CPU Packaging Engineering celebrates 10 Years in the Academe

Dr. Lejo C. Braña (Center) helped establish the School of Packaging Engineering at CPU. The Packaging Department brisk success in growth and development was made possible by his dedication to his alma mater and his donation of his time and effort as well as millions of worth of packaging equipment.

With a decade of continued academic and professional excellence, the Packaging Engineering Program celebrates its 10th Year Anniversary as an undergraduate degree offered at CPU. To appreciate the efforts of its faculty, staff, alumni and students, the department held a series of activities showcasing the its developments and highlights along the years.

The month-long celebration started with a Parade and Opening Program last January 6, 2017. An Open Laboratory exhibit is currently being held from January 9-13, 2017 at the Packaging Engineering Building. On January 14, 2017 the exhibit will showcase the laboratory donated by Dr. Lejo Braña and the packaging materials, equipment and projects of students.

Dr. Braña with future Packaging Engineers.

The event also features partner companies of the CPU Packaging Engineering and profiles of their outstanding alumni. The program will be having a sports fest to let students and faculty enjoy fun and friendly games together. The Closing Celebration will be held on January 21, 2017. The biggest highlight of the anniversary is the Grand Alumni Homecoming of the CPU Packaging Engineering on February 18, 2017.

A gallery of Dr. Lejo C. Braña designed packages. 

Pioneered in 2006 through the efforts of Dr. Lejo Braña, the CPU Packaging Engineering has grown throughout the years. Now, with its graduates in high demand, the program continues to soar by producing competitive graduates that serve the packaging industry here and abroad.

CPU Republic President presents thesis in Thailand

CPU Republic President, Mr. Jayson Troy Bajar, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, presented his undergraduate thesis during the International Research Conference for Business, Economics and Social Science 2016 held last December 21-22, 2016 at Bangkok, Thailand. Bajar graduated Magna Cum Laude last November 2016, finishing his degree for only three and a half years.

The study of Bajar is entitled “Online Democracy: A Content Analysis of the Facebook Pages of the 2016 Presidential Candidates.” A qualitative research,  the study examined the Facebook posts of the five Philippine Presidential candidates last May 2016 elections. The primary objective of his study is to determine how politicians make use of social media to advance their political agenda. Core to his assumptions was the substantial significance of social media in the present socio-political context of the country.

In the conference, there were only three student participants including Bajar. Other participants were Doctorate and Master’s degree holder from different countries. Included in the privileges of the conference, the research abstracts of their paper will be published in the conference proceedings which will be posted in the website of the conference available one month after the date of the conference. The conference also provided a publication opportunity to some selected papers in one of the associated journals of the organization.

Although Bajar was not able to win specially cited awards, he hoped nonetheless, such accomplishment will eventually inspire and encourage other students to pursue excellence in research that will help to strengthen the research area of the university.

CPU Presents 4 Studies in the Conference on Educational Partnerships for Resilient Communities

Centralian Excellence – four studies conducted by the CPU Graduate School faculty were presented during the Conference on Educational Partnerships for Resilient Communities in Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration, Hanoi, Vietnam last January 10, 2017.

Dr. Mary O. Penetrante, Prof. Gilda Monsole, Dr. Carmen Hernandez and Dr. Lucio Encio presented studies entitled “An Assessment of Business Permit and Licensing System of the City of Iloilo,” “Strengthening Local Government Unit (LGU) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Partnership Toward Participative, Responsive and Sustainable Development,” “Human Resource Management Practices in Antique Medical Center: Basis for an Improved HR Management Program” and “A Tracer Study for Graduates of TUEBA and CPU Joint Programs in Thai Nguyen City, Vietnam.”

Dr. Penetrante’s study was recently presented in Iloilo where community stakeholders, participants discussed avenues for community sustainability and development. The purpose of her study was to assess the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) of Iloilo City. According to her, Iloilo is considered as one of the urban cities with good BPLS process.

During the conference, Dr. Penetrante chaired the discussion session with TUEBA Vice Rector, Dr. Do Anh Tai. The discussion focused on how CPU’s partnership with TUEBA would develop resilient communities, more annual research symposiums with graduate and undergraduate students are planned to be held in the near future.

