By Cyrus A. Natividad
Jasmin Golez-Ocampo (left) holds a support banner with fellow Centralians at the CPU Gymnasium.
As the CPU Republic student elections draw near, former students of the early CPUR days not only come to visit their Alma Mater but also the University activities managed by the student republic as well. Towards the campaign period, CPUR candidates typically undertake or take part in the events; cultural-literary musical and sports competition. To be sure, provincial student governments in cooperation with the academic departments create special programs in celebration of the holidays; significant film showing, lectures, and concerts in observance of historic and national holidays.
A couple of weeks ago, former CPUR Senator Jasmin Golez (CPU BSC ‘1983) – now Mrs. Jasmin Golez-Ocampo; also a former Councilor of the Municipality of Dumangas, Iloilo was with another Centralian Lean Hope Diesmo (CPUCN ‘80) and other friends from Dumangas. They were able to catch the festive atmosphere in their beloved campus. CPUR–led “Centralian Fest”’ was going on. The event was an initiative of the CPU Republic – supposedly to make up for the long two-years without sports, cultural and literary events in the campus due to the pandemic.
Later in the day, Golez and some Dumangas Centralians were there at the CPU Gymnasium to support the Dumangas National High School Volleyball Team in the Inter Division meet. She recalled, “How enjoyable it is until now, being a Centralian. My stint as CPUR Senator and my victory was really a training for my political career.” Looking back she said, “The CPU Republic was so challenging; we had fears at that time as Martial Law has not yet been totally eliminated.” The CPUR student organizations returned to CPU and other campuses across the nation in 1982. Golez and eight other senators from the “Pangmasa” students’ political party won the majority in the CPUR Senate”. She added that, “I am visiting not only my beloved Central, but also our admirable CPU Republic.”
Jasmin Golez Ocampo is the sister of Former Mayor, and now Vice Mayor of Dumangas, Centralian Ronaldo “Onal” Golez.