Delivered by Mrs. Perla Guillergan Londres Waters

Ms. Perla G. Londres Waters, Member of the CPU Board of Trustees, delivered an inspiring speech during the launch of the three-year Law and Medicine Building Resource Generation Campaign, “Together We Build: A Journey Toward Excellence,” on June 26, 2025, held at the Henry Luce III Library Conference Room.

Ms. Perla G. Londres Waters, Member of the Board of Trustees, delivers a speech at the launch of the three-year Law and Medicine Building Resource Generation Campaign, “Together We Build: A Journey Toward Excellence,” emphasizing the importance of collective effort, community support, and a shared commitment to advancing education and strengthening CPU’s legacy of excellence.

Members of the Board of Trustees and the Corporation;
Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy, CPU President;
Members of the Faculty and Staff;
Honored Guests, Family and Friends.

Good morning. I am honored and privileged to have been offered this huge opportunity to share in the launch of  the 3-Year Fund Campaign, under the theme:  “Together we build:  A Journey Towards Excellence”, a compelling theme as it embodies CPU’s vision of legacy, faith and excellence, which defined our school from ages past, prevails in the  present, and we hope, for many, many years to come. As I pondered on what I would share today, I kept resonating with this vision, and I felt compelled to do so by telling the story of CPU. As a favorite hymn’s first stanza goes, “We’ve a story to tell the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light. For the darkness shall turn to the dawning and the dawning to noonday bright, for Christ’s great kingdom shall come to earth, the kingdom of love and light.” The hymn’s following stanzas include the song to be sung, the message to give, and the last stanza says: “We’ve a Savior to show to the nations who the path of sorrow hath trod, that all of the world’s great peoples might come to the truth of God.” I realized that our vision could be accomplished if we stick to the story and tell it to the world’s peoples, about our God (faith/truth/saving grace), our excellence (word/talent/resources) and legacy (love, mercy, courage, light).

The story in whole or in parts are familiar to most if not all of us but briefly, bears repeating. Faith is the foundation of it all. In faith, missionaries from the United States embarked on a journey to the unknown world after Spain ceded the Philippines to the US as part of the spoils of the Spanish-American War of 1898. They left the comforts of home and the support of friends and family, to answer the call of the Great Commission, to spread the Word to all nations. In faith, the faithful established the first Protestant church in Panay, a mission hospital, and a school for twenty boys who worked for their education and upkeep.

When the second world war came to our shores, the school was destroyed, eleven missionaries including the Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose, the acting President at that time, and one little boy were martyred in Hopevale. Truly, a devastating experience that would have tried grievously the faint hearted, but in faith, the school was rebuilt, and the memorable story of the “Hopevale Martyrs” is an enduring inspiration.

All of these which comprised our beginnings are duplicated throughout the world where the enormity of God’s love for the world’s peoples was demonstrated when God sent a Baby, his own son, to bring light into the dark world. Isn’t it amazing how this simple story has made a difference in so many levels in our world today, the impact of which is reflected in the formation of policy in government, education, healthcare, economic expansion, law and order, and many other areas of influence and governance, where the vision and mission are embraced, and even in one’s daily life. Is it any wonder then, that those of us who have experienced this Grace would feel so blessed each and every day!

May I ask, at this point, for your indulgence by sharing why this historical reference is important to my own story. Because I consider myself so very blessed to have been raised in the environment fostered by God-loving, God-fearing and Faith abiding people, by parents who lived by the Word and embedded for us children the pathway to a life in Christ; to live in a community where Christ is the center of life and education is considered complete by the inclusion of Christ centered training in its curricula; and to have church and its services a fundamental part of community life.

