By Cyrus A. Natividad
Lañada during the Staff Recognition Awards.
In 1993, Jose Ariel E. Lañada graduated from Central Philippine University to pursue his dreams of becoming a nurse. He is a dedicated and hard-working Divisional Educational Lead for the Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Trauma, Specialist Surgery, Children’s and Neonates Division at John Radcliffe NHS Hospital in Oxford City, UK.
Lañada was appointed Chairman of the Filipino Community of Oxfordshire in 2004. He has been instrumental in promoting camaraderie and unity among the community.
His acts of charity and leadership were shown when he led the distribution of food packs to the villages of Oxfordshire during the Covid-19 lockdown in Oxfordshire. He was recently interviewed by the British Broadcasting Company in the UK.
Born on March 1, 1972 in Dueñas Iloilo, Ariel as he is fondly called by his family and friends is a dreamer and achiever. “I believe that education is better than gold”, Lañada said.
He finished his secondary education as Valedictorian and proceeded to enroll in Nursing at Central Philippine University as a government scholar.
He joined the nursing staff of the Intensive and Coronary Care Unit of Iloilo Mission Hospital in Iloilo City, Philippines after passing the National Licensure exam in 1994. He became a nurse supervisor and staff development coordinator in 1998.
Lañada was granted a study placement at the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, Inc. at the Makati Medical Center in 1997 and became the Head of the Diabetes Education Clinic of Iloilo Mission Hospital. He proved his mettle in 2002 when he was appointed Officer–in–Charge of the Nursing Service Office of the IMH. During that time Lañada took up units in Master of Arts in Nursing at CPU.
He took up Adult Intensive Care Practice at Oxford Brookes in 2005 and honed his experience in clinical procedures and scope of nursing in the United Kingdom.
Joje Ariel E. Lañada is just one of our successful nurses abroad that Central Philippine University is truly proud of.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
New Hope Visayas group picture during the community outreach program.
A community outreach program led by the New Hope Visayas Outreach – with CPU Community Engagement and Learning Center and the CPU Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline was held on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at the Covered Gym of Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro (across the Iloilo Coliseum, Iloilo City) – for the benefit of 50 4p’s Beneficiaries (mainly parents).
New Hope Visayas provided a one-month supply of masks per beneficiary, feeding program, and Community Devotional. The Department of Agriculture – Western Visayas and Celca Birthing Center also donated seedlings for the beneficiaries’ backyard planting and limited free circumcision, respectively.
The Mission of New Hope VisaYas according to Pastor Rosemarie Aguirre, Administrator and Ricardo M. Saradpon III, Program Director is to develop student emerging leaders to be effective godly leaders, to grow in wisdom, and maturity with a heart for God and Community.
CPU Rotary Club of Jaro Centralian (RCJC) President Jec Dan Borlado commented that “This is an opportune time to ‘Serve to Save Lives’, as is this year’s Rotary International’s motto.” RCJC also provided 1,500 capsules of essential vitamins for the 4Ps beneficiaries.
Food distribution at Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City.
CPU CELC Director Prof. Levi De Los Santos acknowledged that “The cooperation of community service is a mission of hope to bring help and support to the community. CELC has its own mission in relation to the University’s outreach projects and services. ”
Proper coordination with the Brgy. Captain, Office of the City Mayor and ICPO-Jaro Police Station, and First Aid volunteers was done. Under Executive Order 85, Section 19, “Gatherings that are essential for the provision of health services, government services, humanitarian activities authorized by the appropriate government agency or instrumentality shall be allowed.” Health protocols were observed.
The success of the above-stated community outreach program was a collaborative endeavor of all the officers, members, and volunteers in the outreach project.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
(from left) Mr. Henrich Xu and Mr. Xu Bin turned over their donations to CPU President Dr. Teodoro Robles and Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Irving Domingo Rio.
Central Philippine University received donations from Centralians, friends, and groups during the Covid-19 lockdown period. It is heartwarming to note the donations were expressions of support to CPU.
On May 15, 2020, CPU security personnel at the gate received 37 food packs from Sweat Basketball headed by Golden Lions Coach Matthew Jan Montalvo. Lunch packs from Prof. Jessica Chin and family were also received by the guards on April 20.
Sacks of rice were donated for the security guards from the following: Iloilo City Mayor’s Office (2 sacks), University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles (4 sacks), Mr. Rufino ‘Pinoy’ Gonzalez (1 sack), and Mrs. Juliet G. Samoro (1 sack). In addition, Gensys Enterprises donated 5 sacks on April 28, 2020.
