By Carmelle Frances M. Romero
One of CPU’s employees wearing a face shield.
Beginning August 4, 2020, Tuesday, Central Philippine University distributed face shields for all its staff personnel. This is part of the University’s safety and health protocols in the new normal. The distribution of the face shields is very timely as the Department of Transportation has issued a Memorandum Circular on “the mandatory wearing of face shields (aside from face masks) for all passengers in areas where public transportation is allowed, effective on 15 August 2020.”
Central Philippine University is always one step ahead especially when it comes to the safety of her personnel. It is worth noting that as early as April, the University also distributed face masks to its personnel. The next batch of face shields will be distributed to all faculty members starting August 10, 2020. In total, the University has procured 800 pieces of face shields for its personnel.
With the resumption of office work, offering of online summer classes, and preparations for the start of classes for the 1st Semester, School Year 2020-2021, everyone in the University has been practicing due diligence and exerting enough care to lessen their risk of exposure to the virus. Living in the new normal is indeed diffcult but the CPU family has stepped up to the challenge. To God be the glory!
by Edwin C. Laru-an
Pascual is a member of the CPU Basketball Men’s Team.
Name: Elcyd D. Pascual
Nickname: Cyd
Height: 6’0”
Course/Year: BSBABM 4th year
Team: Basketball tertiary men
Playing Position: SG/SF
Coach: Mathew Jan M. Montalvo
Hometown: Lemery, Iloilo
Achievements:
ISAA 1st runner up
PRISAA 1st runner up
IDBL Champion
FISAA HS Champion (Dubai),
Mythical 5 selection, Hua Siong Invitational Tournament 2018,
WVPRISAA Regional 1st Runner up 2019
Champion, Iloilo Charter Day Inter-Collegiate Basketball
Part of 2019 ILOPRISAA Selection Mens Basketball.
Hobbies: Basketball, Traveling, Reading books, Netflix and chill.
Favorite Players: Lebron James, KD, Kobe, MJ, Luka Doncić
Most Memorable Game:
Iloilo Charter Day Championship Game against WIT.
Principle in Life:
Anything is possible for those with a dream, a plan and the determination to make it happen no matter what.
Why did you choose CPU:
CPU teaches us to excel not only in sports but also to excel mentally, physically, and spiritually. I am also proud that my family are also Centralians.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
The University Junior High School retained its Level III Re-accredited Status from the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities-Accrediting Agency, Inc. (ACSCU-ACI). Level III is the highest accreditation for basic education schools.
On July 28, 2020 the University Junior High School received a formal communication that it retained its Level III Re-accredited Status from the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities-Accrediting Agency, Inc. (ACSCU-ACI).
ACSCU-ACI has granted a five-year re-accredited status to JHS effective June 2020 to June 2025. Level III is the highest accreditation for basic education schools.
A Level III accredited school, for example, can accommodate an additional 60 slots of Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees every year. CPU JHS is one of the partner schools of the ESC by the Department of Education (DepEd) aimed at decongesting overcrowded public junior high schools.
“We are thankful for the support of the administration through the leadership of Dr. Teodoro C. Robles that we retained our Level III status,” said Dr. Janet Jalbuena, Principal of the University Junior High School.
“I am also grateful to our teachers who have helped in the success of our 5-year Re-accredited status,” she added.
ACSCU-ACI, formerly ACSCU-AAI (Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities-Accrediting Agency, Inc.), assesses and updates the quality of education based on a set of standards that involves both internal review and an independent external evaluation of its member institutions.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Atty. Joshua Alim was a dynamic and active leader of the CPUAAI.
The Central Philippine University Alumni Association, Inc. will hold a vigil for Atty. Joshua C. Alim, CPUAAI President, who returned to his creator on January 15, 2022. The virtual vigil will be on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 3:00 in the afternoon. Alumni worldwide and members of the CPU Family are expected to attend the online program.
The burial for Atty. Alim is scheduled on February 11 at 2:00 PM. A necrological service will be held at St. Joseph Church, Jaro. Afterwards, the internment will be at Forest Lake Memorial Park.
In order to sustain leadership for CPUAAI, a succession for the next President and Vice President has been decided by the Board of Trustees as provided by the CPUAAI Constitution and By-laws. Dr. Florentino P. Alerta, and Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, CPUAAI Vice President and Secretary, respectively have taken over the vacant positions.
Dr. Alerta is an accredited Occupational Safety and Health Practitioner (DOLE/BWC/OSHC) and President, Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network, Inc. (WVOSHNet, Inc.) and currently serves as Medical Consultant at Iloilo Mission Hospital; Professor at CPU College of Medicine and Director of the CPU Lifestyle Center.
