By Mikee Natinga Norico
The Centralian community gathers for a week of worship and spiritual transformation, anchored on the theme “Breakthrough in 3D” and the Biblical text Jeremiah 33:3.
Central Philippine University (CPU) successfully held its Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) for the first semester of A.Y. 2025–2026 from September 19–26, 2025, with the theme “Breakthrough 3D” rooted in Jeremiah 33:3.
The week-long celebration featured a series of convocations across campus venues, including the Rose Memorial Auditorium, the University Church, the Educational Media Center, and the Elementary Gymnasium. The gatherings provided students, faculty, and staff with opportunities for reflection, worship, and inspiration, reinforcing CPU’s mission of integrating faith and learning.
The opening program and faculty and staff convocation were held on September 19 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, emphasized that a true spiritual breakthrough is a deep connection with God that brings clarity, peace, joy, purpose, and salvation. Drawing from Jeremiah 33:3, he reminded the community that God’s promise of restoration and renewal remains steadfast even in times of brokenness and despair. He connected this message to the theme “Breakthrough 3D”—Dependence, Direction, and Discovery—encouraging everyone to call on God and live in His will.
“When our full dependence is on God and we accept His direction through obedience, our King says it leads to discovery—breakthrough,” he shared.
The program also included uplifting performances from CLC Members, UC Upstream, CPU Gospel Team, and the College of Arts and Sciences Praise Team.
University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy formally welcomed the Centralian community, affirming that breakthrough is God’s divine intervention that brings salvation, revelation, and transformation. He encouraged everyone to be open to the Holy Spirit and reminded the community of God’s love through John 3:16–17. “I pray that we will call upon the name of the Lord because He will certainly answer and show us great and mighty things that we have never seen before,” he said.
On September 20, the NSTP Convocation featured guest speaker Dr. TJ Jon Cuenca, who spoke at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. Sharing both biblical insights and personal testimony, Dr. Cuenca emphasized the meaning of genuine service and the importance of aligning one’s life with God’s direction. “There are two types of service. One joins for prestige, rank, power, and influence. The other joins to serve protecting the country, its people, and the Philippine way of life. What directs you and what you discover leads you to very different kinds of legacies,” he said. He also shared a personal testimony of living in what he called “Sin City,” where his life once revolved around himself rather than God and family. Despite having a nice house and connections with celebrities, he felt empty and experienced a growing void in his heart. This led him to seek God and reexamine his direction in life.
Convocations continued throughout the week across various academic levels. Pastor Eunice Barriga inspired the Kinder Department, Pastor Keith Dune R. Gallos spoke to the Elementary Department, and Ms. Roanne Mae F. Mandap addressed the Junior High School. Senior High School students were encouraged by Ms. Sharlyn Joy S. Velasquez, while college convocations featured Rev. Dr. Niza Joy F. Santiago, Rev. Lennie Ruth Sombilla, and Rev. Albert Mark A. Java. The College of Law and Graduate School also welcomed Rev. Dr. Santiago, while Dr. Cuenca addressed both the College of Medicine and the NSTP/ROTC program.
Despite the suspension of classes and work due to typhoon warnings and the announcement of Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, CPU ensured the continuation of CEW through online streaming on September 22, 25 and 26 via the CPU TV Channel official facebook page. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated Praise Jam at the CPU Big Field was postponed until further notice.
As Christ Emphasis Week 2025 continues, the CPU community is being reminded of the power of faith, hope, and purpose. The celebration reaffirms the university’s mission to integrate faith and learning, calling Centralians to live transformed lives anchored in God’s promise from Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”