By Edward Pormilos
Participants of CPUFOAAI Meeting with Pres. & Mrs. Ted Robles and Mr. Francis Ho.
After years of holding meetings online since the last Global Reunion at CPU in 2020 just before the onset of pandemic, the Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Association, Inc., led by its President, Engr. Lee Plagata, held its first face-to-face meeting in Las Vegas last September 19, 2023. It was practically timed at the sidelines of the first International Reunion of CCI-NAA considering that many of the Reunion delegates are also officers of the CPUFOAAI. Special thanks to Mrs. Arlene Poblador, President of Southern California Chapter, and Federation VP for Region 1, for hosting the event in her private suite at the Marriott Grand Chateau.
The meeting was specially participated by Pres. & Mrs. Ted Robles, and Mr. Francis Lara Ho, the Centralian Producer of the forthcoming movie, “1521.” Producer Ho promoted the film to the group on the road to its World Premiere on October 2.
Since it was the first in-person meeting, it was started by self-introductions and a dynamic ice-breaker, led by Mrs. Kathy Kriewall, Treasurer. The atmosphere of casualness and being true to yourself – spirit of Central, prevailed in the entire course of the fellowship, as everyone cherished the moment of seeing each other face-to-face after years of just doing it online.
On the business aspect of the meeting, Mrs. Kriewall presented the financial report while Mrs. Meriam Amy, President of Toronto Chapter, who drove all the way from Toronto to Vegas, provided updates on the preparation for the next Global Reunion. The deadline for the early deposit/pre-registration was moved to December 2023 instead of the end of September. Hotels and event venues have already been locked and official invitation letters have already been prepared that can be used in Canadian Embassy. There was an open discussion on the registration fee and several suggestions will be considered by the host Chapter in finalizing the amount.
Pres. Lee provided update on the proposed website. He shared that after consultation with various stakeholders including Pres. Robles, the scope will expand to cover the whole alumni of CPU both locally and abroad instead of just limiting it to the members of the Federation only. There is already a tentative commitment from the CPU Office of Communications to support the alumni website. The Federation Project Team is continually working to develop the scope of the website’s content and to work closely with the University in making this come into fruition.
There were other matters discussed for follow through such as the Service Award for highly valuable service to the Federation through the years since its founding and an initiative to petition the CPU Board of Trustees for a permanent seat (non-voting, ex-officio) by submitting a well-crafter proposal.
It was indeed a meaningful, productive, and fun-filled meeting and fellowship that bind together the officers and few stakeholders as they continue to serve the CPUFOAAI for the love of Central. Meeting face-to-face despite of far distances around the globe and the challenge of actually doing it, was indeed an initiative worth taking.