By: Kairos Rye A. Jalando-on, BA Comm-4, The Centralian Link Intern

The Eugenio Lopez Memorial Hall.

On January 30, 2026, the Lopez Group Foundation Inc. visited Central Philippine University as part of their bigger heritage-oriented activities entitled, “A Legacy of Giving: Pilgrimage of Cultural Philanthropy”, a visitation and touring activity aimed at exploring at how the Lopez family’s legacy of service, enterprise, and giving helped shape the past, influence the present, and inspire the future. The focus of their visit to CPU was the Eugenio Lopez Memorial Hall, named after the first Eugenio in the Lopez family, with whom the earliest stories of Lopez philanthropy are on record.

The University President, Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy, along with Engr. Dany Molina, Vice President for Administration, Dr. Aries Roda Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research and Development, and Dr. Merle Junsay, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, were present on site to welcome the Lopez visitors.

During their visit, Rev. Dr. Dagohoy told the group about the school’s history, campus data, the current student population, and the courses that were currently offered in the university. He also expressed his gratefulness for the Lopez Family’s still visible donation to the university, in the form of the Eugenio Lopez Memorial Hall and the Dona Rosario Lopez de Santos Hall, also known as the Fine Arts Building.

University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy, along with Engr. Dany Molina, Vice President for Administration; Dr. Aries Roda Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research and Development; and Dr. Merle Junsay, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, pose for a photo after welcoming the Lopez Group Foundation Inc.

After some pleasantries, the visiting group had a prompt drive around the campus to tour the other buildings.

The Eugenio Lopez Memorial Hall was constructed in 1921 as one of the earliest concrete buildings of CPU. The hall served as Central Philippine College’s dining hall and recreation center. It cost about P25,000 and was financed through multiple affluent donors headed by the hall’s namesake, Don Eugenio Lopez, who was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the time. It then served as the university’s library, up until the construction and subsequent operation of the Henry Luce III Library which was started in 1991.

The Lopez family also served CPU through the development of the university’s music and fine arts program. During these years, the Lopez family’s musicians performed at the university’s events and functions.

The Lopez family has been a great friend to Central, evidenced by their material contributions, in advice, and in encouragement to the administration.