There are some amongst us who would say that it is easy to declare all of the above because I had it easy–but how it all came about wasn’t. My parents came from poor families and they both lost their mothers early in their childhood through childbirth. There were nine children in my dad’s family, raised by a very strict father who worked long and hard to bring the necessities of life to the table, which did not leave much time nor inclination to nurture a child’s inclination or gifts for future advancement. Because of difficult circumstances, the children walked barefoot to grade school and did not own a pair of long pants, and finally, the only pair to wear was for graduation to high school. At the beginning and end of each day, the children had chores around the farm or house, which didn’t leave any room for studying or other pursuits. And my dad aspired—he knew he had the ability if there was opportunity, even to attain high grades in school, but acknowledged there was none. Upon High School graduation, he asked to be released from the farm and to try his hand at working elsewhere—Manila to be exact. To his surprise, his father agreed but only gave him a sack of rice as his only provision for his travels. One day as he was staring out to the horizon from his steerage berth in the vessel, a man came along and asked about him. He was kind and attentive and my dad told him that he is embarking on a quest for a better life so he can improve himself and help his family back home, even though he did not know how he would accomplish it when he got to his destination as he did not know anyone—but he did have one sack of rice.  The gentleman did not hesitate as  he understood the dangers and pitfalls that could befall someone in dad’s situation, so he offered to take him to his family, gave him a room, the  ability to learn a trade and a new language (Spanish), which worked really well when after a couple of years, Daddy felt he had matured , developed a sense of responsibility from the trust and care of this family, that he asked to be released so he could return home, with a deep sense of appreciation of the blessings of kindness and consideration that was extended to him by strangers once, but afterwards, esteemed friends.

My mother’s background was a little different but there were similarities. She and her brother were children from their father’s second marriage. When their mother died, their older half-sister helped to raise them. She was a Bible teacher and missionary, and, in her work, she met some outstanding Christian partners who looked out for her and her family as the children were growing up. One knew of opportunities for needy children for schooling, but they have to work for their room, board and tuition at the Baptist Home School, in Roxas City, Capiz, which was also one of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society’s early outreaches in Panay. Mama was about 10 years old and her brother, around eight, when they were taken in. Their work involved supporting the kitchen and dining room staff early every morning, gathering firewood, so breakfast could start for the pay boarders, assisting in the kitchen work and setting up the dining room, and then when the work is finished, they were able to get something to eat and get ready for school. Same process for lunch and supper. Only when all the work was done  for the day when they were released for personal time and study. The children understood their role and took care to cherish the opportunity that when she finished elementary school, Mama graduated Valedictorian, and thereafter, upon returning to her hometown of Pavia, Iloilo, she was given a work student assignment at Central where she pretty much undertook the same work at Weston Hall throughout the High School years. She spent her time religiously with work, study, and church, but also developed lasting friendships with other working students, including one you may remember, Carlos Portante. Her diligence and hard work paid off when at graduation, she once again was declared Valedictorian of her High School class.

It wasn’t an easy beginning but while she acknowledged hardship and some persecution from other children because of her lowly status, and missing the family from home, Mama understood that in a larger sense, she and her brother were blessed to 1) have each other; 2) have the opportunity to attend school; and 3) their daily needs were met if they undertook their obligations well.  With the support of her older sister and the same friend who helped initially, she was admitted to the Iloilo Mission Hospital nursing program where she worked through the war years, ministering to the sick, especially those who were victims of the war, until just before Liberation, when they were caught by the Japanese and quartered in the Iloilo prison.

On my father’s side, what he had undergone only made him more success driven to alleviate his situation. He worked odd jobs while he attended school leading to a degree in Commerce including working at his dad’s then improving business until the war came. During that time, he was not in the regular army but was in clandestine operations while he and his oldest brother worked at their dad’s farm. Perhaps the enemy learned of his war involvement or it was just happenstance, but one day after he had left the farm early to go back towards the city, a few hours trek on foot, to consult with his father about the farm, he returned home  to discover that the enemy had come to the farm during his absence, found where his brother was toiling and killed him. His brother’s passing entailed more family responsibilities for him.

While I was and am grateful that I did not experience what my parents did, the hardships and obstacles they overcame made them heroic in my eyes and made me more grateful for their love and influence. I too felt the desire to excellence, not perfection, to just be the best I can. That was all my parents asked for and I hoped I was able to deliver it. Nothing but nothing could beat my growing up years, living in the shadow of this great institution. I felt the comfort of knowing that many others were looking out for me. I grew in greater appreciation of the concern and yes, love that characterized my upbringing. When I was a student here, from Kindergarten to College, I met people who displayed sterling examples of courage, steadfastness, hard work, perseverance, goal centeredness and self-sacrifice—people who broke new ground in innovation, service, teaching, learning, fellowship and most of all, worship.  When I pause sometimes and think back on my current situation and how I have evolved through the years, I remember the obstacles that I once thought would block my way, like when I was already in the United States and embarked on a career, I would be overlooked for advancement because of my race and/ or gender, or not credited for my contribution nor value; how I had wanted to quit when I was given an assignment to manage technical people,  when I had no experience nor learning to undertake the role so I felt I was positioned for failure;  or sent to the headquarters’ location to undertake a new assignment with no direction  from above and had to discover my own way in a highly competitive, very visible set up.  Getting knocked down and getting back up again—those were not small things. I knew after all that, they were significant victories; reasons to celebrate because of what God had done in my life, He will continue to do.