Centralians Parcon and Gotico promoted to Brigadier General

Honor, Service and Patriotism – Colonel Custodio J. Parcon Jr., Commander of Taskforce Tawi-Tawi (a vital multi-service AFP unit conducting joint sea, air, and land security operations in Southern Philippines), a CPU High School Alumnus Batch 1980, and Col. Samuel G. Gotico PAF (GSC), the Deputy Wing Commander of the 520th Air Base, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting were recently promoted as Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines respectively. They were promoted on January 11, 2017 and December 29, 2016 respectively.

Brigadier General Samuel G. Gotico with wife Gina T. Gotico

General Parcon, one of the 1994 Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee for Military Science, is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class 1987. He became the commanding officer of the Philippine Marine Force Recon Company (61st Marine Company). He was tasked to recover kidnap victim Anthony Biel III in the camp of Abu Sayyaf Camp Al Madinah in Basilan.

After the successful operation, Colonel Parcon was awarded the Medal of Valor, the most prestigious award attainable by military personnel and is given to those who served their country with courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger by former President Fidel V. Ramos on November 20, 1994.

For God and for country – Brigadier General Parcon flashes a smile while in the field of service. 

General Parcon hails from Iloilo and considers Jaro Evangelical Church, the first Baptist church in the Philippines as his home church – he considers his faith as the strength of his service in the military.

Colonel Parcon, now Brigadier General with President Rodrigo R. Duterte

In 1991, while still being 2nd Lieutenant, General Gotico was given the Golden Aviator Award (PAFFSAAI). He was also the PAF Police Officer of the Year in 1997. He was promoted to Colonel in 1998.

Office of communications opens another Photo Contest

After the success of the First Photo contest organized by CPU Alumni Association, Inc., and CPU Office of Communications—in partnership with Robinsons Mall, students, faculty  and staff are just as excited to join a new university photo contest photo contest.

The contest entitled “Sights of Central” is a new year project of the Office of Communications headed by Acting Director Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on. The contest aims to promote the landmarks, landscape, and buildings of Central Philippine University.

The photo contest mechanics are as follows:

• All bonafide students, faculty and staff of Central Philippine University may join the photo contest.
• All photos should feature the buildings, landscape, and landmarks of Central Philippine University.
• The contestant may use any editing software for enhancement purpose only (no effects and no cropping).
• All photos should have a watermark of the owner’s name in the bottom right corner.
• All photos that will be submitted will become the property of Central Philippine University. CPU may use it in any publication online and in print.
• The contestant may submit a maximum of 2 photos.
• All photos should be submitted via email at communications@cpu.edu.ph before February 3, 2017.
• Judging and exhibit of photos will be on February 9 to 10, 2017 during the Student Organizations annual evaluation and exhibit.
• First prize P2,000; Second prize P1,500; Third prize P1,000.

Start enjoying life!

By Cyrus A. Natividad

To enjoy life is to move on. Moving on requires leaving the old attitude of regretting and procrastinating on account of sentiments and lingering in the past.
There’s a constant awareness in most, if not all people with regards to what they have. What they have sometimes make them sad or depressed. And instead of evaluating their self-worth, then find it easier to get intimidated for what others have, or for what status in life they are in.

So maybe we should not leave this issue out from the list of New Year’s resolutions. Simply put, we need to appreciate life by living it– celebrating and enjoying its real purpose.
So start enjoying life by moving on this year – 2017, move along with the development of people and society. This is the first step in getting a lease of life for the new year.

Connecting with people, especially our loved ones is the ‘next thing’ that helps. I remember Dr. Illenberger (a.k.a Nitz) and her advice on keeping in touch- “Connect with love ones, friends and `best friends forever’ (BFF on Facebook). That way you will know if they are living fine, or are getting on with some bad conditions.”

“Likes” and positive comments for them are considered ounces of health, or maintenance pills. Appreciative comments motivate, and constructive criticisms give encouragements. Of course there are limitations to everything that we do. It pays to help other people as long as we don’t compromise or procrastinate with our work. Comforting others improves our comfort zones and in the development of ourselves.

On the other hand, do not “miss the train” by being too busy with other passengers waiting for another train to arrive. For life to be truly enjoyable, we should know our calling and live it.  Prayer is a vehicle to God “from whom all blessings flow.”

Lastly, never look at what others have; look up and give thanks for what the Lord has given you. Amidst the hardships and challenges, it is still a beautiful life.