By Cyrus A. Natividad

Mr. Somosierra is currently a Technical Assistant to the Office of the President.

Joel Herradura Somosierra (also known as “Jones” to friends and associates) is one of this year’s loyalty awardees for long service to the University. His first job as Physical Plant Supervisor gave him the opportunity to be in charge mainly of campus maintenance. He later became a Technical Assistant to the Office of the President.

Those thirty years of service, he said, “have made CPU a part of my system.” He recalled former VP for Administration Engr. Jorge Tamayo and former VP for Operation Engr. Aurora Lim “as mentors in his early years of employment.”

“My experience in construction has invariably helped me in my different committee works at the University. Furthermore, as Chairman of the annual DA –CPU Regional Agrifair- for 9 consecutive years, I have enhanced my knowledge in the field of agriculture. The Agrifair has flown over from local to national in scope; recognized by the Department of Agriculture and participated in by municipalities in Panay and parts of Western Visayas.” No less than former President Benigno Aquino III and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte sent their messages to the CPU Annual Agrifair.

Somosierra said “that the Agrifair experience will not anymore get out of my mind. Eventually, I engaged and invested in agriculture. All these opportunities seem to be a preparation for life after CPU.”

On the other hand, he said that, “I am thankful that God had placed me in CPU – one of the finest educational institutions in the country.” He added that “during those years, I have encountered changes at work. These have helped me to be stronger, resilient, and ready for all challenges through the years.”

To the younger employees, he advises them “to make more friends, to be diligent at work and accomplish more. CPU is generous to her employees. CPU rewards her employees for the accomplishments in their field of endeavor.”

“I will forever be grateful for everything I learned. I am thankful for all the opportunities and privileges bestowed upon me by my beloved Central”. “Praise God and Merry Christmas everyone!”