Fifteen (15) cases of soft drinks were received from the Coca-Cola Bottlers Incorporated. This was made possible through a Centralian, Ms. Marion Jacomille.
Family food packs were also received from the Federation of Filipino Chinese and additional lunch packs from an anonymous donor. Dr. Ann Zerrudo served 1 set of lunch and snacks for the frontliners in the campus. Ten (10) kilos of assorted meat were also received from Medecillo Store.
Cash donations were received from Vice President for Students Affairs Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate, College of Medicine Dean Dr. Henry D. Gonzales, and Mr. Prim Vergara III and company.
On June 1, 2020, CPU received a cash donation of Seventy Thousand Pesos (P70,000), and 12 boxes of KN95 face masks from the Chinese students of the university. According to Xu Bin, a doctoral student at the CPU School of Graduate Studies, “Our Chinese students from Henan received so much help from our faculty and staff and felt the warmth from our CPU family. They felt at home, most especially during the onset of the pandemic until they were able to return to China.” He recalled that “Ma’am Hermely Jalando-on (Purchasing Officer of CPU) helped us find facemasks before the students left for China. For this reason, we also hope to share our love with the Centralian community and carry forward our Central spirit!” Xu Bin also said that hopefully, they can donate again.
Central Philippine University is grateful to all the donors for their admirable assistance and support during this pandemic.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Prof. Crista Sianson Huyong and Prof Randy Lero posed with CAO’s Dance Company with their Trophy and Plaque.
The CPU Cultural Affairs Office (CAO) promised to bring out their best in December as they confirm their cultural online show during the Festival of Lights and Music season.
The cultural show is a separate full-length online presentation on December 17 to be shown worldwide live via CPU TV Channel Facebook Page. The cultural show talents under the CAO will include the CPU Dance Company, Hand Bell Ringers, Excel Chorale, CPU Symphonic Band, and the Elementary and High School Dance Troupes. On the following day, December 18, the CPU Dance Company will perform live at the Festive Walk in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
The CPU Dance Company also performed in the Japan Cultural Exchange Program of Osaka, Japan. The group represented the Philippines in the Kawachinagano International Friendship Association (KIFA) Japan Cultural Presentation on November 18, 2021. It was participated by different countries like Great Britain, India, Japan, Nepal, Finland, and the Philippines.
The excellence of its presentation under the artistic direction of Professor Randy Lero, and with the support of Cultural Affairs Director, Crista Sianson Huyong, will once again prove their highly regarded previous performances, such as the Saludo 1 presentation last December 2019.
Some of the members of these talented groups under the Cultural Affairs Office are provided with scholarship grants.
More cultural events are coming up early next year, according to Prof. Huyong.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
BSN graduate Eloise Gauran (center) with her mother Leni (first from right), aunt Erle Joy Apatan (first from left) and cousin Althea (second from left). They all dressed up for the virtual commencement ceremony that was aired on May 28.
More than 90,000 people tuned in to watch the college Virtual Commencement Ceremony that premiered on the Facebook page and Youtube channel of Central Philippine University last May 28, 2020. It was a bittersweet milestone for the graduates and their families who celebrated this special moment in the comfort of their own homes and dorm rooms. We recently caught up with graduates, parents and loved ones to hear their thoughts on the virtual graduation.
“It was my daughter’s graduation. We were all looking forward to her special day but suddenly the whole world is in lockdown and the government had advised everyone to stay at home. She was sad after she saw the update on the University’s official page about the cancellation of their graduation and it made me sad too. After a few weeks, CPU announced that they will be having virtual graduation on the month of May. I am glad about it because the University had granted the graduating students their only wish. My testimony is that “Nothing is impossible with God”. Our only daughter made our family proud because for 4 years of hard work, she didn’t have any failing grade. It was also an accomplishment for us, especially for her father who is working abroad.”
-Mrs. Leni Gauran
“We dressed up while attending CPU’s virtual graduation because we want to show our support to my niece. It’s her special day being a college student. Imagine for four years of staying up late to study came the fruit of her hard work which she successfully passed. On her special day as a student, we want her to feel that we’re with her to celebrate her most awaiting day on her life which is her graduation.”
– Erle Joy Apatan
A selfie taken by Mrs. Eugene Rotas and Rev. Roberto Rotas after watching their daughter’s Virtual Commencement all the way from Mindoro.
