By Keziah G. Huelar
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, highlighted Christ as the center of the CPU Festival of Lights and Music.
Celebrating the Light of Life—The 2018 Festival of Lights and Music was attended by Centralians and guests who flocked to Central Philippine University to witness the switching on of “Christ Lights @ Central” at the Centennial Walkway on December 7, 2018.
The Festival of Lights and Music is an annual tradition of the University that has gone on for 27 years. The celebration ushers in the yuletide season and is an invitation to the alumni all over the globe to revisit the campus, rekindle their Central Spirit, and most importantly, celebrate Christ as the foundation and guiding light of CPU.
Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena, President, CPU Alumni Association Inc. and Over-all Chairman, 2018 Festival of Lights and Music @ Central thanked the entire CPU community for their unconditional support to the events and programs of the CPU Alumni Association Inc.
Serenading the crowd and leading the gathering music was the CPU Symphonic Band with Mr. Ascension O. Bautista, Band Director, conducting. The invocation was then led by Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church. It was followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the Alma Mater Song, with Ms. Crista S. Huyong, Coordinator, CPU Cultural Affairs Office, conducting.
For the Christmas greetings, Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena, President, CPU Alumni Association Inc. and Over-all Chairman, 2018 Festival of Lights and Music @ Central, thanked the CPU community for their love of and support to the activities of the CPUAAI. He also highlighted that Christ is foremost at the center of the festival: “I would like to thank everyone who made this production successful. [We always hold emphasis that Christ is the Light of life and the center of this event.]”
A sea of stars – more than 20,000 people came to witness the switching on of “Christmas Lights @ Central.”
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, welcomed Centralians and guests and acknowledged Christ as the center of the celebration. He also commended the CPU alumni here and abroad for representing Christ and CPU in their workplace: “We are thankful that you are able to share with us your precious time in celebrating the beginning of Christmas. [But] don’t think of this as just entertainment. This is to symbolize the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ and also, as part of the lights all over the world, our alumni who are serving many communities in different capacities.
Celebrating the Light of Life—The 2018 Festival of Lights and Music is a testimony of God’s faithfulness to CPU.
Hon. Demy P. Sonza, Board Member, 2nd District, on behalf of Iloilo City Governor, Hon. Arthur R. Defensor Sr., extended the greetings of the provincial government. In his message, Hon. Sonza thanked CPU for conducting events that promote Iloilo. He also recognized the CPU Festival of Lights and Music as a tribute to Christ, the sole reason for Christmas: “This is a celebration of Christ who came as the Light of life. This evening, the CPU community is switching on [a representation] of the greatest gift our God has given us, Jesus Christ. God, our Father, gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.”
Hon. Sonny M. Angara, Senator, Republic of the Philippines, in his message, recognized the cultural and historical role of the university in Iloilo City: “[CPU] is such an important part of the community, being a historic school.”
The speeches were followed by a special dance number by the CPU Stereo Swaggers.
After which, one by one, Dr. Robles; Atty. Von Lovel C. Bedona, Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees; Engr. Jalbuena; Hon. Angara; Hon. Jeffrey P. Ganzon, Vice Mayor, Iloilo City; Ms. Junel Ann P. Divinagracia, Iloilo Tourism City Officer, on behalf of Hon. Jerry P. Trenas, Congressaman, Iloilo City; Mr. Gilbert Garcia, former Brgy, Captain of South Baluarte, Molo, on behalf of Hon. Joe S. Espinosa III, Mayor, Iloilo City; Mr. Dominador Co, Executive Assistant to the Mayor; Mr. John Michael A. Suelo, President, CPU Republic; and Mr. Rodaniel G. Sevilla, 2018 CPU Alumni Homecoming King, officially switched on the lights.
The main entrance of the university was lit, followed by the Administration Building, the flagpole area, the Smile Hill, the different college and department buildings, the trees and ornamental plants leading, finally, to the University Church. The switching on of lights is accompanied by Christmas carols played by the CPU Symphonic Band and a 15-minute fireworks display. An estimated crowd of 20,000 plus Centralians and guests attended the said opening.
By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
In the Cathedral in the Glen, our missionaries devoted their study of faith, flora and fauna.
