By Mikee Natinga Norico

CPU administrators, together with Ms. Ma. Victoria G. Bellosillo (1st from left), RAFFLU President, and Engr. Ferdinand T. Monoso (1st from right), CPU Faculty Association President, pose with 45-year staff awardee Ms. Heidi S. Diaz (4th from right) during the 2025 Service Awards Program.

On December 12, 2025, Central Philippine University (CPU) marked a full day of gratitude and celebration as it held its annual Service Awards Program in the morning and the Faculty and Staff Christmas Party 2025 in the afternoon, honoring faithful service and strengthening the spirit of unity within the Centralian community.

Honoring Years of Faithful Service

The morning Service Awards Program gathered the university community at the Rose Memorial Auditorium to recognize the long-standing service of CPU faculty and staff. The program opened with the marching of awardees and administrators, followed by an invocation led by Pastor Justin M. Mije, Associate Pastor for Campus Ministry, and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

A reflective message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, who emphasized that the gathering was not merely about certificates or awards, but about honoring the deeper gift of faithful service. He underscored that true service is not measured by titles or years alone, but by a heart devoted to God—choosing consistency over comfort, purpose over recognition, and giving over personal gain. He reminded the audience that every act of service done in love is seen by God, even those unnoticed by others, and that the truest reward comes from serving the Lord rather than seeking human praise. He concluded with a benediction, encouraging continued service marked by integrity, joy, and renewed strength.

CPU administrators, together with Ms. Ma. Victoria G. Bellosillo (1st from left), RAFFLU President, and Engr. Ferdinand T. Monoso (1st from right), CPU Faculty Association President, pose with 45-year faculty awardee Dr. Dahlia H. Pescos (4th from right) during the Service Awards Recognition.

CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy extended his greetings to the awardees and guests, affirming the university’s gratitude for the faithfulness and commitment of its personnel.

A total of 75 awardees were recognized this year for their long-standing service, spanning categories of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 45 years. Special recognition was also given to retirees and posthumous awardees.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Ms. Heidi S. Diaz, a 45-year staff service awardee, reflected on her journey at CPU. “Serving Central Philippine University for 45 long years—from start to finish—is no joke. It signifies wholehearted dedication, patience, and perseverance. I never imagined that I would one day stand here as part of this institution—not only as a graduate of CPU, but as someone who devoted nearly half a century of service to this university. CPU became my refuge. This institution gave me not only education, but a family. God surrounded me with true Samaritans—kind friends who extended help, gave advice, and believed in me. I worked my way through college as a working student, assigned during my fourth year,”she shared.

Another response was shared by Dr. Dahlia H. Pescos, also a 45-year faculty awardee, who said, “Receiving this recognition for 45 years of service fills me with deep gratitude. This university raised me in many ways. Here, I learned, matured, made mistakes, and slowly became the educator and leader that I am today. I also experienced some of life’s greatest blessings here, including becoming a mother to five children while balancing the demands of teaching, research, and service. Those years taught me resilience, patience, and the quiet strength needed to keep moving forward.”

The morning program concluded with the singing of the CPU Alma Mater Song and a Prayer of Thanksgiving, Blessing, and Benediction led by Pastor Neva Grace L. Fabila, Associate Pastor for Campus Ministry.

The 2025 Service Awards Program stood as a testament to CPU’s enduring commitment to honoring the dedication of its faculty and staff, whose faithful service advances the university’s mission of delivering Exemplary Christian Education for Life.

The following are the 2025 Service Awardees:

No. of Years	No.	Family Name	Given Name	Middle Name	Date Hired
10 YEARS
STAFF	1	Hipe	Jeneliza Ruth	Cruz	07/16/2015
	2	Paculba	Mark	Cajilig	05/20/2015
	3	Quimba	Rey	Baquero	03/04/2015
	4	Rubinas	Arcelie	Rapista	04/01/2015
	5	Sorongon	Rexcel	Torrefranca	04/01/2015
FACULTY	6	Abalayan	Rhea	Emboltora	06/01/2015
	7	Benjamin	Clarece	Palabrica	06/01/2015
	8	Chavez	Clarissa	Masicampo	06/01/2014
	9	De La Gente	April Ann	Banas	06/01/2015
	10	Dela Cruz	Mariette Jeselle	Tongala	06/01/2015
	11	Eder	Romarie Jhoanna	Chue	06/01/2015
	12	Garanganao	Erma Joy	Magbanua	06/01/2015
	13	Lee	Grecilda	Cabral	02/16/2015
	14	Rodinas	Marie Liza	Maderse	06/01/2015
15 YEARS
STAFF	15	De Los Santos	Genely	Villarias	10/11/2010
	16	Ortiaga	Jennifer	Moncal	06/01/2010
	17	Pardeño	Milvin	Buaya	10/11/2010
	18	Salutin	James	Senorio	10/01/2010
FACULTY	19	Arceo	Jonaline	Suatin	10/04/2010
	20	Crasco Jr.	Sonilo	Lamera	06/01/2010
20 YEARS
STAFF	21	Baldonado	Rhett Allan	Balboa	04/01/2005
	22	Palomata	Ma. Jean	Dagohoy	06/01/2005
	23	Dario	Shirley	Hechanova	08/01/2005
	24	Donato	Riza	Mabuque	04/01/2005
	25	Hortelano	Tina Marie	Poblacion	09/20/2005
	26	Maniapao	Richard	Baradas	06/01/2005
	27	Taclas	Joemarie	Calantoc	08/01/2005
	28	Tumalay	Jonathan	Cervantes	09/16/2005
FACULTY	29	Alog	Mae Ann	Singson	06/01/2005
	30	Asesor	Lilian Rose	Jabao	06/01/2005
	31	Cambronero	Pedro Peter Rhys, Jr.	Beldia	06/01/2005
	32	Dusaran	Adelfa	Deruta	06/01/2005
	33	Guanzon	Nicolas	Gobuyan	06/01/2005
	34	Jalando-on	Hermely	Agriam	06/01/2005
	35	Mendame	Alex Andrew	Cabasa	05/16/2004
	36	Mendoza	Cynthia	Jamolo	11/02/2005
	37	Mino	Nenita	Toreno	06/01/2005
	38	Nillos	Jet	Relota	04/18/2005
	39	Paciente	John Dale	Depita	06/01/2005
20 YEARS
FACULTY
40		Palmejar	Daisy Lynn	Canonigo	06/01/2005
41		Quijano	Ma. Christina	Arguelles	06/01/2005
42		Saldajeno	Maria Rosita	Ninian	04/01/2005
25 YEARS
STAFF	43	Boko	Rosemarie	Pingoy	08/16/2000
	44	Celestial	Richel	Catedral	10/01/2000
	45	Estinoco	James	Espin	06/01/2000
	46	Perucho	Emerald Joy	Esmaya	06/01/2000
	47	Portillo	Tomas	Miado	07/17/2000
	48	Rubidy	Rex	Senato	06/01/2000
	49	Villanueva	Jorge, Jr.	Patriarca	06/01/2000
FACULTY	50	Equiña	Diadem Pearl	Sonza	11/01/2000
	51	Gallinero	Benjie Ne	Felongco	06/01/2000
	52	Garrido	Mary Ann	Calanuga	06/13/2000
	53	Legada	Othoniel	Oriemo	11/06/2000
	54	Luceño	Myrna	Tugado	06/01/2000
	55	Palomar	Rodel	Celetaria	06/05/2000
	56	Robite	Franklin	Galilea	11/06/2000
	57	Saladar	Mary Ann	Laguna	06/01/2000
30 YEARS
STAFF	58	Lasangue	Joel	Luceño	01/01/1995
FACULTY	59	Ambid	Nieva Jean	Dumlao	09/18/1995
	60	Grande	Lorna	Tono	11/01/1995
	61	Valencia	Melani	Sicad	06/01/1995
	62	Villeza	Rea Angelica	Faulan	06/05/1995
35 YEARS
FACULTY	63	Escobin	Charity May Flor	Dedoroy	06/15/1990
	64	Jaco	Janet	Paguntalan	06/13/1990
	65	Mucho	Leny Rose	Pasadilla	06/02/1990
45 YEARS
FACULTY	66	Pescos	Dahlia	Hautea	06/02/1980
RETIREES
STAFF
20 YEARS	67	Azzuz	Eires	Plagata	06/01/2006
30 YEARS	68	Genoveza	Carmen Rose	Pingoy	07/08/1997
45 YEARS	69	Diaz	Heide	Salvilla	06/02/1980
FACULTY
20 YEARS	70	Gonzales	Jocelyn	Gulmatico	06/01/2006
25 YEARS	71	Rio	Irving Domingo	Larot	10/29/2001
RETIREES
FACULTY
30 YEARS	72	Escobin	Samuel	Ratay	02/01/1998
45 YEARS	73	Valdez	Luis, Jr.	Giner	06/06/1983
POSTHUMOUS
STAFF
30 YEARS	74	Capangyarihan	Policarpo	Quinones	02/01/1998
FACULTY
35 YEARS	75	Somo	Lily Lynn	Velasco	06/01/1993