“The so-called virtual graduation last May 28, 2020, vis-a-vis to the face to face kind of graduation when the members of the family, close friends, and most parents alike are physically present to witness the most awaited moment to march with his/her daughter/son, was a special one. Due to the threats brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, this momentous event in the lives of beloved parents has been canceled. Despite such inconveniences created by the unseen enemy (Covid-19), I still would like to express my inmost gratitude to the CPU administration led by Dr. Robles to use the timely means through the virtual graduation to honor the lives of the graduates in their educational journey to reach their dreams. Indeed, it was a beautiful virtual graduation ceremony and I am certain that no graduate was left behind.”
– Rev. Roberto Rotas
Social work graduate and outgoing CAS governor Timothy Bayson watching the virtual graduation in his dorm room.
“I do really appreciate the effort and initiative of CPU, though it is difficult for both parties, we need to embrace new beginnings.
It hurts me a lot that we don’t have a real and face to face graduation ceremony but later on, I learned that online graduation would somehow teach us to be one in spirit, in the sense that the whole administration really did their best through the unwavering efforts, time, patience, wisdom, love, support, and faith.
I can see that they really worked hand in hand despite of everything. I affirm CPU for a well-organized and well-prepared graduation ceremony. I am so blessed and amazed by the effort of everyone.
Ergo, I can really feel now the spirit of a graduate student and with that, I bring all glory and honor to our Father in heaven for this very timely and historical event in my life and even to my dear Alma Mater.”
-Timothy Bayson
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Outgoing Governor, College of Arts and Sciences Student Council
BSIT Graduate Mizpah Rotas tuned in to watch the virtual commencement at Weston Hall.
“I feel happy, at the same time sad. I have mixed emotions. Happy in a way that I was part of the first virtual graduation in CPU’s history. I’m also happy that because of this virtual graduation, my relatives and other immediate family were able to see and join me in one of the most awaited moments of my life. I feel sad since I wasn’t able to receive my diploma personally in front of my beloved family. But I’m thankful that although God didn’t allow it to happen, Central Philippine University made the effort to give us our deserving ceremony in the comfort of our homes.”
– Mizpah Rotas
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
BS Chemical Engineering graduate Jeffrey Noel.
“I really have no words. I mean the feeling is so surreal. I can still remember the struggles during my undergrad days and now I just can’t believe that I am really a graduate of this institution. I find the virtual commencement very innovative and unique. Though there is literally a great distance between us, CPU never failed to connect us through the virtual commencement.”
-Jeffrey Noel
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
By Prince Nismal
Dr. Philip Padilla, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of UP Visayas, was one of the speakers at the 22nd BIOTA WV gathering.
The CPU Life Sciences Department hosted the 22nd BIOTA WV Virtual Annual Meeting and Regional Convention on November 16-17, 2021 with its theme “Internationalization of Biology Education: Challenges and Opportunities.” The outgoing President of BIOTA-Western Visayas is Dr. Stella G. Fernandez, Dean of the College Arts and Sciences. She has served for two terms from 2017 to 2021 together with CPU faculty member, Dr. Nicolas G. Guanzon, Jr. as Board of Director for the tertiary level.
Dr. Marie Christine Obusan, the National BIOTA President, was the keynote speaker. The first day speaker, Philip Ian P. Padilla of UP Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo, presented a lecture on how to shatter the myth and fallacies of COVID. The other speakers, Dr. Maricar W. Ching of Centro Escolar University spoke about Home-based Microbiology, and Dr. Mary Cherry Lynn M. Dalipe of Education Program Supervisor of Division of Aklan gave updates in DepEd Science Curriculum in the New Normal.
The second day started with a lecture by Marvin Cadornigara of Bronx International School who shared the Digitalization of Biology Education in the Global 21st Century. Another speaker, Paulo C. Cabanero, MSc, CHED Supervisor Region VI, shared some updates about the CHED Internationalization Program. Dr. Harold Buenvenida of Capiz State University talked about “A whole new world: Re-imagining Biology perspectives and Science learning from local to Global.”
Another topic that was discussed was “The Adaptive, Innovative, and Effective Pedagogies in Online Distance in Biology Learning.” It was presented by Dr. Maricar Prudante of DLSU Manila, and a National BIOTA Officer. Meanwhile, Dr. Resurreccion B. Sadaba from UP Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo shared the “Best Practices in Research.” The last event was a workshop on Microbiology facilitated by Dr. Delsa Gange from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo.
The virtual event was participated by 146 Biology enthusiasts, 50 regular members and 28 associates representing different schools, colleges and universities from Region 6.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Faculty from the College of Business and Accountancy were among the first to have their online training.
Central Philippine University began its Online Training for the first batch of college and post-graduate faculty on Monday, June 1, 2020.
