By Edward Pormilos

Participants of CPUFOAAI Zoom Meeting.

The Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Association, Inc. stakeholders held their year-end quarterly meeting via Zoom last December 17, 2022 to ratify the newly amended Constitution and By-laws (CBL), induct new officers, and discuss other important matters. Presided by its President, Mr. Rod Gonzales, the meeting was participated by a total of 31 attendees from Australia/NZ, Asia, Canada and USA, and with the special presence of Dr. Ted Robles, CPU President, and Tina Hortelano-Poblacion of the CPUAAI. The attendance was the biggest of all quarterly online meetings.

Chapter presidents who were present during the meeting reported updates of their respective chapters. Mrs. May Rogers, reporting in behalf of the Chicago-Midwest Chapter, shared their successful Annual Picnic last August 27, which was participated by former CPU Board of
Trustees Chairman, Peter Irving Corvera, with his family and H.S. Class of 1986. They also held their Christmas Party with 70 attendees. Mrs. Arlene Poblador of Southern California LA
Chapter echoed about their Christmas Party that generated $700 donation for the Christmas gift- giving of the University Church for the needy. She also mentioned about the future CCI events in Las Vegas on September 11, 2023, and the Nursing Centennial Celebration on February 6-8, 2025 at CPU. Mrs. Norma Van Dusen of Greater Toronto Area Chapter reported about their well-attended (almost a hundred) Thanksgiving and Christmas Party last November.

The Chapter has also started laying down the groundwork for their hosting of the next Global Reunion in July 2025. Mr. Joefrey Geroche of Thailand Chapter expressed his elation to join the meeting for the first time. Rev. Manuel de la Fuente echoed the status of the Northeastern USA Chapter. Pastor Edward Pormilos of Northern California Chapter shared their successful Christmas Party and Induction of New Officers. He added that this was the third in-person gathering after the Summer Picnic and September Family Day as life eventually came back to normal from pandemic. The event has also featured the special recognition of Grant-In-Aid sponsors and Service Award to the first couple recipient who have contributed significantly to the survival and growth of the Chapter.

The two highlights of the meeting were the ratification of the CBL amendments and the induction of new officers for the term 2023-2024. Atty. Ismael Riggi Solinap, Chairman of the
CBL Amendment Committee 2022, cited some background of the CBL and the scope and process of the amendments. He also presented the Committee members who spent tireless hours in several meetings to finish the enormous task. The Committee was composed of Atty. Ismael
Riggi Solinap (Chairman) with members: Neneng Galanto (Secretary), Lee Plagata, and Maggie
Calcetas, and advisers: Rod Gonzales and Perla Londres-Waters. The CBL amendments were unanimously ratified by the FOAAI Board of Directors present. The ratification is considered a milestone in the history of the Federation after several attempts in the past failed to materialize.

The Induction Program was very meaningful with a combination of prayers, messages, musical numbers, and the induction itself. The Program was opened by an inspiring recorded musical number from Engr. Vitini Edhard Idemne, BOT member of CPUAAI, then followed by the Opening Prayer of Adviser Emelda Valcarcel. Adviser Perla Londres-Waters shared an inspirational message and acknowledged the outgoing officers for their dedicated service. In his farewell address, outgoing President, Rod Gonzales, praised God for the Federation officers, advisers, the different committees, chapter presidents, alumni group coordinators, and individual alumni, who together with him, have hurdled the different challenges encountered, and have tried their very best to improve the organization’s operational standards. He also thanked them for their valuable inputs, different roles played, perseverance, and availability on meetings.

The new officers were inducted by CPU President, Dr. Ted Robles, who streamed all the way from the CPU Campus. He also gave recent updates about the University that despite the challenging pandemic, enrolment went up that created a new need for more classrooms during transition to in-person classes. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Federation and member chapters to the different programs of the University especially in the areas of grants, scholarships, faculty development, and God’s Grace Ministry for work students. He will soon retire with replacement currently under search. Incoming Federation President, Lee Plagata, shared his over-all vision and some initial plans of action for the Federation. He cited the gap between the old-timers and the current generations, thus the need of the organization to have a visible online presence through a website. This website should also be linked to the CPU website for effective connections especially for the new graduates. Rev. Manuel de la Fuente, closed the Program in Prayer and Benediction.

It was truly a meaningful closing for the term of the current officers especially for President Rod
Gonzales. His masterful leadership of the Federation during the challenging pandemic season has not only allowed the organization to survive but even to reach greater heights. For every course of action and goals, deadlines were properly set and effectively met. The online quarterly meeting was established and consistently held to continually connect with the Federation officers and presidents of member-chapters. While the matters related to the next Global Reunion were laid aside because of long postponement, the quarterly meetings provided encouragement to one another during the challenging seasons and helped the member-chapters in some of their needs.

Two major legacies were created: the successful election of new officers, which was held online for the first time in the Federation history; and the amendment of the CBL. Both endeavors required certain degree of determination, organization, discipline and efficiency to materialize.
President Rod has effectively steered the Federation in these major pursuits. With the CBL amended and the new officers installed, the FOAAI is currently in a better shape to navigate the next chapter of its story for the good of the Federation and of Central Philippine University. As what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” What a strong finish indeed!