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on is Director for the Office of Communications at Central Philippine University; author of Seeds of Faith, a periodic book publication and publisher-editor of the Weekly Centralian Link.
Mrs. Tina Poblacion Hortelano, CPUAAI Liaison Officer, is the OIC Corporate Secretary for the meantime.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
CPU guards with Mr. Bartolome Bernasol Jr., Officer-in-Charge, New Mabuhay Security Agency and Ms. Merna Eraldo, Secretary, Office of the President.
36 CPU guards each received a cash donation from CPU Board of Trustees member Dr. Carmen P. Santos.
The cash donation was distributed to the guards through the Office of the President on July 29, 2020.
“We are grateful for Dr. Santos for remembering the CPU guards. The donation is a big help to us in this pandemic,” said Mr. Bartolome Bernasol Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the New Mabuhay Security Agency.
Office of the President Secretary Ms. Merna Eraldo distributing the cash donation to one of the guards.
For Mr. Harvey Condes, one of the CPU guards, “words are not enough to express our thanks to Dr. Santos’ generosity.”
CPU guards have been receiving donations from alumni and other organizations since the start of the pandemic.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Dr. Luisito T. Conducta is a Member of CPU Research Ethics Committee.
Dr. Luisito T, Conducta represented Central Philippine University in a Webinar and In-House Good Clinical Practice (CGP) Training on January 20-21, 2022 (8:00AM to 5PM). The 2-day webinar was sponsored by Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (WVHRDC).
Dr. Fred P. Guillergan and Dr. Aretha Ann G. Liwag were Resource Speakers. The Moderator was Atty. Roberto Villanueva of WVHRDC who also gave the welcome and closing remarks. The topics included Institutional Review Boards, International and National Guidelines, Clinical Trials and Drug Development, among others.
Dr. Conducta, who is a member of the CPU Research Ethics Committee, considered that the topics presented in the WVHRDC webinar are essential for his committee and for students of Central Philippine University.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
The main exercise area at the Lifestlye Center.
In a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, staying mentally and physically healthy is very important. It is by getting enough exercise that the body’s natural defenses are strengthened. For Ada Mae Santiago, Trainor at the CPU Lifestyle Learning Center, “Exercise does more than just keeping people healthy.”
She said, “our clients who come to work out here as part of their daily routine know that exercise can boost their moods. Besides, exercise also lowers blood pressure, detoxifies the body, decreases stress, and reduces fat.”
“As we are still in a pandemic, we allow only around 30 percent of our faculty, staff, and regular clients for their routine exercise per day at the CPU Lifestyle Learning Center.” There are five fitness programs offered at CPU Lifestyle Learning Center, according to Santiago. These are 1. Tabata (high-intensity interval training) 2. Circuit training 3. Exercise for pregnant women (endorsed by the Kabalaka Birthing Center) 4. Dance Aerobics, and 5. Zumba, with CPU P.E. and dance instructor Prof. Necil Magno.
Exercise equipment are available at the Lifestyle Learning Center, such as treadmill, stationary bike, rowing machine, chest press machine and dumbbell. The Lifestyle Learning Center operates from 8:00 in the morning to 12 noon, and from 1PM to 5PM daily.
By Nestle G. Taala
The CPU Senior High School Building is the venue of the Bar Exams.
True to its commitment on stewardship and excellence, Central Philippine University had accepted the challenge to be among the testing centers across the country for 2020-2021 Bar Examinations to be held on February 4, 2022 (Friday) and February 6, 2022 (Sunday). This historic move of the Supreme Court was officially announced on August 18, 2021 through the Office of the Bar Chairperson.
With the support of the CPU Administration together with the CPU College of Law, CPU has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Supreme Court (SC) En Banc last year as a local testing center which can cater up to 475 examinees on all four Sundays of November. However, due to the surge in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, a postponement was decided upon by the SC En Ban and has been rescheduled again to February 4 and 6.
CPU has been preparing for this first-ever regional Bar Examinations; and in this historic participation, it must be noted that this move of the Supreme Court “…aims to significantly reduce the examinees’ travel and accommodation expenses, as well as minimize their transit to comply with public health guidelines in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020/21 Bar Examinations will be held in several local testing centers in different regions across the country,” as Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen wrote in the approval of local testing centers.
In this regard, the CPU Office of the President has released a memo on January 28, 2022 requiring the members of faculty and staff “to observe Work from Home Days on February 3-4, 2022.”
The said undertaking then and again showed that CPU, as a university dedicated to service in humanity, not only is fulfilling this commitment but also is putting herself in the map.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
The Johnson Hall houses the Religion and Ethics Department of the College of Theology.