Their training is in preparation for the upcoming summer term which will start on July 6.
“278 college, postgrad, and senior high faculty members are ready to teach online by June 17,” said Dr. Irving Domingo Rio, Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Senior High School faculty will start their training on June 15.
College, Graduate School, and Senior High School faculty will be using Canvas Learning Management System for Online Classes.
Canvas is a scalable platform that can be used by educational institutions of all sizes and types, from individual classrooms to large universities with a blended or fully virtual learning environment.
97 faculty members from the Kindergarten and Elementary departments are set to commence their online training before the end of June.
They will be trained to use Schoology Learning Management System for their online classes.
Schoology is the leader in K-12 teaching and learning technology—designed to help schools and districts improve student performance while enabling equity and access for every student.
Central Philippine University held an Online Leaning Orientation for its full-time and part-time faculty via Youtube live stream on Tuesday, May 26.
On the same day, the university announced its shift to online classes for the summer term and the first semester.
By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles made a pledge to keep a close watch on the electoral process together with 51 other representatives of different sectors.
The GMA Network Eleksyon 2022 Partnerships Launch was held virtually last November 26, 2021. President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles represented CPU in this event with 51 partners representing different fields like telecommunications, media, education, business, law, and public service. The representatives pledged to keep a close watch on the electoral process and help voters as they make their decision on Election Day.
According GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, this is the biggest alliance between GMA and the country’s leading organizations for the coverage of the 2022 elections. He emphasized, “The task in front of us, those who help voters make the right choice, is daunting. But our duty to help empower voters and uphold the truth is worth every effort. As individual institutions and organizations, we each carry a tremendous responsibility. But together, we can and we will do what it takes–promote honesty, integrity, and truth in the coming elections.
During the virtual event, GMA also launched its election advocacy campaign dubbed as “Dapat Totoo.” The advocacy says, “Dapat Totoo – ang hangarin ng mga kandidato na maglingkod sa mamamayan. Dapat Totoo – ang bawat pangako. Dapat Totoo – ang impormasyong ibinabahagi sa mga botanteng Pilipino.”
By Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian
University Church Senior Pastor Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian gives a message to the Class of 2020 during the Virtual Commencement Exercises.
I have heard lots of sentiments, especially coming from the graduating class of 2019-2020, pertaining to the commencement exercises during this COVID-19 pandemic season. Let me mention some of them:
- “How unfortunate we are because we will not be able to wear a toga, climb up the stage to receive our diplomas in front of our classmates, faculty, staff, and administrators, and most of all, in front of the ones who really derive great joy from this significant milestone of our lives–our families.”
- “Those of us who are graduating with honors will not be able to publicly receive our hard-earned medals, thus, will feel that we are deprived of the accolade that we so deserved.
What you are having instead is this sorry-excuse for a commencement exercises, viewed from the safety and comfort of your homes, probably just donning your worn-out “pambalay” clothes while eating junk foods, your hair unkempt because you decided to postpone your shower until this virtual ceremony is over.
Whatever you are feeling right now, I’m with you. No judgments whatsoever. As a matter of fact, my heart goes out for you. I feel you, brothers and sisters.
I am just inviting you, however, to look at your situation from another perspective. If you are just open, I will say, that you are one of the most blest generations of graduates. For some twist of fate, life decided to teach humanity, including you graduates—vital lessons in life—not through the experience of others, but by experiencing it yourselves. The tuition is quite high!
–probably trillions of dollars spent in health care and maybe the same amount for government aids to their needy population.
–mind-boggling amount of money in economic losses due to lockdown in a global scale.
–we will probably be spending tons of money for research of the vaccine and if the vaccine is available already, for its production so that it will be available to all health agencies in the world.
–4.2 million infections, 284,022 deaths, 1,499,929 recoveries, 2.4 million active cases..
—not to mention the Fear, paranoia, suffering, and panic in a global scale..
The price that we pay for this pandemic is just unprecedented all throughout human history. This, at least for me, is the price of the tuition fee we paid for this hands-on experience. This, for me, is your final OJT. What lessons have we learned from it?
1. Life will hit you adversely without any warning or explanation
There is no rhyme or reason to a lot of human predicaments. It comes when it come. The song of “The Grateful Dead” entitled “Uncle John’s Band” has a line that says: “…Cause when life looks like Easy Street, there is danger at your door…” it speaks about the nature of life. Human life is highlighted by vulnerability. Everything seems fine at the moment and one false move, your life comes crumbling. Sometimes, one text or call from someone close will ruin your day. One routine checkup from your physician can mess your whole life up. The question is not whether you will be hit or not…the question is when? It’s only a matter of time. When human suffering confronts you, it does not necessarily mean that you are a bad human being, it simply means that you are human being.
