By Cyrus A. Natividad
Dr. Eliza U. Griño at 99.
Part of the program of the 95th Anniversary of CPU College of Arts and Sciences on December 16, 2020 will be honoring its Alumni. One remarkable person during her time at the College of Arts and Sciences is Dr. Eliza U. Griño. Her legacy continues to live in the hearts and minds of students, faculty and staff. She is now on her 99th year last November 26, 2020 and she remains to exude an aura of health and energy.
Dean Eliza U. Griño served as the dynamic Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1976 to 1984. She was a member of the first post-war faculty of Central Philippine College, now Central Philippine University. She became the Head of the English Department in 1960.
During her stint in CPU, “she introduced improvements in teaching methods and developed manuals for several composition and speech classes which for a long time were used as textbooks at CPU” as mentioned in the ACSCU 2017 accreditation Report. Griño served as member of the Core Committee of the Graduate Studies, a full professor, lecturer and adviser of thesis writers.
Dr. Griño contributed to one of the “Firsts of CPU” being the first Exchange Professor of the Philippines to the People’s Republic of China. She also wrote the lyrics of the Central song “The Gold and the Blue”. Furthermore, Griño served as Executive Director of the accrediting agency, Association of Christian Schools and Colleges in the Philippines, and went around the Philippines to help other Christian schools. She also became the Chairperson of the CPU Retirement Plan Board and made significant contributions to the policies of the CPU Retirement Plan.
She is fondly called “Mommy Eliz” by some of her students, but more popularly as the “perfect English instructor.”
Among her works with the academe, Dr. Griño made a compendium of generally accepted Ilonggo terms with English translation. This later became the Hiligaynon-English Dictionary. Today, the dictionary is available in different school libraries and bookstores. Griño left an indelible mark of wisdom to the Centralians.
The Centralian Link asked Dr. Griño the following questions to which she gave her valuable answers:
C. Link: What gives you strength and perseverance in life?
Griño: First, it is my acknowledgment that God’s grace is sufficient for my needs in times of stress, unseen danger, and troublous circumstances. Second, it is my acceptance of the many and diverse responsibilities which have been laid on my shoulders. Dodging work and looking for ease is not my way of life.
C. Link: What is the most difficult experience that you had in your career, and what have you learned from it?
Griño: It is to be embroiled in difficult and/or tragic circumstances out of your control, and some suspicious people would like you to explain your “role” in the event. My answer to such unkindness is to disregard them and live my life as I see fit, focusing my concern on those whose lives might suffer dire consequences from the unfortunate event.
C. Link: What is your most unforgettable experience with CPU?
Griño: It was here in CPU, when I was just 19 and a half years old, that I felt I found a place where my life can be useful “under the sun”.
C. Link: What lessons can you impart to the next generation of Centralians?
Griño: a) Giving oneself in earnest service is more soul-satisfying than receiving honors and awards.
b) Keeping ill thoughts about others hurt you more than them.
c) Mistakes in earnest endeavors are to be taken as pointers towards better ways.
d) Define work as means to allow body, mind and spirit to play.
C. Link: What is Central Spirit to you?
Griño: It is an interpretation of the greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”.
Dr. Griño has four successful children who are all Centralians, namely: Mariano Jr. (CPU – AB ’66 / MA-UP ’71 ), Mary Ann (CPU-AB English ‘66, Magna Cum Laude), Francis (CPU BSC’68) and Judson, AB (CPU ’71); MBA (Ateneo de Manila ’76) where she is presently staying with.