By Cyrus A. Natividad
Atty. Joshua Alim is remembered for his slogan of “Dream, Strive, Succeed”.
“When people welcome you with a hug and smile coming from them with all sincerity, you are inspired to serve them more.” This was the sentiment of former Iloilo City Councilor and CPU Alumni Association President Atty. Joshua C. Alim. He added that, “The real essence of a true leader is to produce more good leaders. I want to continue my program for the youth.”
Although advised by close friends not to run anymore, Atty. Alim filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for city councilor in the coming elections 2022, just a few days after he was discharged from a hospital. Although he was suffering from a kidney disease and was supposed to undergo kidney transplant in Ireland, where his wife Leni Miane and children Carmela Patrice and Joss Aira lives, he was determined to serve another term as a City Councilor.
On the early Saturday morning of January 15, 2022, Atty. Alim returned to his Creator. He left a legacy of public service and leadership. The City Council mourned his death, while Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas in a statement said,” We were never together in most of my political battles, but I always respected you.”
Alim served as Iloilo City Councilor for 18 years (1995-2004)(2010-2019). He passed and authored 56 ordinances, 3,210 resolutions and delivered 67 privilege speeches at the Iloilo City Council. He was a former Floor Leader and Chairman of several committees. Atty. Alim was famous for his anti-smoking advocacy and his concern for the Iloilo City urban poor. One of his Resolutions was declaring Central Philippine University as a Tourism Site. It was unanimously approved by the Iloilo City Council, and CPU remains as the only University in Iloilo City with a Tourism Site status.
Alim was born on September 13, 1964 in Surallah, South Cotabato. He obtained his Master of Laws from San Beda College Manila, and his Bachelor of Laws and AB Political Science Degrees from CPU. He also earned his Master in Business Administration Degree from the International Academy of Management and Economics (Makati). He passed the BAR Exam in 1990 and the Realtor’s Board Exam in 1992.
He served CPU as Professor at the College of Law. Prior to his entry in politics, Alim was radio reporter and anchorman at Bombo Radyo, Iloilo. Later he was host of the “Central Point Talk Show” on the CPU Cable TV Channel. Since 2020, he was the President of the Central Philippine University Alumni Association, Inc. (CPUAAI).
A portion of resolution of sympathy passed by the CPUAAI Board of Trustees says,
“WHEREAS, as President of the Central Philippine University Alumni Association, Inc. (CPUAAI) since 2020 and its Trustee for many years; and as member of the Central Philippine University Board of Trustees from 2020 to 2022, he (Atty. Joshua Alim) exhibited dedicated leadership and faithful membership through exemplary support to the programs and projects of CPU and the CPUAAI;”
In a letter posted in the website of CPU, Atty. Peter Irving C. Corvera, Chairman of the CPU Board of Trustees wrote,
“It is with profound sadness that the CPU Board of Trustees conveys it deepest sympathies to the family and friends of ATTY. JOSHUA C. ALIM, an incumbent Trustee of the Board, who passed away last January 15. Atty. Alim was an active leader of the University, having served as a member of the CPU Corporation and the President of the CPU Alumni Association, among others. He was a distinguished alumnus and member of the faculty who served as Iloilo City councilor with utmost passion where he championed his several advocacies which brought honor to the University.
Borrowing from his guiding principles in life, we could say that Atty. Joshua indeed “Dreamed, Strove, Succeeded”. He will be missed in the Board of Trustees, but his memory and legacy will always be remembered.”
Indeed, Atty. Alim owed his success to his principles “Dream, Strive, Succeed”. He will not be forgotten as a great Centralian Leader.