How do we learn lessons? For most of us, we read books and study in schools like Central Philippine University, a school which ranked #18 in the country and #1 in Western Visayas with two CHED Centers of Excellence and four CHED Centers of Development.
While the American Baptist missionaries were in Hopevale, they read books to continue their learnings. After they were executed on December 20, 1943, one of the things that were recovered were their books. The list included novels such as the classic Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas and books on insight such as Prayers of the Social Awakening by a prominent figure in the Social Gospel movement, Walter Rauschenbusch. There were also those containing stories and poems. The topics varied from Christianity and religion to history, economics, biography, the sciences, as well as technology. All in all, there were 100 books about multiple topics that they read, and were later recovered.
Amidst the war, the American Baptist missionaries were able to write poems, compose songs and draw portraits inspired by their refuge in Hopevale.
Aside from reading books, they also observed their surroundings and learned from it. One of the Hopevale Martyrs, Jennie Claire Adams, a missionary nurse who was assigned to work in the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, made a poem about a “Forest School.” She gave this poem to the three American children who were in Hopevale on February 1943. These three boys, Erle Douglas (son of American missionaries Mr. Erle Frederick Rounds and Mrs. Louise Cummings Rounds), Johnny and Terry (sons of Mr. Mark Walsh Clardy and Mrs. Fern Clardy, Americans who sought refuge with the missionaries) were bayoneted to death on December 20, 1943. Their young lives ended tragically, and they never got the chance to study at Central Philippine College again.
Here is the poem that describes the rich lessons that these three boys learned in a “Forest School”:
“Have you watched a butterfly in the rain
Or heard a tree frog’s glad refrain?
Have you waded in the brook on a sunny day
And gathered snails along the way?
Have you chased a lizard away from the chicks
Or watched the monkeys’ funny tricks?
Have you watched them scamper for berries and fruit?
Did you think their antics clever and cute?
The baby clinging so tight to its mother
The others chattering and chasing each other.
Have you dug in a hole for a crab or two
Or watched to see what a tagpo could do?
Can you tell a boyud from a centipede
Or budjapa leaves from a common weed?
Have you seen an orchid or a wild fig tree?
Can you name one half of the things you see?
How many bird names can you tell?
Have you found a cicada’s empty shell?
Have you hunted shoots from the bamboo clumps
Or gathered mushrooms from banana stumps?
Have the orchid blossoms dropped at your feet
Or the Doña Aurora flowers sweet?
Have you watched a mother bird or her nest?
Have you heard the darawidaw sing
Or watched a blackbird on the wing?
Have you noticed the way a hawk will fly
Like a diving plane against the sky?
Have you seen a wild pig or a deer
Or watched the hunters with net and spear?
If you have not learned these lessons sweet
Your education is not complete.
Let’s wander into the forest shade
Where a little hut of grass is made.
We will sit on a log or a bamboo stool
And learn many things in the forest school.
There are many things we ought to know
That in a forest live and grow.”
By Cyrus A. Natividad
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, thanked the participation of the different colleges and departments during the White Gift Service.
A White Gift Service and an Evening of Christmas Carols @ Central was held at CPU’s Football Field at 7 in the evening, December 12, 2018. The program which was hosted by the University Church and the College of Theology was part of the nightly event in CPU after the Festival of Lights and Music at Central was launched on Friday, December 7.
The program started with the Lighting of the Candles of Advent in which University President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, lighted the first—the Candle of Hope. It was followed by the other administration officials lighting the Candles of Peace, Love, Joy, and Christ’s Candle. Dr. Robles and the rest of the speakers reflected upon the values of the candles in their messages before lighting them.
CPU Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, highlighted Christmas as a testimony of generosity anchored on the gift of salvation.
Prayers and Christmas messages were offered by University Church pastors, led by Senior Pastor Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian. The University Church Choir sang Christmas Carols in between the pastors’ prayers and messages. In addition, the UC Tambourine Dancers performed while the “white gifts” were brought to the front.
The assorted gifts will be given to deserving families by the University Church Outreach Program.
