By Mrs. Yolanda Jain
70 alumni and friends attended the CPUAAMWUSA (Midwest USA Chapter) Christmas party in person.
The CPUAAMWUSA (Midwest USA Chapter) held her first Christmas party in person (since 2020 COVID lockdown) last December 4, 2021 at the Golden Terrace Pavilion in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The weather outside was cold but our hearts were warm because of the Central Spirit that lives in all of us, the Centralians!
There were almost 70 alumni, families & friends who gathered to enjoy the catered food, the different arrays of Filipino desserts, the entertainments, the fellowship, the induction of the newly elected officers and most of all to celebrate the Birthday of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Reason for this Season!
We started the program with singing of Christmas songs led by our Song Leader, Rose Bundalian, BSN Class 1975 accompanied by DJ, Ren Bundalian, her husband.
May Celiz Rogers, outgoing President gave her warm welcome address and she acknowledged those who have attended our Christmas party for the first time. Seven members of BSN Class 1991 were present, 6 of whom were first time attendees!
Fulbright scholar from CPU, Kay Arden Gallo, who is a Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL gave greetings in behalf of the CPU faculty. She came to NIU last August 2021 and will be going back to the Philippines on June 1, 2022. She was thankful to be able to be in a gathering with Centralians since she said, “Nahidlaw na ako mag Ilonggo!”
The invocation was given by Mrs. Fe Palabrica Magalit, BSN Class 1962. She attended the party with her son David and his family.
During dinner we were entertained by musical numbers by Christine Gin, BSN Class 1991, Adonis Zapanta, BSN Class 1999 and Ren Bundalian, our DJ. Jean Betalac, BSN Class 1991, entertained us with a Dance Number.
After the dinner, we sung Central Songs led by Rose Bundalian. It was great to be able to sing our Alma Mater song again with blended voices that reminded us of our student days at CPU!
The induction of the newly elected officers was presided by Perla Londres Waters, past President of the CPUFOAA. The Vows and Oath of Office were administered by May Celiz Rogers, as the Immediate Past President of the Chapter.
During the induction, we sung the chorus of, “Here I Am, Lord”, a hymn of consecration, with the solo part sung by Richard Boice, husband of Melinda Portante Boice, BS Chemistry.
A special song, “My Tribute”, was rendered beautifully by Kayla Tejero, daughter of Pressian Crasco Tejero, BSN Class 1991.
The induction was concluded by a prayer and Laying of Hands of the past officers to the newly inducted officers. It was a very poignant experience for most of us because of the significance of the Laying of Hands-it is a practice used as a means of contact to confer a blessing or impartation from one person to another.
The program part of the party was concluded with a candlelight celebration in preparation for Christmas presided by Flora Guillergan Cudiamat, BSN Class 1973 and immediate Past President of the CPUFOAA. The 5 Advent candles were lit with scripture reading of the Christmas story interspersed with singing of Christmas hymns. A sing-a-long of the Hallelujah chorus (as sung by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir) concluded the Advent Service. It was so meaningful to end the Advent service singing in honor of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords to celebrate His Birthday!
The fun part of our party were the games prepared by Nancy Dominguez, Melba Debulgado, both members of BSN Class 1975 and Mary Abiera, BSN Class 1978. The games we played were “Pass the Hot Potato”, “Stack Them Up”, “Unwrap the Gift and “Name the Price!”
Everyone had a great time as evidenced by loud laughter and glee not only for those playing, but, also to those who were watching!
We ended the party by singing “Blest Be The Tie That Binds” holding hands and making one big circle that signifies unity and fellowship of kindred minds!
Everyone was still in party mode that when DJ Ren turned up the music, there were alumni, family and friends in the dance floor! It was a fun filled evening and the Central Spirit truly was present!
The highlights during our Christmas party:
1. The College of Nursing was well represented with alumni from the different classes:
Class 62, 67, 72, 73, 74, 75, 78, 79, 87, 88, 91 and 1999! Class 1991 had the most members with 7 classmates!
2. We were able to collect over $1200 for CPU God’s Grace program which we have been doing annually. This is to benefit the working students at CPU by giving them a meal and they only have to attend a devotional meeting with Pastor Roger Quimpo at the University Church!
3.Officers of the CPUAA Midwest USA 2022-2023-
President: Yolanda Peñacerrada-Jain
Vice President: Thelma Lacson
Secretary: Rose Bundalian
Asst Secretary: Eva Rafols
Treasurer: Melba Lanzar-Debulgado
Asst Treasurer: Eva Talde
PRO: Florence Mapeso-Abiera
Board of Directors: Alinsasaguin, Jungierin
Chang, Linda
(Peñacerrada)
Daliva, Rose (Buyco)
DeLeon, Regina
Fernandez, Paulette (Gilroy)
Juarez, Jerome III
Pastrano, Madelyn (Grande)
Penacerrada, Dianabin
(Martir)
Members At Large:
Gaverza, Marylou
Tejero, Pressian (Crasco)
In my closing remarks I quoted John C. Maxwell:
“God uses ordinary people who are obedient to Him to do extraordinary things.”
“I praise God for this opportunity to serve Him thru the CPUAAMWUSA and I pray that God will use us to become beacons of God’s light everywhere we go!”