Atty. Keenan Rhys Y. Jurilla, Public Attorney II, Iloilo City, District Office encouraged Centralians to dream big.

Honoring excellence—Central Philippine University Senior High School held its EXCELlence Awards for its graduating students on April 18, 2018 and its Dedication Service and 1^st Commencement Exercises on April 19. All events took place at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.

For the EXCELlence Awards, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, Vice President for Student Affairs, gave the opening remarks. Dr. Gico congratulated the awardees for their hard work and persistence; he also highlighted the role of the parents in their children’s academic success.

Prof. Ana Mae Cantel, CPU Senior High School faculty, introduced guest speaker Atty. Keenan Rhys Y. Jurilla, Public Attorney II, Iloilo City, District Office 1. In his message, Atty. Jurilla talked about the determinative factors for success, the first of which is the support of the family. He talked about how his grandparents supported him in his studies. He also emphasized the need for parents to understand that every child is unique in their own way. “I remember getting a grade of 65 in TLE because I needed not know how to make a small chair. I did not submit my project. That became a catapulting point for me to study harder. Lucky me, my granny never pressured me. She would always tell me to do my best. If you cannot make it, just try again. Perhaps she already had the idea that we could not put a square peg in a round hole.”

The second factor is dreaming big. “When I was in elementary, I was already thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had already decided to be a lawyer. At that time I already had a concept of justice where I hated oppression, injustice, and inequality.” Atty. Jurilla challenged the awardees to pursue their dreams with passion and faith. The third factor is hard work. According to Atty. Jurilla, a little sacrifice today would mean a celebration tomorrow. “If you persevere, a great reward is coming your way. Never mind the missed parties, for later, once you have become successful, you would be the one who’d get tired of all the parties and travels that would be offered to you.”

And the last factor is to have the proper attitude and to practice the law of gratitude. “It is said that practicing the law of gratitude will reform and transform your entire universe.” Atty. Jurilla encouraged the awardees to always have a thankful attitude.

The message was then followed by awarding of certificates was then given to the academic, non-academic, literary-musical, and sports and athletics awardees.

Prof. Edgar Eriman, Director of the CPU Senior High School, in his closing remarks, congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to pursue greater heights for CPU and the glory of God.

The event was hosted by Prof. Kay Arden Gallo.

A moment of silence – through a prayer, the graduates expressed their gratitude to God as the source of all success.

Celebrating the faithfulness of God to our senior high school graduates—After the processional, the Dedication Service for the graduating students was opened with the Prayer of Adoration led by Worship Leader, Rev. Zeus Familiaran. Song Leader, Engr. Vitini Edhard Idemne led the graduates and the congregation in hymns of praise for the faithfulness of the Lord. Nicole Anike D. Dorgu, with high honors, then read the Word. The Senior High School Chorale rendered the Sung Word and the Musical Response while Eleanel Ruthvirl Idemne gave a Musical Offering.

The message entitled “Make Decisions on Hope” was delivered by Rev. Dr. Melvin M. Mangana. He highlighted the importance of making decisions anchored in Christ. Rev. Mangana encouraged the graduates to trust in the plans and purposes of God. “We can grow out of our failure and our mistakes and that means that we can have hope.”

Rev. Magana further talked about the importance of avoiding rotten thoughts. “In life in general and in normal circumstances, we do not eat rotten food because it will make us sick. Yet in terms of the mind or the intellect, we eat rotten, poisonous, and dirty thoughts every day. And we know that when we absorb rotten thoughts we get sick, depressed, anxious, outraged and… overwhelmed.”

According to Rev. Mangana, there is a growing need to take care of our mental health. “We want to be seen as fresh and clean on the outside but we are filthy inside. Against this similar background, the author of Hebrews makes the positive notion of hope very valuable and viable for us—as we practice proper mental hygiene, we shall be able to live in a healthy world… and we are to teach mindfulness and how to deal with depression and anxiety.”

In order for us to make decisions on hope, Rev. Mangana shares that we need three things: first, to hold fast to the right values; second, to fix our hope in Christ; and lastly, to rely on the faithfulness of God.

After the message, a dedicatory prayer for the graduating students, parents, and teachers was led by Rev. Zeus M. Familiaran.

CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles congratulated the graduates, the parents and the entire SHS faculty and staff.

Ode to the graduates—for the historic first Commencement Exercises of the University Senior High School, CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles gave the Words of Welcome. Dr. Robles talked about the challenge of Senior High School education and the joy of CPU in triumphing over the obstacles. “It was only four years ago that we realize that for this university to survive, we needed a Senior High School. We, however, did not realize how large it would become. But the parents all over the country responded by sending their children to study here in CPU. The partnership and confidence of the parents have helped us in this noble achievement.”

He went on to talk to the graduates about their journey after their senior high school education. “CPU has given you excellent education towards being released to the real word. You will leave this institution with a heart of service.”

After which, Prof. Eriman introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope, Dean, College of Arts and Science, Silliman University. Dr. Cleope congratulated the graduates, parents and teachers for their accomplishments. “There has never been anyone else like you. You have gained the permanent merit of being the first K-12 graduates. You, my dear graduates, are indeed a special pioneering class. We can all feel the great excitement and joy but after all this celebration is also to ask the question where will you go from now.”

Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope, Dean, College of Arts and Science, Silliman University encouraged the graduates to trust in the plan and timing of the Lord. 

Dr. Cleope encouraged the graduates to make daring and courageous choices. “Your future is very much grounded on what you want to do and where you want to go. The options are indeed unequally uncertain but what sets you apart from all the others with your Christian education here in CPU is your faith in Christ. Always remember that your character is more important than your competence.”

He goes saying, “Hebrews 10:23 says, ‘Let us hold unwaveringly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.’ In Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken,’ he says: ‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.’ It is daring and courageous choices that make a difference in humanity.”

After the commencement message, Dr. Robles confirmed the graduating students and led the awarding of the diplomas. He was assisted by Prof. Eriman and Ms. Ruth G. Fernandez, University Registrar.

Rose Memorial Auditorium is filled with Centralian Senior High School graduates.

The response on behalf of the graduates was then given by Aila Rose F. Asuelo, with highest honors. In her message, Asuelo shared her experience as a senior high school student. She also thanked the university, her family, friends, and above all, God for making her journey memorable and worthwhile. She also shared her formula for surviving senior high school. Being the pioneer batch is no easy feat. “Two years, during my speech, I said that it was grit that defined my JHS experience. However, as I entered senior high I realized that grit is not enough. It is grit plus grace plus God.”

After the response, the graduates sang their graduation song “A Million Dreams.” The prayer of dedication was then led by Rev. Gico followed by the induction of the graduates to the CPU Alumni Association, Inc. by Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena, President, CPUAAI. Following the induction is the singing of the CPU Hymn by Ms. Crista Huyong, Cultural Affairs Office, and the benediction by Rev. Roger T Quimpo, Associate Pastor for Outreach, University Church.

The graduation program was hosted by Prof. Kay Arden Gallo and Rev. Rodmar Lilla.