By Cyrus A. Natividad
University President Dr. Robles delivers his message to the graduating class of 2023 at the University Gymnasium.
Equipped with knowledge and faith – The 95th Commencement Exercises of the University Colleges held at the Central Philippine University Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon, June 25, 2023, confirmed the success of students who, despite their struggles and uncertainties during the pandemic were able to receive their diplomas. The graduates did their best to compensate their parents who worked hard to support them.
The processional included the graduating class of 2023, Board of Trustees and Corporation members, officers of the administration, department/unit heads, members of the faculty, and program participants.
In his message, university president Dr. Teodoro C. Robles said, “As CPU president, I knew I have a mission of moving the university forward if there are enough students to graduate. The proof of it is we have 2,145 graduates this year. We move on to greater heights as CPU received 15,316 students, including basic education, postgraduate, and kindergarten.” He added that “We remain among the top 16 Universities of the Philippines, and still among the top Universities ranked by international agencies. God is faithful, not only to the University but to the graduating students.”
Dr. Pedregosa congratulated the graduates and acknowledged them for their hard work, determination, courage, dedication, and the “never-give-up attitude.” He encouraged the graduates and told them that “Your diploma is a testimony of a job well done.”
Former Board of Trustees Chairman Atty. Peter Irving C. Corvera introduced the Commencement Speaker Lt. General Stephen Palomado Parreño (PAF) as a true blue Centralian. He is a salutatorian of CPU High School Class of 1986.
Lt. General Stephen Palomado Parreño (PAF) delivers and gives his felicitations to batch 2023 as this year’s commencement speaker.
Parreño studied in the College of Engineering at CPU for one year before entering the Philippine Military Academy. Again, he graduated Salutatorian among his class and received many academic awards from the Philippine Military Academy. He served in the military from a Lieutenant to Lt. General and the 39th Commander of the Philippine Air Force. He is one of the youngest generals of the PAF who received numerous awards. He personally manned a combat plane which helped bring to a close the infamous Marawi siege in May 2017.
He thanked everyone for his being invited to speak at this year’s graduation in CPU. Sharing the verse in the book of 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,” Parreño said, “My 12 years of spending life here in CPU was an opportunity to inspire responsible stewardship and embody a sense of justice. Having a deep sense of faith in God is my way of giving back what I learned in CPU.”
Parreño challenged the graduates with a quotation from a popular poem, “Stick to the fight when your hardest hit. It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.” He added that “The process of self-education is to learn and relearn with focus, discipline, and purpose.
A total of 2,145 graduates left the portals of Central Philippine University equipped with Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL) with science and faith to conquer what lies ahead.
Dr. Robles and Dr. Pedregosa presented the plaque of appreciation to Gen. Parreño. It was followed with the conferral of degrees led by the University President Dr. Robles, assisted by University Registrar Ms. Charissa June G. Deocampo and Emerald Joy E. Perucho, Asst. Registrar.
Dr. Robles also joined Dr. Irving Domingo L. Rio, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the respective Deans of each college in awarding the Diplomas.
Prof. Arden Kaye Gallo, Acting Director, Local and International Linkages and Affiliation Center, and Miss Carmelle Frances M. Romero, Administrative Officer, Office of the President were Master of Ceremonies.
Congratulations, batch 2023!
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