrees and Investiture of Hoods.
Junelyn M. Tado, Class Valedictorian made the Response in behalf of the Graduates. The Physicians Prayer was led by Denise Jann S. Agum, Class Salutatorian. Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church, made the Charge to the Graduates and Prayer of Dedication. Dr. Florentino P. Alerta II- CPUAAI President led the Pledge of The Alumni.

The singing of the Alma Mater Song was followed with a benediction by Rev. Sian. The commencement program ended with the Recessional. Dr. Equiña served as the Master of Ceremonies.