Legacy, Faith and Excellence—not just buzz words, but a way of life.

With this background, let me tell you about the other side of the story—one where we, as Christ’s children, He whose hand has been a constant in this valued institution,  is asking us to consider–opening our hands, in support of our Alma Mater’s ongoing quest to be the best that it can be, for the glory of God’s mission and to support His vision for all peoples.

Let me take you back to our history. There were three undertakings that were priorities when the early missionaries and their Filipino counterparts opened shop. They built a church, then a hospital and then a school. Those priorities have not diminished through the years, in fact, the needs are greater now than before because the dynamics of the changing world demand we adjust to the needs to stay relevant, vibrant and inspiring to all who have entered the portals of our school and those whose footsteps we would like to sponsor in years to come.  Church is non-negotiable; and now the two others should be given the prominence deserved– Law and Medicine–critical disciplines to support people’s lives and livelihoods.

The emergence of the possibility of establishing the colleges of Law and Medicine occurred in close proximity to each other. As early as 1938, plans for the College of Medicine were considered but those plans were shelved several times because of obstacles, until June 2003, when the doors were finally opened to the pioneer batch of fifty students, becoming the third medical school to open in Panay. Since the school’s opening, the students have been active participants in college, school, local, regional and national activities. All these endeavors in addition to their training, abided in their motto “Magaling nga Doktor, Mabuting Doktor.” The pioneer batch graduated in 2007. In more recent years, successful board examinees were included in the top ten Best in the country.

CPU’s College of Law was founded in 1939 and since then produced successful Judges and justices, employees in government and elected positions in Iloilo, Luzon and Mindanao, and those engaged in CPU service, including the school’s governing body.

Challenges were evident in administering the activities of both Colleges, with the lack of proper equipment and facilities the most prominent. In the College of Law, for example, classrooms are in the Senior High School building, but the office of the Dean is at the Henry Luce Library. Prior to this, the College used to be at Lopez Hall, then moved to the new Valentine Building in 2006. Among specific facility needs include the modernization of the Law Library, adequate conference halls for lectures and symposia, mock classroom for trial practice and a Legal Aid Clinic for practitioners. Students in the College of Medicine occupy the fourth floor of the Loreto D. Tupaz College of Nursing Building with similar needs as the Law students –classrooms, conference rooms and special application classes, including research, laboratories and clinics.

As you can determine, for years the need for resources, support and technology to enable our students, teachers and partners to succeed in education in these two lofty colleges have been visible but have to date been lacking. We need to even the educational divide that may further separate us from other well performing schools, enabling our students to thrive in their chosen professions by supplying needs NOW, to achieve their best outcomes for their lifesaving and life affirming services to the world.

This is where we all come in.

Many of us have spent our adult and post-adult lives trying to be an encouragement and blessing to others, as our forebears had demonstrated for us. Asking for help is key as it provides others with an outlet for their kindness and generosity, as Givers, thus Asking and Giving go hand and hand.

Let me give you a true example. When the Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Associations (CPUFOAA) was first convened in 2005, it was an organization with a group of resolute officers with a will and determination to unify overseas chapters into a composite organization which would provide structure and support to enhance fellowship with fellow alumni and a sense of purpose to help our Alma Mater. The major drawback was lack of financial resources to accomplish our goals. We determined to start this unification initiative through a global reunion, so in my capacity as President, I asked for help– from my home chapter, the CPUAA—Midwest USA for manpower assistance, the newly formed CPUAA—Las Vegas, for hosting assistance, other chapters and individuals to provide financial assistance, and  many more who are unable to assist as mentioned, for their abundant prayers to help, that the effort pulled an almost miraculous feat in 2008 when the Las Vegas Global Reunion came into fruition.  The lack of initial funding was overcome by a personal contribution from one individual; the venue agreed to very conservative terms to secure the site; and an overseas contribution enabled us to purchase supplies. However, there were a couple of severe challenges—a calamity hit Iloilo, typhoon Frank, which impacted travel to the venue, and the illness and subsequent death of one of the attendees.  Yet our faith never faltered, knowing prayer led us to this undertaking and the Lord will see us through. The magnanimity of God’s unfailing Grace allowed us to create bridges of understanding, unity, and friendships resulting in an overabundance of fun and merriment, and also a generous financial surplus that to this day still funds the operation of the CPUFOAA and allowed the organization to create a charitable fund for the benefit of the students of CPU.

