Centralian wins Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2018
Showcasing the poise and beauty of an Ilongga, Jainga won Best in Festival Costume showcasing graceful interpretation of a Dinagyang Warrior’s ensemble.
Grace, talent, and wit—Centralian Demi Patria Jainga won the coveted title of Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2018 “Golden Girl” during the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Coronation Night held at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium on January 21, 2018. Jainga, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduate of CPU, bested 12 other candidates. Aside from triumphantly bringing home the crown, Jainga was also awarded the Best in Swimwear and the Best in Interview and she received various corporate nods: Miss Rebisco Choco Mucho, Miss Next Level Fitness Gym, Miss Glutamax, Miss Air Asia, Miss Manulife Philippines, Miss Earth, Water, and Fire Spa and Miss 2Go Express. She also got the Best in Festival Costume Award for the special awards.
Beauty with a purpose – as the new face of the Dinagyang Foundation, Jainga hopes to help promote Ilonggo pride and culture.
Besting 12 other contestants, Centralian, Demi Patria Jainga (center) was crowned Miss Dinagyang 2018 Golden Girl. Also crowned as Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Iloilo City 2018 is Centralian Maria Liza Lizada (second from left).
In answer to the final question, “Why is it so important for you to win Miss Iloilo Dinagyang?” Jainga said that, for her, “being Miss Iloilo Dinagyang is not just about the title. It’s not just about being a beauty queen. Miss Iloilo Dinagyang is about being the voice that [speaks]… not just about Miss Iloilo Dinagyang but about Iloilo City. Miss Iloilo Dinagyang is to be an advocate of Ilonggos so that they’d be aware of our rich culture and heritage.” Jainga’s answer captured the favor of the judges as well as that of the crowd and helped her clinch the title.
Representing the Municipality of Pavia and Central Philippine University, she has made her kasimanwas and the Centralian community proud with her achievements.
In 2012, Jainga was crowned as Miss CPU 1st Runner Up and Pavia CCF Queen in 2013. During her stay in the university, she was part of the CPU Golden Lions Women’s Volleyball Team.
This is not the first time that a Centralian has won the Miss Dinagyang title. Vanessa Ann Ka’ihilani Caro was also crowned Miss Dinagyang 2016 and Merry Grace R. Tubelleja won Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang 2017 Iloilo City.
First Dinagyang Blood Olympics held in CPU
As commitment to the Philippine Red Cross’ cause, Centralians pledged their signatures in the Red Cross Freedom Wall.
The Dinagyang Blood Olympics was held for the first time at Central Philippine University’s Alumni Promenade and Concert Park on January 22 to 23, 2018. The Blood Olympics was a concerted effort of the Philippine Red Cross, CPU, and the Dinagyang Foundation.
Six schools and universities in Iloilo City participated in the event: John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Arevalo, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Molo, St. Therese MTC Colleges – Magdalo, Iloilo Doctors College, St. Therese MTC Colleges – La Fiesta, and CPU. The schools competed among themselves to raise the most number of blood units of 500 cc per blood donor. Overall, there were 80 blood donors from six participating schools—delivering a total of 490 units (blood bags). The collected bags of blood were to be distributed to hospitals for use in the Dinagyang Festival in case of need or emergency.
CPU’s entry in the Dinagyang Blood Olympics Digital Poster Making Contest.
Centralians donate blood for a cause during the First Dinagyang Blood Olympics.
“There may be serious incidents in the festival that requires emergency medical treatments so standby blood packs are needed,” according to Iloilo Blood Bank Manager Dr. Denise Roy Pasadilla. The unused blood units will be stacked at the Red Cross blood bank.
According to Mr. Jojee Roy Juarez, CPU Red Cross Youth Adviser, the blood collection on the first day is consigned to the inter-school competition, while blood collected on the second day would be acknowledged as CPU’s donation to the Red Cross.
CPU Golden Lions sees action at the Bingawan 1st Municipal Volleyball Tournament
The exhibition match ended with the CPU Golden Lions Tertiary Women’s Volleyball Team showcasing hard work, talent and discipline.
The first volleyball tournament organized by Bingawan Municipality, through the efforts of Mayor Mark Palabrica and Vice Mayor Matt Palabrica, with the municipal council and their officers, brought about a healthy dose of competition and sportsmanship between Generika-Ayala and Central Philippine University teams. The tournament was held at the Bingawan Covered Gym during the municipal fiesta on January 23, Tuesday. The event was covered live and streamed via CPU TV Facebook.
The preliminary tournament allowed public schools from Bingawan and other municipalities to compete before the clash between the women of Generika-Ayala Lifesavers from Manila and the CPU Golden Lions took place as the main event.
