Committee begins its preparation for the CPU Alumni Homecoming
The Rose Memorial Auditorium will be the venue of this year´s Alumni Homecoming.
Preparations have started for the 2017 Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly Meeting. Mr. Daniel P. Dorillo, CPU Alumni Association, Inc. President called the Committee members that include Department Heads, Deans, and Principals to an initial meeting on July 10 at the BOT Conference Room. This was in view of bigger and better alumni gathering at Central Philippine University on September 30, 2017. The Committee is co-chaired by Dr. Anita U. Ellenberger.
Taken up at the meeting were concerns and suggestions on how to “bring home” more alumni to this year’s homecoming. Other issues include security and order. It was pointed out that the seating arrangement at the Rose Memorial needs to be improved in preparation for a bigger turnout of attendance this year. The theme “Centralian: Sharing 3T’s (Time, Talent and Treasure) for One CPU” was chosen among the suggestions and will be presented to the Alumni Board for approval.
One suggestion was to convene the Chapter Presidents and representatives of alumni batches to discuss ways to improve attendance. Dorillo suggested that Alumni Chapter Presidents should be given a hand to invite and see to it that more members of their chapters will come. The presentation of U-Days best – winners of selected cultural contests will be performing. Tarpaulins will also be put up in different areas in Panay and Negros to announce the Alumni Homecoming, as well as an aggressive campaign in social media and news outlets.
Dorillo hinted at calling for more meetings in order to address any other matters with regards to the Alumni Homecoming. The organizers are praying and hoping that many alumni will be “coming home” this September 30, 2017.
Preparations for the CPU College of Agriculture Grand Reunion are underway
The College of Agriculture Alumni Association continues to meet in various places in Negros to prepare for the Grand Reunion of the College of Agriculture alumni on October 20-21, 2017 at the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel with the Theme “CPU Soaring High Towards Global Agripreneurship.”
On June 10, 2017, the officers of CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association Negros Chapter and some alumni went to Kabankalan City for their meeting. The meeting was hosted by Mr. Geovani Gatoc at DMAX Restaurant. The updates were given by the officers led by Roberto “Francis” Jalando-on, Jr., the chapter president. In that meeting, the group was surprised when an elderly gentleman came into the restaurant. He said his sister in Capiz told him to join the alumni meeting in Kabankalan. She got the message from a text from the CPU Office of Communications. Because of the Central Spirit, Mr. Eliseo “Boy” Elumba who is already more than 70 years old came all the way from La Castellana. He has been attending meetings from then on.
The organizers of the College of Agriculture Grand Reunion are distributing the tarps to strategic areas in Negros announcing the event.
After the meeting, the group decided to pass Hinigaran and visit an alumnus who is sick. The group had the opportunity to pray for Rolando Tupas. The prayers and visit brought a radiant smile from him. His wife, Lory Causing-Tupas attended two more meetings after the visit and will soon be hosting an alumni meeting at their home on July 29, 2017. The group is looking forward to having Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, the CPU Vice President for Student Affairs, as the guest of honor.
CPUCA Alumni Meeting in La Carlota City last June 12,2017.
Two days later, on June 12, the group once again had a fellowship lunch in La Carlota City at the residence of the Negros Chapter’s President, Mr. Roberto R. Jalando-on, Jr. It seems that the Grand Reunion is the culmination of a series of mini-reunions from Pavia, to the CPU Campus and many parts in Negros.
CPUCA Alumni Meeting in Kabankalan City.
Last July 1, 2017, the CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association Negros Chapter met at Nena´s Manokan near Bacolod Doctor´s Hospital. This is the place where they hold their monthly fellowship. The elderly alumni are enthusiastic and faithful attendees. One alumnus quipped “The Central Spirit is thicker than blood.” In this meeting, the group was visited by the President of the CPU Alumni Association, Inc., Mr. Dan Dorillo.
On July 22, 2017, 3:00 pm the La Carlota City CPU Alumni Chapter will meet at the residence of Mr. Ed Castaneda. Everyone who is in the area is invited to attend.
The organizers of the October reunion will print the final program by the end of July. Two places for field trips are already identified: Campuestohan and Mambucal for the Second Day while on the first night, the main attraction is “CPU´s Finest” featuring the winners of the U-Day 2017 and some of the CPU Cultural Groups like the Cultural Center of Philippines´ accredited artist, the CPU Handbell Ringers.