The charitable arm of the CPUFOAA, amounting to a little over PHp1,000,000, was turned over to CPU in 2018 and the CPUFOAA Endowment Fund for Scholarship (Grants -in-Aid) and Recognition was born. Since that initial funding, the endowment has been increased by individual alumni giving and from other donors, that we have amassed over PH 3,000,000 in accumulated deposits in the account and continue the support for an average of twelve qualified awardees per semester for the Grant-in-Aid, and 1-2 Recognition awardees annually. Qualifying for the award would allow the recipients continuous support for the duration of their college work.

We are excited to share that an enhancement to the program will start with the 2025-2026 school year—the Direct Donation portion of the Charity, allowing donors to defray tuition costs for the duration of the qualified scholars’ academic career. There are two awardees for this upcoming school year, with high hopes of increasing the capability for the foreseeable future. This experience brought affirmation of the message that I cited earlier, which made it clear that we not only look for helpers but choose to become one.

A favorite Author, Holley Gerth, further states: “Never underestimate the worth of helping. And the reassuring truth we all need is that God is a helper too—and more than that, He is our helper. He says to us in Isaiah 41:10, “I will strengthen you and help you.”

So, the last part of my message is to engage your mind, your heart and your spirit to help in the endeavor for funding a building to allow our Colleges of Law  and Medicine to have their own facility, to maximize CPU’s capability to meet the needs of our students, faculty and staff to be excellent purveyors of their God-given gifts for the betterment of humanity, now and into the future.

Friends, I recognize that oftentimes we are inundated with many requests that either donor fatigue has set in, or we get frustrated because there just isn’t enough money to go around, to take care of all the good things that need our support and attention. And many of you have throughout the years been magnanimous in your support of many deserving causes, including appeals from our Alma Mater. My charge to you is to persevere while remaining obedient to the need and the message from Scriptures: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Central Philippine University’s VISION:
Legacy—rich and free from lives whose footsteps have shown the way.
Excellence—the ability to move mountains without hesitation nor fear because you are perfect in His sight.
Faith—God speaks, we listen and obey. He never fails.

I leave you with this thought from Daphne Rose Kingma: “Today, see if you stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who needs it so much.”  We all seek our purpose in life. Most of us wonder how we can make a positive difference during our brief time on this earth. But Oral Lee Brown and BJ Gallagher, among many others, discovered the simple secret:  GIVING. Arthur Ashe said it best: “From what we get, we can make a living. What we give, however, makes a life.”

You may recall that I started this sharing time by quoting excerpts from a beloved hymn: “We’ve a Story to Tell the Nations.”   In closing, I leave you with the first stanza of another favorite hymn, in the hope that the words would resonate more eloquently the message for all of us who love the Lord, and the vision and mission that we embrace— “Living for Jesus, a Life That is True.”

“Living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do.
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master; my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give henceforth to live, O Christ for Thee alone.”

Thank you for your kind attention. May we pray as we invoke the Lord’s provision for our quest to further provide the future that enhances CPU’s attainment of her vision, for the glory of God.

May you all, always, be blessed.

Perla Guillergan Londres Waters

June 26, 2025

For those interested in supporting the three-year Law and Medicine Building Resource Generation Campaign, “Together We Build: A Journey Toward Excellence,” or learning more about giving options and how your contribution can make a meaningful impact, the CPU community welcomes your inquiries.

 Email: fundcampaign@cpu.edu.ph or cpupresidentsoffice@cpu.edu.ph
Phone: (033) 329-1971 loc. 2100
Website: www.cpu.edu.ph