Words By Kairos Rye A. Jalando-on

Kairos Rye A. Jalando-on, Bachelor of Arts in Communication graduate (cum laude) and Alton E. Bigelow Memorial Alma Mater Awardee, delivered the “Profession of God’s Faithfulness” speech during the College Baccalaureate Service on May 31, 2026 at the University Gymnasium.

During the College Baccalaureate Service, Kairos Rye A. Jalando-on shared a testimony of God’s faithfulness, reflecting on his family’s legacy, his personal journey of faith, and God’s sustaining grace throughout his life as a Centralian.

Good morning everyone, Peace of Christ be with you all!

Twenty-two years ago, during the 2004 CPU Commencement Exercises, my aunt stood on a stage much like this, as the Alton E. Bigelow Alma Mater Awardee of her batch. The cash award she received that day was used to help pay for my mother’s Caesarean section — the procedure that brought me into this world.

Today, by God’s amazing grace, I am humbled by the Almighty to stand before you as the 2026 recipient of the same award. Closing a circle of grace that began with my aunt on the hallowed grounds of this university 22 years ago.

The Alton E. Bigelow Alma Mater Award is the highest honor of Central Philippine University. I am honored that the university has seen me fit to receive this award, which represents the complete ideals of a true Centralian — one who pursues not only scholarship, but also Christian character, leadership, service, and ministry. Named after the Rev. Dr. Alton Bigelow, whose life and legacy is remembered as being devoted to preaching the Gospel, translating the Scriptures, and building the culture of faith that still permeates this university, this award stands as a clear testimony that Central has not allowed fides to be outstripped by scientia.

I stand before all of you today to speak on the faithfulness of God but how do I even begin to describe God’s goodness and faithfulness?

As a pastor’s kid, I grew up in the church, surrounded by the blinding faithfulness of my family. I grew up wondering how and why they were so faithful. To my immature mind, it was all a performance, a show, and a farce. For 6 years I fought, ran, and wrestled with my Faith and Christianity, I grew in much resentment, ultimately just to answer the reason why, why have faith?

I began college life with this back and forth still in mind, I continued this pointless endeavor throughout exams, CEW convocations, trials, and tribulations, I was still stubborn, outright refusing to fully accept and surrender to Him.

But then it hit me, during the darkest time of my life. It was the time when I lost my grandmother and felt deeply alone as some relationships I once treasured suddenly faded away. In that darkness, Christ found me, in the blackest of nights He was there, and in the chaotic melancholy, I sang that all was well with my soul. Then and there, I completely surrendered to God.

I have been a student of Central for 18 years, and throughout this journey, God has always been good and faithful to me – even when I doubted Him, even when I tried to run away, and even when I shunned the faith of my fathers; God was still there, during the darkest moments of my life.

Faith.

This is the core value that anchors everything at Central — along with character, justice, excellence, and stewardship. Our motto, Scientia et Fides, reminds us that knowledge and faith must walk together. I realized I could never truly live out the other values without first grounding myself in faith. For without faith, nothing else stands.

All my efforts, struggles, and experiences are meaningless if they were not done for the glory of God. Even with the certificates, the leadership roles, the travels, the recognitions and the service — without God, I am nothing. It is in Him that I am whole. It is for Him that I live.

I aim not to be known for my own achievements, but that Jesus Christ be glorified through me. For as John the Baptist said, I must decrease and He must increase. And when this race is complete, I pray my lips will only repeat: “Yet not I, but through Christ in me.”

So here I stand, I can do no other, but to proclaim Christ’s lordship and faithfulness in my life. This, I will never recant.

To close, I would like to quote the namesake of this award, the Rev. Dr. Alton Ezra Bigelow, who wrote these profound words:

“I believe that the development of character is man’s most fundamental concern.
I believe that this development can only be achieved in proportion as man gives himself in service to others.
I believe that the only worthy ideal for this character should be the very highest, God himself.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the concrete revelation of this character of God, God in the flesh, and as such becomes our Lord and Master.”

And because of these beliefs, he concluded:
“Because I believe these things I devote my life in loyalty to my Master to bring all others to a like stand.”

I charge you now, my fellow Centralians, to keep the faith and live out the Christian ideal. So that when we go out into the world, people will see that being a Centralian means we belong to Jesus — and that our lives bear witness to His faithfulness.

And to those who have not yet heard Christ’s call, I beg of each and every one of you to seek Him out and surrender yourselves to Him. Repent, for the Kingdom is near.

Congratulations my fellow graduates!

Soli Deo Gloria et Ave Christus Rex