By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Administrators, faculty, staff, and students of Central Philippine University participated in the White Gift offerings during the University White Gift Service on December 16, 2025, at the University Church.
On December 16, 2025, Central Philippine University held its University White Gift Service at the University Church, attended by administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
The program began with an introduction by Pastor Justine Palmes Mije, who emphasized that the service is not only an opportunity to give gifts but also to offer ourselves to God and to one another. CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy then delivered his fellowship greeting.
“In this Service, I urge you to pause and reflect on the true meaning of this season,” he said, sharing a Bible passage from Matthew 1:22–23. He further challenged the community: “Let our Lord Jesus Christ be incarnate in our lives, especially as we celebrate another Christmas. When Christ becomes incarnate in our lives, my prayer is that this will propel us to minister to others in His name.”
The community then sang “Indi Magluya-luya,” followed by the lighting of the Advent candle and the Hymn of Anticipation, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” led by Rev. Karel Grace D. Victoria. The Scripture reading from Luke 2:11–14 was delivered by Pastor Louvel Edson L. Caspe, after which the CPU–College of Nursing performed the song “We Are the Reason.”
Rev. Dr. Cris Amorsolo Sian, University Church Senior Pastor, delivered his reflection, highlighting the origins of the White Gift Service, which began in a small Methodist church in Ohio in 1904 and has since spread to churches across several denominations.
CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy delivered his fellowship greeting during the University White Gift Service.
“I believe that the generosity and kindness we share are our spontaneous responses to our gracious God, who gave us Jesus, saving us from our sins even when we were unworthy,” Rev. Dr. Sian said. He added that the greatest gift we have ever received came to us in the humility and simplicity of humanity.
He also noted that people often focus on what is spectacular and flashy. “Our values are influenced by materialism, modernization, and competition, causing us to lament the things we lack while overlooking the precious blessings we already have,” he said. “Many of our worlds revolve around the limited spaces of our phones, tablets, TVs, and gadgets, while there are real people to connect with, mountains to conquer, oceans to frolic in, and countless wonders to explore.”
The program concluded with the White Gift offerings from various units and departments, followed by a prayer from Pastor Neva Grace L. Fabila, the Hymn of Commitment led by Rev. Victoria, and a benediction by Rev. Franz Hestia Lovejoy Q. Leysa.