For more information about the Grand Reunion, please contact the following persons: Delma Umadhay – 09205190506, Roberto R. Jalando-on – 09203268505, Stergein May Gico-Aurelio – 09124742389.
Centralian Engr. Grande is the new President of the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline
Family of Centralians giving their best for God´s glory. (L-R) L J, April Grace , Dr. Lorna Grande, Mark Joseph, Engr. Jude Grande, and Tim.
Centralian Engineer Jude Marsh Grande, former faculty of the CPU College of Engineering was elected President of the Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline for Rotary Year 2017-2018. Grande who is a Pastor’s kid is a successful Engineer, Contractor and a Real Estate Broker. He is married to Dr. Lorna T. Grande, Dean of the CPU College of Business and Accountancy.
His induction as President of the Rotary Club of Jaro Centralian (RCJC) comes as no surprise, as he has been an active and generous leader of the Club since he joined RCJC. “The driving force behind his membership in Rotary is the principle of sharing, service to humanity (service above self) and professional enrichment.”
The Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline is a special Alumni Chapter of Central Philippine University. Most of the club’s members are alumni of CPU. The RCJC induction will be held on July 19, 2017 at Westown Hotel in Smallville, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Engr. Grande started out his success from being a CPU work student as Library Student Assistant (LSAP Chapter) from 1977 to 1982, and finished his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He passed the board exams in 1995 and joined CPU as a faculty in the Civil Engineering Department until 2006.
He is currently engaged in the construction business and has successfully connected to the real estate industry since 2014 as PRC Licensed Broker. Among his construction projects are the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC) Centennial Building, Katipan Hall in Camp Higher Ground, and around 500 houses at the Habitat for Humanity relocation site in San Isidro, Jaro.
Engr. Grande is a church leader and a Pastor’s Kid. As such, he is supportive of the new generation of pastors in their respective ministries. His advice to Pastor’s Kids who are studying at CPU is to keep their faith in Jesus Christ and never stop believing in Him.
Engr. Grande continues to share his time, talent and treasures as an expression of his commitment to Jesus, his personal Lord and Savior.
CPU Elementary Batch ‘73 and HS Batch ‘77 hold Ruby Reunion
Remembering memories and making them last.
With the theme “Kit-anay, Kadlawanay, Kan-anay”, CPU Batch 1973 and High School Batch 1977 rekindled the Central Spirit of camaraderie as they held their Ruby Reunion at the Central Philippine University campus and Partner’s Paradise at San Joaquin on July 7-8, 2017.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles welcomes the batch.
The batch had their meet and greet at the CPU Educational Media Center. The event was graced by CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles who welcomed the Centralians in his opening remarks. He thanked the batch for always remembering CPU and carrying the Central Spirit wherever they may be. Also, present at the gathering, is Ms. Nona S. Dominado, the Principal of CPU High School Batch 1977. She recalled the memories she had with the batch and encouraged them to excel wherever life takes them.
The importance of praying for one another – the batch prays for the high school and elementary teachers.
On the same day, the group went to Partner’s Paradise at San Joaquin for their out of town excursion. During their evening session, Doc. Tino Alerta lead the devotional which was then followed by a group singing led by Girlie May Sublado Acorda, games and a bonfire session.
The batch together with their High School Principal, Ms. Nona S. Dominado.
Early 5:00 am on July 8, 2017, the batch enjoyed an early morning dip and stroll on the beach. Another round of games and activities were held showcasing the different talent of the alumni. For the morning devotional, Engr. Butch Eguico led the reading of the sharing of the Scriptures.
The batch flashes their smile at the University Church.
The batch is now preparing for their participation in the September 30, 2017 Alumni Homecoming.
CPU BSN Class of 1992 at 25!
By Joyce Ong Arana
BSN Class 92 Gala Dinner and Dance in San Antonio, Texas.
The CPU Bachelor of Science in Nursing class of 1992 recently celebrated their silver reunion in San Antonio, Texas last June 22 to 25, 2017. In attendance were 45 batch mates from the states of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, and from London, United Kingdom, with a total of 96 people, including family members.
A chartered boat ride at the river walk.
The reunion core group and organizers.
The batch that eats together, stay together.
