By Yolanda P. Jain

The CPU Alumni Association of Midwest, USA Chapter in their Annual Picnic last July 14, 2019.

CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, together with Mrs. Angel Robles, visited the CPU Alumni Association of Midwest, USA Chapter during their Annual Picnic on July 14, 2019 at Sundown Blackwell Forest Preserve North Shelter, Winfield Rd, Warrenville, Illinois.

Alumni coming from as far away as Ontario, Canada (Linda Oro Freisen and husband Paul), Florida (Dr. Manny Palada), Oklahoma (Derla Guzon Erwin) and from Indiana and Florida (Nellie Obligacion and her daughter and son in law) attended the momentous event with fellow alumni and friends from the Chicagoland area. There were 100 alumni and guests who attended the picnic.

The alumni enjoyed a delicious array of Filipino dishes compliments of the chapter that were enjoyed by all!

The highlights of the picnic were the visit of CPU President Dr. Robles and the book launching of Oliver Almonares’ book: “THE RESCUE God’s Amazing Grace.”

President Robles gave us an update of the “latest happenings and news” about CPU followed by Flora Cudiamat, CPUFOAA President’s invitation to attend the Alumni Grand Homecoming in CPU this coming February 5 to 9, 2020. May Celiz Rogers, CPUAA Midwest USA Chapter President welcomed the alumni and guests to the Annual Picnic.

Members of the CPU Alumni Association in Midwest, USA with University President, Dr. Teodoro Robles.

Oliver was also our featured speaker during our Devotional part of the picnic, “Worship Thru Songs, Scriptures and Stories” when he shared his “life story”, his testimony of how under his command, the 15th Philippine Scout Ranger Company, was able to rescue the American Missionary, Gracia Burnham kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf! And his own “Amazing Rescue” from “self-centered ambitiousness to selfless service, defiance to submission, indifference to love and rot to redemption!”

It was truly the Central Spirit that binds us together as we ended the program with a big circle of alumni and friends holding hands while singing “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”, after which Perla Londres Waters gave the closing prayer.

(Special thanks: to Kayla Tejero for her beautiful rendition of “How Great Thou Art”, to Linda Penacerrada Chang for the opening prayer, to Florence Mapeso Abiera for leading the singing, to Joy Bolinas Sia and Ruby Nunez Liu for leading the games.)