Assorted gifts in plain white wrappers were offered by different colleges, other academic units, campus organizations, office personnel and individuals. The said gifts will be given to outreach communities supported by the University Church.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
It can be recalled that Atty. Salex Alibogha, Dean, College of Nursing and faculty of the CPU College of Law was conferred the titles Fellow of the Royal Institute of Nurses and Fellow of Royal Institute of Lawyers by the Royal Institution of Singapore on September 7, 2018.
The Royal Institution Singapore awarded the Plaque of Recognition and seal of Accreditation as “Internationally Accredited College of Nursing” to Central Philippine University College of Nursing for its invaluable contribution in supporting the mission, vision, and goal of the Royal Institution Pte Ltd, Singapore (RIS) thereby enabling deserving individuals to achieve quality and relevant training and development by transforming them to be a part and parcel of the global work force.
The award was received by the CPU College of Nursing Dean, Atty. Salex E. Alibogha on November 8, 2018 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City on the occasion of RIS 13th Global Congress and Conferment Ceremony.
“Royal Institution Singapore is a global, multidisciplinary, professional membership and accrediting institution that also serves to level the playing field and be the premier platform for smarter and more effective global networking connecting education, business, commerce, and facilitating collaboration, innovation, and perpetual learning for more opportunities, benefits, privileges, global recognition and conferment of appropriate professional titles/memberships. It is based in Royal House, 287 Tanglin Road, Singapore” (https://www.ri2020.com).
On the same occasion, five faculty members of the College of Nursing were conferred professional titles: Atty. Salex Alibogha was conferred Fellow, Royal Institute of Research (FRIRes); Dr. Charlie Baldon and Prof. Cynthia J. Mendoza as Fellows of Royal Institute of Nurses (FRIN); Prof. Gelbert Jan Porque and Prof. Alvin John Gustilo as Senior Members of Royal Institute of Nurses-Singapore (SMRIN).
Dr. Margen A. Java, Director, CPU Student Development Programs talked about the opportunities offered to CPU Scholars during the Scholar’s Forum.
For this school year 2018-2019, senior high school students who graduated with honors were given an opportunity to be a part of the university entrance scholarship program. These scholarships are classified into full free tuition and P3,000.00 book allowance per semester (50 slots); half- free tuition and P1,500.00 book allowance per semester (50 slots), and one-third free tuition per semester privilege (100 slots). The bases for the scholarships are their scores in the qualifying examination (70%) and their general average in Grade 12 (30%). A total of 1,009 senior high school with honor graduates took the qualifying examinations last May 9, 2018 and 163 qualified—21 for the full scholarship, 48 for the half free tuition, and 94 for the one-third tuition privilege.
The top three schools with the most number of qualifiers are as follows: Central Philippine University Senior High School with a total of 23 qualifiers with the following breakdown—full tuition: 2, half-free tuition: 5, and one-third free tuition: 16; Iloilo National High School with a total of 15 qualifiers with the following breakdown—full tuition: 2, half-free tuition: 6, and one-third free tuition: 7; and West Visayas State University with a total of 14 qualifiers with the following breakdown—half-free tuition: 6 and one-third free tuition: 8. It is interesting to note that 3 qualifiers came from Mindanao; 15 from Antique; 11 from Capiz, and 4 from Negros Occidental and 4 from Aklan. All the remaining qualifiers came from the different schools in the city and province of Iloilo and the island of Guimaras. Moreover, out of the 846 non-qualifiers, around 80% of them still studied here at the University.
Student will be able to maintain their scholarship in their second year if they have a grade point average of at least 1.63 and no grade lower than 2.25 in all subjects for the whole school year. Continuing entrance scholars may continue to avail full tuition regardless of the form of scholarship previously enjoyed—i.e. free tuition, half free tuition, or one-third free tuition privilege per year as long as the scholars have a grade point average of not lower than 1.63 and has no grade lower than 2.25 in all subjects for the semester. The first and second semesters’ grades during the second year are the bases for the continuance of scholarship in the first semester of third year. Grades are computed per semester and Summer grades are included in the Second Semester.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Dr. Gabriel C. Ortigoza, CPU College of Nursing Class 1991 shares his knowledge and insights during the 5th International Balik-Turo lecture and training on CPR and Basic Life Support.
