By Nestle G. Taala
Central Philippine University held the virtual Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) for the first semester, School Year 2021-2022 with the theme, “Power Up!” and texts found on II Timothy 1:7 on November 5, 8-13, 2021 via the CPU TV Channel Facebook Page.
The week-long celebration started with a convocation for the members of CPU Faculty and Staff on November 5 in which CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles warmly welcomed everyone through his opening remarks. It was then followed by the introduction of this semester’s CEW theme and scriptural text through the University Church Senior Pastor, Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian.
Prof. Charlett B. Dianala, Acting Principal of the CPU Junior High School, testified God’s goodness in her life by sharing her COVID-19 experience. She claimed God’s promise in Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
The speaker for the Faculty and Staff Convocation was Rev. Dr. Nestor D. Bunda, CPE Faculty of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. In his message he claimed, “Believing in God is an active state. It is being aware, being conscious of what we are waiting for. We are awake, fully aware of doing the right thing so that we can truly take part in the realization of what we are waiting which is the renewal of our strength, of our mind, of our heart by the grace of God.”
Meanwhile, the College and CPU Senior High School Convocations were held on November 8-9, 2021 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Lennie Ruth L. Sombilla, Librarian and Faculty Member of the Convention Baptist Bible College as Speaker. “If God can fuel the sun, He can also give us the strength and power that we need to cope with any problem,” she said. In the afternoon, the convocations for CPU Junior High School took place with speaker Ms. Raphah G. Cortel, Registered Psychometrician and Faculty of Filamer Christian University. She said, “God works His power in our weakness and stirs us in genuine love for our neighbors and gives us self-control.” In both convocations, Sam Isaac E. Alog, Grade 9-SSC of CPU JHS shared God’s faithfulness in his life amidst experiencing the COVID-19.
On November 11-12, 2021, the CPU Kindergarten and the CPU Elementary School celebrated their convocations together with their speaker, Rev. Franz Hestia Lovejoy Q. Leysa, Coordinator, Youth and Family Ministries. She reminded the pupils that “we have nothing to be afraid of because power comes from Jesus. Since Jesus is always with us, we have nothing to be afraid.”
Convocations will also be held for the students of NSTP and School of Graduate Studies on November 13, and to close this semester’s CEW, a virtual praise jam will be celebrated on November 15.