This pandemic has shown us that there is no vaccine for human suffering. COVID-19 has afflicted politicians, movie stars, sports personalities, Royalties, cab drivers, healthcare workers, street vendors, mendicants, employers, employees, the unemployed etc. It has disrupted and dislocated almost every aspect of communal life both of rich and impoverished countries. America and Italy, powerful countries, but almost exhausting their response capabilities at the heights of this crisis.
2. Life is so fleeting (passing swiftly). The scriptures in Psalm 90 describes these two realities, mortality and the fleeting nature of life. “You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered…”
This reality has been experiential to many during this global pandemic. From the next-in-line to the throne to the homeless man on the streets, the reality of how fleeting life is hit the homerun. Many giant companies (like airlines, hotels) who were doing good few months before are now asking for bail out from their respective governments because they might go bankrupt, others already declared bankruptcy. World Bank says that the virus has battered the global economy. As shops closed, factories halted, international and local tourism crippled, stocks plummeted, the world’s economy took a serious hit. Entrepreneurs who were on their way to building sustainable development suddenly found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy. People with stable jobs for decades suddenly found themselves unemployed. Lots of families lost their breadwinners, many of them worked at the frontlines, to COVID-19 infection. One day you’re healthy and doing well but all of a sudden you are isolated from everything familiar and struggling for your life. We acquiesced/complied with government-imposed-restrictions because for the first time we knew that we are all vulnerable. There were countries, like Italy, who regarded the threat as trivial—to their own peril. Point is, our circumstances could radically be altered, sometimes not for the better, at the blink of an eye. That is how fleeting life is to everyone, no exceptions.
M. Scott Peck, in The Road Less Traveled, says, “Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, says: “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.” According to him, suffering is the only thing that bestows value upon the world. Without pain and misery, life would be absurd and worthless. I am not saying that we should desire to suffer, that would be masochistic and crazy. What I am trying to say is that since suffering and pain are part of our existence as mortal and vulnerable creatures, we need to live as deeply and beautifully as possible by responding in such a way as to find meaning in our sufferings. CPU’s has a lot of remarkable stories of people who were in abject poverty. They came to CPU to become work students. Regardless of the difficulty in lumping studies with work schedule, not to mention the financial constraints they had to face, many graduated with highest honors. Because of the superior values they learned from hard work and tough circumstances, many of them attained financial freedom. Many of them even came back to CPU and became benefactors. That’s one example on how suffering coupled with wisdom could propel one’s life for the better.
This pandemic has revealed to us, experientially, that life is highlighted by mortality and its fleeting nature. Upon realizing that I only have one lifetime to live, can I still muster the audacity to waste it away? No. I will not waste it. This would be my response:
3. I will make my life count.
How do I make my life count?
A. Invest it on relationships
Before the COVID 19 pandemic, there was a pandemic that was not dealt with exhaustively, at least on the same level we have dealt with COVID 19 pandemic—government immediately imposed lockdowns, almost all people in the entire planet initiated measures to protect themselves from this pandemic; agencies, private citizens, political leaders responded by procuring PPE’s, testing kits, and raising funds to help the needy population, concerted efforts were being made to find the cure for the virus. The mental health pandemic, represented by the steady increase of depression and suicide cases, was an underrated pandemic. But according to the WHO, in 2019, 1 person died of suicide in every 40 seconds, that’s 3000 deaths per day. In the year 2019 alone, there were 800k plus people who successfully killed themselves, 3 times the number of deaths due to COVID-19. DOH says that Philippines has 3.3M depression cases (diagnosed).
In 2019, 179 people committed suicide in Iloilo Province alone (10 deaths due to COVID-19 in WV). I am not trying to downplay this current pandemic. I am not also claiming to be an expert on the issue of the high rise of mental health problems and suicides, because realistically, experts have identified myriad factors.
Experts, however, contend that these people already felt isolated, alienated, for a relatively long period of time regardless of the presence of significant relationships around them. Experts further contend that there is a very crucial 20-minute-window which is a deciding moment whether a person decides to take his/her own life. In that 20-minute-crucial-moment the presence of someone who listens and really cares can radically alter, for the better, the fate of that person. 800k deaths, and there was nobody in that crucial 20-minute-window to be with the sufferer, speaks a lot of the status of our relationships. The demands of the success-oriented-world caused a lot of working parents to work longer hours and do lots of overtimes. For sure, it has brought a lot of people at a higher spot in the corporate ladder and financed everything that was vogue—travels, clothes, state-of-the-art gadgets, sleek cars, fancy restaurants—but at the expense of what? Emotional alienation, disorientation, and detachment, between individuals, families, and communities.