The much-awaited four-day event included private tours at the Natural Bridge Caverns, the historic Alamo, chartered boat ride at the scenic San Antonio River Walk, lunch at an authentic Texan BBQ restaurant, a country experience at a Honky Tonk place, Meet and Greet dinner and a farewell brunch at local restaurants. The pinnacle of the reunion was the Gala Dinner and Dance on June 24 at Rio Plaza, River Walk, San Antonio, where the batch mates danced the night away. This 25th reunion was made possible through the efforts of Joyce Ong Arana, Gladys Mijares Soriano, Mary Jane Mayang Huelar, Robert Von Divinagracia, Phares Miles Huelar and Marie-Vic Palu-ay.
Private tour of the historic the Alamo.
Lunch at the Texan Brown B Que Restaurant.
Batch meet and greet dinner.
A private tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns.
A fun boat ride with Class 92 batchmates.
It was such an emotional parting for everybody on the last day. However, this saying holds true for us, “Like branches of a tree; we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of the other´s.” – author unknown
Centralian bags top spot in DOH Inter-School Poster Making Contest
A Centralian Junior High student bagged the top spots in the Inter-School Poster Making Contest held by the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office Region VI Violence and Injury Prevention Program at SM City Iloilo on July 11-12, 2017. Meliza Louise Javellana won 1st place in both school and inter-school category besting other contestants all over Panay.
In the school category Javellana competed with fellow Centralians to represent the university in the inter-school competition. She earned the top spot while Patricia Rose Intoy and Ken Suarez placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Intetrschool category winners.
For her inter-school competition entry, Javellana used acrylic paint and oil pastel for 36” by 24” poster. In an interview, Javellana shares that the youth should take part in helping educate the community to avoid disasters, especially drowning. “The meaning of my artwork is to educate, to prevent and to save. We have to be aware why we have floods and why people drown. Second, we have to prevent floods through proper waste segregation, and also we have to teach children proper safety water tips.”
Four Centralian Junior High students joined this year´s interschool poster-making contest held by DOH.
Winning entries will be reproduced as road tarpaulins by DOH to be posted all over Western Visayas. The said art works will also be brought to World Conference in Canada for presentation.
Javellana with her winning artwork.
Javellana´s artwork showcases the importance of educating, preventing and saving.
The theme of this year’s poster making competition is “Drowning Prevention”. DOH aims to promote a widespread advocacy on drowning prevention through different artworks made by the youth.
CBM Missionaries visit CPU
The Canadian Baptist missionaries with Rev. Joniel Howard Gico, VPSA, Rev. Job Santiago, CPU BOT, and Rev. F. Neil Jalando-on, CPU Director for Communications.
Together with CPU Board of Trustee Rev. Job Santiago, four missionaries from the Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM); Mr. Malcolm Card, Chairman of the CBM Board of Trustees his wife Patty, Pastor Michael Waddell and his wife Melanie had a courtesy with the CPU Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard Gico at the Administration Conference Room on July 13, 2017.
Present during the event is also Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on who talked about the Baptist History of CPU and its international linkages throughout the globe. A video presentation about CPU was shown showcasing the university’s commitment to quality Christian education.
The missionaries are currently in Iloilo to know more about the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, its programs and activities.
Dr. and Mrs. Robles hold Appreciation Lunch for CPU Presidential Staff
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles with the staff.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and his wife, Mrs. Angel Robles, hosted an appreciation lunch to honor the hardworking staff of the different departments under his office at Muelle Deli and Restaurant on July 11, 2017.
Dr. Robles and his wife, Ma´am Angel together with the staff under the President´s office.
Centralian staff and personnel of the Office of Board of Trustees, Human Resources, Office of Communications, Cultural Affairs Office, Powerhouse, Shop, Office of Institutional Advancement, Quality Assurance Center and Cultural Affairs Office were treated to an all you can eat buffet courtesy of Dr. Robles and his wife.
Dr. Robles and Ma´am Angel with the staff of the CPU Office of Communications.
The appreciation lunch was also a commemoration of the fruitful 2016-2017 academic year and to welcome in the new school year with rekindled Centralian friendships. According to Mr. Mark Clemens Ortaliz, Webmaster of the CPU Office of Communications, the event was an opportunity to get together with the staff of other offices. “The appreciation lunch was a time for us to appreciate not only our efforts but also to appreciate the people we work with.”
Jaro Football Club finishes their 3-month long tournament
The champions flashing the number 1 sign.
