By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Central Philippine University (CPU) has long been a home to stories of Centralians who pursue excellence and make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields. One such story is that of 2LT Clarezza Mae P. Dolor PA, whose journey from a student athlete on the CPU basketball court to a Philippine Army officer reflects the values of leadership, perseverance, and service. Her dedication and determination led her to achieve Rank 6 in the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) Class 64-2026 of the Philippine Army, a milestone that continues to bring pride to the Centralian community.
Born and raised in Passi City, Iloilo, Dolor is a Registered Civil Engineer and Registered Master Plumber who graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Central Philippine University – College of Engineering (CPU-COE) in 2020.
During her years at CPU, she exemplified excellence both inside and outside the classroom. She was recognized as the Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year, served as Team Captain of the CPU Women’s Basketball Team, and was a Varsity Scholar from 2015 to 2020. She was also an active member of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers CPU Student Chapter (PICE CPU Student Chapter).
Her journey from the basketball court to the military training ground reflects the values she developed as a Centralian: leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.
“As a team captain of the CPU Women’s Basketball Team, my experience in leading the team made a big impact in honing my leadership skills. Being a student athlete who was always busy with academics and sports taught me how to balance everything and use my time wisely,” she shared.
The challenges she overcame as an athlete and engineering student prepared her for the rigorous demands of military training, where she once again had to balance academic requirements with physical and mental preparation.
Among her most unforgettable experiences at CPU was representing Western Visayas in the National PRISAA (Private Schools Athletic Association), an achievement she considered one of the highest milestones an athlete could reach.
“I was one of the few who were fortunate enough to compete at the national level in our batch, and I was super blessed during that time,” she recalled.
That experience became a foundation that inspired her to continue improving, train harder, and pursue greater goals. Another milestone she treasures was graduating as a Cum Laude from the College of Engineering, an achievement she never expected given the challenges of balancing her academic responsibilities and athletic commitments.
Behind her success was the unwavering support of her family, mentors, friends, coaches, and the Centralian community who believed in her abilities even during moments of doubt. “There were times when I wanted to stop playing because it was so difficult to balance my studies, especially during my fourth year. But they found ways to help me continue,” she shared.
She expressed gratitude for the understanding and encouragement she received from her professors and coaches, who helped her manage conflicting schedules between academics, training, and competitions. Their trust and support allowed her to continue pursuing excellence both as a student and an athlete.
As she begins her journey as an officer in the Philippine Army, 2LT Dolor continues to carry with her the values she learned at CPU: Faith and Excellence.
For her, faith means continuously trusting God in every endeavor and remembering the importance of prayer. Excellence, on the other hand, means giving one’s best effort in every responsibility and maintaining high standards.
“In everything you do, give your 101% ability. Do not treat things as just compliance. Give your best shot and always maintain the standards,” she emphasized.
For her, success comes from knowing that one has given their absolute best, regardless of the outcome.
To the Centralian community, especially students and aspiring professionals, she shares a message of perseverance and hope. “Just enjoy the process. Kung para sa’yo, para sa’yo. Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa dahil lahat tayo dumadaan diyan. Hanggang pwede pa, try lang nang try. Pray hard and work even harder. Make no excuses. Kung gusto, may paraan. Kung kaya ko, kaya niyo rin.”
Her achievement stands as an inspiration to every Centralian who dares to dream, take on challenges, and pursue excellence in whatever path they choose. It is a testament to how passion, discipline, and determination can open doors to greater opportunities.