The College of Theology under its current Dean Rev. Dr. Bernabe C. Pagara is not spared of the learning system required by the Commission on Higher Education during the Covid-19 pandemic. In an interview, Dr. Pagara stressed the need to conform to the University approved system. “Our Summer classes 2020 have started on Canvas and Zoom virtual platforms,” he said.
The Summer 2020 classes for the Bachelor of Theology are focused on language subjects. Dr. Pagara and Pastor Jeveh Jireh Constantino are teaching Hebrew and Greek languages respectively, with a total of 31 students.
For the Master of Divinity Degree, Prof. Rea Angelica Villeza teaches Current Issues in Christian Education, with three students, while Pastor Joshua Z. Zonita has three students on the subject – Contemporary Models for Missional Community.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Pagara intended to propose programs linked with church ministry and pastoral activities outside of the University – for CPU Pastors affected by the crisis.
Dr. Pagara explained the decrease of graduates this year is due to the K-12 curriculum. The College of Theology according to Dr. Pagara “is academic in nature but we make recommendations for our graduates for ministry work.”
“Despite the adverse situation, we continue doing our task for the College of Theology and the University. We have to do our best to sustain our students and faculty,” Pagara said. One of the important things that we are doing right now is upgrading and printing of a new syllabus for the coming semester 2020-2021.
Despite the pandemic, Dr. Pagara continues to be committed to the vision of Exemplary Christian Education for Life. He shared a verse from John 9:4 which says, “I must work the works of Him that sent me.”
By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
CPU is thankful to God to have many students despite the pandemic.
The number of enrolled students from Kindergarten up to the School of Graduate Studies as of February 3, 2022 is 11,512. Last School Year’s 2nd semester’s total population is 12,299. There are still more than a thousand students who are still waiting to be enrolled.
The last of day enrolment for the College level will be on February 6 while the Senior High School will be on February 10, and the School of Graduate Studies is on February 19.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Diana Ashley Dello photo courtesy of A. Diasnes gym.
CPU athletes bagged gold and silver medals during the 2020 Smart/MVPSF Online Taekwondo Inter-School Poomsae Championships on July 25-26, 2020.
Heleana Dulzen Grace Donton (SHS) and Markishi Antonette Ting (JHS) won gold while Mae Anthonette Desalit (JHS), Lansil Andrew Brotarlo (Elementary) and Diana Ashley Dello (JHS) won bronze.
Heleana Dulzen Grace Donton photo courtesy of A. Diasnes gym.
Lansil Andrew Brotarlo photo courtesy of A. Diasnes gym.
Mae Anthonette Desalit photo courtesy of A. Diasnes gym.
Markishi Antonette Ting photo courtesy of A. Diasnes gym.
“The Golden Lions family is very happy and proud of the achievements of our Taekwondo athletes, despite the pandemic we are facing, they continue to give honor to their school and family,” said CPU Sports Director Mr. Edwin Laru-an.
Laru-an also congratulated the dedicated coaches for their effort and time in molding the athletes.
Earlier in June, the Philippine Taekwondo Association announced its plans of holding its first online competition amid the shutdown of the sport due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Contact sports like taekwondo are still prohibited from training and competition by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
The Online Poomsae Championships is the first of its kind in the Philippines and the world.
by Edwin C. Laru-an
Salvatierra is a member of the CPU Volleyball Men’s Team.
Name: Kristoffer John A. Salvatierra
Nickname: Tope
Height: 5’ 9 ½”
Grade/year: 2nd year college, BSME
Team: Volleyball Men
Playing Position: Setter
Coach: Arnel Amadeo
Hometown: Talisay City
Achievements:
Silver Medal Palarong Pambansa 2019
CHAMPION WVRAA Meet 2019, Roxas City, Capiz
CHAMPION WVPRISAA 2019, Bacolod City
3rd runner up Prisaa Beach Volleyball 2017
CHAMPION Provincial Meet 2018
CHAMPION NOPSSCEA S38 2018
1st Runner up NOPSSCEA S37 2017
1st Runner up NOPSSCEA Beach Volleyball S36 2016
2nd runner up Negros Occidental Volleyball Association League 2017
Best setter and Champion 1st LVPI Greg Gasataya Visayas 2018 Talisay City Best Setter, MVP, Champion Gwapo’s Cup League 2019
Hobbies: Playing online games
Favorite Player: Ish Polvorosa and Joshua Retamar
Most Memorable Game: WVRAA Regional Meet 2019 Finals. We managed to win even though we’re 2 sets down against our opponent.
Principle in Life: Work harder than you think you did yesterday
What can you say as a player of CPU Golden Lions: It’s an honor and a blessing to be part of the CPU Men’s Volleyball Team.
Why did you choose CPU:
I chose CPU because of the quality of the school, and also to explore new things about volleyball and academics.