Every Saturday for 3 months, the Centralian football players attacked, passed, defended, tackled, had a corner kick, committed a foul, dribbled, completed a give and go play, and made a goal in the 9-aside Football Tournament of the Jaro Football Club. The tournament kicked-off last April 8, 2017 and the ball was last kicked to the goal on July 8, 2017.
The championship match last July 8, 2017 was between Team D and Team B. After a competitive game and score of 6-2, Team D emerged as the champion. Team D is composed of Gisson Paul Seloterio, Wesley Hortelano, Atty. Joseph Celiz, Marc Hermel Agriam, Eduardo Alfaras, Filomeno Sonza Jr., Julian Raphael Abastillas, Brian Chad Alba, Antonio Velario IV, Raphael Joseph Paz, Hazael Giles Cejar, Wells Ruud Lego, and Joseph Michael Ong. The second place Team D is composed of Kent Cabarles, Erwin Baylon, Lemuel Guillergan, Raphael Gadong, Stephen Capati, Biboy Llanora, Russel Sodusta, Alex Balladares, Japhet Batir, Windel Malay, and Chris Balladares.
The second place team with their trophy.
The Jaro FC, composed of Centralians, decided to hold a tournament to strengthen the fellowship and relationship of CPU alumni through this friendly football competition. Most of the players were former varsity players and some are alumni who are football enthusiasts. They decided to have 5 teams labeled Team A to Team E. The team composition is a mixed of CPU Football Varsity Alumni, CPU students, and football-fanatic Centralians. The format was 9-aside, double round robin, and they used a portion of the football field near the Centennial Walkway as their pitch.
The Power of a Good Idea
Loretizo during the NatGeo Explorers Festival in Washington D.C.(Photo Credit: National Geographic Asia).
Munich, 1883 – people gathered in front of the Residenztheater, the city’s most beloved theater. It was sundown and the grand façade of the theater stood in darkness, surrounded by a crowd of music and laughter. Nearby inns emit the mouthwatering smell of Weisswurts and bratwurst, conversations filled the streets, people were ecstatic as electric lights would finally brighten Munich for the first time.
There was silence, and in a flash, the theater glowed in all her splendor. The light pierced through the crowd as they cheered. No more lamps fueled by oil. Rather electric lights, cleaner and brighter than before were transporting people to the future.
Among the crowd was four year old Albert Einstein. He was atop his father’s shoulders when he witnessed everything. The young boy was astounded, curiosity filled his soul as electric lights seemed like stars he could touch and put in his pocket.
Loretizo chats with Explorer, Lee Berger. (Photo Credit: National Geographic Asia).
Years later, Einstein becomes one of the greatest physicists, changing the world with his revolutionary ideas. A genius in his own right, Einstein paved the way, inspiring millions of young minds to be passionately curious about the world.
NatGeo recently aired “Genius”, a show depicting the life of Einstein. It portrayed the rise of the Physicist from a curious learner into one of the foundations of modern physics. To celebrate his life, the show held “Everyday Genius” a contest encouraging young minds all around the globe to submit ideas that might the world. Hundreds of entries were received by NatGeo, but one stood out from the rest.
John Elmer Loretizo, a 5th year Software Engineering student of CPU, bagged the top spot with his innovative phone application PaDS or Patient in Transit Diagnostics System in the National Geographic’s “Everyday Genius” Contest besting other contestants from around the globe.
PaDS is a mobile app that sends a patients diagnostics to the target hospital for treatment preparation. When asked on how he came up with the idea for PaDs, Loretizo shares that it was his experience when he himself was seeking medical treatment that made him realize the importance of such innovation. “It was three in the morning, and all of a sudden I had asthma. I had to be rushed at the hospital but instead of receiving immediate medical attention, I still had to wait and be diagnosed. I thought to myself that this is all unnecessary. When it comes to providing medical services, every second counts.”
Inside the NatGeo Museum. (Photo Credit: National Geographic Asia).
The background of his study showcases the Philippines as a country with a high percentage of smartphone users. Mobile applications can play a vital role in emergency response situations in order to provide a solution to the prevailing problem of delayed medical services, Loretizo came up with the concept that will allow users to identify themselves during registration as any of three different roles namely: an emergency responder, a regular citizen or a medical practitioner (either an emergency nurse or a doctor).