Dr. Gabriel C. Ortigoza, CPU College of Nursing Class 1991, together with his wife Geema, conducted an international Balik-Turo lecture and training on CPR and Basic Life Support to the faculty members of the College of Nursing on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. The couple also turned over Prestan CPR Family Simulators consisting of 2 adult, 2 child, and 1 infant manikins with accessories as donations of CPU Alumni Association of Central California. Dr. Ortigoza also presented the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) donated by his classmate, Mr. Jones Buensuceso, to Dr. Teodoro C. Robles. CCINAA President, Prof. Cynthia J. Mendoza, and members of BSN Class 1991 were also present during the turn-over of the said donations.
Atty. Salex E. Alibogha, Dean of the College of Nursing, organized the Balik–Turo Program— this year being the fifth in the series. The aim of this particular lecture was to enhance the knowledge and skills of the faculty members and update them on the current trends in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support based on the American Heart Association guidelines/standards. It was also aimed at training faculty members in performing BLS with ease, confidence, and dexterity. This activity will pave the way for the training of the students of the College of Nursing as well as facilitate the training of all other personnel of the University as envisioned by the University President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles.
In their letter to the President, Dr. Ortigoza said they were very delighted with the developments in the College of Nursing and the University. He intimated that the alumni chapter in Central California would continue to be very supportive of the College and the University. It can be recalled that prior to this donation, the aforementioned chapter had also given some amount to the virtual laboratory fund of the College of Nursing.
In appreciation of their generosity, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles expressed his gratitude to Dr. Ortigoza and his wife for coming all the way from California and for the time, expertise, and resources they have shared to the College of Nursing and the University.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, CPU Acting Sports Director and Iloilo PRISAA 2018 General Sports Manager, Mr. Edwin C. Laruan, and Iloilo PRISAA 2018 Chairperson, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico with the Plaque of Recognition.
The Iloilo Private Schools Athletic Association, Inc. presented a Plaque of Recognition to Central Philippine University for winning in several PRISAA events—making CPU the overall Champion in the recently concluded 53rd ILOPRISAA sports competition held at different venues in Iloilo City from November 15 to 18, 2018. CPU was declared Champion in 32 events, First Runner Up in 18 events, and Second Runner Up in 9 events.
The award was given to Central Philippine University on the December 10, 2018 at the Educational Media Center Conference Room, CPU. The Plaque of Recognition was signed by Iloilo PRISAA 2018 General Sports Manager, Mr. Edwin C. Laruan, and Iloilo PRISAA 2018 Chairperson, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, proudly received the plaque when it was presented to him by Mr. Laruan and Rev. Gico at the Administration Conference Hall on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. He acknowledged the efforts of the athletes and their coaches which resulted to their Championship and another great honor to Central Philippine University.
The University’s winning as Champion in the Iloilo PRISAA Sports Competition was largely due to the support of the entire CPU community, the CPU Board of Trustees and the University President. According to Mr. Laruan, who is also the CPU Sports Director, the Administration allowed the purchase of the needed new and additional athletic items, which boosted the athletes’ performance and morale.
Meanwhile, selected Centralian athletes will be participating next in the forthcoming Regional PRISAA in Bacolod.
by Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose was optimistic to come back and re-open Central Philippine College after the war. Although he did not see the campus rise again, his legacy is forever built in the tradition of excellence and faith of Centralians.
Before the American Baptist missionaries evacuated into the mountains of Tapaz, Capiz in 1942 due to World War II, Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose was the Acting President of Central Philippine College from 1938 to 1941. Before that, he was the Acting Principal of Jaro Industrial School from 1914 to 1916.
There were no classes during the war and technically, one can say that Dr. Rose was still the president during that period. Indeed, Dr. Rose still acted in that capacity when he continued to monitor what was happening in the campus.
In a letter dated May 18, 1943, marked “Strictly Confidential” (due to the content of the letter that described their whereabouts), and addressed to a certain “Dr. Decker and all at the Rooms” of the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society in 152 Madison Avenue in New York, Dr. Rose narrated a report of what happened to the campus of CPC.
An aerial map of Central Philippine University before World War II.
