By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Centralians and friends from all over the world are invited to come home to Central Philippine University on February 5-9, 2020 to attend the Alumni Grand Homecoming. The Theme for this much-awaited reunion is “Central Spirits Leads us Back Home.”
Centralians who are residing in ASEAN Countries can now register via Google Forms made by the Office of Communications. Here is the site: https://forms.gle/6XFoyApmepwBK5m2A
The Steering Committee is reminding everyone who plans to attend that they have to register on or before December 31, 2019 so that we could properly accommodate alumni and their guests and avoid logistic problems.
For more information please email: homecoming@cpu.edu.ph or visit https://cpu.edu.ph/grand-homecoming-2020-central-spirit-leads-us-back-home/
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Flora Mae Navales, won three medals during the Shinhan World Peace Taekwondo Festival last August 1-5, 2019 at Shinhan University in Uijeongbu-si Gyeonggi-do, Seoul South Korea.
Flora Navales, a Centralian and a former varsity coach of the CPU Golden Lions won three medals during the Shinhan World Peace Taekwondo Festival last August 1-5, 2019 held at Shinhan University in Uijeongbu-si Gyeonggi-do, Seoul South Korea.
Navales won gold in a mixed pair event, silver in individual poomsae, and bronze in kyorugi in the Senior Women’s Division Blackbelt Category. She was also won the Best Coach Award.
“So grateful for Taekwondo, this sport has took me to different heights, took me to places I never imagined I could visit, and turned me into the best version of myself. It is always an honor to represent this sport, our country, and the Philippine Taekwondo Association, this is the least I can do to give back to what this sport has given me,” Navales said.
Navales finished her AB Political Science degree from CPU in 2014. She is also a National Referee and a National Instructor of the Philippine Taekwondo Association.
The Shinhan World Peace Taekwondo Festival was established in 2016 to commemorate Taekwondo Day on Sept. 4. It was in Sept. 4, 1994, when taekwondo became an Olympic sport at an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Paris.
Navales and other Taekwondo athletes from the Philippines won 54 gold, 20 silver, and 11 bronze medals during the said event.
By Nestle G. Taala
Central Philippine University working committees for the Grand Alumni Homecoming 2020 held a meeting at the KDC, Henry Luce Library III on September 10, 2019.
Headed by Prof. Anna May Yap-Zerrudo, Acting Director, Office of International Relations and Cooperation and Engr. Isagani Jalbuena, President of the CPU Alumni Association, Inc., the said committee made follow up discussions on matters pertaining to the betterment of this grand celebration. Each member set forth their plans, subject for revisions and improvement, before the committee.
The Grand Alumni Homecoming 2020 with the theme, “Central Spirit Leads Us Back Home,” will take place on February 5-9, 2020. It looks forward to gathering alumni both from local and abroad, to rekindle Centralian memories within the portals of CPU and to establish plans for a greater Central.
REGISTRATION IS STILL ONGOING! If you wish to register now, please do visit https://cpu.edu.ph/grand-homecoming-2020-central-spirit-leads-us-back-home/ for forms, schedule of activities and other inquiries concerning the said activity. You may also personally visit the CPUAAI Office in CPU and look for Mrs. Tina Hortelano, CPUAAI Liaison Officer.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Dr. West with Looking Forward host Mr. Cyrus Natividad.
Dr. Bud West, CPU School of Graduate Studies professor, was the guest in Looking Forward – CPU TV’s public affairs program last Friday, August 23, 2019. West, an American professor, is an internationally-known expert in the field of research. He is also a Professor in Leadership and Management and has been an admirable professor of students in their research subjects. “He is an excellent professor,” noted Dr. Rowena M. Libo-on, Dean of the CPU School of Graduate Studies.
West currently teaches in the MBA and Doctor of Management programs while working with the Director of Institutional Research in the fields of project development and management. He is a Senior Fellow at The Cornerstone Leadership Institute. He also served at Regent University as an adjunct professor, teaching in doctoral programs for the School of Business and Leadership.
With regards to his stint at the CPU Graduate School, West expressed gratitude to the Lord for the opportunity to serve CPU, “being able to experience the legacy which was founded by American Missionaries.” West has been a pastor who served several churches in non-vocational positions, including those of Associate Pastor, Minister of Music/Worship, and Minister of Education.
In Looking Forward, West shared the idea of how important research is to everyone in general, and the Filipino youth in particular. “Filipinos need intellectual research in many things, more so because they have many competencies and capabilities in different fields.” Asked how he looks at the future of research for the students, West added that “there is so much opportunity for them, just by looking at how fast transitions are with technology.”