I have heard some positive feedbacks coming from families that during these forced lockdown they realized what they have missed—family bonding—they realized how much they missed eating, talking, laughing, playing, working, exercising, praying together as a family. I have even heard feedbacks how all these time they had been chasing things that they thought would make them happy and contented just to realize during these pandemic—that they already had it all the while…family, relationships.
One of my best friends, a nurse in America was infected with COVID-19. He was intubated for weeks. I had been communicating with him whenever possible until his release from the hospital last week. He now is reunited with his family. One of the things that made him sad was the thought of not seeing his family for the last time and the thought that If he died, his family will not be able to see his body because immediate cremation was mandatory for people who died of COVID-19. But he said that his consolation was, everything that’s needed to be said has already been said. He has invested so much love and quality time with his family—that whatever happened they already knew how much he loved them. Invest in meaningful relationships while you still can because life is so fleeting.
B. Be a hero.
David Bowie wrote the song Heroes. It was inspired by true event. One day he saw to lovers, kissing each other under the Berlin Wall. They were ignoring the military and guns around them, and were lost in the moment with each other. It is a story of love and hope that triumphed over the odds. “We can be heroes even just for one day”. We are a generation that reveres heroes. We spend billions of dollars for tickets to watch our favorite sports figures or artists. We quarrel against other fans who also think that their idol is really the GOAT, the greatest of all time, and not your idol. In return, we buy their endorsed products—shoes, clothing line, beauty products, underwear—just to be identified with that person. We give all-star ball players, for example, staggering salaries and allowances. There are ballplayers whose monthly income cannot be achieved in a lifetime of toil by an honest, hardworking laborer. Movies that feature superheroes—Spiderman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Guardians of the Galaxy, and the like, are raking millions of dollars in the box office. I think these are all projections of our desire to be a hero. And our stereotypical concept of a hero is someone having extraordinary ability, doing spectacular feats, breaking world records, influential, famous, stunning, fantastic, and charismatic individuals—who are epitomes of our perceived heroes.
This pandemic revealed the unfairness of our perception, coz for the first time we realized that we have so many unsung, underpaid, unnoticed heroes that really save the day—health workers, store personnel, janitors, orderlies, military personnel, delivery guys, social workers, officials in-charged of public welfare, health and safety, government leaders—people who make our lives better, easier and safer these days.
For the first time we realized, like David Bowie declared, “we can be heroes!” Some of you already are. In this darkest hour we have seen humanity’s finest. Private citizens producing their own personal protective equipment for front liners, business people donating food packs to volunteers, business people and private individuals donating sizeable amount of money for buying testing kits and research for the discovery of the vaccine, countries sending financial and manpower assistance to other countries, I know a senior high school student from CPU who used social media to ask for 20 pesos to individuals in order to help others—she was able to help hundreds of families, I have witnessed neighbors, who for weeks, would cook food to be distributed to their neighbors. In a world filled with stories of inhumanity we do to one another– selfishness, cruelty, corruption, bullying, apathy— we have learned humanity. I just pray that we will not unlearn that lesson on humanity. If we are to survive the future, we must embrace humanity. Graduates, I just pray that as you go out of the portals of your dear Alma Mater, never forget the lesson you learned the hard way, You can be a hero…always choose to be a hero. Meaning, you can always choose to be a blessing to peoples and communities.
C. Live a God-glorifying life. Never leave God out of the equation, lest you suffer the consequences.
The Psalmist in Psalm 90 prayed: “Lord, teach us to number our days aright so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”. This prayer is actually a petition to God to remind people of the fleeting nature of life so that we will be able to live lives that matter. The highlight of the prayer, however, is the conviction that a person needs wisdom from God in order to live lives that are impactful. He prayed further, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days…and may the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us.”
He prayed to the Lord for wisdom so that he will be able to live a meaningful and satisfying life. For it is only by dwelling upon God’s favor and his unfailing love that all our achievement will have eternal significance.
I think you would agree that during this lockdown people learned to pray deeper and in more satisfying ways. There is a deeper hunger for God and His words. Social media is bombarded by posts of people expressing their dependence upon God during this difficult time. We lost many things we thought to be important only to find the most important, God. My prayer is that…your faith that was strengthened, purified, deepened by trials will become your constant source of hope all your days.
