Central Philippine University

Weekly Centralian Link (April 14, 2017)

CPUR Holds Awarding and Thanksgiving Night


The new batch of CPUR officials getting ready for the next school year

To celebrate the fruitful 2016-2017 academic year and to welcome the new CPU Republic administration, the CPUR held an awarding and thanksgiving night at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park on April 8, 2017.

For his welcome remarks, CPUR President 2016-2017, Jayson Troy Bajar, thanked everyone who was instrumental in the success of his leadership. He also encouraged the new CPUR officers to pursue a path of excellence in service.


Tupas receives a Certificate of Recognition from CPU and CPUR

CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, in his message emphasized the importance of leadership in the academic community and its crucial role in partnering in the administration for the promotion of student development.

Keynote speaker, Nielex Tupas – Executive Director of the National Youth Commission, inspired the young leaders to remain dynamic and passionate as they serve the studentry.

A ceremonial pinning of the officers CPUR 2016-2017 national and local government units was then held, to thank them for the services they rendered to the university. An award was also given to the outstanding representatives, senators and CPUR advisers.

For his acceptance message, CPUR President–elect Jan Christian Espanola thanked the trust and confidence given to him as the new CPUR President, and will do his best for the development and upliftment of the Centralian studentry.

CPU partners with IELTS IDP


With the signing of MOA with IDP. CPU is now an official review and testing center for IELTS

With the aim of promoting student development in international English competitiveness, Central Philippine University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International English Language Testing System International Development Program at CPU Administration Building Conference Room on April 10, 2017.


CPU officials pose with an IDP executive. The certificate shows that CPU is now an official partner of IDP IELTS.

The IELTS is a high stakes English test for study, migration and work. The IELTS test is suitable for entry to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and also for professional registration purposes. It assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training in an environment where English is used, and reflects some of the features of the language used in the academic study.

Most people will take the IELTS to support their study and application to study overseas. (www.ielts.org)

The partnership will allow IELTS to conduct review sessions and tests on agreed upon dates in CPU. IELTS will provide review materials, seminars, use of various IELTS social media platforms for the development of Centralian students.

It will also provide opportunities for study and faculty development abroad for CPU staff. The partnership is expected to showcase CPU’s commitment to competitive English education for international academic opportunities.

Centralian writers win Panay News Journalism Award


Proud Centralians Oniciforo Berina and Jiselle Yanson (2nd & 3rd from left) with PN Chairman of the Board Abdiel Dan Elijah S. Fajardo (left), Dan G. Fajardo and Daniel Fajardo II (4th & 5th from the left).

Onisiforo Berina and Jiselle Yanson , Features Editor and  Writer of the Central Echo, respectively bagged the First Prize of  the Panay News 36th Anniversary Journalism Award. The  awarding ceremony was held during the Anniversary Dinner held at The Avenue Restaurant in Smallville , Mandurriao last April 7, 2017.  Their story ranked first among outputs from the Journalism Workshop courtesy of Panay News with the theme “A Face of Many Phases: Understanding and Writing Better Personality Profiles.”

Their piece entitled “The woman version of Paul” speaks about the personality and literary work of Rev. Dr. Sharon Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, a Centralian author of a book entitled “A Passionate Rose After the Heart of God.” Rev. Sharon was the former General Secretary of the Naitonal Council of Churches, and currently a faculty of the CPU College of Theology./CAN

Centralian Princess Ann Robles : proud Ilongga, pride of Iloilo


Princess with CPU Alumni President Dan Dorillo and Liaison Officer Tina Marie Hortelano

The demure young Centralian who dropped by the CPU Alumni Affairs Office on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 was Princess Ann Robles – also known as the first Ilongga Final MVP of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Juniors Division – Season 79.  Robles was also acknowledged by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on a radio program.

The Junior High School graduate of Central Philippine University is now on her Senior High School and a member of the Varsity Volleyball Team of the National University.  She is studying Humanities and Social Sciences among her track at the Senior High.

Perseverance and determination are among values she imbibed while in her Junior High School in CPU. She extolled her teachers and the Central Philippine University for being the foundation of her career in the national sports. Robles has been to many sports competitions, received so many athletic awards in different sports representing CPU particularly in the Palarong Pambansa.


Princess shares her success at the UAAP with Media Relations Officer Cyrus Natividad.

She’s open to share or impart her expertise on volleyball and physical training to Centralian students who aim to become what she is today, once she has the chance to come back. She is on vacation in Iloilo with her parents Mr. And Mrs. Rufelia and Rodrigo Robles.

The CPU Alumni Office invited her to talk on the Centralian Link live (thanks to CPUAAI President Dan Dorillo and Liaison Officer Tina Marie Poblacion).

