Keziah G. Huelar

Atty. Alejandro Somo expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Centralian community.

Celebrating the hard work and dedication of Atty. Alejandro Somo, the university’s outgoing Sports Director, CPU and the CPU Golden Lions held a testimonial dinner in his honor at Gran Xing Imperial Hotel on June 19, 2018.

The event was attended by Atty. Somo’s family; Board of Trustees Chairman, Atty. Von Lovel Bedona; CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and his wife, Ma’am Angel Robles; Dr. Agustin A. Pulido and his wife, Dr. Dorothy B. Pulido; CPUAAI President, Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena; other administrative and staff officials of the university; and the CPU Golden Lions athletes.

With the theme “Al is our MVP,” friends and workmates in the Centralian community poured their love and appreciation for Atty. Somo for his years of service to the university as Sports Director.

Atty. Alejandro Somo with Mr. Edwin C. Laru-an, Officer-in-Charge of the University Sports Office.

For the welcome remarks, Dr. Robles highlighted the contributions of Atty. Somo to CPU: “Thank you all for coming to celebrate with us the person that helped made CPU known in the Philippine map. Atty. Somo has served most of his years to help us in our sports and athletics department.”

The thanksgiving prayer was then led by Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director, CPU Office of Communications, and Coach of the CPU Golden Lions Table Tennis Team. CPU Golden Lions coaches sang “With a Smile” by the Eraserheads as an intermission number.

For the tributes, Rev. Jalando-on, on behalf of the coaches, thanked Atty. Somo for his commitment to the university: “It was during the time of Atty. Somo that our varsity team had an official name, the CPU Golden Lions. Previously it was the CPU Golden Eagles but later I proposed that it be changed to lions for its biblical reference.” It was also during his time that the coaches and athletes had their official ID. Rev. Jalando-on also shared that Atty. Somo initiated the sports core group of the university. He added that it was during the term of Atty. Somo where the CPU got the most number of wins in the PRISAA and ISAA.

BOT Chairman, Atty. Bedona, led a toast in honor of Atty. Somo. Atty. Bedona talked about Atty. Somo’s love for sports and for the university: “For a prominent practicing lawyer to become a director of sports of a university is something to think about and there is only one reason, and that is because of his love of sports and his love for CPU.”

CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles together with Atty. Alejandro Somo and Mr. Gibbs Caluba.

Mr. Gibbs Caluba, in his message, shared the legacy of excellence Atty. Somo established: “You will be remembered for all the great things you have done not only for the sports committee but for every staff in the workplace. I am proud to have worked under your leadership not only as a busy boss. You have also shown yourself to be a loving and caring person.”

Atty. Somo’s only grandson, TK, gave a heartfelt “I love you” to the outgoing Sport’s Director.

After the messages, Dr. Robles and, Mr. Edwin C. Laru-an, the Officer-in-Charge of the University Sports Office gave a plaque of appreciation and a CPU Golden Lions jacket.

For his response, Atty. Somo thanked the CPU community for the surprise testimonial dinner: “I’m surprised. I’m happy to see the faces that gave me joy, faces that gave honor and glory to CPU. In my heart, I am so proud of all of you.” Atty. Somo also thanked the CPU administration for their support to the CPU Golden Lions.

CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles together with Atty. Alejandro Somo and the different coaches of the CPU Golden Lions.

A prayer was then offered by Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church, dedicated to Atty. Somo and his family.

Atty. Somo finished his secondary education and his Bachelor of Laws at Central Philippine University. He is currently a member of the CPU Board of Trustees.