Both emergency responders and medical practitioners shall be required of a license number or identification card during registration in order to ascertain their identity. Once registered, varying user interfaces shall be made available to each user depending on the role they have and all is set to go. During emergency situations, a responder or civilian will select the hospital to which the patient will be brought to and fill out an information sheet thereafter in the most detailed way possible. No field is required for either the responder or civilian but filling out more fields with accuracy would help the target hospital design a treatment plan while waiting for the patient to arrive.
Visiting the NatGeo Musuem. (Photo Credit: National Geographic Asia).
There shall also be an option to send images of the patient of specific areas of wounds/injury or area of focus to be treated. Once the diagnostics are sent, medical practitioners in the target hospital will immediately receive the data and get notified of the emergency.
They will be able to know the location of the ambulance or vehicle. Through the diagnostics and images sent, doctors would be able to initially plan out a treatment plan (i.e. ready the emergency room, operating materials) or send back a response of what to do while the patient is still in transit. PaDS bridges the gap of emergency response needed especially in countries like the Philippines. It helps elevate the level of technology and its usefulness in saving lives (learn more about PaDs on http://everydaygenius.asia/#winners).
Loretizo shares came to know about the contest through Facebook. “When I stumbled upon NatGeo’s post about the competition around April, I wasn’t really that sure of entering. However I saw it again in my saved post and I finally decided to join.”
On May 26, 2017, NatGeo finally called Loreritizo to tell him that he was adjudged as the Grand winner of the competition. “I felt happy and excited when I heard the news. I wasn’t expecting to win because I came to know about the other entries and some of them were very technical.”
As Grand Winner, Loretizo attended the first ever National Geographic Explorers Festival at NatGeo headquarters in Washington D.C. on June 12-18, 2017. There he met fellow innovators, scientists, NatGeo photographers. During the festival he had a chance to meet Avatar and Titanic director, James Cameron and Astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson. “It was so surreal meeting them, James Cameron is an award winning Director and Neil deGrasse Tyson is famous astrophysicist who is widely known for his wit and humor. The learned so much from the festival, I learned about innovations from people across the globe and I also had a chance to share about my ideas as well.” He was able to watch a live session of an interview session with James Cameron and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
During the festival, Neil deGrasse Tyson received the Habburd Medal, National Geographic’s highest distinction, which recognizes lifetime achievement in exploration, scientific research and discovery.
Loretizo graduated as elementary and high school valedictorian at General Santos City Sped Integrated School. He came to study in CPU after knowing that the university offers Software Engineering. “I knew that I always wanted to take up engineering but I wasn’t sure specifically what kind of engineering. A lot of people did encourage taking up software engineering. I had a chance to talk to a professor from Mapua Institute of Technology and he encouraged to take up software engineering.”
Apart from being an “Everyday Genius”, Loretizo also took up leadership roles in the university as the college representative of the College of Engineering. “I think that everybody has this concept that if you’re smart you have the ability to lead. As a leader, I always motivated my fellow-officers to participate in every activity. I always acknowledge them and help them grow.”
When asked on how he deals with pressure and expectation Loretizo shares that it’s important to be motivated with your passion on what you want to do rather than other people’s expectations. “Always look beyond people’s expectations of you. Make pressure a stepping stone. In your own little way you leave an impact.”
According to Loretizo, one’s mindset is important in creating ideas. The necessity of being passionately curious should be a habit that let’s see the potential of moments. “One should always be curious, to ask how things work or how they don’t work. Good ideas can spring from ordinary moments, your perspective should always be to innovate and to do something that has never been done before.”
Germany had Albert Einstein to share to the world. Now, CPU and the Philippines have John Elmer Loretizo.
DOH VI Awards CPU for exemplary performance in NVBSP 2016
The Department of Health Regional Office VI recognized Central Philippine University for its exemplary performance in the 2016 National Voluntary Blood Services Program during the Regional Sandugo Awarding on July 2017.
The award is given to institutions that advance the cause of the Department of Health by supporting its programs and activities. CPU will continue its commitment in supporting causes that aim for promoting public health and safety.
Trophy given to CPU by DOH.
CPU is inviting all Centralians to participate in the 2017 Bloodlympics, with the theme: What can you do? Give Blood, Give Now, Give Often, on July 19-21, 2017. Activities will include blood donation drives and a symposium on HIV/AIDS Awareness.