Dr. West has other research employment previously – including stints at GP Strategies Corporation and serving the US Navy as a Nuclear Trained Mechanic on submarines. He is an expert consultant, project manager and training specialist among others.
He is married to a Filipina – Melanie Decrepito West; with sons EJ, Titus, Timothy and Thaddaeus.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Resource Speaker Atty. Saddy Rillorta, CPU alumnus and Officer-in-Charge of Institutional Relations Department of PDIC talked about wise- saving habits and the benefits and limitations of deposit insurance.
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) conducted a Financial Literary Session as part of their “Be a Wise Saver” campaign on August 7, 2019 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. Students from the College of Business and Accountancy attended the said event.
Resource speaker Atty. Ma. Saddy Mila Ena Barranco Rillorta, CPU alumnus and Officer-in-Charge of Institutional Relations Department of PDIC, talked about wise-saving habits and the benefits and limitations of deposit insurance.
The “Be a Wise Saver” Campaign is part of PDIC’s financial literacy advocacy for safe and responsible banking. They will soon have another session with the faculty, staff and students of Central Philippine University.
PDIC was able to come to the campus thru the efforts of the Dean of the College of Business and Accountancy, Dr. Lorna T. Grande, and Director for Communications, Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on.
By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
The CPU Alumni Association, Inc. officers met with the members of different committees on September 12, 2019 to hear updates of preparations for the upcoming 2019 Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly on September 28, 2019, 8:30am at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. The meeting was led by CPUAAI President Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena.
The theme of this awaited reunion is “Central Spirit Leading Us Onward as One.” The Registration fee is P400 with lunch while the Alumni Night costs P600.00. For those who have no Lifetime Alumni ID yet, there is a special promo during the Alumni Homecoming only. The Registration Fee plus Alumni ID, which you could get after a few minutes, is just P600. The Alumni Night will be at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center, General Luna St., Iloilo City.
As of this time, there are some slots available out of the 150 alumni that will be given free registration (which includes the lunch) by the Central Philippine University Federation of Overseas Alumni Association (CPUFOAA). The criteria will be for alumni who will be attending the Alumni Homecoming for the first time. So hurry up and register at the CPU Alumni Affairs Office.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
A lecture on Archivology, Paleology and Diplomatics was conducted by the CPU Review, Continuing Education and Consultancy Research on August 22 at the 4th Floor Conference Room 2 – Henry Luce III Library.
A lecture on Archivology, Paleology, and Diplomatics was conducted by the CPU Review, Continuing Education and Consultancy Research on August 22, 2019 at the 4th Floor Conference Room 2, Henry Luce III Library. It was attended by students, faculty, and staff of Social Science, Biology and B.S. in Library Science (BLIS).
Dr. Lenny Rose P Mucho, Director, RCECC introduced the Resource Speaker. She expressed gratitude for the free lecture; thanking him for sharing his valuable knowledge to Central Philippine University for the first time.
The Resource Speaker, Prof. Rene S. Salvania, is Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the East. He volunteered to provide the Free Lecture on the importance of archiving, other principles and processes of University Libraries. He particularly shared the system and recording of the National Library. Salvania is the brother of the late Butch Salvania former Franklin Hall Dormitory Proctor.
A Lecture Forum/Workshop was held after the lecture. The program was hosted by Anna Mae B. Cantel, Coordinator, Knowledge for Development Center.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
CPU international students with Looking Forward Host Mr. Cyrus Natividad.
The International Students Organization (ISO) which includes students of different nationalities signified its support to the activities and organizations of CPU. It is particularly committed to participate and support the upcoming University Day 2019 activities. This was expressed by its founder and current President in an interview on Friday, August 9 in a special edition of Looking Forward – CPUTV Facebook Channel.
ISO member, Xu Bin (Chinese National/student of Doctor of Management in Public Management) with son Xu Chenyu (adopted name Heinrich – a CPU Grade 3 pupil) and current ISO President Abodie Obordo (Phil-Kuwaiti National/ CPU Senior High School) encouraged all international students to join the International Students Organization.
Obordo was grateful for the opportunity of being enrolled in CPU, and receiving a lot of blessings including Xu Bin who introduced him to the international group of students in different levels and colleges. Xu Bin also thanked CPU for the opportunity in bringing in many of his fellow Chinese Nationals to the Philippines and to Central Philippine University to study.
Xu Bin was proud about his personally recruited Chinese students from Henan province in China. “They are included in the International Students Organization numbering about One Hundred Twenty by now”, Xu Bin said. His son Heinrich also appreciated the hospitable environment, good instruction and teachers in the Elementary.