The exhibition match was expected to be a breeze for the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, a professional team playing in the Philippine SuperLiga (PSL), but the CPU Golden Lions Women’s Volleyball Team was no push-over. The CPU Golden Lions fought hard and stunned Generika-Ayala Lifesavers by winning the first set after a thrilling “lead-2 to win.” As expected, the Lifesavers showed why they were professional players by winning the next three sets with a big margin. The final scores were as follows:
1st set CPU 28-26 Generika
2nd set CPU 22-25 Generika
3rd set CPU 11-25 Generika
4th set CPU 16-25 Generika
The Municipality of Bingawan awards Generika-Ayala Lifesavers a Certificate of Appreciation for their active participation in encouraging sports events and programs all over the country.
Sports in action – CPU Golden Lion Volleyball player aims for a spike while Generika-Ayala Lifesavers awaits to block it.
It is very interesting to note that the Outside Hitter of Generika-Ayala Lifesavers Fiola Mae Ceballos is a Centralian. Fiola is graduate of the CPU College of Hospitality Management, and was a member of the CPU Golden Lions Women’s Volleyball Team during her college days.
Along with Jovelyn Gonzaga, the team captain of Philippines women’s national volleyball team and a current member of the Cignal HD Spikers, she won PRISAA titles for CPU. More importantly, they bagged the Nestea Beach Volley tournament held in Boracay several times and this catapulted CPU into the national limelight. The game also became a homecoming welcome for Ceballos who hails from Bingawan, Iloilo.
Another Centralian who made the friendly game possible is the Team Manager of Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, Mrs. Allyn Grace Margarejo-Sta. Maria. Allyn was Miss High School during her time, and member of the CPU High School Volleyball Varsity Team. She finished her BS Psychology degree at CPU in 2002. Margarejo-Sta. Maria is now scouting CPU players who have the skills to make it to the professional level.
Mayor Palabrica thanked Central Philippine University for the support and participation in the tournament. The Sangguniang Bayan plans to pass a resolution to acknowledge the significance of these volleyball tournaments in making Binggawan a primary mover in the province and in promoting the municipality not only in Iloilo but also in the region.
10th CPU Alumni Global Reunion to be held in July 2018
The Central Spirit across borders, languages and years for the Glory of God and for the pride of CPU.
With the theme, “Fostering CPU’s Legacy-Let the Central Spirit Shine!” the Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Association and CPUAA Midwest USA are inviting Centralians all around the globe to attend the 10th CPU Alumni Global Reunion to be held at Crowne Plaza, Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois on July 5-8, 2018.
Alumni are expected to be part of this grand event of rekindling the Centralian flame of friendship. Let us celebrate the Central Spirit with pride and joy as we gather together and immerse ourselves in the years of camaraderie and faith that Central has helped shape.
For more information on the event please check: www.2018cpuglobalreunion.com for the itinerary and registration.
Please send your registration early to avail of special pricing in both registration and lodging. Invite your family and friends to join you—the more the merrier!
Gilongos as WSSP’s Coordinator
Prof. Annalie Gilongos has been passionate in helping Centralians achieve their dreams.
The Work-Student Study Program (WSSP) of Central Philippine University (CPU) continues to provide opportunities for the poor yet deserving students to enroll in any tertiary academic program while working in the university. With their coordinator, Prof. Annalie Gilongos, appointed only in 2016, the organization is gearing towards maintaining that goal.
Prof. Gilongos is a BS Nursing graduate of Central Philippine University. She also finished her master’s degree in 2006 in this university. She started working at the university in 2002 as one of the faculty in the College of Nursing. At present, she still serves as a professor to some of the subjects under the BS Nursing course. Aside from teaching, she is also currently the coordinator of National Service Training Program (NSTP), and, in 2016, she was assigned as coordinator of WSSP as well.
Prof. Gilongos said that her first few months handling the organization was challenging for she had to balance her work as faculty in the College of Nursing and, at the same time, serve as the coordinator of NSTP and WSSP. “It was very challenging since I had to balance my work as a faculty in the College of Nursing and at the same time be the WSSP Coordinator—organizing WSSP operations and procedures, following up work students’ progress both in their work and academics, and also providing counseling for those with poor performance,” she shared.
She admitted that at times, she felt mentally and emotionally drained. However, one thing that made her feel good was that she enjoys the time she spends counseling the work students—talking and interacting with them. Such moments help her understand them more. “Despite the challenges, I’m thankful because in return, the responsibility as coordinator also honed me to be a better person,” she added.
In order to develop work students’ skills in work and studies, Prof. Gilongos said, “We will conduct more trainings and seminars for work students to further enhance their skills, knowledge, and attitude and help them to develop professionally.”
As the WSSP coordinator, she stated the things she wanted to instill among the Centralian work students, “Working while studying is more than just a job—it is also a job experience, and from these experiences, they gain mentorship opportunities from their supervisors and co-workers; they also gain understanding of work responsibility and they develop self-confidence, self-awareness, and they get to build a network of contacts.”
She also emphasized the advantages being Centralian work students saying, “They must grab any learning opportunity, gain skills and experience. Take pride for being a working student because they are not only gaining experience that will help them in the future but they are part of this University that values everything they do.”