Congratulations graduates!
By Nestle G. Taala
Mr. John Elmer P. Loretizo is one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP).
Mr. John Elmer P. Loretizo, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Central Philippine University Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering batch 2018, was hailed as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) during its recently concluded online awarding ceremony on December 1, 2021.
Mr. Loretizo’s journey in the 57th Search for TOSP has begun in 2018 with a regional search where schools send representatives until he joined the list of the national awardees. “The journey was great; I thought for a second that we won’t get awarded but then TOSP foundation was still in communication with us and was doing everything they can to put it into works,” he said while sharing his experience since the awarding ceremony took almost three years because of unforeseen events such as the pandemic.
Alongside this award, it should be noted that Mr. Loretizo has made CPU proud in his many achievements. These include winning the Grand Prize for the National Geographic’s “Everyday Genius” contest in 2017; having been chosen as one of the recipients of GMA Network Excellence Award in 2018; having been selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines in 2018; among of others.
He encouraged the Centralians by saying, “I owe a big part of who I am today from the experience and training I received in CPU; and I can say that I am eternally grateful to CPU. The Central Spirit truly lives on wherever you are in the world – even here in the US and I’m just happy to be a part of such an amazing community. I know that CPU has no shortage of amazing student leaders that are capable of achieving the same feat that I have achieved. And I would dare to say that there will be some who will even achieve more things than what I have achieved now and I’m excited to see it unfold. Lastly, I can say that yes, today I’m one of the TOSP but tomorrow I still wake up as a human being with flaws and imperfections but with the right community beside you – you can always strive to be better for yourself and for others.”
He also acknowledged and expressed his gratitude to the following people, “First and foremost, to God who has guided me all these years in every endeavor I take and for closing doors and opening windows of opportunities for me. I stand where I am today because God has led me to this path. My mom and my family of course for their never-ending support in all aspects. CPU administration headed by Dr. Teodoro Robles; office of student development and programs headed by Dr. Margen Java; College of Engineering faculty and staff headed by Engr. Dany C. Molina; all my coaches while I was in the university; and all of the amazing student leaders, friends, and classmates I’ve shared my CPU journey with – all the good, the bad, and the ugly; all of these things have shaped me to who I am today.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Jan Christian E. Española, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Cum Laude, was also chosen as one of the TOSP finalists. Mr. Española has showcased his leadership skill in CPU by serving as CPUR President from 2017 to 2018.
He expressed that having been included in the finalists already made him “happy and proud not just for myself but especially for the people/organizations I consider my life agents — Family, Sir Maredil Ambos, Pastor Alfred Morales, Blessed Bea Plondaya, CPU administration, Koalisyon, CPU Republic, CPU Printing Press and the TOSP.”
Currently, Mr. Loretizo works as Data Scientist for Cell Quality and Field Reliability, Tesla. He finished his Master of Science in Business Analytics degree from the University of California, Davis last 2020. On the other hand, Mr. Española pursues his Masters in Public Administration.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital nurses with their donations from CCINAA.
Central Philippine University conducted relief operations and distribution of food packs and basic necessities to people who were affected by the lockdown in Iloilo City due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CPU administration primarily extended cash donations to the Iloilo Mission Hospital (IMH), and the Iloilo City Government.
On April 2, 2020, CPU donated Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) to IMH and another P250,000.00 to the Iloilo City government through the Iloilo Festival Foundation. The CPU Republic (Student Government) also extended a cash assistance of P50,000.00 to the Iloilo City Government.
The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in cooperation with the CPUR gave out food packs that included 5 kilos of rice, a half kilo of pork, vegetables, eggs, and beverages to faculty and staff in the campus, and especially to stranded students. The food packs were distributed on April 3 to 150 CPU students who were stranded in their boarding houses and dormitories because of the enhanced community quarantine which included the cancellation of classes and the mass transport system. The students came from different parts of Panay, Mindanao, Luzon, Solomon Islands, South Korea, and Nigeria. The 4th batch of relief donations to these stranded students were given on April 22-23.
CPU Rescue Team distributes relief packs to stranded students.
“A New Testament Bible with an encouraging message was included in the pack for distribution to uplift the spirits of the students”, Acting Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate said. The CPU Republic and The Central Echo assisted in contacting the stranded recipients in order to include their names in the relief program.