Obordo added that “Central Philippine University and the CPUR have given him a lot of support in encouraging foreign students in what he calls “international cooperation” in terms of projects and programs. He said that their exhibit will be a contribution to the University Day celebrations. Obordo is the son of Filipina-Kuwaiti nationality Maria Obordo.
The International Students Organization’s aim is to consolidate support and cooperative efforts from all international students enrolled in CPU, and for them to be a member of ISO.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
The first set of PSAA Officers during their homecoming and induction ceremony in 2015.
The CPU Political Science Alumni Association (PSAA) will be coming “home” again this year at Central Philippine University during the celebration of the CPU Alumni Homecoming 2019.
According to Eric ‘Noy’ Otayde, current PSAA President, the Batch 1984 Jubilarians of the PSAA will celebrate their Jubilee year on the night of September 27 at the Smallville 21 Hotel, Diversion Road Iloilo City. This will be a prelude to the CPUAAI Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly on September 28, 2019 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
“We will have two nights of getting together. The first one on the 27th is our Jubilarian celebration, and then we should be there on the 28th at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center for the CPU Alumni Night,” said Otayde. The PSAA will join the Search for the Alumni King and Queen 2019 on that evening.
The Political Science Alumni Association (PSAA) is a special alumni chapter and the 154th of all CPUAAI worldwide. For inquiries please contact us: 0917-723-2687 (Eric), 0961-145-5207 (Cyrus).
by Rusieljs G. Lunasco
US Embassy deputy chief of mission John C. Law with Dr. Teodoro C. Robles (third from right) and 13 heads of Philippine universities that host American corners photo by Xavier University.
CPU President Dr. Teodoro Robles, along with 13 other heads of Philippine universities that host American Corners, attended an Executive Conference hosted by U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission John C. Law last June 18, 2019.
During the conference, university leaders and Embassy personnel discussed upcoming events and plans for the American Spaces program. They also made certain changes in their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Central Philippine University is one of 14 universities in the country that hosts the American Corner. American Corners under the American Spaces program are dedicated American resource centers and program spaces hosted in partner public and private universities.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
CPU Acting Director for University Libraries Mrs. Cynthia T. Peleña and OIC for the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Pastor Peter James Trasporto with volunteer artists.
Central Philippine University celebrated the long-standing US-Philippine friendship with the launching of the American Corner U.S.-PH Mural Space Configuration on August 20, 2019 at the 3rd Floor of CPU Henry Luce III Library.
Wide panel boards with paintings done by volunteer artists depicting Philippine–U.S. history and culture were unveiled. There were posters of some United States views and Philippine sites on the sides, as well as a wide TV screen showing documentary films of Fil-American relations.
The former space for the American Corner has become wider; accommodating a bigger volume of American books, historical and socio-cultural reference booklets from the U.S. Embassy.
Mrs. Cynthia T. Peleña, Pastor Peter James Trasporto together with the artists during the unveiling of the American Corner Mural.
The American Corner library also provides computers with wide monitors and data retrieval system and websites such as ProQuest. It allows students to scan or research, particularly relevant socio-economic data from the U.S. “The data facility can supply the students’ needs for research”, said Dr. Bud West, Professor, CPU School of Graduate Studies.
The American Corner at CPU Henry Luce III Library has been a strong partner of the U.S. Embassy under the umbrella of American Spaces Philippines (AmSpacesPH) which include the American Center inside the U.S. Embassy in Manila, and other American Corners (ACs) in other locations in the country.
The U.S. Embassy defines the ACs as dedicated American Resource Centers and Program Spaces partnered by public and private Universities like Central Philippine University.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Ahead of the CPUAAI Annual Homecoming and General Assembly is the 80th Anniversary of the CPU College of Education (COED). Amidst the University Day celebrations on the campus, the COED will be holding their anniversary on September 24 and 25, 2019.
Several activities have been set for the college and alumni. The celebration will kick off with a Fun Run at the CPU Big Field at 5:30 am on September 24. Exhibits will be opened at 9:00 AM. A Field Demonstration with exciting lights display will follow at 6:00 PM.
The highlights on September 25 will begin with the Registration at 8:00 in the morning. Fellowship Lunch will start at 10:00 AM, and Cultural Presentations will begin at 6:00 PM at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
According to Dr. Merle L. Junsay, Dean of the College of Education, the event “is a commemoration of the COED’s achievements and development during its journey of 80 years – beginning in 1939 when it was still Central Philippine College.”