Lastly, Prof. Gilongos has this advice for work students, “For work students to be successful, they need to be committed and conscientious. They should be committed to their obligations, to work diligently in everything they do and meticulously finish their tasks. They should also be determined—always pray and never give up whatever hardships, trials they may face along the way. Most importantly, they must be accountable for all their actions and tasks assigned to them”.
The brothers Mark and Matt Palabrica: Public Service with a Central Spirit
Mayor Mark Palabrica credits his leadership experience to his student government days in CPU during an interview with Mr. Cyrus A. Natividad.
Bingawan is a 5th class municipality in the northern part of the Iloilo province. At present, it enjoys development under the administration of Mayor Mark Palabrica who took over the leadership from elder brother, former Mayor Matt Palabrica.
Matt Palabrica is now the incumbent Vice Mayor of Bingawan. He fully supports his younger brother in the administration of the municipality.
Behind the progress in Bingawan is a Centralian legacy. The two top officials of Bingawan took part in campus politics and governance in their college days. Mayor Mark Palabrica finished his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1997 and his Bachelor of Laws from CPU in 2002. Vice Mayor Matt Palabrica finished his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1992. Both have been officers in the CPU Republic and SK Officers at municipal and provincial levels, respectively. During Matt’s term in office, Bingawan received the presidential “Galing Pook Award.” the Department of Local Government gave the Drug Free Municipality Award to the municipality twice—during Vice Mayor Matt’s terms and at present, that of Mayor Mark’s.
The Mayor and the Vice Mayor attribute this achievement in the Anti-Drug Campaign to the influence of Baptist churches in the community and undeniably to the Centralians in the municipality. Mayor Mark and Vice Mayor Matt point to the Central Spirit as the guiding light in leading their people with consistent Christian values. They fondly remember the Christ Emphasis Week celebration that helped them in their spirituality. Both are family men who see to it that their family leaderships reflect the right values in their children and, likewise, among their constituents. The Baptist influence is of great help in the formation of Christian values in the communities of Bingawan.
Vice Mayor Matt Palabrica shares that the Christian values he learned in CPU helped him succeed government leader.
In an interview with Mayor Mark and Vice Mayor Matt, both expressed gratitude to Central Philippine University for the help and support extended to Bingawan—particularly after the municipality suffering from the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda. Survivors of Yolanda received donations and financial assistance from CPU.
It is well known that majority of professionals in Bingawan are graduates of CPU. Also, many students currently enrolled at CPU come from Bingawan. University and municipality have formed valuable linkages and outreach such as participation in the joint program “Bingawan CPU Day” and the recently launched “Municipal Volleyball Tournaments.”
With the first Volleyball Tournament held with this year’s municipal fiesta, with support and participants from CPU, Mayor Mark looks forward “to continuous event organization and joint efforts in promoting the games with students of CPU and other municipalities and entities; to foster community activities, public relations, and promotions for Bingawan and Central Philippine University. It is for the future of the municipality that we value our relationship and continue on with the linkages we have started with Central Philippine University.”
The Legacy of a Centralian
Dr. Fely P. Chin with her friend, Dr. Anita Illenberger, Dean, CPU College of Arts and Science. We remember her strong testimony of faith and friendship that will surely live on.
Central Philippine University is home to dynamic individuals who have contributed their time, talent, and treasure not only to the university but the world as well. These people have inspired a generation of Centralians living out the university motto, Scientia et Fides, offering their commitment to uphold the values of Central, and, most importantly, to glorifying God in whichever part of the globe they may be.
One of the people who helped strengthen the Centralian foundation of excellence is Dr. Fely Peñascosa Chin. A CPU graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (cum laude) in 1971.
Dr. Chin had devoted her heart and hands to the halls of CPU.
Her pursuit to offer her best to CPU is evident in her continuous efforts to pursue higher degrees. She attained her Master of Science in Statistics from San Diego State University, San Diego, California in 1990 and her Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City in 1975. She also finished her Doctor of Education at Central Philippine University in 2011.
As Dean of the College of Arts and Science from 2001-2005, Prof. Chin had offered innovations that catered to the professional success of our graduates. Dr. Chin served as the university’s Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2009-2015.
According to Dr. Anita Illenberger, Dean, College of Arts and Science “Speaking of Dr. Fely P. Chin, Tita Inday as we fondly called her, brings both pain and joy. There is hurt whenever I think of a dearest friend whose physical presence is sorely missed. Yet, there is joy in remembering how fortunate I have been to be blessed with a friend who is more like a sister to me a mentor, confidante, and travel buddy. Believing that she is not actually gone, she keeps her special appointed place in the hearts of every member of our Bible Study Group. She will be forever connected with me in prayers. Faith and love will always keep us to together.”
She had been a dedicated Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean, Christian, and friend. Her life is a testimony of faith and hard work.
She passed away last December 18, 2017 at the age of 66. May the life, love, and legacy she left behind inspire us to take hold on the goodness of Lord and serve our purpose for His glory.