CPU also distributed food to Iloilo Mission Hospital frontliners on four straight days from April 16 to 19. On April 20 the CHM Reform Alumni in collaboration with the College of Hospitality Management – CPUR Provincial Board distributed food packs in Iloilo City communities, with the theme “Paying it Forward 2.0”. The CPU High School Batch 1978 also distributed food packs in some affected areas on April 23, 2020.
Upon approval of the management committee and University President Dr. Robles, the Student Service Enterprise also extended more than P11,000 worth of food packs to the CPU security personnel.
CPUAAI distributed vitamins in barangays in Jaro through President Atty. Joshua Alim (third from left) and Treasurer Engr. Rey Balogo (first from right).
On the other hand, the Central Philippine University Alumni Association, Inc. (CPUAAI) has donated One Thousand US Dollars to the Iloilo City Government. The CPUAAI, with CPUAAI President Atty. Joshua Alim and CPUAAI Treasurer, Engr. Rey Balogo. CPUAAI also distributed 700 bottles of Vitamin C to Senior Citizens residing in barangays near the campus.
Alumnus Rodolph Lagarto and Family and the College of Medicine distributed through CPUAAI a total of 150 face shields and snack packs to the frontliners of WVMC, IMH Lab, Med Lab, Mandurriao Police Station, Ramon Duremdes District Hospital, Q. Abeto Brgy. Hall, IMH Central Supply, OVP Staff Iloilo, and Barotac Hospital.
The CPU College of Nursing, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses Alumni Association (CCNIAA) donated colorful PPEs to the Iloilo Mission Hospital’s Nursing Service Office and Staff Nurses. CPU College of Nursing Dean Atty Salex Alibogha and Former CCINAA President Prof. Cynthia Mendoza turned over the donations to IMH Director Dr. Elmer Pedregosa on April 8, 2020. The PPEs were distributed on April 15, 2020. CCNIAA also donated raincoats, washable masks, alcohol, and Vitamin C to West Visayas State University Medical Center. CCNIAA also delivered donations to hospitals in Guimaras and Panay from March to May.
Members of Reform Organization with stranded students during their relief distribution on April 20.
CPU MedTech Batch 1966 extended cash donation which was used to purchase PPE’s and masks for frontliners at the Iloilo Mission Hospital, West Visayas Medical Center, and West Visayas State University Medical Center. 14 boxes of Vitamin C were also received by nurses of Lambunao District Hospital on April 7 from CPU College of Medicine Alumna Rhodora Parcon.
Centralian Ann Catedrilla Seisa, BSN Class 1977 with her husband and family, and with the support of Centralian alumni and friends from Southern California distributed 25-kilo packs of rice to 254 residents of several barangays in the Municipality of San Joaquin, Iloilo.
There are nameless Centralians all over the world that have contributed in the fight against Covid-19 and its effects. This laudable action of extending assistance to people who have less, with some even running out of food for some days, and the needed necessities for frontliners is what we call the Central Spirit in action!
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Centralians Bryan Paul L. Espinosa and Shenry June A. Esparagoza are among Top Ten board passers in the 2021 Licensure Examination for Teachers (Secondary Level). Espinosa ranked No. 6 with 92.00% rating, while Shenry June A. Esparagosa ranked No. 10 with 91.20% rating. CPU got an all-time high passing rate of 84.44% (38 passers out of 45 takers) in the BSED category versus the national passing rate of 57.76%. In the BEED category, CPU got 86.67% (13 passers out of 15 takers) with a national passing rate of 55.96%.
Espinosa who comes from Iloilo City said “It was a journey enriched in love, hope, and gratitude. I made it! I am a LET Topnotcher. I trusted everything in God’s hands and trusting Him led to this wonderful moment.”
On the other hand, the parents of Esparagoza were very proud of him. He’s dedicated and made sure he makes good in the LET exam. Esparagoza comes from Tibiao, province of Antique.
Espinosa and Esparagoza thanked Central Philippine University, their parents, teachers, Dean, classmates and friends. Bryan, graduated during the first semester of School Year 2018-2019, Magna Cum Laude while Shenry graduated during the First Semester of SY 2019-2020.
According to Dr. Merle L. Junsay, Dean of the College of Education, “My heart leaps with joy and thanksgiving for the wonderful blessing we received from God in the College of Education: having two topnotchers and having achieved a very high rating in the September 2021 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). God indeed has a perfect plan. The result is a testimony that excellence is never an accident. Now, we do not wonder why the LET was cancelled three times. All praise and glory be to our God!”
According to the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC), 4,883 elementary teachers from 8,720 examinees and 10,318 secondary teachers from 17,863 examinees, successfully passed the LET Licensure Examination.