Here is a portion of his letter:
“At C.P.C. the following have been destroyed: 1. All our books in both libraries, together with the buildings housing them, i.e., the building named after the former Industrial School head (note: Rose was referring to William O. Valentine Hall) and the new building named after the first head of the B.M.T.S. (note: Rose was referring to Anna V. Johnson Hall). These constitute by far our greatest loss, equal perhaps to 50% of our C.P.C. property evaluation, or close to $200,000, as our recent inventory rated them. These were burned by our guests; 2. The chapel has been burned with all furniture except what had been previously looted, together with our new three-manual pipe organ (note: this was located in what is now the Kabalaka Center/Medical Laboratory Clinic); 3. Industrial Hall containing our campus lighting plant and our mission press (which was almost half paid for) (note: this was located in front of the Half-moon drive near the Lopez Jaena St.); 4. The frame house near the road (where the widow lived); 5. The concrete residence, gutted by fire. Nos. 2,3,4 and 5 were burned under the “scorched earth” policy – folly in this instance, as only a very temporary gain was obtained. Still undamaged are, therefore: 1. The Dining Hall for men; 2. The Men’s Dormitory; 3. The Women’s Dormitory; 4. The Science Building; 5. The temporary chemistry building; 6. The temporary Physics Building (new), and 7. Four remaining missionary residences, all frame houses. Apparatus and equipment has very likely been taken or looted.”
Dr. Rose was optimistic that they would come back and re-open CPC after the war. He wrote, “However, there is still a considerable amount of property available for reopening our work when hostilities are over, as the above list will suggest, especially to you who have seen the campus.” But this was not meant to be. Seven months after the letter was sent, the 11 American Baptist missionaries, including Dr. Rose and his wife Gertrude, were martyred because of their Christian faith in Hopevale, Tapaz, Capiz.
Dr. Rose was never able to report anymore because of his death. But after the war, the reported undamaged buildings—Weston Hall, Franklin Hall, and Roblee Hall—were later destroyed during the war.
Recently, some archived materials have come to light: an aerial sketch of the campus of Central Philippine College before World War II and another aerial sketch of the destruction that happened in the campus after World War II. What is very interesting in the campus map sketch is that House No. 5 was the home of Dr. Rose and his family. It was destroyed during the war. This was the main reason why the CPC administration decided to build the original Rose Memorial Hall in the very place where Dr. Rose lived. It was indeed a fitting memorial.
On December 17-20, 2018, the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches will spearhead the Hopevale Diamond Commemoration to be held in Central Philippine University, Filamer Christian University and in Hopevale, Tapaz, Capiz. If you attend, you will surely hear more stories about these American Baptist missionaries and their Filipino counterparts.
Excellence in journalism – Central Echo staff garners multiple awards in COPRE 2018.
Central Echo, the official student publication of Central Philippine University, bagged numerous awards during the Philippine Information Agency College Press Conference Region VI at The Mansion Hotel on November 30, 2018.
It garnered the following awards:
1st Place, Literary Folio
3rd Place, Magazine Layout
5th Place, Magazine Cover
2nd Place, Tabloid News Page
3rd Place, Tabloid Editorial Page
3rd Place, Tabloid Sports Page
5th Place, Tabloid
3rd Place, Magazine
The following staff members also brought home the following awards:
Dazen Dawn Lariza – 1st Place, Copy Reading and Headline Writing (English), 2nd Place, Editorial Writing (English)
Ariel Lorenz Castronuevo – 3rd Place, News Writing (English)
Michael Angelo Fandagani – 2nd Place, Editorial Cartooning
Bejay Songcog – 4th Place, Editorial Cartooning
Zharina Marie Stephanie – 3rd Place, Feature Writing (English)
By Keziah G. Huelar
Atty. Chel Diokno together with Atty. Zacarias Bedona, Dean, CPU College of Law, John Michael Suelo, CPU Republic President, Louise Losañes, Governor, CPU College of Law
Highlighting the power of dialogue—Atty. Chel Diokno, the chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group and the founding dean of the De La Salle University College of Law held an open forum regarding the martial law, extra-judicial killings, and the killing of human rights lawyers at the Henry Luce III Library Conference Room on December 4, 2018.
Atty. Diokno was welcomed by Atty. Zacarias Bedona, Dean, CPU College of Law; Atty. Von Lovel Bedona, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Atty. Aila Rae Endonila, University Legal Counsel; and Louise Losañes, Governor, CPU College of Law.
