By Cyrus A. Natividad

CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles congratulates the graduates and their parents for another milestone in their lives.

About 359 graduating students attended the first semester College Baccalaureate Service for the School Year 2018-2019 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium on November 11. The processional of the candidates for graduation, faculty, staff, administrators, and participants of the worship service started at 8:30 AM.

The program started with the Welcome Remarks from the University President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles. He welcomed everyone and shared that the turnout of graduates is a “shower of blessings.” The president encouraged the graduates to “always seek the Lord first,” referring to Psalms 37:4: “Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator, Pastor Lovejoy Franz Hestia Leysa, led the Call to Order after the Choral Introit. It was followed by the Invocation, led by Rev. Samuel R. Escobin, Associate Pastor, University Church. The Reading of the Word was led by Rev. Ruth G. Lunasco, Christian Education Director, University Church. The Baccalaureate speaker for this semester, Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Young, was then introduced by Pastor Mary Grace F. Labis, Associate Pastor, University Church.

Baccalaureate Speaker, Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Young, encouraged the graduates to be awakened by the Word of God.

Rev. Young is the founder and president of Living NEW Ministries and is considered a pastor for pastors. In his message, “Awakened: What Now?” Rev. Young reminded the graduates that we are “awakened everyday by the question, ‘What’s next?’” He talked about one’s relationship with Christ, about being consumed by Christ, and about being a prisoner of Christ. He challenged the graduates: “What you are going to do with the gift you receive from God today?”

Aimee Rose U. De La Cruz, BSChem, Magna Cum Laude gave the response in behalf of the graduates.

After the message, the Prayer of Thanksgiving was offered by Pastor Leysa. Rev. Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church, performed the Act of Commissioning. In response, magna cum laude awardee, Aimee Rose U. De La Cruz, BSChem, encouraged her fellow graduates to “Rejoice in the Lord… We are on to the next chapter of the journey with new trials instead of new exams and surprising quizzes”.

“Here I am Lord” was sung by the graduates for the Hymn of Commitment. Pastor Roger T. Quimpo, Outreach Pastor, University Church, gave the Benediction. Lastly, the Bahandi Singers rendered a send-off song for the graduates.

The Baccalaureate Service ended with a recessional at around 10:00 in the morning.