Your brand, your story

By Cyrus A. Natividad

This is how the line goes for Panay News on its April 7, 2017 Anniversary Issue: “Your brand, your story.” I am not writing about the Panay News we have known and loved for decades; I am writing about Daniel G. Fajardo, founder of Panay News – its  former Editor in Chief; my former boss in the Business Section of the Number 1 Regional News Paper.

I have the same respect as his arms wrapped around me two decades later, at the presence of his successful children Atty. Abdiel Dan Elijah S. Fajardo who took over as Chairman of the Board, and Daniel S. Fajardo II, Chief Operating Officer. This was at a momentous evening  in a classic  restaurant in Smallville, Manduriao in Iloilo City; celebrating  the  36th Anniversary of Panay News — Thirty Six years in the field of print journalism last April 7, 2017. We are congratulating this very successful media man ‘Danny’ Fajardo who has been mostly a mentor of the Ilonggo press people and media men.

There are two reasons why the former President of Iloilo Press Club is laudable. First he is a fellow Centralian (High School Batch 1965), known to be talented  and guided by Christian ethics. Second is that he started the first professional local daily in Iloilo City, grew it, expanded and sustained its operation as the No. 1 and respected newspaper in Western Visayas.

Its advertisers presented stories of their successful businesses — attributed to the circulation of Panay News. The success of the newspaper brand Panay News and the integrity of its founder Danny Fajardo went through hand-in-hand for a long time.

Danny G. Fajardo and Panay News have extended scholarships to poor but deserving students in Central Philippine University previously through his promotions and partnerships with the University. Despite the social media and the advent of internet communications, Danny’s Panay News believes that they “will not be stymied by the modern phenomena of fake news and alternative truth because of their currency of truth and accountability.”

To the management and staff of Panay News, Congratulations and More Power!

ATESEA holds its 2017 General Assembly at Central Philippine University

By Anietessie Palmes


ATESEA delegates from all over Asia had their assembly at the Educational Media Center, CPU

Seventy-three (73) participants from eight (8) countries convened in the 2017 General Assembly of Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) on March 21-22, 2017 at Central Philippine University.

The General Assembly, held every four years, brought together heads of schools to cultivate the spirit of collegiality and cooperation among the member schools and provide directions for the enrichment of theological education in the region. The gathering also marked ATESEA’s 60th year in its engagement with seminary education.

Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro was invited to deliver the keynote address on the topic, “Reformation, Ecumenism and Theological Education” from the Roman Catholic’s Perspective. His presentation was in conjunction with this year’s 500thanniversary of the Protestant Reformation.  In response to Archbishop Ledesma’s speech, Dr. Kung Lap Yan, Associate Professor from the Divinity School of Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, affirmed the archbishop’s challenge “to enhance our Christian responsibility and unity in a culture of encounter.”

Rev. Dr. Ngoei Foong Nghian, ATESEA Chairperson, reported on the progress made by the association and challenged the member schools to move forward into its new direction ensuring the continuity of “good governance and responsible stewardship and reinforce institutional memory.”

In his report as ATESEA Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Limuel Equina stressed the five thrusts of ATESEA which guided the Association’s initiatives for the past four years. They are Faculty Development, Accreditation, Library Development, Leadership Development, and Publication. Furthermore, he cited the special projects and ATESEA’s representations in various institutions worldwide, thus, expanding its linkages.

Also present in the said occasion were representatives from the partners of ATESEA:  Dr. H.S. Wilson, Executive Director of the Foundation for Theological Education in the South East Asia (FTESEA), and Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary of Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).

The General Assembly closed with the election of the following new set of members of the Board of Trustees who will serve the Association until 2021:

Chairperson : Dr. Tan Kim Huat (Trinity Theological College, Singapore)

Vice Chairperson: Dr. Simon Chow (Lutheran Theological Seminary, Hong Kong)

Secretary: Dr. Jeaneth Faller (Silliman University Divinity School, Dumaguete City, Philippines)

Treasurer: Dr. Joas Adiprasetya (Jakarta Theological Seminary, Jakarta, Indonesia)

Associate Treasurer: Dr. Chananporn Jaisaodee (The McGilvary College of Divinity, Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand)

Members:  Dr. Judy Berinai (Sabah Theological Seminary, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia)

Drs. Maria Regina Adolfina Pada (Faculty of Theology – Artha Wacana Christian University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)

Dr. Meng Hun Goh (Taiwan Theological College and Seminary, Taipei, Taiwan)

Dr. Samuel Ngun Ling (Myanmar Institute of Theology, Insein, Yangon, Myanmar)

Dr. Limuel Equina has been re-appointed as Executive Director until 2021.