Participants of the forum included students from the CPU College of Law and student leaders from various departments and colleges.
Atty. Diokno shared the insights of his father, the late Sen. Jose W. Diokno, during the martial law era. He also discussed the role of the youth in influencing and advocating social issues in order to promote equality and justice.
John Michael Suelo, CPU Republic President, thanked Atty. Diokno for highlighting the importance of dialogues with student leaders and for encouraging social change through collective initiative and awareness.
The Free Legal Assistance Group, which Atty. Chel Diokno chairs, is a national organization composed of human rights lawyers advocating civil liberties and human rights and for the protection of Filipinos from all forms of abuse.
By Keziah G. Huelar
Mrs. Angel Robles, wife of CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Ms. Ruth A. Tamonan, CPU Gender and Development Coordinator check some of the books displayed in the fair.
A treat for book lovers—The Central Philippine University Libraries held “Book Fair 2018” at the lobby of Henry Luce III Library on December 5-7, 2018.
With a large selection of books on every subject on display, the annual activity provided a venue for book lovers to gather together and celebrate the joy of reading.
The opening prayer was led by Ms. Ruth A. Tamonan, CPU Gender and Development Coordinator. It was then followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by Mrs. Crista S. Huyong, Coordinator, CPU Cultural Affairs Office.
For the welcome remarks, CPU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Irving Domingo L. Rio, highlighted the importance of books not only in holistic education but in producing excellent individuals with a wide perspective of the happenings in the world.
For the rationale of the book fair, Prof. Ma. Cynthia T. Peleña, Acting Director of Libraries, thanked the participating exhibitors and encouraged Centralians to develop a deep love for reading. According to Prof. Peleña, the activity aims to promote good reading habits among students and create opportunities for people to avail of books and learning tools for development. It is also an opportunity for the deans, faculty, and students of the different departments and colleges to see, evaluate, and recommend materials.
The book fair aims to promote good reading habits among students and create opportunities for people to avail of books and learning tools for development.
The response on behalf of the exhibitors was given by Mrs. Evangeline Guina, Senior Account Executive, C&E Publishing Inc.
After which, the ribbon cutting was led by Mrs. Angel Robles, wife of CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles; Dr. Rio; Prof. Joelah V. Rio; and Prof. Cynthia T. Peleña.
Participating book exhibitors include C&E Publishing, Inc.; CD Book International, Inc.; EESM Bookstore; Fast Books Educational Supply, Inc.; Global International Education Link Enterprise Co.; Great Books Trading; Linar Educational Materials, Inc.; New Century Books & Gen. Merchandize; Page One Trading; Superpages Trading; and Unlimited Books.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
CPU Alumni Association President, Engr. Isagani Jalbuena, was once again a guest in CPUTV’s Looking Forward to update the public regarding the “Switching on of Christmas Lights @ Central.”
Jalbuena discussed what is in store for the spectators on Friday, December 7, the opening ceremony for the Festival of Lights and Music at Central.
The normal characteristics and excitement of the annual event would still be present, according to Jalbuena, but new ideas and concepts have been added. For one, the CPU Symphonic Band, under the baton of Mr. Asencion O. Bautista, will be playing carols and booth displays and areas have been added in coordination with the CPUR.
After many years, the CPU Festival of Lights has become popular. This gives the alumni president something to consider when it comes to the tourism aspect of the event. Jalbuena speculated that this year’s crowd may not be less than 10 thousand, considering the economy at this time.
While looking forward to the upcoming event, Jalbuena took the time to look back to the beginnings of CPU’s Festival of Lights. It started in 1991 with a simple lights display in selected places inside the campus. Later developments added to the attraction of the Festival of Lights and Music, such as the tableau, diorama, and the fireworks display. Eventually, bazaars and food kiosks opened for the visitors, sightseers, and spectators. After some time, nightly music competitions were integrated to the festival, giving local talents the opportunity to bring home some cash awards.
These developments are attributed to the support of the administration, faculty and staff, students, and CPU alumni—all for the love of Central and “Celebrating the Light of Life”—this year’s theme for the Festival of Light and Music at Central.