Celebrating the Spark of Christmas Spirit

CPU administrators perform a lively special number, adding sparkle and cheer to the Faculty and Staff Christmas Party 2025.

In the afternoon, the celebration continued at the CPU Gymnasium, where faculty and staff gathered for the Faculty and Staff Christmas Party 2025, themed “Spark of Christmas Spirit: Shining Together as One Family.” Attendees embraced the festive mood in their sparkling festive attire, adding color and elegance to the occasion.

The program began with registration, community singing led by the CPU College of Theology–Music Department, the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, and an invocation delivered by Dr. Mary Grace F. Labis. Welcome remarks and greetings were then given by University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy and Assoc. Prof. Ma. Cynthia T. Peleña, Director of Libraries and Chairperson of the Faculty and Staff Christmas Party 2025.

Sir Jerry V. Able of the College of Nursing and Dr. Marivic Santos of the College of Business and Accountancy were honored as Most Glamorous Attire (Male and Female), shining with festive elegance at the Faculty and Staff Christmas Party 2025.

In his message, University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy highlighted the importance of unity and the Centralian spirit, commending the University Libraries, College of Theology, and College of Pharmacy for successfully organizing the event despite challenges such as natural disasters and class disruptions. He reminded the community that Christmas centers on Jesus Christ as God’s expression of unconditional love, encouraging everyone to celebrate with joy, gratitude, and fellowship. He concluded by sharing a passage from Isaiah that speaks of hope and light.

Assoc. Prof. Ma. Cynthia T. Peleña, Director of Libraries and Chairperson of the Faculty and Staff Christmas Party 2025, echoed these sentiments, encouraging the CPU community to carry the light of Jesus Christ as they face challenges together. She emphasized unity, love, and hope within the CPU family and expressed her wish for the “CPU light” to continue shining brightly. She closed her message with a verse from Philippians 4:4, calling everyone to rejoice in the Lord, and extended her Christmas greetings and blessings.

The program was further enlivened by The Christmas Story by CPU College of Theology, followed by engaging games and the distribution of door prizes during a raffle draw.

The highlight of the evening was the CPU Family Got Talent Contest, “Let Your Talent Spark,” where faculty and staff showcased their musical talents and vibrant Christmas spirit. The College of Education (COEd) emerged as first place winner, followed by the College of Nursing (CAS) in second place, and the CPU Elementary School (CPUES) in third place.

The College of Education captivates the crowd with their first-place performance in the CPU Family Got Talent Contest.

Adding elegance to the evening, awards were also given for Most Glamorous Attire. Sir Jerry V. Able of the College of Nursing received the award for Most Glamorous Attire (Male), while Dr. Marivic Santos of the College of Business and Accountancy was named Most Glamorous Attire (Female).

The celebration concluded with a heartfelt closing prayer by Rev. Dr. Bernabe C. Pagara, Dean of the College of Theology, leaving participants with a renewed sense of joy, unity, and gratitude.

As the CPU family celebrated in both gratitude and festivity, the day served as a meaningful reminder of the season’s message—the love of Jesus Christ, the spirit of giving, and the strength of a community anchored in faith.